A solid album, music with sensitivity and spirit, November 21, 2000 Reviewer: Mando Canales from West Texas I really like this CD so here is my review: Timeless JEFF DEVILLEZ & MOTIVO World Music Artist Records P.O. Box 721022 Corpus Christi, TX 78472 This is the latest effort from this vocalist and songwriter. On this latest project we get a fuller, smoother sound with the addition of sax and trombone, along with the many musicians that play on the album. Of note is the work of hot jazz sax-man ELIAS HAASLANGER. Thirteen songs present a solid offering in this fine project. While the music is excellent throughout, I was drawn to the honest, insightful, and sensitive lyrics. "Blind I Am" is an honest track about how we go through the motions on a daily basis, blind to the world around us. Then on "One More Time" we get a really nice love song. It is a light and airy look at true romance. The song "The Way Life Is" may be the most honest cut on the CD. A nice work in the musical sense...very catchy too. Track 4 is "If Ever" one of the prettiest love songs you'll ever hear. "Ain't Even Close" has a cool country pop sense and I thought this was a smart song indeed, one with a near whimsical aura. "Angels in the Field" is a cut where the artist shows a spiritual sense about the unseen reality of another real dimension--just as EINSTEIN postulated. It's a clever work. On "The Vision" DeVillez muses about life in a somewhat philosophical number. In a sense it is an honest ballad of sorts that offers hope in the distance. One of the best songs that has the classic DeVillez touch is "The Arms of Love." I personally liked the lush and smooth "Oceans" which offered a blend of tropical, jazz, and Latin textures. Cut 10 is "Things I Cannot See" and this comes across as a personal statement of faith in the Eternal UNSEEN GOD. There is a great song about single moms titled "Single Mom." It's an very strong selection both lyrically as well as musically. Deserves to be a hit. The album closes with the beautiful intimate "Your Face." In the liner notes DeVillez explains the troubles and changes he has faced in the last few years including the untimely loss of his mother. 'TIMELESS' displays the maturity and wisdom of one who experiences life at its best and worst. The artists' grasp of the brevity of life as well as the awesomeness of One Who holds time and eternity, make this a super album that will become a friend during many moods. The production values are impressive, the overall sense of the songs exudes excellence. No one element overpowers another. Highly, highly recommended.

World Music Artists Records PO Box 721022 Corpus Christi, TX 78472 [email protected] http://www.worldmusicartists.com DEVILLEZ is: Jeffrey DeVillez MOTIVO is: Floyd Domino - Keyboards Marvin Dykhuis - Acoustic guitars David Heath - Fender electric bass Paul Pearcy - Drums & percussion Guests: Sax solos - Elias Haslanger Electric guitar - Danny Draher Trombone -Freddie Mendoza Also - Chris Gage, Milan Moorman, Marty Muse, Gene Elders, Paul Glasse, Joel Guzman, Chip Dolan, Randy Glines, John Mills, and Kira L. McConaghy This is the follow up album from Jeff DeVillez and friends. Opening up with "Casablanca" he sings in Spanish about that exotic faraway desert place made ever so famous in the movies. "The Pleasure and the Pain" is a song that mixes many musical moods and styles. Bits of country, rock, Spanish, bluegrass, and other styles make it an eclectic offering. On "Tu y Yo" (You and Me) the language is 'Espanol,' the mood tropical and exotic with a sense of Arabic, Spanish, and tropical bits and pieces. The delivery is clean and romantic, a richly nuanced performance that is to be savored. A lovely effort. "Come What May" has a country feel, that big Texas feel and attitude. A solid song that could be a huge hit if sung even by a up and coming country singer. We go from this to "Cuidad de Sevilla" [City of Seville] which is done in the tongue native to the city. Very pretty playing especially the acoustic/Spanish guitars. "Just A Little" is a sweet tune with a light jazzy texture throughout. Nice horn work and percussion on this cut. One of the nicer (and classier) musical performances on the CD. One clever track is "Easier Than Pi" an even lighter and brighter offering than the previous number. A tropical aura surrounds this work. The sense to my mind was a bit Brazilian, although other influences are detectable. Great tight playing and solid singing make this an enjoyable ballad of sorts. "Boy in the Wood" is a story set to music, maybe a personal one, a device used to great effect on his previous album (which I reviewed). Most of the tunes are DeVillez originals and his "Truer Than Blue" is one of his best. His songs come across as honest and offer basic values such as love, marriage, and devotion. This is a pretty enjoyable song. "You and I" has the artist giving us a rich subtle number. This song has some very nice playing and very clean singing. A very lyrical and poetic creation, another fine selection. Very beautiful guitar playing accentuates a classy performance. One of the best on the CD. Very, very nice. Next on "Tell Me" we get a light, fun little ditty that brings out the artist's honest and simple desire for a real love. The mood is clearly Latin American, the flute gives it a distinct flavor. Another nice cut is "She Don't Want To Be Lonely" and the feel is a bit of Tex-Mex along with country and edges of swing and blues. The pedal steel guitar adds a distinctive feel. This is music that also blends many influences. The cut "Centro America" is his anthem to that part of the world. Sung in English and Spanish he tells of his favorite things and foods. Here marimba and horns will send one to a faraway place. A great tune. "Point of No Return" is a blues loaded number. This shows his flexibility and talent to do such a wide range of music. The album closes with "Never to Rest" a bright tune with insightful yet fun lyrics and an irresistible chorus. Reminiscent slightly of GEORGE BENSON vocally and musically a tinge of his hit "On Broadway." This is a cool tune and ends a very fine album. This music has taken parts of Europe by storm yet is little known in the states. I really encourage you to check out this enjoyable, musically varied work,Tropicowboy. Recommended.

