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Music Reviews

Review – “Sentiment” by Brendan Rothwell

 February 9, 2019

By  ExoticDJ

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you are like me, you love the bass. Everyone knows that the bass player is the coolest person in the group. They hold down the groove, and if we are being real here, there is no band without that bass.

In the smooth jazz genre, there are only a few bass players that can lead an album.

Brendan Rothwell is one of them.

Sentiment is the second album release from the instrumentalist. It is the follow up to the breakout project Time On My Hands from 2016. That seven-track project was a good introduction to the artist, and Sentiment is an album that should make Rothwell a household name.

Sentiment drops on February 14th, just in time to add some new music to your Lover’s playlist.

You DO have a Lovers’ playlist, right?

Let’s take a listen to the 11-track set and break down each one.

Review – “Sentiment” by Brendan Rothwell

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The set opens with Keep On Keepin’ On.  At first listen, I had a visual of just walking into a concert venue. Usually, the venue will have some hot instrumental music playing to get you in the mood. I totally can hear this playing on a full, line array speaker system with a full bass sound…I guarantee that there will be a lot of heads bobbing as they step to the beat as they head to their seats.

Review - "Sentiment" by Brendan RothwellI know you know what I am talking about!

If you want a really smooth groove, then Your Move will be the one for you. The beat almost sounds like that old-school funky drummer sample, and with Rothwell playing that bass like a singer handles that mic, you have a real winner here.

Key To My Heart is a slow jam to its core, and it would be a great addition to your smoothed out playlist. The piano will immediately grab your attention, and then you will hear that bass take over. I really like the tone of the bass as Rothwell effortlessly works it throughout.

We keep the slower pace with the next two tracks, Sometimes and Layin’ Low. They often say that less is more. This is definitely true here. With these two songs, you  can just sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy the music.

On Think Of You, Rothwell shows that he can really ride a groove. The instrumentation on this track is on point, and if I am being totally real here, I would love to have a vocalist perform on the song. I will still take it as is, though.

The title track, Sentiment, is up next. I would describe this song as a five minute interlude. This could definitely be a part of the soundtrack of an intimate evening with your significant other. Sometimes you just have to break it all the way down.

The next track, Strollin’, is pretty interesting once you really listen to it. The groove is slow and smooth, but Rothwell is definitely doing some work on the bass. It is a contrast in styles, but you cannot argue with the results.

Now’s The Time is next, and it threw me a curveball at the very beginning. It sounded like an EDM beat would drop right after the intro. Rothwell gave a head fake and came back to his signature groove. I actually smell a remix here with a dance beat. Being a nightclub DJ for many years, I like to keep these type of options open. You may end up creating something for the lounges.

Revival is one of those tracks that I like to put into my “going home” playlist. You know, the ones that you listen to after a long day out. This is something you would listen to as you watch the sunset, while relaxing on the beach,

Sentiment is a great second release from one of the better up-and-coming artists on the smooth jazz scene. If you want 45 minutes of really good instrumental music, you need to take a listen to the entire album, and I am sure you will appreciate Brendan Rothwell’s flow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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