Smooth Jazz Therapy

Tracy Hamlin - Better Days

Although vocalist Tracy Hamlin is perhaps best known for her longtime association with the wonderful Pieces of a Dream, her first solo album, ‘Seasons’ really took her to another place. Featuring both Najee and James Lloyd, this stellar collection from 2005 proved to be a wonderful representation of her rich, warm tones. Attracting both R&B and jazz aficionados it was a glowing affirmation of her burgeoning talent and now she is back with the brand new ‘Better Days’.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Tracy Hamlin has been singing since the age of eleven. After graduating from the Baltimore School for the Arts her urge to perform led rapidly to a life on the road and the chance to share the stage with musical greats such as Al Jarreau, Boney James, Gerald Albright, Carlos Santana, India Arie and Joe Sample. As a backing vocalist she has supported the likes of Howard Hewett, Miki Howard and Maysa but now with ‘Better Days’ is grabbing with both hands the chance to move center stage.

‘Better Days’ will be released in August 2009 and for a complete review check back here soon.

Jessy J And JP Delaire Target New Releases

Seen here taking in the sights of ancient Greece while on tour with Michael Bolton, J.P. DeLaire and Jessy J have more to be pleased about than simply the sunshine. With the release of the CD, ‘In My Life’, DeLaire is all set to channel his skills as keyboard player, sax-man and vocalist into what may prove to be a burgeoning solo career. It’s an album that delivers a welcome collection of self produced original compositions which range from contemporary jazz to the Minneapolis funk of his native roots. Not to be left out, sax star Jessy J, who became an overnight success with the chart-busting ‘Tequila Moon’, will be back in record stores across the USA on August 4 with her sophomore effort ‘True Love’.

Check back here soon for complete reviews of both ‘In My Life’ and ‘True Love’.

For more information on both these incredible artists go to www.jessyj.com and www.jpdelaire.com

Fernanda Cunha - Brasil - Canada

Although based in Rio De Janerio, Latin vocalist Fernanda Cunha has been a regular performer in Canada since 2005. Appearances at jazz festivals in Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary have helped her to carve out a whole new fan base and now she is repaying the complement with her brand new CD ‘Brasil – Canada’. Recorded in Canada, the project uses musicians from both countries to engender a unique fusion of Canadian and Brazilian music and culture. The niece of Sueli Costa and daughter of singer Telma Costa, Fernanda’s song choices for ‘Brasil – Canada’ tap into the work of notable songwriters such as Joni Mitchell , Alex Kramer, Shelton Brooks, Bruce Cockburn, Sueli Costa, Noel Rosa, Marcio Hallack and Ricardo Rito. It’s a combination that reflects the musical affinities between Brazil and Canada and this link is further forged by Canadian bassist Mike Lent who provides one original composition to which Fernanda adds Portuguese lyrics.

Spyro Gyra - Down The Wire

By balancing the individual player with the band and the songwriter with the performer the legendary Spyro Gyra has maintained its position at the forefront of modern jazz for more than three decades. Throughout this time both founder member Jay Beckenstein and keyboard player Tom Schuman (who joined shortly after) have guided this changing collective through a myriad of musical milestones. Although the band’s self titled debut was released in 1976, it was three years later when the platinum selling follow up ‘Morning Dance’ set a benchmark that endures to this day with the new for 2009 ‘Down The Wire’.

East Bay Soul Debut Album Slated For September

Although its roots are grounded firmly in the uniquely soul based genre associated with the San Francisco East Bay Area, East Bay Soul is first and foremost about R&B for our time. For the past year this classy collective has been delighting live audiences across the USA and is now set to move to a whole new level with the September 22 release of its self titled debut album. In fact East Bay Soul is the brainchild of trumpeter, producer and arranger Greg Adams whose musical arrangements for the likes of Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Linda Ronstadt have made him one of the ultimate musicians’ musicians. Indeed everyone from the Rolling Stones to Paul Schaffer to Madonna has called on him to contribute to their projects and, in addition, Greg’s hallmark ensemble sound has made the concept of the horn section an American treasure. Given the huge credentials gained as founding member of the evergreen Tower of Power and a solo career that most recently delivered the spectacular ‘Cool To The Touch’ it is fair to assume that the new CD will be one of the musical highlights of 2009.

