Smooth Jazz Therapy

Quintin Gerard W - Fnkysax

‘Fnkysax’ is the new and exciting CD release from saxophonist Quintin Gerard W that promises to make him one of the sensations of 2005.

‘Fnkysax’ is, for Gerard, more than an album. It is a new expression of music terminology, an abbreviation of ‘fonkysax’ that carries with it his trademarked tag line of ‘So you like a little fonk with your Jazz uh? He also provides his own pseudo dictionary definition of the word ‘Fnkysax’ as “the method of playing saxophone characterized by incorporating elements of Funk, R & B, Gospel, Blues and Jazz supported by the underlying foundation of the urban culture and experience.” It’s a catchy marketing trick but it’s backed up by the substance of his music, an urban slant that Boney James would be proud of and a sensuality that makes more than a nod in the direction of Kenny G. The result is a powerful combination that instantly grabs the listener.

Mike Di Lorenzo - Urbanized

New out this month is an excellent piece of work from New York based Mike Di Lorenzo. The independently produced ‘Urbanized’ is Mike’s first foray as leader and an adventure that, as well as taking him center stage on keyboards, finds him producing all twelve tracks. Not only that, with the exception of the Stevie Wonder cover ‘Too High’, he has written them all too. This is not surprising for an artist who has previously made his mark as a writer and producer and who has worked as a side man with high caliber artists such as Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Gerald Alston and Regina Belle.