Ready to Change Lanes,
by Sara Moon

In a world of boring and predictable smooth jazz, there is a spark of life, unpredictability, a sprout of freshness
and emotional nutrition, intellectual stimulation, and accessibility all at the same time! Mambacity is the opening
song on the album Change Lanes by a group called Balance 9. Little inserted sounds that tickle the senses, and a
bluesy flute that is so tasteful, it’s like a Carmel Latte from a local cafe that roasts their own beans. It changes
feel, like taking you on a different road or into a different lane, from textured gray with flecks of gold, into a
place of color, where your whole body moves inside the vehicle, restrained but dance-y.
Balance9 is a manifestation of the profoundly vast vision of Tracy Marlow (keyboardist and composer) and APJ
(saxophonist and composer) – They have found a way to harmonize with humanity, via the 9 elements of music.
When all 9 are complete, you have a song that resonates in your inner world, each individual experiencing the
vibrations as healing, in his own way. It is almost like magic how it subtly fills an empty space in your being, and
enhances and uplifts. Within every song is the Tribal element, layered with restraint and careful sonic pairings. The
music attains both a quality of uniqueness, as well as an accessibility, beckoning the listener to go ever deeper.
Mr Marlow’s philosophy begins with the primal, observing that before song, there was nothing, and therein lies
the significance of ordered tones. As a true Artist, the music resides inside, creating a necessity of inspiration, by
which it will be released to the open ear and the willing heart.
In its distinguishable style, the album earns the sought after badge of “Classic!” in the world of Smooth Jazz.

Sara Moon