Track Listing

1. Chasing the Wind
2. Nightshift
3. Silent Promise
4. Speakeasy
5. Club Hopping
6. Time Could Pass
7. My Favorite Season
8. Rocky Peak
9. Stevie (Wonderful)
10. Small World
11. Captive Hearts (For Yvonne)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130374 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-26
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

From Jazziz
Five years ago, it may have seemed presumptuous for Gregg Karukas to call one of his most popular recordings You'll Know It's Me, but back then, his sugary, ultra-melodic, slightly funkified keyboard style was truly identifiable from the first few notes of any song he played. Since then, however, he's pushed the rhythmic and stylistic envelopes in so many exciting, new directions that the Karukas of 2000 isn't quite the same guy anymore.

Released in 1998, Blue Touch lived up to its title by moving in what Karukas calls a "bluesy, funky, greasy, and organic" direction. His NCoded debut Nightshift - so named for Karukas' propensity to work vampire-like in his studio all night - moves even further in that direction. His melodies are still as instantly hummable as ever, but he varies their surroundings to include Crusaders-inspired retro-soul elements, snazzy horn sections, and more Latin and Brazilian percussion patterns than ever before.

As always, Karukas chose to work with sidemen with whom he felt a magical rapport. When he pays homage to one of his greatest influences on the silky electric-piano ballad "Stevie (Wonderful)," Dino Soldo is right there with the perfect lazy chromatic harmonica solo. And when the keyboardist needs crazed Brazilian jungle effects on the percussive, brass-tinged "Small World," who else could he call but Luis Conte?

Elsewhere, Pat Kelley's snappy, high-tone electric guitar blends perfectly with Karukas' own upper-register, melodic dabblings on "Chasing the Wind," while guitarist Michael O'Neill's gritty fretwork proves the perfect foil for Karukas' soulful Fender Rhodes musings on the brooding "Silent Promise." On "My Favorite Season" Karukas trades off a lighthearted synth-vibes melody with a Rhodes solo and an acoustic-piano interlude, while Paul Jackson Jr.'s subtle rhythm-guitar jangling perfectly compliments the tune's Pollyanna-ish cheer.

--Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Working The Nightshift Rules, Man...
From the beginning to the end, "Nightshift" is a stunning album. You have the melodious radio hit, "Chasing The Wind" followed by a melodious title track, "Nightshift", and 9 other goodies after that. Gregg Karukas has an uncanny ear for melody, and that's something that you rarely hear in most smooth jazz songs nowadays. When I listen to the radio and I hear a song that doesn't grab me from the jump, I'm like "yeah, yeah... hurry up and end already." But when I heard "Chasing The Wind", I had to scoop up the album. And I'm glad I did because you can listen to the whole cd without skipping one song. It's funny, because there's a vocal selection (I hate vocal jazz songs) called "Time Could Pass" with Jonathan Butler, and I thought I would hate it... but it's my 3rd favorite song on the cd. That's because you can't get the melody out of your head. A lot of people may be on a whole other level than myself, so they would probably skip the song. But if you take the time to listen to it, you'll realize how intricate it is... the vocals, the music, the lyrics- everything. The same thing about Gregg's tribute to Stevie Wonder ("Stevie"). You'll think that it doesn't sound like a Stevie Wonder song upon first listen, but then you'll realize that it's very Stevie-esque. It's a trancy song. And I love the bridge on "My Favorite Season." So in a nutshell, if you don't get this album, you're off your rocker because this is one of those rare smooth jazz albums where you could listen to the whole thing straight through. The tunes are hard to get out of your head. Great job, Gregg!

Excellent!
This CD was recommened to me by Amazon. They hit the nail right on the head! It's just what I look for in a CD! This is a great CD for sitting by the fire, reading a good book, or working around the house. I prefer strictly instrumental CDs, and this one has only one vocal track which makes it nearly perfect. I would highly recommend this to anyone, and I plan to purchase more of this artist's works.

Chasing the Wind
The first time I heard this selection, was 5:30 a.m. on The Oasis 107.5 Smooth Jazz Radio. I was on my way to work which is 70 plus miles from where I live. It was so smooth I woke right up and ask myself "self, who is that by!!!?". It's so smooth I can drive all day and not even get tired. The CD is about worn out because it is my favorite. I suggest that this be a #1 hit everywhere. Thanks "MR. K" for your inspiration.