This Is Concord 2006
This Is Concord 2006: A Stylish Concord Jazz Compilation Full of Soul, Swing and Audiophile Warmth
This Is Concord 2006 is one of those compilation CDs that immediately tells you what a strong label identity can sound like. Released by Concord Jazz, the album works as a carefully selected musical snapshot of a label that has always understood the connection between jazz tradition, vocal elegance, soul grooves and high-quality recording. For collectors of audiophile jazz CDs, smooth jazz compilations and Concord Records albums, this 2006 release remains a charming and very listenable introduction to the Concord sound.
The strength of This Is Concord 2006 lies in its variety. It does not present jazz as one narrow style. Instead, it moves between vocal jazz, soul-jazz, Latin jazz, bluesy grooves and refined instrumental performances. The opening with George Benson & Al Jarreau immediately sets the tone: polished, melodic, relaxed and unmistakably musical. Their version of “Summer Breeze” brings together two great voices of accessible jazz and soul, giving the compilation a warm, radio-friendly start without losing musical class.
From there, the CD travels through a broad Concord landscape. Sergio Mendes, Taylor Eigsti, Lee Ritenour, Scott Hamilton, Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra, Willie Bobo, Soulive featuring Chaka Khan, Erin Boheme and others give the album its lively, cross-generational character. This is not just a random sampler. It feels like a well-curated showcase of artists who represent different sides of the Concord catalogue: the smooth, the swinging, the soulful and the sophisticated.
For listeners searching for a high quality jazz compilation CD, the appeal is obvious. The production has the clean, open character that many Concord releases are known for. The sound is accessible but never cheap; polished but not sterile. Vocals sit clearly in the mix, horns have body, rhythm sections remain warm and present, and the overall mastering makes the album very comfortable for long listening sessions. On a good hi-fi system, This Is Concord 2006 has that relaxed, spacious quality that makes it suitable for both focused listening and elegant background music.
One of the most interesting moments is Tim Ries featuring Norah Jones with “Wild Horses.” This track gives the compilation an intimate, late-night atmosphere. Instead of treating the famous Rolling Stones song as a rock standard, the performance reshapes it into something softer, more reflective and jazz-inflected. Norah Jones brings her familiar understated phrasing, while Tim Ries adds a lyrical instrumental voice that gives the song a refined, smoky mood. For many collectors, this track alone makes the CD worth seeking out.
The presence of Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra adds another layer of authority. Their performance connects the compilation to the deeper roots of American music: swing, blues, big band energy and vocal charisma. In contrast, artists such as Soulive and Lee Ritenour bring a more contemporary groove-based feel, giving the album movement and freshness. This balance between heritage and modern polish is exactly what makes Concord Jazz music so attractive to a wide audience.
Visually, the cover art also captures the spirit of the CD. The bold typography, bright yellow centre band and artist-name collage give it the feel of a label statement rather than a simple compilation. It says: this is the sound of Concord in 2006 — confident, colourful and artist-driven.
As an audiophile music album, This Is Concord 2006 is not about extreme sonic fireworks. Its charm is more subtle. It offers tasteful recording quality, strong musicianship and a relaxed flow from track to track. It is the kind of CD that reminds you why physical jazz compilations still matter. They give context. They create atmosphere. They introduce artists in a way that feels intentional.
For fans of Concord Jazz, vocal jazz, smooth jazz, soul jazz, Latin jazz and audiophile CD collections, This Is Concord 2006 is a highly enjoyable release. It is stylish, varied and easy to return to. More importantly, it shows how a great jazz label can bring different artists together under one recognizable musical identity.
This Is Concord 2006 is not only a sampler. It is a warm, polished and very musical portrait of Concord Jazz at a moment when the label was confidently bridging classic jazz values with modern listening pleasure.
