Duncan Millar
Fresh Air

1 review for Fresh Air

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   jason – 5 March 2013

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   DUNCAN MILLAR
   Fresh Air
   Warmday Records

   It’s been too long since we’ve heard the infectious grooves and melodic keys playing of Duncan Millar, who released two well-received Smooth Jazz CDs more than a decade ago on legendary Instinct Records. But the U.K. native and MOBO nominee is officially back and better than ever with the aptly titled FRESH AIR! Add the skills of one the U.K.’s top talents along with a musical mix of influences including Samba, funk and even waltz, and you have a well-rounded project perfect for repeated listening. The first single, the title track “Fresh Air,” is upbeat and oh-so-catchy, with backing sax from Jacko Peake. Mostly, though, the CD explores sensual and laid-back grooves, from the eye-closing sweetness of “Ilhabela,” the after-hours vibe of “Belmondo” and the smooth, jazz-club feel of “Subcontinental.” Millar varies his acoustic playing with electric piano, as well as Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer organ runs. It all adds up to a remarkable Smooth Jazz CD from someone who’s been gone too long. Welcome back, Duncan! ~BRIAN SOERGEL

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   http://www.thesmoothjazzride.com/site/duncan-millar-fresh-air/ – more-8804

   5/2/2013

   It’s been awhile since I’ve heard anything from keyboardist/pianist Duncan Millar, but Fresh Air, his upcoming release (Feb. 12) on his own new label, Warmday Records, makes the wait worth it because it’s so very interesting.

   With clean, crisp, and finessed tracks, Millar has returned on a mission…to establish a somewhat new direction. On his previous recordings, he chose the road most travelled — though it’s a road loved by so many –, that rhythmic, funky, high-steppin’ groove we fondly call smooth jazz. While Millar is still in the smooth jazz ballpark, he has adjusted the mood here to one of a softer, romantic, often exotic atmosphere, a lot of it being just right for lovers.

   Millar piles up track after tasteful track on this album that displays a decent amount of savvy. Lots of upfront, cool keys.

   There are lots of moods here, but they all suggest chillin’ out. For example, there is the smooth and bouncy “Southern Sky” which offers one mood while “Belmondo” offers romance and reflection.

   Interestingly and ironically enough, the track “Blue Cool,” which could have been an appropriate title for the album, has a bit of a sassy edge to it. You could probably say the same, but to a lesser extent, about “Subcontinental,” a handsomely melodic piece indeed.

   Another mood might be the title track with its subtle funk and bounce. Then, there’s also the exotic path on “Buenas” displaying a bossa nova twist with saxman Jaco Peake adding some punch with his tenor sax. More of that Brazilian cool is found on “Ilhabela,” a tune as gentle and swaying as the island breezes, again with Peake offering some sharp sax work.

   Millar ends this otherwise chilled-out eclectic jazzy project with an up-tempo feel-good piece called “Get What You Give.”

   An album full of nice surprises — if you’ve kept up with Millar — this is an appealing, chilled-out change that most can embrace, I’m sure. – Ronald Jackson
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   http://www.smoothjazztherapy.com/
   FEBRUARY 25, 2013
   Fresh Air From Duncan Millar
   ‘Fresh Air’ is the latest album release from composer, arranger and keyboard player Duncan Millar and following my review of what is a truly charming collection comes this smooth jazz snippet of the title cut. As well as being a great opportunity to check out the music of someone well known on the UK dance and acid jazz circuits it is also a chance for anglophiles to revel in a video with a very English aura.
   ‘Fresh Air’ is out now on the new boutique label Warmday Records.

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   http://www.smoothjazztherapy.com/

   (http://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/02/duncan-millar-fresh-air.html)

   FEBRUARY 03, 2013, Duncan Millar – Fresh Air

   Those familiar with the UK dance and acid jazz circuits will need no introduction to composer, arranger and keyboard player Duncan Millar who enjoyed success on the club scene with the track ‘Void’ (featuring vocals from Kim Mazelle) and with his acid jazz project A One that made some waves on US radio with the single ‘West By Southwest’.

   Millar’s album credits include his 1998 solo debut, ‘Dream Your Dream’ and ‘Good To Go’ that followed three years later. Now, after way too long, Duncan has re-emerged with his latest release ‘Fresh Air’. It’s an ultra smooth collection of ten all new compositions that are built around Millar’s cool playing on piano and keyboards but afforded added depth by input from an array of fine backing musicians.

   Take for instance the feel-good title cut that includes a nice contribution on sax from Jacko Peak and equally good work on guitar from Mark Vandergucht. In fact Peak makes significant contributions throughout and none more so than when he switches to flute for the mellifluous ‘Southern Sky’. Laced with a zesty Latin vibe that has the power to intoxicate, the song shares this characteristic with both ‘Buenas’ (which is given wonderful texture by the percussion of Pete Eckford) and ‘Ilhabela’ where the interplay between Millar and Peak is again top notch.

   Muted trumpet from Alex Bonney paves the way to the ultra mellow ‘As Lovers Do’ and although ‘Autumn Mood’ has a quality which is entirely evocative of the season often described as that of mists and mellow fruitfulness, its the retro tinged ‘Subcontinental’ that returns Millar to closer to his acid jazz roots.

   ‘Belmondo’ is not only where smooth jazz meets late night lounge in the most enticing of ways but also a serious contender for Smooth Jazz Therapy top tune. Equally good is ‘Blue Cool’ that purrs along on a delicious mid tempo groove yet, all things considered, a real personal favorite is ‘Get What You Give’. Vitalized by subtle backing vocals from Dennis Charles and without doubt the most upbeat number that ‘Fresh Air’ has to offer, this is a track with the potential to attract cult status.

   Self-produced and on the new boutique label Warmday Records, ‘Fresh Air’ is set to hit the streets on February 12, 2013.

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   http://www.smoothvibes.com/ January 31, 2013

   In Our CD Players This Month
   WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO ** JANUARY 2013 P E T E R * B O E H I

   Duncan Millar – Fresh Air (2013)
   British keyboardist Duncan Millar has released a new CD after a hiatus featuring tons of memorable tracks, he is supported by the best UK players, and his keyboard playing over cool grooves results in another brilliant album. Don’t miss it________________________________________
   http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Millar/FreshAir.htm 20/1/2013

   Ten years ago we observed a phenomena in Great Britain called Acid Jazz. Berklee graduate Duncan Millar was part of this scene performing with musicians such as Down to the Bone, who he used to work with in his West London studio making raucous house records before they started Down to the Bone.

   Duncan became know by his solo projects A-One, Dream Your Dream (1999), Good To Go (2001), the latter two re-released under the title Comin’ Thru (2001). And then there was silence for Duncan. I frequently asked him in 2012, when he would release a new album. Now he presents his new album Fresh Air (2013).

   Duncan has written and produced all songs. While Duncan performs keyboards and drum programming, he is supported by Jacko Peake (sax), Mark Vandergucht (guitar), Chris Dodd (bass, drum and percussion programming), Dennis Charles (vocals), Alex Booney and Damon Brown (trumpet) and many more.

   Duncan Millar’s Fresh Air is a successful blend of smooth jazz of all moods. Entertaining to the last note.