Smooth Jazz Therapy

Freddie Lee - Searching

Born in Florida and raised in the projects of Padgett Island, Pahokee, the story of soulful vocalist Freddie Lee is one of triumph against the odds. Now domiciled in the United Kingdom, Lee’s first album release was the critically acclaimed soul and gospel collection ‘Beyond Comprehension’. It was produced by Tony Bean and Colin Bassett of 5am Productions and Lee has again turned to this notable duo for his latest project, ‘My Soul Intentions’ that is due out in October of 2011.

The first single from this forthcoming CD is the delicious horn infused ‘Searching’. Enriched by backing vocals that are out of this world, the song engenders the kind of old school vibe of which real soul aficionado’s never tire.

‘Searching’ is on sale now on iTunes, Amazon and Nokia Music.

Listen before you buy by checking it out right here right now at ‘Listen Here’. Simply select the track from the listing and enjoy.

Patrick Cooper - The Way It Used To Be

Described as a “throwback collection that puts a contemporary spin on vintage jazz funk” the latest album from keyboard player Patrick Cooper is the appropriately titled ‘The Way It Used To Be’. Indeed although achieving his goal of capturing the sound and spirit of music produced decades ago, Cooper has also used the project to show off his considerable skills as a performer, composer and producer. With a little help along the way from sax player Phillip ‘Doc’ Martin, bass-man Martin Dyson and vocalist Nehemiah Booker he has delivered a quality body of work that effortlessly builds a bridge between the present and what has gone before.

Paolo Rustichelli - Soul Italiano

Since 1991, when he relocated to Los Angeles from his native Italy, keyboard player Paolo Rustichelli has built a considerable reputation as a writer, performer and producer. His pioneering style led to the 1995 release of the solo project ‘Mystic Jazz’ (renamed ‘Capri’ in the USA) which went on to gain cult ‘chill music’ status and proved to be extremely influential in the evolution of progressive smooth jazz. In 1997 he followed up with ‘Mystic Man’ that featured the legendary Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and disco diva Jill Jones while in 2002 Paolo composed, arranged and produced the song ‘Kyrie’ for Placido Domingo's Sacred Songs album. Now, fresh for 2011 and in anticipation of a new CD that is scheduled for later in the year, comes the rhythmic radio single ‘Soul Italiano’. Replete with the warm Mediterranean vibe that one associates with the sun kissed shores of his homeland it’s a track which should fit perfectly with the ‘feel good’ mood of the summer to come.

Dee Lucas - Standing Room Only

Although released late in 2010 the current CD from saxophonist Dee Lucas is certainly worthy of comment. Titled ‘Standing Room Only’ it follows on from his 2007 project ‘Something To Ride 2’ which at the time I described as being a superb example of cutting edge urban jazz and entirely in keeping with the smoky direction in which the genre is currently moving. Here, with production input from Phil Davis and Lee Hurst, he picks up right where ‘Something To Ride 2’ left off and in the process delivers a body of work as fresh as anything I have heard this year.

Edmund Simental Back With Saxofunk

For in excess of ten years multi instrumentalist Edmund Simental has been patiently building a musical career that includes producing jingles for television and radio, touring the world and opening for such luminaries as Chuck Mangione, Bobby Caldwell, Lenny Williams, Jonathan Butler and Billy Paul. Highly accomplished on sax, flute, piano and keys his debut CD, the appropriately named ‘ES2005’, was released six years ago and garnered the hot radio single ‘Midnight Rendezvous’. Now the album is being given a new lease of life with the track ‘Saxofunk’ which is being serviced to radio effective May 23. It’s the sort of number for which the title pretty much says it all and is guaranteed to get the party started.

