If you don’t immediately recognize Leon Ware’s name, try these: Marvin Gaye, Minnis Riperton, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Maxwell. Ware has produced and written for all of them over his long career. He acknowledges that, “I’ve been more of a behind the scenes individual even though I’m in a field that calls for me to be just the opposite.”
But he’s stepped into the spotlight for this album, A Kiss in the Sand. Ask him what this collaboration with Brazilian guitarist Sandro Albert is and he’ll tell you that it’s “R & Bossa.” It’s an appropriate phase that he’s coined for the slow sensuality spiced with South American rhythms that you’ll find on this CD.
There’s no denying that Ware has a velvety voice. He is soft but self assured. The problem with the arrangement here is that the instrumentation and, more often, the “back ground” singers almost completely cover Ware’s voice.
It’s a relaxing and sensual work with a South American jazz flare and if that’s your bag, I’d recommend adding this CD to your collection.
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