Wild Heart (Mindi Abair album)

Wild Heart
Studio album by Mindi Abair
Released May 27, 2014
Recorded 2014
Genre Contemporary, Smooth Jazz
Length 49:17
Label Heads Up
Producer Adam Berg, Itai Shapira, Todd Simon & Mindi Abair
Mindi Abair chronology
Summer Horns
(2013)		 Wild Heart
(2014)
Singles from Wild Heart
  1. "Haute Sauce"
    Released: 2014
  2. "Amazing Game"
    Released: 2014

WILD HEART is the seventh full-length solo studio album by American musician Mindi Abair. Released on May 27, 2014,[1] Wild Heart marks Abair's fourth release on Concord Records imprint, Heads Up International. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart, staying there for two weeks. Wild Heart received a 2015 Grammy nomination in the Contemporary Instrumental Album category, Abair's second Grammy nomination.

Background and recording

Wild Heart was recorded in late 2013 and early 2014 at several studios including Manifest Music in Santa Monica, CA, Elevated Basement Studio in Savannah, GA, Morrisound in Tampa, FL and Skip Saylor Studios in Northridge, CA. The album features several guest musicians, including Max Weinberg, Gregg Allman, Booker T. Jones, Keb' Mo', Joe Perry and Trombone Shorty.

Style and composition

Wild Heart saw Abair stepping away from her traditional smooth jazz style, for a more rock n roll influenced sound.

Critical reception

Wild Heart received mostly positive reviews from critics, who often commented on the different sound of the album. James Woods of AXS said "Wild Heart’s roots actually go back to when Abair found herself “moonlighting”—performing a lot of rock and roll, blues and organic music. So it should come as no surprise that sharing the stage with the likes of Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen and Duran Duran would eventually be absorbed into her musical psyche. And it was those experiences that inspired Abair to want to capture the mojo she’s been holding in for so long."[2] and Thom Jurek of All Music calls the record "a much rowdier, grimier fashion." [1] Jazz Weekly said “Abair’s sax growls, grunts and grinds like it’s a smoky joint in Lafayette, Louisiana, with more gristle than a T-Bone steak at The Pantry.” [3] And All Music said of the album; “Though it pays unapologetic tribute to retro inspirations, it does so with 21st century sophistication, a gritty, raucous spirit, and exceptional creative imagination.” [4]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
AltSounds[6]
AllAboutJazz[6]
BopNJazz[7]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Amazing Game ft. Trombone Shorty"  Mindi Abair, Jim Peterik4:22
2."I Can't Lose"  Mindi Abair, Tyrone Stevens3:36
3."Wild Heart"  Mindi Abair, Dave Yaden4:07
4."Haute Sauce"  Mindi Abair, Dave Yaden3:18
5."Train"  Mindi Abair, Jim Peterik3:27
6."Kick Ass ft. Joe Perry"  Mindi Abair, Matthew Hager5:36
7."It'll Be Your Home ft. Keb Mo"  Mindi Abair, Dave Yaden, Candace Devine4:17
8."The Shakedown ft. Max Weinberg & Waddy Wachtel"  Mindi Abair, Waddy Wachtel3:49
9."Kiddo's Revenge"  Mindi Abair, Dave Yaden4:28
10."Addicted To You ft. Booker T. Jones"  Mindi Abair, Booker T. Jones6:47
11."Just Say When ft. Gregg Allman"  Mindi Abair, Gregg Allman5:30
Total length:49:17

Personnel

Recording personnel
  • Mindi Abair – vocals, alto tenor and baritone saxophone, hand claps
  • Adam Berg – piano, organ, tambourine, synthesizers, hand claps
  • Lance Abair – organ
  • Dave Yaden – piano
  • Booker T. Jones – hammond b3
  • Gregg Allmann – hammond b3, vocals, guitar
  • Itai Shapira – guitar, bass, tambourine, hand claps
  • Dave Burris – guitar
  • Joe Perry – guitar
  • Waddy Watchel – guitar
  • Kevin Scott – bass
  • Elizabeth Lea – trombone
  • Trombone Shorty – trombone
  • Todd Simon – trumpet
  • Dave Colie – drums
  • Jake Najor – drums
  • James Gadson – drums
  • Max Weinberg – drums
  • Bud Harner – crash cymbal
  • Jim Peterik – percussion
Production personnel
  • Adam Berg – producer
  • Itai Shapira – producer
  • Todd Simon – producer
  • Mindi Abair – producer
  • John Burk – executive producer
  • Bud Harner – executive producer
  • Adam Berg – engineer
  • Itai Shapira – engineer
  • David Burris – engineer
  • Shane Baldwin – engineer
  • Jim Morris – engineer
  • John Wydres – engineer
  • John Silverman – assistant engineer
  • Kevin Cohen – assistant engineer
  • Allen Franco – assistant engineer
  • Adam Berg – mixing
  • Paul Blakemore – mastering

Chart positions

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Jazz Albums[8] 1

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-heart-mw0002619773
  2. ↑ http://www.axs.com/wild-heart-mindi-abair-crosses-musical-genres-with-dynamic-new-album-11950
  3. ↑ http://www.jazzweekly.com/2014/04/mindi-abair-wild-heart/
  4. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-heart-mw0002619773
  5. ↑ Jurek, Thom. "Review: Wild Heart".
  6. 1 2 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/wild-heart-mindi-abair-heads-up-international-review-by-jeff-winbush.php
  7. ↑ http://www.criticaljazz.com/2014/03/mindi-abair-wild-heart-heads-up-2014.html
  8. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-heart-mw0002619773/awards
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