Westbound - Gone For A Walk

Italian contemporary jazz outfit Westbound is actually the exquisite pairing of Cristian Rocco and Enrico Catena. Their latest project is the predominately mellow ‘Gone For A Walk’ which finds Rocco providing eleven all new compositions to complement his fine work on guitars and keys. Catena is his usual tight self on drums and percussion yet the album also affords a platform for stellar performances by some great guest artists. One such collaborator is the superb Roberto Vally who has played extensively with Paul Brown and is the bass player of choice for Bobby Caldwell. He is featured on five of the twelve choice tracks and for one of them is joined by smooth jazz superstar Rick Braun. Recorded in Italy, the result is an excellent addition to this year’s crop of new music and an end to the myth that great smooth jazz is the exclusive province of the USA.

Neamen Lyles Steps Into The Spotlight

Now for a new name on the contemporary jazz scene; Sax player Neamen Lyles is all set to release his debut album ‘So Free’ and the first single from it to be serviced to radio is the high octane ‘Candy’. Written by Lyles and the always excellent Jay Soto (who as well as producing the track also plays keyboards) the all-star nature of this fine tune is reinforced by contributions from both Brian Simpson and Freddie Fox.

In fact Neamen Lyles is an experienced teacher and clinician at the Arizona Jazz Institute in Tucson, AZ yet despite his prowess as an educator; ‘So Free’ promises to take his career in a whole different direction. The track ‘Candy’ is a case in point and should certainly get him noticed. Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘So Free’.

Nick Colionne Set For A Windy Dance

Described as a hip, funky and groove driven tribute to his favorite city, the brand new radio single from smooth jazz superstar Nick Colionne is the appropriately titled ‘The Windy Dance’. Yes we are talking Chicago and given that Colionne’s music invariably accentuates his hometown’s natural groove it should be no surprise that he has again captured the Windy City’s knack of producing smooth jazz with an edge.

The ‘The Windy Dance’ is from Colionne’s highly anticipated Trippin N Rhythm debut CD, ‘Feel The Heat’, that is scheduled to hit the streets on July 5.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Feel The Heat’.

Brian Culbertson At The Cinnamon Club

May 13, 2011. It had been ten years since Brian Culbertson last appeared in the north west of England but when he arrived at the Cinnamon Club, Altrincham, for a show typified by the huge energy that he brings to everything he does, he blew the doors off with a performance that flashed by in what can accurately be described as a joyous and frenetic blur. Indeed, with Marc Parnell on drums, Otto Williams playing bass, Jim Culbertson on trumpet, additional keys in the capable hands of Mark Whitmore and the outstanding Derek Nash on sax, Culbertson rifled his considerable discography for a succession of outstanding tunes that will live long in the memory.

Dave Edwards - Elusive Dreams

A lifetime in music and participation in a series of rock and country rock bands seems an unlikely route to contemporary jazz but this is the journey that pianist Dave Edwards has taken to release his debut solo album ‘Elusive Dreams’. Indeed, from his base in Dallas, TX Edwards has conjured up a fine collection of his own compositions and in so doing emerged as a writer and performer who deserves to be heard.

Down To The Bone Back To It's Grooving Best

It was in 1997 that the seminal CD ‘Manhattan To Staten’ hit the streets and positioned the excellent Down To The Bone firmly on the jazz funk map. In the intervening years, and with sax man Shilts at its centre, the band delivered a series of high octane albums but now (with Shilts away to pursue his solo career) DTTB are entering a new phase of what by any measure continues to be an interesting career. Recently signed to Trippin N Rhythm, the band’s latest offering is ‘The Main Ingredients’ which, if the first single is anything to go by, very much puts them back to their ‘Manhattan To Staten’ best. Titled ‘Music Is The Key’, this edgy cut says everything about what DTTB is all about.

Airborne 'Movin Forward' To Radio

Based in New Haven CT, the band Airborne has been around since the eighties and its latest album, ‘Back In The Dayz’, takes a look back at some of their best songs over that period. In fact Airborne has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen since 2004 and the release of the CD ‘Heavy Vibes’. At the time I described them as re-igniting old school jazz fusion in a way that is part 5th Dimension and part Ambrosia with just a hint of Tower Of Power added for good measure.