[TR24][OF] Najee - Center of the Heart - 2019 (Smooth Jazz)

Center Of The Heart marks the first time that Najee has recorded with Grammy nominated vocalist Kenny Lattimore. “Kenny and I started our careers around same time and never did a record together even though we have been around the world together. We first met in 1998 when we both performed at Nelson Mandela’s Gift To the Nation concert in Johannesburg and Durban.” It is undeniable that Najee and Lattimore both get “Better” with time. The laid-back and in-the-pocket flow of “The Way She Moves” features Najee’s bluesy tenor while the soulful “One Note Love” is a family affair. The latter features Najee’s son, rapper Superb Clawson and his granddaughter is also heard on the track. The banger “Speak Love!” will have you confessing your love over the way Najee rides danceable grooves and elevates the mood with his joyful orchestration and jubilant melodic anthems. The album’s title track was co-written by and features bassist Blair Bryant, who has collaborated with Stanley Clark, Eric Roberson and Bernie Williams among others. The euphoric and hypnotic feel good track is an album highlight. Center Of The Heart Najee closes with “Tonight We Say Goodbye.” This bittersweet parting is a reminder of why we keep coming back for more.
"Center of the Heart is a welcome addition to the Najee catalog, aptly displaying his consistency as a purveyor of well-rounded contemporary jazz proficient in pleasing melodies, stimulating rhythms, and solidly founded arrangements. Recommended." (Justin Kantor, soultracks.com)
"On Center of the Heart Najee can fully rely on the compositional qualities of his fellow players or musical ancestors, which gives him the opportunity to showcase his passionate perfection as performer. Najee pulls the right trigger to satisfy his fans captivating their minds and bodies." (smooth-jazz.de)
“Najee delivers light, romantic melodies… and tells meaningful emotional stories with complex, thoughtful improvisations.” (The Los Angeles Times)