★★★★★
Sound: As a jazz fusion guitarist, Chieli Minucci has taken part in bringing the genre into the 21st Century with his latest release Sweet Surrender featuring his band Special EFX. Minucci & Special EFX are contemporary jazz practitioners with evidence of jazz-pop savvy, R&B;/funk sensibilities, and world music eligibility in their tracks...
- www.ultimate-guitar.com
2009-11-15
★★★★★
Guitarist Chieli Minucci has been running the gamut of pop, rock, R&B and smooth jazz music for over 20 years. As a founding member of Special EFX and as a soloist, Chieli has had major successes as a composer and instrumentalist in other genres as well. In fact, his substanative approach to what he does has added some clarity of purpose to the overall jazz scene as it stands today...
- www.jazzreview.com
2009-06-08
★★★★★
Just as Ed Hamilton played it cool and safe when he signed on with Shanachie for Groovology, Chieli Minucci's solo debut for the label features a bit less edge, a bit more pop, and much more of a kick back vibe than his early solo efforts for JVC. It's not that Sweet on You lacks adventure; it's simply a more in the pocket variety...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
★★★★★
Over the past few years, Chieli Minucci has faced breakups of the two marriages that defined most of his entire adult life - both from his wife and, more to the musical point, from percussionist George Jinda, his longtime partner in the band Special EFX. It's Gonna Be Good, the guitarist's third solo album, is an aggressive, multi-faceted, self exploratory work - a musical testament to the notion of moving on with a positive attitude...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
★★★★★
The founding Special EFX member and guitarist established his own identity as a solo artist with Jewels, which balanced fusion, funk, acid jazz, and the type of fiery playing the New York native is known for in his live performances. Renaissance finds him returning to his smooth rock/jazz roots, evoking the classic, exotic Special EFX imagery in romantic exploration of his most heartfelt emotions...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
★★★★★
Chieli Minucci, the leader of Special EFX, is an excellent guitarist with a style sometimes hinting at early George Benson. His brand of crossover music has catchy melodies, danceable rhythms and concise solos. Got It Goin' On has short spots for three different crossover saxophonists (Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters and Marion Meadows) but the focus is mostly on the leader and the appealing ensembles...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
★★★★★
Based on Special EFX's eclectic artistic output since switching from GRP to JVC three years ago, long-time followers of veteran pop-jazz/world beat duo Chieli Minucci and George Jinda are no doubt wondering what happened to the classic, sound they knew and loved. First, percussion madman Jinda put out two solo albums with his own band, World News...
- music.aol.com
2008-08-28
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