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Released Oct. 07 Currently #15 on the Indie Chart.
Review Highlights:
From SmoothJazzTherapy.com
Hollingsworth has delivered a contemporary jazz album that possesses a level of intelligence way above the norm.
‘Chasing The Sun’ sets Mark Hollingsworth apart as someone who is daring to be different. Consequently it’s refreshing that the album is catching the attention of traditional jazz stations as well as those of contemporary and smooth jazz persuasion. Given that several have already added three or more tracks to their play-lists, the chances are Hollingsworth is set for quite a 2008.
From ContemporaryJazz.com
For the last week I've been trying to find the right words to describe veteran studio saxophonist Mark Hollingsworth's latest release, Chasing the Sun. I keep going back and re-listening to these well composed, excellently performed, but totally dissimilar 13 tracks. How best to describe what's on Chasing the Sun; Brecker Brother-ish, Steely Dan like, Tropical, Latin, New Orleans, Exotic, Brazilian, JB Horns, and Romantic – whew! Hollingsworth is obviously a real talent on sax and flute...
From the SaxShed.com
Very nice job Mr. Hollingsworth. Mark shows he is a wonderful flautist in addition to playing saxophone and clarinet.
There is something for everyone – and particularly those who are fond of top-notch saxophone and woodwind playing.
From Jazz Review.com
...the music is uplifting and keeps your feet moving.
...Mark Hollingsworth's music is just as good the second time around. His debut album On The Mark introduced audiences to his upbeat style, and his second album Chasing The Sun re-enforces his upbeat treatments. His music is sleek, sophisticated and positive in their images.
(complete reviews here: Read album reviews 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. )
"On the Mark" dominated Music Choice's top 10 for most of 2006!
Industry Buzz about "On the Mark":
"This is a wonderful CD!" - WBCX, Gainesville, GA
"Great album!" - WBCP, Champaign, IL
"Great Song!"(Steppin' Up) - KJZS, Reno, NV
"I love records like this...When a majority of the songs on your debut CD are winners with tracks that you can listen to over and over again then one can only smile."
~Jeff Charney (ContemporaryJazz.com)
~Denis Poole (smoothvibes.com)
".... The sound is so very genuine lyrically; the vision of these guys jamming together becomes extremely real intuitively. Without a doubt, the intensity and spirit of Mark Hollingsworth is automatically transferred over to anyone within earshot of this CD."
~Sheldon T. Nunn (JazzReview.com)
"This brand new debut solo release is ON THE MARK, literally and figuratively, with all of the ingredients you’re looking for in a hit Smooth Jazz album. Great melodies, solid grooves, polished, top-drawer musicianship and production, plus that extra hard-to-define aura, that sense of passion and confidence that tells you that Mark really knows what he’s doing here, and understands how to touch the Smooth Jazz listener on a visceral level. He’s got it! This is as surefire a Smooth Jazz hit as you’re ever going to find."
~Scott O’Brien (SmoothJazz.com)
- featuring ethnic flutes.
Great for meditation and yoga.
We’ve all heard CDs that are made to be relaxing, but are really just boring. Boring and relaxing don’t have to be the same thing! The concept behind the approach to “Zen Gardens” was to create a sonic ambiance that would have a certain consistency of calming energy, but would have the ability to maintain a portion of your attention. In the ancient study of Zen Meditation, during hours of quiet meditation, it was not uncommon for a young student to drift off to sleep, at which time the Zen instructor might whack the young apprentice with a stick! This would encourage “quiet attentiveness” (...ouch!) and discourage the lack of focus that one often experiences as they drift off to sleep.
While there is certainly no attempt to whack the listener with a stick, Zen Gardens attempts to encourage a relaxed but focused state. Perfect for Yoga, the elements of sound and form are varied enough to be conducive to a more active state of listening than that which comes from the endless repetition and lack of variety found in many collections of similar music. In fact you will find that Zen Gardens has many layers and that, like a real Garden, there is a depth that can encourage greater exploration.
Mark Hollingsworth is a studio woodwind player based in Los Angeles. He has performed with dozens of legendary names from Quincey Jones to Tom Petty. Mark’s ethnic flutes were also used in the soundtrack of the award-winning movie Xiu-Xiu (The Sent-Down Girl).
I love it! - I love this CD - the music is beautiful and soothing.
author: Suzi P
Everybody should listen this. - This is a great CD, you will like to listen it over and over again.
author: Peggy Ho
Beautiful and Peaceful. - This CD is unbelievably good! I use it for meditation and during Baha'i devotionals. It really helps you connect with your spiritual side.
author: Jeffrey
Amazing CD for the ultimate relaxation. - Incredible flute sounds make this a wonderfully calming CD for the ultimate relaxation. Perfect background for massage.
author: Julia Kemp
Warm, soothing and peaceful sounds! - A perfect CD for relaxing and unwinding after the stress of day to day living. Beautiful flute sounds, melodic and peaceful instrumentation. Just right as an accompaniment to massage.
author: Francie Kelley