Adams co writes several of the songs with former Tower of Power band mate (and now Music Director for Joe Cocker) Nick Milo while Lee Thornburg emerges with his stunning interpretation of Howard Tate’s 1968 gem ‘Stop’. Typically, Adams’ arrangement brings the full funk of this timeless track to life and is totally indicative of how the album balances the sultry and robust with the hopeful and the absolute.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘East Bay Soul’.

j.dee Back With New Album

Hot news from nuGroove is all about the release of ‘Smoove on the Move’ from saxophonist j.dee. With a style that is often sultry, sometimes funky but always smooth, j.dee first caught the attention of Smooth Jazz Therapy with his debut CD ‘Tippin on the Edge of Funk’. It was received to critical acclaim and now he is back with a collection that has already been described as being without boundaries and which includes R&B instrumentals such as ‘It’s On & Crackin'’ and ‘Let’s Walk’. The ultra smooth title track and a cool cover of Stevie Wonder's ‘Don’t You Worry Bout’ A Thang’ both serve to enhance that quality of an album that looks certain add to j.dee’s growing reputation.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Smoove on the Move’

Richard Elliot - Rock Steady

Richard Elliot regards himself as essentially an R&B instrumentalist with jazz influences. Soul and funk are his foundation and he has used these staples to create the framework for his brand new album ‘Rock Steady’. Out now on the Artistry Music label it is a collection for which Elliot has drawn on the input of some of his most valued musical associates including touring band regulars Rob Reinhardt, Dwight Sills and Nate Phillips. Rick Braun co-writes five tracks, co-produces throughout and finds time to make a stellar contribution on trumpet while, if that wasn’t enough, keyboard maestros Jeff Lorber and Philippe Saisse also play a part.

Freddie Fox Debuts On nuGroove With Feelin' It

‘Feelin’ It’ is the latest solo album from guitarist Freddie Fox and it’s a measure of the standing he has in the world of smooth jazz that some of the genres biggest hitters have gathered round to lend a hand. Originally released last year, but now totally invigorated by Fox’s new alliance with nuGroove Records, it features performances from luminaries such as Nelson Rangell, Najee, Michael Lington and Walter Beasley. Not only that, Freddie’s wife, the legendary Evelyn "Champagne" King, provides a stunning vocal on the track ‘Happy Feelings’.

Fox played on George Benson’s Grammy winning song ‘Morning’ and has toured extensively with the likes of Atlantic Starr, Jennifer Holliday, Vesta Williams, Eric Benet, Rose Royce and Sheila E. Through his association with producer and keyboard player Michael Broening he has also played a major part in recent projects from Marion Meadows and Cindy Bradley but now ‘Feelin’ It’ is all set to take him center stage.

It will be released across the USA on July 7. For a complete review of ‘Feelin’ It’ be sure to check back here soon.

Pieces Of A Dream - Soul Intent

Famously ‘discovered’ by Grover Washington, Jr. in 1979, the wonderful Pieces Of A Dream has been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz ever since. Although label and personnel changes have been a feature of the bands evolution, the dazzling piano technique, inventive synthesizer programming and leadership of James K. Lloyd have been front back and centre of the soulful sound that Pieces Of A Dream can call its own. These days comprising Lloyd, co-founder Curtis Harmon and a rotating collective of featured performers that often includes Eddie Baccus Jr. on sax, the band is still weaving its musical magic and is back for 2009 with the stupendous ‘Soul Intent’.

Jackiem Joyner - Lil' Man Soul

When in May 2007 I reviewed Jackiem Joyner’s debut CD ‘Baby Soul’ I described it as an extremely accomplished collection and a superb showcase for his obvious talent. Now, signed to the Artistry Music wing of Mack Avenue Records, ‘the baby’ has very much become ‘the man’ and his aptly titled new release ‘Lil’ Man Soul’ is chock full of the soulfully smooth grooves that typify his style of urban jazz. In fact it is music that has accurately been described as soul-jazz and with nine of his own compositions, another co-written with Paul Brown plus two innovative covers, this is an album that simply oozes soul.