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Nelson Rangell

Jazziz magazine writes that Nelson Rangell is “an artist of depth, a master of song, and an improviser non pareil.” The Times of London notes his "undoubted virtuosity" and "extraordinary facility on a range of instruments”. Saxophone Journal writes “He commands the alto saxophone with such authority there can be no denying that Nelson Rangell is a true artist,” and Flute Talk Magazine states “Nelson Rangell creates the impression that anything is possible when he improvises.” Such praise is confirmation of what contemporary jazz fans have known since the late 80s: that Rangell is one of the most exciting and diverse performers in the genre.


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262
Album Review

Nelson Rangell: Soul To Souls

Read "Soul To Souls" reviewed by Mark Sabbatini


If you've never heard saxophonist Nelson Rangell, you may find Soul To Souls a pleasant step beyond typical smooth radio fodder. Listeners familiar with his work will find it, for better or worse, a return to safety.

Rangell put out unpolished fusion albums with scattered moments of innovation during his early years, hit a brief peak during mid-'90s, and has since lapsed into lukewarm territory. He took a detour for the better on My American Songbook Vol. 1 ...

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Album Review

Nelson Rangell: My American Songbook Vol. 1

Read "My American Songbook Vol. 1" reviewed by Mark Sabbatini


It's about freakin' time.

Nelson Rangell's squandered most of his career on saccharine smooth jazz only rarely offering insight into his ability, with nearly all of that coming during his early recordings of the late '80s and early '90s. He doesn't completely fulfill that promise on My American Songbook Vol. 1, but it's his best album in perhaps a decade and enough to renew hope the multiinstrumentalist may yet establish himself as an artist of substance.

413
Album Review

Nelson Rangell: All I Hope For Christmas

Read "All I Hope For Christmas" reviewed by Mark Sabbatini


This is a holiday album that achieves nirvana--a state of perfect musical nothingness.

Saxophonist Nelson Rangell's All I Hope For Christmas isn't good enough to excite, bad enough to disappoint, or novel enough to inspire any other emotions. It's a shade above mall music fodder, but even more accomplished moments will sound immediately recognizable to his fans--the only ones likely to purchase this in any quantity.

Rangell is a supremely talented and versatile wind player who, ...

101
Album Review

Nelson Rangell: Turning Night into Day

Read "Turning Night into Day" reviewed by AAJ Staff


I have always had difficulty in identifying ' what's new ' about the music of Nelson Rangell. It had a smooth contemporary feel in keeping with Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and David Sanborn. ' Turning Night into Day ' has turned me onto Nelson Rangell as a very talented musician and reminds me a lot of one of my recent ' All About Jazz ' album reviews from February featuring another underrated, yet wonderful saxophonist, Jeff Hackworth.

This abum is ...

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