RE:TROPICOWBOY "This Texas musician pursues a fascinating sonic voyage"-Ida Tiberio

RE:TROPICOWBOY CD "a gifted talent of notable charisma and extraordinary taste who has created a unique island of sound...four stars and a bravo Mr.DeVillez"-Paolo Caru'

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This CD is made up of 14 songs,most written by Jeff DeVillez.This singer/songwriter is backed up by solid players who can play a variety of subtle styles.The album opens with "Love Is The Power",which is a pretty tune,light pop of sorts.Next comes "Hoosier Boy In Texas",a pretty country/folk Number.May be autobiographical.A nice dobro and harmonica as well as violin add much support.The main players throughout the CD are Marvin Dykhuis(guitars),Paul Pearcy(drums/percussion),David Heath(Fender electric bass),and Floyd Domino(keyboards)."Simple Life"is a song that is autobiographical.The beat is latin,with a keen tropical sense.The trumpet enriches the performance.A trombone and sax,along with a violin,are part of the next cut"Piece of A Dream. The lyrics are almost like poetry. JDs singing is sound,smooth and generally solid.This ballad has much to offer."(This Morning)How Love Can Be"is the fifth track,and it is one of the best as it flows and displays sophistication and a good arrangement.The sax and trombone solos and the beautiful Spanish guitar part give the selection depth and body.Again an exotic sense pervades this classy creation.One of my favorites here. The song "Love Is Real"seems like a song that could have been written by SADE.The tune exudes class and that aura found in many of that artist's great hits. Another fine work.Another fine work,"Ordinary Man",features a cool organ.A song that shows me a lot of talent from JD and band. Next we get a Buddy Johnson composition"Since I Fell For You". Many have covered it before and you will remember this great number.DeVillez's rendition is excellent in my mind.The song just comes together with great playing from piano and a neat trombone which infuses an emotive melancholy sense.It may be the best thing on the album.Great vocal delivery."In Your Eyes"is a change of pace with nice layerings of instruments.Musically,it sounds like a hit.The intonations, backgrounds,and overall performance make this song have a big feel to it.Guest saxophonist ELIAS HASLANGER plays a fine tenor.An enjoyable creation that has a hot lead guitar as it winds down.Then comes"Living Without You"which is a softer effort.It doesnt come across as well as the other songs, and may be the weakest song on the album,in my opinion.Cut #11 is "El Poder Del Amor"(The Power of Love). It is a very simple,yet pretty work sung in Spanish.A slow,nuanced selection,Next is only the second song on the CD that wasn't written by JD"Quiero Dormir Cansado"(M.Alejandro-A.Magdalena), roughly..."I Want To Sleep Tired" is a sad yet beautiful romantic song in Spanish.The emotion is clear and the overall effort is lovely.This makes me mention the production values.The music is well-mixed,balanced,and production tight and clean.No fancy tricks or frills,just a solid,workmanlike display.A song,"Movin' Through The Night"has a slight reggae or calypso feel.Clearly exotic,tropical the cut has nice forward movement,good rhythm and appeal.The album closes with "Tropic Mountain Evening".I don't know why,but that song made me think of Jimmy Buffett.Well,that island sense and instrumentation is reminiscent.A relaxing song,an appropriate track for ending.This is a very strong creation from an artist I had never heard of before.The album liner notes in the libretto show attention to detail,and the many pages include all the lyrics and credits for each song.An impressive project!Check him out. I look forward with anticipation to his next album. Armando Canales for Amazon.com

