QUOTES

----- Based on information culled from the internet, Bay Area singer-songwriter Saul Kaye seems like he might be one of those impossibly optimistic people we like to hate. (My friend Kelli calls them "happy asses".) Kaye even looks a little smug on the cover of his third solo release A Taste of Paradise (Cool Water Records), posed strategically holding what one can only presume to be forbidden fruit in front of a naked woman's breast.

In all honesty, I feel bad jumping to easy conclusions. The fact is, Kaye writes soulful and fun music that is as appealing in its accessibility as it is in its versatility. Jumping styles with easy confidence like Dave Matthews, Bruce Hornsby or Sting, Kaye bounces out the reggae (Ooh Ooh Ooh) on one track and brings funk (CCCBF) just as deftly on the next. 'All That I Want' is a blues/funk jam that Kaye wrote as a hopeful response to a sobering suicide statistic. Repeated listens call to mind artists like Lyle Lovett who appear just as comfortable in front of an orchestra (or Large Band) as he would solo acoustic in a Sacramento coffee shop.

Kaye's adroit guitar work threads it way throughout the songs, playfully interacting with the keys - a scenario that gives the songs their pop flavor. All the performances on the record are strong and coat the record with a confidence and professionalism that isn't always present on independent releases. A varied and sizeable cast of musical helpers assisted (mainly on bass, keyboards and drums) more than capably on the record but, as songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and producer, this is Kaye's showcase.

"Jump," the second song on the record is, according to the notes provided by Kaye, about making a leap of faith in pursuit of one's dreams. "I jump/arms wide/ and trust that I can fly. My dreams come true/with you by my side." Optimistic and encouraging, it's one of the more traditional pop songs on the album. In other words, it's Kaye at his radio-ready best. If radio is where he wants to be, I wouldn't be surprised if that's where he ends up.

Kristen Klym -CD Reviews

"Missing persons find an advocate in local musician Saul Kaye
East Bay's Saul Kaye has found his mission - each CD-release show he's doing for his latest, A Taste of Paradise (by the way, who came up with the subgenius idea of doing multiple CD-release shows - when does it all end!?) is going to be focused on raising awareness of missing people of the Bay Area."
Neva Chonin
San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Saul Kaye’s latest CD, A Taste of Paradise, is one of the best eclectic-sounding CDs I have heard in a while. His writing, vocals, and guitar playing make this CD a must for those who are fans of Josh Kelly and that style.

Almost every song on the CD has a story behind it. “When” speaks to us about holding our tongue during the heat of the moment, “Squeeze” reminds us to not take our significant other for granted, “Credit Card Company’s Best Friend” is about living beyond our means by the use of plastic (and many of us have), and “Blackwater Fever” is about Kaye’s own great grandfather catching malaria, which turned into Blackwater Fever, and the Zulu treatment for this disease. The one song that spoke to me, as far as the story behind it, is “Jump." Every musician who follows his or her dream can relate to this song.

Musically, Kaye uses acoustic/rhythm guitar to drive quite a few of the songs, but two that stood out that did not were “Ooh, Ooh, Ooh” and “Blackwater Fever." “Ooh, Ooh, Ooh” uses the organ to keep a nice reggae feel going throughout the song, and “Blackwater Fever” uses an electric guitar rift to give it an edgier feel in relation to the other songs on this project.

All in all, Kaye has put together a nice project that I highly recommend."
Denise Squire
Indie-Musician.com

“"A Taste of Paradise (Cool Water Records). Thirtee upbeat pop-rock tunes for the Maroon 5 and John Mayer set. This East Bay songwriter's stuff is safe for romantic encounters and road trips with the kids..."” – Nate Seltenrich
East Bay Express

“"From the rich Sound of the Hammond orgab to the funky soul of the slide guitar, the Saul Kaye Band will get you out of your seat and on your feat...a rhythm section that brings the house down and inspires people to let their hair down and groove."” – Crested Butte (CO) News.

