VALARIE KING – Anytime, Anyplace

If the classic saying “the third time is a charm” is true, it certainly appears to be the case with this third release Anytime, Anyplace from Jazz and Classical Virtuoso Valarie King.

Anytime, Anyplace features an all star lineup of stellar musicians including Multi Grammy nominated keyboardist/composer Patrice Rushen on the soulful and melodic “I Can Tell You Love Me.”
Note worthy is Valarie’s funky and grooving rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady”, featuring the high powered vocals of American Music & Grammy Award winner Wanda Vaughn (The Emotions), accompanied by an energetic arrangement by R&B composer/arranger Wayne Vaughn (Earth Wind & Fire). Adding a beautiful and lavish touch to “Anytime, Anyplace”, are the signature string arrangements of Mark Cargill and The Tri Ambient Orchestra. The orchestra is also highlighted in Valarie’s previous release “Only Time Will Tell”.
Anytime, Anyplace delivers the full spectrum of Valarie’s flute inspired mastery, from a fantastic performance on John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” to an emotionally stirring and sultry performance of Janet Jackson mega hit- “Anytime, Anyplace”.

Valarie currently enjoys a highly successful musical career in Classical, Jazz and on the L.A. studio scene.
She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and has recorded and or performed with Madonna, Earth Wind & Fire, Annie Lennox, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, George Benson, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Justin Timberlake, Hubert Laws, Barbara Streisand, Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross.
Some of Valarie’s notable classical performances have been with The San Francisco Ballet, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, California Philharmonic, Pasadena Symphony, Glendale Symphony and Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
There is no doubt that Ms. King truly rocks with this new release!

reviews

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• Smooth Jazz Therapy

  author: Denis Poole

  With its excellent blend of four new compositions and carefully selected covers the latest album from jazz flautist Valarie King, ‘Anytime Anyplace’, is an outstanding showcase for her exceptional talents. Indeed, when the stellar line up of some of LA’s most sought after session musicians is factored in, the collection sets the stage for King to reinforce her growing reputation as a consummate purveyor of sophisticated contemporary jazz. Following her previous releases ‘Only Time Will Tell’ and the Grammy nominated debut, ‘Today, Tomorrow and Forever’, it again features creative input from keyboard player Gregory Cook. His original opus, ‘I’ll Tell You Tomorrow’ shimmers with a haunting yet extremely catchy vibe while King’s handling of the Aretha Franklin classic ‘Rock Steady’ provides this familiar tune with something of a makeover. Although not a track that is immediately associated with the flute it is, in her capable hands, every bit as urgent and groove driven as the auspicious original yet comes out sounding completely her own. ‘Bringing It Back’ is held down by a thumping beat and serves to illustrate that given the right setting the flute can be an extremely funky instrument. Elsewhere, with the Latin infused ‘Zambra’ contrasting delightfully with Kings’ intricate take on John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ there is no doubt that this is an album with all the variety you will ever need. ‘Airwave’ features pleasing keyboards from Gregory Cook, tight bass from Robert Russell plus, of course, King’s jazzy and melodic playing. It’s a top notch example of picture perfect smooth jazz whereas when King switches gears to pay her respects to Ronnie Laws 1975 blockbuster ‘Always There’ she diffuses some of the intensity that typified previous versions and, in doing so, makes it sound brand new. Janet Jackson’s mellow standout that King takes as the album’s title track fits to perfection what her music is all about. The string arrangement by Mark Cargill for his Tri Ambient Orchestra adds to the overall excellence of this memorable track and indeed, with everything he touches, Cargill’s input is never less than influential. This is particularly so with his playing on ‘I Can Tell You Love Me’ which is arguably the CD’s best track. Here King’s melodic tone flows like a cool stream, wonderful electric piano comes courtesy of none other than Patrice Rushen and the end product is an uplifting slice of hugely accessible contemporary jazz.

• All Music Guide

  author: Jonathan Widran

  From Tim Weisberg on, the smooth jazz radio format spotlighting contemporary instrumental music was never very friendly to the unique timbre of the flute. Even saxophonists who had unique voices on the instrument like Nelson Rangell were often discouraged from doing too many cuts with it. It’s always encouraging from a creative standpoint when a brilliant standout performer on the flute gives it a go in spite of this foolish reality, and there was none better in the later 2000s than Valarie King. King was hardly a newcomer to the industry, with a mile long resume boasting performances and recordings with an impressive list of legends, from Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand, Seal, Annie Lennox, Babyface and Elton John. All of the tunes on her third solo project Anytime, Anyplace fit into the grooving, urban jazz vibe that defined the genre. “I Can Tell You Love Me,” featuring the soothing backing vocals and stellar electric piano of jazz/R&B great Patrice Rushen, is sensual, cool and a shimmering showcase for King’s melodic and inventive playing. She gets edgier and more aggressive on a trippy rock/soul/electronica twist on Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady,” then chills back down into a steady R&B groove for “Airwave” and an ethereal reading of Janet Jackson’s “Anytime, Anyplace.” In the mid-2000s, there was a glut of smooth jazz cover songs (mostly sax driven) hitting the radio, but King chooses hers well, from her wistful trad jazz meets old school soul and fusion turn on the traditional “Zombra” to a lightning quick twist on the original John Coltrane solo of “Giant Steps”—complete with some of the original tracking. She also includes a funky smashup of Ronnie Laws’ “Always There.” This kind of spirited flute playing showed the vast creative potential of the instrument and its adaptability. Contemporary jazz fans with any true sense of adventure—and who realized the coolest stuff is coming out independently—were the lucky ones who gobbled this disc up.

• Perfection

  author: Perry Bond

  It is hard to improve on perfection but this cd is perfect. Valarie’s selection of tracks and her arrangements of those tracks are as close to perfect as an artist can get. If you liked Valarie’s two previous cds, then you will love this cd. As I’ve stated before, Great job with this one.

• Director of Broadcast Operations for A&E TV

  author: Robert Jackson

  Congratulations! It is very difficult to duplicate success. I know of artists that explode with a début recording only to follow-up with a less than enthusiastic sequel. Valarie’s third release “Anytime, Anyplace” has all of the high standards of “Only Time Will Tell. ” Not an easy feat.