Ultimate Kenny G is the third greatest‑hits compilation album by American smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G. It was released on June 10 2003 by Arista Records. The album encompasses a selection of Kenny G’s most commercially successful tracks recorded between the mid‑1980s and early 2000s, and includes collaborations with vocalists such as Chanté Moore and Bebel Gilberto.
Genre and Style
The compilation is categorized within the smooth jazz and contemporary jazz genres, reflecting Kenny G’s characteristic melodic saxophone phrasing and pop‑oriented arrangements.
Production
The album’s production credits include Kenny G himself, along with notable producers Walter Afanasieff, Peter Bunetta, Rick Chudacoff, Preston Glass, and L.A. Reid.
Commercial Performance
Ultimate Kenny G peaked at number 2 on both the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums and Contemporary Jazz Albums charts. On the broader Billboard 200, the compilation reached number 42. The album’s commercial success reinforced Kenny G’s status as one of the best‑selling instrumental artists of the early 21st century.
Track Listing (selected)
- “Everlasting” – 4:16
- “Havana” – 3:58
- “Brazil” – 4:11
- “What a Wonderful World” – 3:02
- “The Look of Love” – 5:32
- “Silhouette” – 4:30
- “One More Time” (featuring Chanté Moore) – 4:01
…additional tracks total a running length of 79 minutes 48 seconds.
Reception
Critical reception was mixed; while the album was praised for its polished production and accessibility to mainstream audiences, some reviewers noted a lack of new material, describing it primarily as a retrospective collection. AllMusic assigned the release a moderate rating, reflecting its appeal to existing fans rather than offering significant artistic innovation.
Legacy
The compilation contributed to the sustained popularity of smooth jazz in the early 2000s and remains a reference point for Kenny G’s commercial catalog. It is frequently cited in discographies and music reference works documenting the artist’s career trajectory.
