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Veteran Trumpeter Cindy Bradley has a new release for 2019. The album is called The Little Things, and it is her fifth studio album. Ever since she dropped Bloom in 2009, Bradley has been cranking out monster hits on each her of album releases.
First off, there are not that many women that call the trumpet their main instrument. Bradley takes full advantage of this with her unique music style. If you are new to her music, one thing you will notice is that Bradley can do both slow jams and uptempo songs. Many artists specialize in one style, but after listening to this or any of her other albums, you will see that Bradley can pretty much do it all.
Let’s take look at each track on the album and I will try to describe the components that jump out at me.
Review – “The Little Things” by Cindy Bradley
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The set kicks off with Wind Chill Factor. The song starts off smooth, with Bradley showing off her trumpet flow. Once the beat kicks in, it all comes together with the drums, keys, and a really funky bassline. You can hear the layered horn parts within the hook. Her trumpet harmony sounds really nice.
Stockholm Summer is up next. Although the BPM (beats per minute) of this track is the same as Wind Chill Factor, the groove and feel between the two songs are quite different. Bradley’s style here is more of a melancholy type of sound. I found myself in thought as I was listening to the track. It is amazing how music can make you FEEL. There is a great piano solo towards the end that I am sure you will like.
In I’m All Ears, Bradley is at the top of her game. In addition to the lead trumpet, I also hear a xylophone in the background, then later in the track you get a xylophone solo. That instrument adds a nice touch to the track, especially since you do not hear the instrument on a regular basis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/z74bdpeiJTg” el_width=”70″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of my favorites is up next. Snack Grouch is a track that will put a pep in your step as you bob your head to the groove. There is a nice exchange between the trumpet and the guitar, and there are piano undertones in the background that complete the song.
I really love Bradley’s uptempo tracks, and I will add Grey Area to that list. She really knows how to ride an uptempo groove with that horn. It is like she is effortlessly gliding on a body of water. In addition to the trumpet, the sax and the piano are also featured on the track.
Surrender is a complete smoothed out slow jam. Bradley really does her thing here, and the slow tempo enables her to do just that. Clocking in at just over six minutes, it allows plenty of time for the musicians to “flex their muscles.” This is one that you will play over and over again.
Bradley keeps the slower pace with Exhale. Quite honestly, there’s not too much to say about this track, BUT I was totally relaxed after listening to it.
The title track, The Little Things, is up next. This is another smoothed out track, as I am digging the Spanish guitar. It gives the song a little more flavor, and this is one of those tracks that make you feel like you are relaxing on a tropical island. It will definitely put a smile on your face.
Sonny’s Home is up next. If you know someone who is not a fan of the trumpet, just play them this track and they will understand what makes the trumpet so great in the Smooth Jazz genre. There’s a lot of things to love about this track.
The project concludes with Reminisce. A true slow jam to close it out. The beginning of the song reminds me a little of the track – Funny How Time Flies by Janet Jackson. It definitely has a little 90’s R&B flavor. It would have been great to have Herb Alpert guest on this track. Now THAT would have been something!
Cindy Bradley is showing off her R&B sensibilities with the album The Little Things. She has a nice mix of uptempo tracks and slow songs. The first half of the album has the uptempo grooves, and the second half is full of the slower grooves that we love so much.
If you are new to Ms. Bradley, this will be a nice introduction to the artist. If you have the opportunity to see her live, I suggest you take advantage of that.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]