MAURICE GAINEN
Jazz World Colors (Empyrean Music)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Maurice Gainen is an eclectic musician. For almost twenty years, he has recorded, produced, engineered, arranged, mixed, and remastered countless CDs in genres as diverse as jazz, world music, rap, rhythm and blues, and rock. In addition, he mastered the last 27 compilation CDs for Starbucks Coffee. So, it comes as no surprise that Jazz World Colors is an eclectic mix of diverse musical styles, especially jazz and world music.

Gainen wrote all the music on this CD, plus did all the studio work including producing, arranging, and sound engineering. He plays flutes, tenor sax, soprano sax, keyboards, and percussion. Additional instrumentation provided by some of Los Angeles' top musicians. The songs themselves contain Latin, Asian, jazz, and rock references in an upbeat, rhythmic approach that is perfect for contemplative moments. In the hectic pace of today's society, Jazz World Colors has a calming effect that is both bewitching and evocative. Gainen is a versatile musician whose strength of vision has produced a worthy CD.

© 2005 - Ron Saranich