Released 15 years ago this October
So Nice
Houston Person · 2011
59 min · 12 tracks · jazz
Smooth jazz melodies intertwine with soulful improvisation, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites deep listening.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blues Everywhere Start here — This track opens the album with a lively bluesy feel, showcasing Person's masterful saxophone phrasing and setting the tone for the entire collection.
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I Wished on the Moon — With its delicate melodic lines and emotive delivery, this track reveals Person's ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet profound musical choices.
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Stephen Sondheim Medley: Small World/Anyone Can Whistle — This medley showcases Person's versatility as he navigates classic musical theater material, blending jazz sensibilities with recognizable melodies to create something truly unique.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases solid compositions with engaging improvisation, though it remains within familiar smooth jazz territory.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of smooth jazz melodies, with the tenor saxophone leading most tracks and supported by piano and subtle rhythm sections.
- Several tracks incorporate extended improvisational sections, allowing for dynamic interaction between musicians, particularly in 'Minor Inconvenience' and 'Stephen Sondheim Medley'.
- The first half of the album maintains a relaxed tempo, while the second half introduces slightly more varied rhythms and tempos, creating a gentle ebb and flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow for relaxed evenings
- soulful melodies for intimate moments
- rich saxophone tones inviting reflection
- gradual development rewarding attentive listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer upbeat party atmospheres
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and skill in a long career, reinforcing his jazz status.
- Themes
- intimate jazz clubs· soulful improvisation
- Career context
- Released in 2011, So Nice is Houston Person's latest project following a prolific career that spans over five decades. By this time, he had already established himself as a prominent tenor saxophonist known for his warm tone and engaging performances, making this album a continuation of his signature style rather than a departure from it.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Grant Green· Jimmy Smith· Charles Earland
Tracklist
- 1 Blues Everywhere Start here 5:18
- 2 All Too Soon 5:39
- 3 I Wished on the Moon 3:33
- 4 Kiss and Run 5:33
- 5 So Nice 4:07
- 6 I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face 5:00
- 7 Close to You 4:40
- 8 Star Eyes 5:08
- 9 Minor Inconvenience 4:41
- 10 Easy Living 4:25
- 11 Everything I Love 4:58
- 12 Stephen Sondheim Medley: Small World/Anyone Can Whistle 6:25
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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