Kevin Cerovich has made quiet the career for himself over the years performing and recording with the Airmen of Note, a division of the U.S. Air Force Jazz Band. Now Friday, the award-winning musician and composer will take a step out on his own Friday in his new album, Aging Millenial. Set for release through CVJ Records, the 12-song release is a unique offering from Cerovich. That is because of the diversity of the arrangements that make up the 44-minute presentation’s body. From beginning to end, the album features compositions that lean heavily in the jazz direction at times, in a more hip-hop/funk direction at others, and even some pop, believe it or not. Among the most notable of the record’s jazz entries comes early in the record’s run in the form of ‘Groove Merchant.’ This song will be discussed shortly. ‘Slow Boat Reprise’ is among the most notable of the record’s hip-hop entries. It will be examined a little later. In terms of the more pop-centric work, the simply titled ‘Till’ is the most notable entry. It will also be examined later. When it is considered along with the other songs noted here and along with the likes of ‘Friday Afternoon,’ ‘Kill The Lights and Floor It’ and ‘Transatlantic Folk Piece,’ which closes the album, and the rest of the record’s entries, the whole becomes an unsuspecting success of a record. It unquestionably deserves a spot among the best of this year’s top new independent albums.
Aging Millenial, the new forthcoming album from musician/composer Kevin Cerovich is a unique record that every music lover should hear at least once. The diverse range of sounds and styles presented throughout the album makes that clear. From jazz to hip-hop to pop and even something in-between, the record offers music for so many listeners, including the early jazz entry, ‘Groove Merchant.’ This song harkens back to the big band sounds of the 1950s and 60s with its horns and subtle but still rich bass line. Listeners familiar with that sound and style will immediately think of great songs from the bands that backed the Rat Pack. Audiences can just as much hear works from the likes of Count Basie and company. It is such an enjoyable, immersive composition. The subtle time keeping and the expert production here blends everything so perfectly throughout its nearly five-minute run time. The solo, which comes from what sounds like a muted trombone, adds its own welcome touch to the mix. It is not too flashy, giving just enough kick to the whole to make it its own enjoyable moment, even as brief as it is. The overall opus is such a rich composition that is such an enjoyable work. No question it is among the most notable of the album’s jazz offerings.
On the hip-hop side of things, ‘Slow Boat Reprise’ is among the most notable of those offerings. The song is a companion piece to the song ‘Slow Boat’ which immediately precedes its presentation. The steady, driving beat and the use of the low brass (tubas, trombones) and what sounds like a keyboard, makes the composition a perfect music bed for any old school hip-hop composition. Audiences who are familiar with the works that actually involved the use of emcees and turntablists will really appreciate this work. Interestingly enough, considering that the album’s title is ‘Aging Millenial,’ there really have not been many hip-hop acts of the sort around for a while. The last great such act was Jurassic 5. The way in which Cerovich throws in a vintage jazz approach and sound at the very end to mix things up gives the song a unique final statement that listeners will certainly remember, too. The whole here makes the song overall yet another notable addition to Aging Millenial that further shows what makes the album stand out so much.
‘Till’ which comes almost halfway through the album, is yet another notable addition to the album. This song is a full-on pop style composition. The immediate comparison that comes to mind through the guitar-centric composition is to works from the likes of Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. It is one of only two songs featured in the album that features lyrics alongside the musical content. The theme here is a simple love song. It is sung from the vantage point of a person who loves being with his or her romantic interest. He/she sings about how much he/she loves just watching that person sleep, just being with that person every day. It is a light, happy composition that will appeal to so many listeners. When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the album overall a standout addition to this year’s field of new independent albums that everyone should hear at least once.
Aging Millenial, the new forthcoming album from musician/composer Kevin Cerovich, is a unique record that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. That is proven throughout the course of the record’s nearly 45-minute run time. The songs examined here make that clear. When they are considered along with the other equally diverse range of compositions featured in the record, the whole makes Aging Millenial one of the best of this year’s new independent albums.
Aging Millenial is scheduled for release Friday through CVJ Records. More information on the album is available along with all of Cerovich’s latest news at:
Website: https://kevincerovich.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevincerovich
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevinCerovich
To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
philspicks 