How many times have we all been in situations where, all of a sudden, we realize what our personal soundtrack is at that moment? The music playing at various times during our lives, can make that moment stand still in time, the memory that more vivid. For example: Have you ever had a date where every thing had to be just right? The food, the setting- even the air? And then, just when you have everything just so, you realize you need music - maybe the hardest part of the whole equation. Whatever music
you play in the background can't be intrusive, but it may very well define your whole evening.
If you really want a romantic setting, lets face it, there is nothing classier than good jazz. And the two latest releases in Hippo Records
"Essential" series have gathered up some of the best in two winning collections. Either of these two discs will lend any situation instant sophistication
"Young Lions" features 13 tracks by current artists, 
all deeply rooted in the classic jazz tradition. From the opening track, Roy Hargrove's "Little Bennie", with it's rapid fire trumpeting, to revamps of chest nuts such as "Send In The Clowns", here given a slight latin edge in an instrumental by pianist Eric Reed, all the tunes here are played with real fire, conviction and verve. By the time you get to the fifth cut, by saxophonist Eric Alexander's Stay Straight, with a wonderful big band setting and truly dynamic drumming from George Fludas, the effect of this album is simply exhilarating.
A favorite is hard to choose, but the very next track, by guitarist Anthony Wilson evokes the best of Mancini and whimsy with a dazzling arrangement. Simply dazzling. If this collection
of "Young Lions" is any indication, the future of Jazz is in good hands.
The second of the compilations, "Late Night Jazz Essentials", is just that. 
An even dozen classics by the likes of John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon and more. Among the highlights included here are Herbie Hancocks hypnotic, latin grooved piano and trumpet opus "Cantaloupe Island", Miles Davis poignant "When I Fall In Love", and the truly inimitable Billie Holiday. Her "Body And Soul" still packs a lot of power after all these years. That's just the tip of the iceberg here. There's also Kenny Burrell's wonderful guitar technique on "Girl Talk", as well as Johnny Hartman's heartfelt piano ballad "I Just Dropped By To Say Hello"- just two of the lesser known gems on this great wonderfully sequenced compilation.
Either one of these compilations would make the perfect soundtrack for a romantic evening… although you might want to careful if you're beloved is a big music buff.
"Young Lions"BuyitNow!
"Late Night Jazz Essentials"BuyitNow!
