Falling Feels Like Flying
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
Listen to Falling Feels Like Flying
The composer and lyricist John Korbel brings to mind legends like Michael Bublé, Sting and Donald Fagen for these diverse and rich jazz tracks.
The elegant and warm “Wheels Up” starts the listen with Mark Falchook’s playful keys and plenty of soulful spirit, and “Lizard Of Oz” follows with Ezra Henry’s agile drums complementing Korbel’s expressive and cozy singing.
Into the middle, the stylish and melodic “Take A Ride With The Top Down” benefits much from Marco Bojorquez’s strategic bass and well timed brass that carries much beauty, while “Sweet Burning” injects flowing horns amid the intimate singing for the R&B flavor.
Landing near the end, the heartfelt “First Christmas Loving You” reminds us of all the things we love about the holiday season, as Korbel’s impressive range suits the dreamy climate, and an extended version of the opening track exits with more expansive instrumentation that embraces rock ideas, too.
The brass from Alain Bradette (tenor/soprano sax), Sam Zambito (trumpet), Derrick Harris (trombone), Chris West (sax/winds) and Kyle Schroeder (sax/flute) sure is exceptional, and it certainly illuminates Korbel’s influences from Orlando’s jazz culture that’s fueled by talented musicians from Disney, Cirque du Soleil, and Universal Studios.
Travels well with: Michael Costantino- The Song Inside The Tune; Scott Emmerman- Spheres