Smooth Jazz Therapy

Hulon - After Hours

It was almost two years ago, when reviewing the debut CD, ‘First Impressions’, from saxophonist Hulon, that I described him as being far from your typical contemporary jazz performer. Indeed, an entrepreneur by day and a sax player by night, he has a successful medical practice in Panama Beach, FL and is a founder member of the Florida based band ‘On Call’. ‘First Impressions’ was produced by none other than Jeff Kashiwa and now Hulon is back with his follow up, ‘After Hours’. It is due for release on February 7 and again has Kashiwa playing a significant part as writer, producer and back-up performer.

Scott Allman - Flurry

Scott Allman hails from Illinois and is all set to make a big splash with his debut CD ‘Generations’. It’s ten, self penned, tracks indicate that he has a flair for melodic contemporary jazz and the first single from the album demonstrates this to perfection. Titled ‘Flurry’ it features the ubiquitous Darren Rahn on sax whose own new release, ‘Speechless’, will hit the streets on March 27.

Scott Allman is certainly a bright new talent so for more visit his website at www.scottallmanmusic.com

Earl Klugh & Bob James - Two Of A Kind

Long before the term ‘smooth jazz’ had been invented, the collaborations between Bob James and Earl Klugh were doing much to shape what followed. The seminal albums that they recorded together were memorable not only for the magical quality of the music but also because of the simple yet innovative art work that was used to adorn each sleeve. For the 1979 ‘One on One’ that image was of a match book. Thirteen years later ‘Cool’ predictably displayed a cucumber. The subject of this retrospective, the 1982 ‘Two Of A Kind’, was illustrated with a pair of aces. In fact, as a partnership or as solo artists this is exactly what James and Klugh were, a pair of musical aces, and ‘Two Of A Kind’, does much to demonstrate why.

East Bay Soul 2.0 - It's Almost Here

Now it’s official. Ripa Records will release ‘East Bay Soul 2.0’ by trumpeter and songwriter Greg Adams on February 28, 2012. His signature sound is stamped front back and center over the album’s ten choice tracks which, comprising an equal mix of instrumental and vocal songs, prove to be a fine blend of funk, jazz, R&B and soul.
With a nod to the music Adams loves, and inked in his own inimitable style, he has created a collection that is both relevant and fresh. Indeed Greg takes the listener on an incredible ride that is groove driven, woven with his trademark horn melodies and, along the way, includes some wonderful soul drenched vocals. Make no mistake, these are songs that are often dynamic, sometimes dreamy, occasionally cinematic but all entirely to fall in love with.

Quintin Gerard W - Before It's Gone

Smooth Jazz Therapy has followed the career of Quintin Gerard W since 2004 and the release of his debut CD ‘Fnkysax’. At the time I described the album as having an urban slant of which Boney James would be proud and when in 2006 he returned with the equally appealing ‘Perseverance’, it provided a further chance for would be fans to discover his exquisite brand of mellow, hypnotic grooves. Now, six years on, he is staking another claim to solo stardom with the warmly seductive ‘Before It’s Gone’.

Eric Marienthal - Get Here

It might still be January, but 2012 is already shaping up as a big year for contemporary jazz. The latest indication of this comes in the form of the album ‘It’s Love’ by the always impeccable Eric Marienthal which is lined up for release on January 31. ‘It’s Love’ has been produced by Chuck Loeb and features guest performances from Brian Culbertson, Jeff Lorber, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Loeb himself.

The project's first single, ‘Get Here’, is Eric's stunning instrumental interpretation of the Brenda Russell composition which in its time proved to be a massive hit for Oleta Adams. Those who have seen Adams perform this song live will need no reminding of the emotion that she packs into each and every note so there can be no finer complement than to say Marienthal’s version does all this and more. It’s a spine chilling masterpiece and is sure to be in my listing of the year’s top covers.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘It’s Love’.

Russ Hewitt - Alma Vieja

‘Alma Vieja’ is the latest CD from guitar virtuoso Russ Hewitt and is replete with the rumba flamenco rhythms and lightning guitar runs that have become trademarks of his distinctive style. The project also includes a stellar line up of backing musicians including former Miami Sound Machine percussionist Raphael Padilla and drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr who in his time has played with both Santana and Ricky Martin. They are joined by bass player Bob Parr and exciting flamenco guitar prodigy Alfredo Caceres while other significant contributions come from contemporary jazz saxophonist Michael Lington and Grammy award-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat who has graced the stage with heavyweights such as The Rolling Stones Yanni and Aerosmith.

Reinhold Schwarzwald - Sunset

Born of an Austrian father and Hungarian mother, LA based saxophonist and producer Reinhold Schwarzwald is staking a claim for solo fame with the tasty new radio single ‘Sunset’. Produced by the genre defining recording artist Patrice Rushen, and with a hook that is seriously infectious, this ultra commercial cut has already found its way into regular rotation at the Los Angeles radio station 94.7 KTWV The Wave.

In fact this intoxicatingly mid tempo tune comes from Schwarzwald’s recently re-released CD of the same name for which he wrote or co-wrote nine of the eleven songs. It provides a superb showcase for his ultra smooth talents and is embellished by a stellar line-up of backing musicians including none other than contemporary jazz guitarist Doc Powell.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Sunset’.

Kirk Whalum - Romance Language

It was in 1963 that legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane collaborated with vocalist Johnny Hartman to create an album of romantic standards which has since been described as being essential for all jazz collections. Simply titled ‘John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman’, and with a running time of only thirty minutes, it comprised six classic compositions from the likes of Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn and Billy Strayhorn.

Fast forward almost fifty years to Grammy winning sax-man Kirk Whalum who has re-recorded the complete collection, added four more tracks and, with the help of younger brother Kevin Whalum, delivered the truly sensational ‘Romance Language’.

Kennard Ramsey - Somos

As 2011 was winding to its close all the buzz was about the legendary Stanley Clarke and the signings he had made to his fledgling record label Roxboro Entertainment. The first of these to catch the attention of Smooth Jazz Therapy was guitarist Lloyd Gregory. Now comes the turn of Kennard Ramsey and his CD ‘Somos’. Ramsey is a Los Angeles based writer and musician who has worked extensively in the film and record industry. His compositions have been characterized by the integration of contemporary music genres with those more traditional and for his innovative use of synthesizer and orchestra. ‘Somos’ affords Ramsey the opportunity to demonstrate the eclectic nature of his musical tastes and suffice to say he grabs it with both hands.