*It’s so nice to hear the signature sound of Grammy Award winning guitarist Norman Brown again on his newest album release, a Smooth Jazz/Spiritual project, titled “The Highest Act of Love” (Shanachie Entertainment). Brown gives us a charming project we can cherish. “The Highest Act of Love” features assistance from Deniece Williams on a remake of her song “Free,” saxophonist Kim Waters on “Peace of Mind” and guitarist Paul Brown on “Inside the Garden of Peace and Love.”
“The Egyptian spiritual system is based on the ‘highest act of love,’” Norman explained about the meaning of the projects’ titled. That “act” is to achieve the purpose God has for you.
My Christian spirituality equates that to God “ordering my footsteps.” When I do that, I’ve noticed no one seems to understand. When you fulfill your purpose maybe sometimes people won’t understand that either. Norman tries to make it simple for you to understand, by example. The ease of how he plays is nothing but natural and divinely ordered, a skill some may not understand.
“The Highest Act of Love” is executive produced by Norman and Daniel Weiss. The project also features Emanuel Wells, Roberto Vally and Tres Gilbert on bass, Lew Laing, Phil Davis, Chris “Big Dog” Davis on keyboard, and Gordan Campbell on drums. Producers include Paul Brown, Big Dog, Phil Davis and Kim Waters.
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My favorite tracks on this charming project includes #1 “Inside the Garden of Peace and Love,” featuring Paul Brown accompanying Norman on guitar, because it gives me visions of a long winding road with two guitars dancing perfectly together. I like #2 “The King is Here” because it offers that signature Norman Brown guitar playing sound that always makes me rock. The title song #5 “The Highest Act of Love” because its simplicity makes it perfect. The beat and the strings on #6 “Don’t Make Me Wait” offers a charming Smooth Jazz feel. I like the cover of “Free,” featuring four-time Grammy Award winning Deniece Williams, because together they offer a sweet musical combination. Last, though I must say the whole album is good enough to listen to over and over again from beginning to end, is #9 “Peace of Mind” featuring saxophonist Kim Waters, because the fairytale flavor that Waters bring somehow matches perfectly with Norman Browns’ playing as he makes the keys flip. www.NormanBrown.com www.Shanachie.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: https://eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NoahHaiduTrio_BusterWilliams_NoahHaidu_LennyWhite-1.jpg, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: “Uplifting Minds II” Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 20, 2019) in partnership with Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes. www.UpliftingMinds2.com www.GoFundMe.com/Uplifting-Minds-II-Entertainment-Conference
