Released 30 years ago
The Moment
Kenny G · 1996
69 min · 13 tracks · easy listening
Smooth saxophone melodies blend with lush arrangements to create a serene, romantic soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Moment Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's essence with its sweeping melodies and heartfelt expression, setting the tone for the entire project.
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Everytime I Close My Eyes — The song blends contemporary pop sensibilities with Kenny G's signature saxophone work, showcasing his ability to cross genres while remaining true to his style.
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Havana — With its vibrant rhythms and Latin influences, this track highlights G's versatility and ability to infuse diverse cultural elements into his smooth jazz foundation.
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Always — This romantic ballad features lush instrumental arrangements that emphasize G's melodic prowess, making it a standout love song within the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album maintains a smooth jazz aesthetic with solid craftsmanship but lacks significant innovation or depth.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of smooth saxophone melodies layered over lush string arrangements, creating a serene atmosphere.
- Each track typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with instrumental solos that highlight the saxophone's melodic lines.
- Several tracks incorporate soft percussion and keyboard elements that enhance the overall romantic soundscape without overwhelming the saxophone.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- atmospheric background focus
- romantic evening ambiance
- soothing, relaxing soundscapes
- gentle emotional reflections
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues Kenny G's smooth jazz success after his breakthrough, showing sustained popularity.
- Career context
- By the time 'The Moment' was released in 1996, Kenny G had established himself as a leading figure in smooth jazz, following his breakthrough album 'Breathless' in 1992. With this album, he continued to solidify his commercial success and artistic identity in the adult contemporary genre, showcasing his signature saxophone style and emotional depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Sanborn· Chris Botti· George Benson
Tracklist
- 1 The Moment Start here 6:02
- 2 Passages 5:57
- 3 Havana 7:22
- 4 Always 5:35
- 5 That Somebody Was You 5:02
- 6 The Champion’s Theme 4:21
- 7 Eastside Jam 5:09
- 8 Moonlight 5:59
- 9 Gettin’ on the Step 4:17
- 10 Everytime I Close My Eyes 4:58
- 11 Northern Lights 5:02
- 12 Innocence 4:00
- 13 Remember 5:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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