“With “Doctor’s Orders,” Saul Kaye proves he is well on his way to mastering the art of musical storytelling.” – Fran Zeccola (Sf Observer)

“Saul could probably pull off any style with pipes like his. Give him a piano and this man could do anything. He can take you from a Randy Newman swagger to a timeless Billy Joel-like hook to a Bruce Hornsby texture, never missing a step, never giving up the integrity. You've got a songwriter here who's bound to turn some important heads.” – CD BABY

"A real solid album; very confident and competent. A very fully realized personality well-expressed!"

- Roslaie Howarth KFOG (San Francisco)

“This free-spirit Californian singer-songwriter has a potential bigger than his home state and has a surprisingly original sound …” - Genevieve Will Indie Music.com

“…smokin! Saul' new album is all that and a donut! Warm witty songs in a Dave Matthews Band vibe make this album a huge winner.

…there is not a bad song on this CD. …Very highly recommended!!! “ & – Here and There.net

“Saul Kaye is a lyrical mix master, but the real depth comes from his musical talents on piano and guitar.”

…The Idaho Statesman

“Crooning about in a blues-rock fashion that could get even the most sleepy coffeehouse jumping, Saul Kaye could easily be compared to fellow South African Dave Matthews. Yes his guitar playing is that good. .. his guitar work is steeped in originality. Vocally he accomplishes great harmonies while he sings true-to-form real stories that anyone can relate to. “

-J-Sin Smother.net

“On his CD, Doctor’s Orders, he steeps smart pop in jazz swing and blues bluster to create a concoction that’s definitely radio ready, but with considerable substance.”

-Stephanie Kalem, East Bay Express

“Love the New Disc, Reminds me of Lowell Keep up the good work!

Tom McCarter-DJ - KUSP FM, Santa Cruz

“Young Singer Songwriter loves this area, returning after recent triumphant gigs with another smart dance party”

-North Bay Bohemian

“Kaye's youngish, type-busting quartet revolves around original pop tunes strong on melody and groove, more than a little compelling in lyric, and delivered

with the kind of assured bravado that only driven youth aiming for non-chalance and cool can muster. …heartfelt, soulful expressions of tone,

rhythm, and lyric.”

-Henry Master Winnemucca Reporter 10/8/05

“Kaye occupies a space of his own, able to completely bring the house down with a powerhouse rhythm section that inspires people to let their hair down and groove…”

-The Weekly Volcano (Tacoma, WA – Michael Sutton) 5/05

“After listening to Saul Kaye’s newest album, Doctor’s Orders, I had to smile. His style, attitude and musicianship make his music purely fun to listen to….”

-Flagstaff Live (AZ) Evan Wylodge 4/20/05

“…from track to track, one can hear plenty of other echoes of Moe and Little Feat, even a bit of Randy Newman. …it's the kind of stuff that one could imagine making its way onto commercial radio and into the Billboard charts…”

- Joe Nickell, Missoulian 5/05

“ Saul Kaye's "Doctor's Orders" is indeed a rock & roll record, and a refreshingly upbeat one, too. These are dark days, raggedly fitted lads belching and yelping their incomprehensible chicken-scratch lyrics over dismal chunks of molten metal. But not Kaye, who sings in an understated yet emotionally involving manner, part folkie, part bluesman.”

-Whisperin’ and Hollerin’ - Adam Harrington 4/2005

“Kaye has produced a record that is made for longevity. This is unpretentious brain food with a solid groove, lifting elements of folk, blues, and … rock.”

“Review Centre (UK) – Barry Andrews 5/2005

" Dear Saul, How are you? We met at G St Pub in Davis last time you came, and I bought both of your cds. And I wanted to let you know that THEY'RE AWSOME!!!!! And I'm not the only one who thinks so... My roommate stole them from me (along with my cd player) and we had them playing for about a week straight non stop. They still fill two of the three cd places in the player (the third is empty). So anyway, I just wanted to compliment your music and let you know we're huge fans.

Sincerely, Paloma

PS, you sound just as good live as on the cds."