What makes Dancing in the Sun by George Howard notable?

The album received significant recognition for its blend of jazz and funk, contributing to the rise of smooth jazz in the mid-1980s. It charted on Billboard's Jazz Albums list, showcasing Howard's ability to appeal to both jazz aficionados and mainstream audiences. Released in January 1985, 'Dancing in the Sun' was George Howard's debut album, marking his entry into the smooth jazz scene. At this point, Howard was establishing his identity as a saxophonist and composer, transitioning from previous collaborations to a solo career.

How many songs are on Dancing in the Sun?

Dancing in the Sun has 7 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Dancing in the Sun

George Howard · 1985

36 min · 7 tracks · jazz

Smooth jazz grooves intertwine with vibrant funk elements, creating an uplifting and melodic listening experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Love Will Find a Way — This track features a captivating melody underscored by rich harmonies and showcases Howard's lyrical saxophone playing, setting the tone for the album's overall vibe.
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Dancing in the Sun — The title track epitomizes the joyous spirit of the album with its infectious groove and danceable rhythm, highlighting Howard’s knack for merging jazz with funk.
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Quiet as It’s Kept — This song stands out with its serene instrumentation and introspective mood, offering a contrast to the more upbeat tracks while demonstrating Howard's range as an artist.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid compositions and skilled performances, establishing Howard's smooth jazz identity.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of saxophone melodies layered over rhythmic funk grooves, creating a cohesive sound throughout.
Each track maintains a mid-tempo pace, with the exception of 'Moods', which introduces a slower, more reflective feel.
The arrangements often include prominent bass lines and keyboard riffs that complement the saxophone, enhancing the overall texture.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 Love Will Find a Way 5:59
2 Dancing in the Sun 6:38
3 Quiet as It’s Kept 5:29
4 In Love 4:40
5 Telephone 4:04
6 Stay With Me 4:37
7 Moods 5:21

What to play next

Listen next

A Nice Place to Be

1986

Go back to

Steppin' Out

1985

Full George Howard discography Artists like George Howard

jazz jazz-funk

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata