Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jeff Lorber Fusion - Now Is The Time

It was in 1977 that the Jeff Lorber Fusion released its self-titled debut and in so doing signposted a musical journey that for Lorber would endure to this day. Although he dropped the name ‘Fusion’ after the group’s 1981 ‘Galaxian’ project he was, by then, very much on a roll. Indeed, the wealth of music he created on the six albums recorded between 1979 and 1985 marked him out as a significant player in the development of the R&B-jazz amalgam that later evolved into what we now recognize as smooth jazz. Every subsequent CD has always offered something different and now he is turning back the clock, not only by recording his brand new ‘Now Is The Time’ under the name ‘Jeff Lorber Fusion’ but also by taking the opportunity to blend some of the best tunes from his early ‘’Fusion’ years with six fresh sounds. The outcome is an engaging compilation that will appeal both to his long-time fans and those discovering his wonderful music for the first time.

Rocco Ventrella Back With New Radio Single

When in 2007 I reviewed the album ‘Give Me The Groove’ by Italian sax virtuoso Rocco Ventrella, I described it as a superb example of smooth jazz music and the perfect antidote to a stressful day. With stellar input from LA based producer and arranger Bruce Nazarian, ‘Give Me The Groove’ proved to be an enticing mix of well selected covers, Grover Washington tributes and four original compositions. The combination produced an end product that was totally pleasing and now Ventrella is back with a brand new radio single. Titled ‘Secret Agent’ this sultry cut with an infectious hook is sure to put Ventrella back on the contemporary jazz map.

Check out ‘Secret Agent’ right now at the ‘Listen Here’ player and for more on Rocco Ventrella go to www.roccoventrella.com

Attila Molnar - Dreams

I am indebted to Edwina Goody for drawing my attention to an excellent new album from keyboard player Attila Molnar. Titled ‘Dreams’ this tight twelve track collection is a noteworthy debut for a performer who, as well as playing keys in the touring bands of Jaared and Slim Man’s Bona Fide, is also an accomplished writer and producer. In fact for ‘Dreams’ Molnar composes eleven tunes and produces throughout. The result is a welcome addition to this year’s crop of contemporary jazz releases.

Diamonds By Jonathan Fritzen Out June 18

The key attribute of any truly successful artist is the ability to consistently write music of the quality that can shape a career. This doesn’t always come easy but in the case of writer, producer and keyboard player Jonathan Fritzén he really has hit the ground running. Reaching to the very core of what great smooth jazz should be, his 2008 debut ‘Love Birds’ announced him as a performer of tremendous promise yet it seemed incredible when less than a year later he returned with the equally impressive ‘VIP’. It proved to be a run-away success, spent a total of 40 weeks on the SmoothJazz.com indicator and propelled the infectious title cut to a top-10 placing on the Billboard charts.

Now, brand new for 2010 and with a street date of June 18, Fritzén is continuing his exciting musical journey with the highly anticipated and delightfully accessible ‘Diamonds’.

Jonathan Butler - So Strong

Amongst the current crop of leading contemporary jazz artists Jonathan Butler is perhaps the most difficult to categorize. His music variously displays his Cape Town roots, the strength of his religious faith, his skill as a smooth jazz guitarist and sometimes the genuine soul in his voice. For his latest project, ‘So Strong, which comes at the end of a difficult year in which he lost both his mother and his close friend Wayman Tisdale, Butler has come roaring back with what is arguably his most soulful album to date.

Acoustic Alchemy Headline At Smoothtrax Beach Fest

The open air festival has long been an integral part of smooth jazz culture. Florida and more particularly Southern California have become Mecca’s for these special musical experiences but now the United Kingdom is getting in on the act.

In the first venture of its kind, internet radio station Smoothtrax FM is transporting smooth jazz from the sun kissed shores of west coast USA to the equally appealing beaches of fashionable Sandbanks in Dorset. On the evenings of July 17 and 18 this innovative broadcaster will host the inaugural ‘Smoothtrax FM Beach Fest’ where some of the genre’s finest ‘European exports’ will take the stage.

Vivian Male - Our Day Will Come

Sometimes the most endearing quality of the music that we love is its sheer timelessness. In this respect one need look no further than the sumptuous new collection from vocalist Vivian Male that features some of the finest soul songs ever written. Replete with tunes that are as familiar as they are delightful ‘Our Day Will Come’ is an understated gem and a must for all lovers of romantic soul.

Hulon's Label Signs Courtney Salter

Not content with his own rapidly developing smooth jazz career, saxophonist Hulon is turning his attention to building a successful record label. His own Premier Musique Group (PMG) has added American Idol contestant, Courtney Salter to its roster where her smooth neo-soul and R&B style should be a perfect fit.

Talking of this exciting move PMG president Hulon E. Crayton II explained that plans are in place for Salter to work with ex Blood, Sweat & Tears bass player Gary Foote where his experience with the likes of P Diddy, Carl Thomas and Regina Belle is sure to accelerate her musical progression. Not only that, Salter is due in the studio later this month to cut her first EP.

Jack Prybylski - Out Of The Box

Jack Prybylski (purr-bill-ski) came up big in 2006 with his CD ‘Window Shopping’. It included the tune ‘Bright Spot’ that featured Ken Navarro and which ultimately made it into the Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Twenty tracks of that year. Now he is back with his latest project ‘Out Of The Box’. Produced by Tony Grace and Rob DeBoer (aka Four 80 East), who also add their considerable performing skills, it is without doubt his most accomplished yet.

Listen Here To Phillip Martin's Deep Pockets

Available right here at the Smooth Jazz Therapy player is a wonderful new track from sax-man Phillip ‘Doc’ Martin. From his current CD ‘Realization’, the mildly turned down ‘Deep Pockets’ is the sort of song guaranteed to grow on you.

The Smooth Jazz Therapy player is located on the right hand side bar of the page. To get started simply select the tune and hit ‘play’.

Check back here soon for more new streaming music. For more on Phillip Martin go to www.phillipmartin.net

Jaared - In Conversation

May 5, 2010. With Jaared’s brand new album ‘Manhattan Nights’ already garnering critical acclaim there was added significance to his appearances with Peter White’s band at the Pizza Express Jazz Club. I caught up with Jaared as he prepared for the third of seven dates at this famed London venue and understandably the conversation ranged from his work with Peter White to how ‘Manhattan Nights’ had come to fruition.

Jaared told me that he first became acquainted with White during the 2002 Oasis Awards. Regular contact by e-mail quickly led to him being co-opted into Peter’s band and since then he has performed with him often. Parallel to this Jaared has also been building an increasingly successful solo career that started out as far back as 2001 with the Marcus Johnson produced ‘Foreward’. ‘Hang Time’ (which included guest spots by Peter White, Ken Navarro and Roberto Vally) followed a year later while his 2008 CD ‘Addiction’ found him partnering heavily with English keyboard player Oli Silk. It marked Jaared’s debut on Trippin n Rhythm Records and he has stayed with this label for his latest project.

Peter White At The Pizza Express Jazz Club

May 5, 2010. As the worst English winter in years finally softened into the beginnings Spring there was more than just the weather to lift the spirits. Peter White was back in London to play six nights and one afternoon at the famed Pizza Express Jazz Club. There as part of his now twice yearly English mini tour, the occasion afforded the opportunity for White to reunite with drummer Tony Mason (with whom he last played in 1999) and renew acquaintances with Frank Felix who invariably plays bass whenever Peter is in the UK. Completing the lineup was the brilliant Oli Silk on keys and sax-man Jaared who, with his own solo album ‘Manhattan Nights’, is rapidly becoming one of the hottest properties in smooth jazz.

This combination of the fresh and the familiar also extended to Peter’s set which, by the time I caught the show on its third night, was sharp and obviously very well rehearsed. Opening up with the title cut from his latest CD ‘Good Day’, Peter was immediately in the zone and he stayed there (and with ‘Good Day’) for the Latin tinged ‘Always And Forever’ where his interplay with Jaared was top notch.

Patti Austin Gives 'Sound Advice'

News just in is that on August 31, 2010 Grammy-winning vocalist Patti Austin will release her highly anticipated new CD ‘Sound Advice’. In a career that now spans forty years the eclectic music of this undoubted superstar has featured on the charts of genres as diverse as pop, R&B, dance and jazz. Not only that, in terms of collaborations, she has worked with everyone from her godfather Quincy Jones to James Ingram, Luther Vandross, Diana Ross, George Benson and Michael Jackson (with whom she sang on his 1979 album ‘Off The Wall’). ‘Sound Advice’ will be Patti’s debut on the Shanachie label. It is rumored to be a collection of powerful songs with potent messages and is the follow up to Austin’s Grammy winning 2007 tribute to George Gershwin, ‘Avant Gershwin’.

Look back here often for a complete review of ‘Sound Advice’.

Bickley Rivera - Chillin After Five

Time was when the sunshine filled sounds of the steel pan drums were reserved for the calypso rhythms of the Caribbean. Well that was then but this is now and with her brand new release, ‘Chillin After Five’, steel pan player Bickley Rivera is all set to add a new dimension to this distinctive instrument. With a brand of music that she describes as ‘Nujazz & Chillout’, but which in reality is where smooth jazz meets chill, she has come up with a great collection of eleven original compositions and one fabulous cover that overall cannot fail to get her noticed.

Chieli Minucci & Special EFX Release 25th Anniversary CD

Now available for purchase from www.chielimusic.com, Chieli Minucci and Special EFX have just released a 25th anniversary double CD. Titled ‘Without You’ this diverse collection of jazz-fusion and Latin rhythms is brought alive not only by the free flowing guitar artistry for which Minucci is best known for but also by contributions from original Special EFX favorites such as drummer Lionel Cordew, bassist Jerry Brooks, keyboard player Jay Rowe, and vocalist/percussionist Philip Hamilton. Not only that, this stellar lineup is complemented by guest performances from Jeff Lorber, Lao Tizer, Karen Briggs, vocalist Will Brock, bass player Dave Anderson and violinist Alan Grubner.

Mindi Abair - In Hi-Fi Stereo

Mindi Abair’s considerable reputation as a smooth jazz superstar has been built on a string of charting albums that often have been characterized by jazzy licks and catchy, pop orientated grooves. However, by way of a departure, she has used her brand new album, ‘In Hi-Fi Stereo’, to pay homage to the sounds of R & B, soul and funk that are so synonymous with the sixties and early seventies. In so doing Abair has captured to perfection the essence of what can accurately be described as a musical golden age and is assisted in this endeavour by guest performers James Gadson, Reggie McBride and Ryan Collins. That said, perhaps the most significant contribution is that from co-producer Rex Rideout who for the last twenty years has been a driving force behind much of what is good in urban jazz. The result is a hugely organic collection with an unmistakably ‘live’ feel.