SPOTLIGHT The reason for two discs was very important for Kristine W. to present, as the first disc
is straight up standard jazz formats while disc two has a modern lounge sound to it. Both are enticingly well done for this collection. I mention reading one review where the critic praised disc one but said, “don’t bother listening to disc two as it’s all dance music.” This couldn’t be farther from the truth as both discs are variations on the jazz for- mat. Kristine laughs and says, “ That’s what makes me laugh. That was the whole thing to have that chilled electro-lounge feel [on disc two]. It’s got a little bit more energy and it’s got the electro sounds in it. I thought that would be really fun for my audiences. You can play CD One at a dinner party where people are talking and everything as it’s very sparse and organic. Later on, you can move it out to the Jacuzzi or whatever and play CD Two as it’s got more energy to it. I think the more people listen to it, the more they’ll get it. You totally get it.” “I made this record for my fans because they had totally bugged me for so long to do something like this. That’s really what pushed it forward. Financially, it had a lot of setbacks. I had a lot of drama the past four years trying to bring this all together. I really could not have done it without those e-mails from people saying, ‘Hey. When are you going to put out your jazz album? You gotta keep working on it. It’s going to be great.’ It was just great encouragement.” The first single released “Do What You Want” entered the Billboard Smooth Jazz Singles chart at #26 and when the single was released on iTunes, it entered as most downloads at #3…these are outstanding numbers which are sure to go higher as the weeks progress. Kristine is thoroughly excited and says, “Oh my god. It’s pretty impressive. We’re above David Sanborn and George Benson…it’s pretty crazy. I have goose bumps right now. This being received so well has motivated me to already start thinking about the next album.” She continues to elaborate on how she felt before the album’s initial release… “I was so scared right before the album came out.I pre-pressed 2,000 copies. I spent a fortune out of my savings. It’s on my label so the buck stops and ends and everything else here, you know. They are my masters…I own it this time. It’s a whole different ball of wax. So, it’s very scary.” There is an incredible batch of talented musicians on Straight Up With a Twist. Kristine
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elaborates on just some of the skilled players who worked with her. “Myron Dove, he’s a bass player who has toured for many years with everyone. He’s performed with so many people. He’s on so many records. And of course, Ed Roth…he plays every style
of music. I think he’s the best at this because he’s half Brazilian and half Italian. He has this strange vibe when he plays funky jazz…Latin and funk. He just has the perfect fusion of those flavors in his playing. So, when we were doing the arrangements, he was the perfect guy for me in doing something like this. He’s just got it. It was a perfect combination. Everybody that worked on this record wanted to do a record that would stand up and make some noise and get people’s attention and show some true artistry.”
Kristine W. is performing at San Diego’s Anthology nightclub in November. For upcoming O.C./L.A. performances, check her website at
kristinew.com.
A FEW OF KRISTINE’S FAVORITE THINGS…
Movie: Tall Tale with Patrick Swayze.
Guilty pleasure food: dark chocolate…mmm.
Travel Destination: Italy.
Can I be totally honest? (laughter) Okay…I love a lot of books but I think this has been the most helpful for me. Women and Money by Suzy Orman.
Male singer who she would like to duet with... living or dead: Elvis for sure. I’m such an Elvis fan or Michael Jackson; either one of those. In the present, it would be Al Jarreau.
RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2010 ] Book:
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