What makes A Nice Place to Be by George Howard notable?

'A Nice Place to Be' received critical acclaim for its fresh sound and seamless integration of jazz-funk elements, contributing to George Howard’s rise in popularity. The album's tracks showcased Howard's artistry, making significant waves in the smooth jazz charts and influencing future artists within the genre. In 1986, George Howard was establishing his presence in the contemporary jazz scene with 'A Nice Place to Be', his third studio album. Following the success of his previous releases, this album further solidified his style, marked by a fusion of jazz elements with pop sensibilities. The record came at a time when Howard was beginning to gain wider recognition, setting the stage for his future works.

How many songs are on A Nice Place to Be?

A Nice Place to Be has 8 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

A Nice Place to Be

George Howard · 1986

43 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A smooth blend of jazz and funk that invites listeners to unwind and groove through its melodic landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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No No — Opening with a captivating saxophone melody, this track sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and inviting groove that epitomizes Howard's style.
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Sweetest Taboo — This track blends soft vocals with rich instrumental layers, showcasing Howard's ability to create atmospheric soundscapes while maintaining a strong melodic hook.
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Nice Place to Be — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, featuring lush harmonies and an uplifting vibe that encourages listeners to relax and enjoy the moment.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends smooth jazz and funk effectively but lacks standout compositions that elevate it beyond its genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of smooth saxophone melodies layered over rhythmic funk grooves, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Each track maintains a similar mid-tempo pace, with few significant tempo changes throughout the record.
The instrumentation often includes electric piano and synthesizers, contributing to its contemporary jazz-funk sound.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 No No 6:09
2 Jade's World 5:17
3 Sweetest Taboo 5:06
4 Nice Place to Be 5:20
5 Let's Live in Harmony 6:02
6 Pretty Face 5:05
7 Spenser for Hire 4:37
8 Stanley's Groove 5:46

What to play next

Listen next

Reflections

1988

Go back to

Love Will Follow

1986

Full George Howard discography Artists like George Howard

jazz jazz-funk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata