Soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas’s newest CD Something To Ride 2 is a smooth jazz classic in the making. With the breakout hits Bayou and Chameleon leading the way, Something To Ride 2 lends to a perfect musical getaway, with a refreshing selection of songs that are smooth and mellow, yet tinged with an urban, funky flavor. Lucas’ second CD is set for release April 16, 2007, on the independent label Mo Better Recordings.
“I am pleased with ‘Something To Ride 2,’ said Dee. “I wanted a CD that people could groove to and have fun listening to and ‘Something To Ride 2†fits the bill. It’s a departure from what I did on my first CD, ‘Remembrance.’ With this record I wanted to further develop my own distinctive sound as a solo artist. My style, from a horn perspective, is different from that of many traditional smooth jazz artists in terms of timbre and tone. My music tends to speak more than sing with the horn, allowing me to indulge in notes that are more staccato. I like taking off on an uncharted path in music and ‘Something To Ride 2’ is a representation of the journey that I take each time I pick up the sax.â€
Dee is a true self-taught musician. The 40-year-old Atlantan did not pick up the sax until the age of 28. However, with self-reliance, determination, and discipline, Dee has reached a level of professional musicianship in a fast-track manner that has been embraced by jazz listeners and musical peers.
During his short but fast-growing career, Dee has performed in several settings. He has been an opening act for such artists as Roy Ayers, Hugh Masakela, The Gap Band, Lalah Hathaway, and five-time Grammy-nominee Nneena Freelon. He has performed at several jazz festivals and on concerts bills with artists such as Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Greg Karukas, Oleta Adams, Warren Hill, Ken Ford, Boney James, Pieces of a Dream, Tower of Power, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub, Chris Botti, Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Ronny Jordan, Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, Abbe Lincoln, Joshua Redman, and Gerald Albright. Dee has performed at celebrity birthday bashes for Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and Dominique Wilkins. In addition, he has been the featured entertainment at both government and corporate events hosted by The 100 Black Men of America, the McDonalds Corporation, American Urban Radio Networks and the DeKalb County, Georgia CEO Inauguration Ball honoring Vernon Jones. He has headlined at the Arts Council Theatre in Winston Salem, N.C.; Jazz-N-June and the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Ala.; Ritz Theatre in Jacksonville, Fla; and the Crowe’s Nest and Café 290 in Atlanta, Ga.
Dee's debut solo CD Remembrance was released in 2004 on Mo Better Recordings, and nationally distributed in 2005. The CD received airplay on more than 115 radio stations and has earned stunning reviews. Smoothjazz.com's Scott O'Brien said, "Dee Lucas has done a marvelous job of re-creating the instantly recognizable style and legacy of George Howard, while at the same time putting his own unique signature on each fresh, new performance."
Something To Ride 2 has earned stunning reviews:
Smooth Jazz.com
Wow, what a stunning follow-up to Dee’s outstanding George Howard tribute disc of a couple of years ago! When I reviewed “Remembrance,†I mentioned what an impressive job Dee had done in re-creating the distinctive George Howard style while putting his own unique signature on each tune. I was thinking to myself at the time that as good as that album was, I couldn’t wait to hear the next Dee Lucas project, when he performed music that he could truly make his own. SOMETHING TO RIDE 2 is that project, and my expectations have been exceeded. This album is rich, tasty, classy, and I could just keep adding positives! This truly is a first-rate collection of soprano sax-driven music, and it should indeed be a breakout release for Mr. Lucas. There’s not one throwaway track on this disc, with the hits “Bayou†and the cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon†(including a bonus mix) in the forefront. Speaking of covers, Dee’s takes on Kem’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You†and Brian McKnight’s “Never Felt This Way†are exceptional. This is just a quality outing from first note to last… smooth and mellow, with an understated urban funk groove as a foundation. I told you that “Remembrance†was a “must have.†Dee Lucas’ new one, SOMETHING TO RIDE 2, is absolutely in the same category, and I expect it to propel him to the forefront of the Smooth Jazz format. You will fall in love with this album!
~Scott O’Brien
Smooth Jazz Therapy.com
“Something To Ride 2†is a superb example of some of the best urban smooth jazz you will hear all year and follows his 2004 debut "Remembrance."
With six original compositions and three classy covers, the album is all about the smoky direction in which smooth jazz is currently moving. At times Lucas deliciously edges the genre into the long grass of top notch R & B but with the catchy title track and the radio friendly "Bayou" he is firmly in smooth jazz territory. Equally silky, and with that certain Dee Lucas vibe, is “Into The Night.†Mellow and right in the pocket, the track is an absolute joy and although Dee keeps it smooth for the edgy "Reconcile" the mid tempo “Method To The Madness†proves that he can get funky too. It benefits hugely from his own warm playing and the keys of Karey Davis who also produces and remains excellent throughout.
When Lucas turns to the much covered Herbie Hancock classic "Chameleon" he delivers a six-minute plus epic that is moody in the extreme and when later in the album he reprises it as a bonus remix the featured bass of Joel Powell gives the tune a whole new dynamic. Dee’s interpretation of the Brian McKnight number "Never Felt This Way" results in a slice of romantic smooth jazz for lovers while just as tender is Kem’s “I Cant Stop Loving You.†Velvety and sensuous with subtle horns from Cedric Young, the song is guided by picture perfect vocals from Jason Sylvain. It’s a personal favorite but just as good is the original composition “Nothing That I Do.†Fashioned around a cool vocal from Terri Carroll and built on a sultry vibe that is straight from the street this is where urban jazz meets quiet storm to sensational effect.
“Something To Ride 2†is a real delight and without doubt will find its way into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty of 2007.
~Denis Poole
Jazz Lounge.com
I'm listening to "Human Nature," and I love it when a musician takes a track and makes it their own. I don't like note-for-note cover songs . . . job well done. Now I'm on “Chameleon†and I'm sold.
~Earl aka DJ Jazzy L
Jazz Times
Dee Lucas is an inspiration to musical late bloomers. The 40-year-old from Atlanta picked up the sax at age 28 and, after performing with some of the top names in smooth jazz, offered his debut in 2004, a tribute to the late saxophonist George Howard titled Remembrance. His second CD is not a tribute to Howard, but his ax of choice, the silky soprano, combined with easy R&B grooves speaks to Howard’s undeniable influence.
Unfortunately, there’s not too much going on here to separate Lucas from the pack. If this musical world has too much of one thing, it’s instrumental R&B saxophonists laying down a few jam tracks and a ballad or two. That said, Lucas’ bonus remix of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon†sways just about right with its handclaps and spacey keys, while the chillout vibe of “Into the Night†does right by spotlighting Karey Davis’ jazz piano and Joel Powell’s bass solos.
~Brian Soergel
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