This CD is made up of 14 songs,most written by Jeff DeVillez.This singer/songwriter is backed up by solid players who can play a variety of subtle styles.The album opens with "Love Is The Power",which is a pretty tune,light pop of sorts.Next comes "Hoosier Boy In Texas",a pretty country/folk Number.May be autobiographical.A nice dobro and harmonica as well as violin add much support.The main players throughout the CD are Marvin Dykhuis(guitars),Paul Pearcy(drums/percussion),David Heath(Fender electric bass),and Floyd Domino(keyboards)."Simple Life"is a song that is autobiographical.The beat is latin,with a keen tropical sense.The trumpet enriches the performance.A trombone and sax,along with a violin,are part of the next cut"Piece of A Dream. The lyrics are almost like poetry. JDs singing is sound,smooth and generally solid.This ballad has much to offer."(This Morning)How Love Can Be"is the fifth track,and it is one of the best as it flows and displays sophistication and a good arrangement.The sax and trombone solos and the beautiful Spanish guitar part give the selection depth and body.Again an exotic sense pervades this classy creation.One of my favorites here. The song "Love Is Real"seems like a song that could have been written by SADE.The tune exudes class and that aura found in many of that artist's great hits. Another fine work.Another fine work,"Ordinary Man",features a cool organ.A song that shows me a lot of talent from JD and band. Next we get a Buddy Johnson composition"Since I Fell For You". Many have covered it before and you will remember this great number.DeVillez's rendition is excellent in my mind.The song just comes together with great playing from piano and a neat trombone which infuses an emotive melancholy sense.It may be the best thing on the album.Great vocal delivery."In Your Eyes"is a change of pace with nice layerings of instruments.Musically,it sounds like a hit.The intonations, backgrounds,and overall performance make this song have a big feel to it.Guest saxophonist ELIAS HASLANGER plays a fine tenor.An enjoyable creation that has a hot lead guitar as it winds down.Then comes"Living Without You"which is a softer effort.It doesnt come across as well as the other songs, and may be the weakest song on the album,in my opinion.Cut #11 is "El Poder Del Amor"(The Power of Love). It is a very simple,yet pretty work sung in Spanish.A slow,nuanced selection,Next is only the second song on the CD that wasn't written by JD"Quiero Dormir Cansado"(M.Alejandro-A.Magdalena), roughly..."I Want To Sleep Tired" is a sad yet beautiful romantic song in Spanish.The emotion is clear and the overall effort is lovely.This makes me mention the production values.The music is well-mixed,balanced,and production tight and clean.No fancy tricks or frills,just a solid,workmanlike display.A song,"Movin' Through The Night"has a slight reggae or calypso feel.Clearly exotic,tropical the cut has nice forward movement,good rhythm and appeal.The album closes with "Tropic Mountain Evening".I don't know why,but that song made me think of Jimmy Buffett.Well,that island sense and instrumentation is reminiscent.A relaxing song,an appropriate track for ending.This is a very strong creation from an artist I had never heard of before.The album liner notes in the libretto show attention to detail,and the many pages include all the lyrics and credits for each song.An impressive project!Check him out. I look forward with anticipation to his next album. Armando Canales for Amazon.com