Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jeff Golub - Blues For You

Anyone who has been with Jeff Golub for the long haul will regard his latest CD, ‘Blues For You’, as a project that has just been waiting to happen. Indeed, functioning as he often does within the confines of contemporary jazz his music, especially in a live setting, can appear to be a paradox. Supercharged with the influences he garners from the best of rock and blues his playing is always totally from the heart and with ‘Blues For You’ he is grabbing with both hands the opportunity to dig deeper into the blues and R & B roots that he holds so dear.

Walter Beasley - Free Your Mind

Walter Beasley is in the envious position of enjoying mutually inclusive careers as both music educator and headlining performer. Indeed his tenure at Berklee College of Music, which now extends to over twenty years, seems to sit easily with the fourteen solo albums currently to his name. In fact it all started back in 1987 with his self titled debut and since then a string of recordings on Mercury, Shanachie and, most recently, Heads Up have seen him maintain a position as a major purveyor of soulful contemporary jazz. For his latest Heads Up recording ‘Free Your Mind’, which was released earlier this year, Beasley has teamed up with some of the best songwriters in the business to deliver an eclectic selection which serves as a commentary on the emotionally charged events that have recently impacted his life.

Jonathan Fritzén - VIP

When, in 2008, I reviewed ‘Love Birds’ by silky smooth keyboard player Jonathan Fritzén I commented that every one of its eleven sumptuous tunes reached to the very core of what great smooth jazz should be. This self penned and produced tour de force proved to be an incredible achievement for the Swedish born Fritzén who still calls Stockholm home and now he is back with the equally impressive ‘VIP’.

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.