Smooth Jazz Therapy

Spotlight On Kool & Klean

Originally from the Ukraine and now domiciled in Holland, saxophonist Konstantin Klashtorni first came to prominence in 2004 with his debut CD ‘Downtown’. Although three more smooth jazz albums followed, it was in 2010, when his project ‘Kool & Klean Volume l’ was released, that he began to move in a slightly different musical direction. Intended as the first in a series of accessible and commercially attractive collections that sat somewhere between smooth jazz, electronica and chill, what the CD actually did was to reclaim some of the ground which previously had been the sole domain of Paul Hardcastle. The year 2011 beckoned in the arrival of ‘Kool & Klean Volume ll’ and now ‘Kool & Klean Volume lll’ is available for download. It is quite possibly the best yet and to discover what I mean check out the sumptuous ‘Everywhere’. In common with much of ‘Kool & Klean Volume lll’ it is a sensation.

Spotlight On Pete Belasco

The release of the stunning new album ‘Lights On’ by the hugely soulful Pete Belasco has put the music of this vastly ignored performer firmly into the spotlight. In fact he first made his mark back in 2004 with the lusciously seductive ‘Deeper’ that at the time was described as tapping into classic, sexy R&B grooves while remaining entirely up to date. That said, fans of Belasco remain slavishly devoted to his 1997 debut album ‘Get It Together’ that Jazziz labeled as “a brilliant collection of R&B Jazz fusion”.

Spotlight On Greg Adams

Much of the early buzz surrounding the release of ‘East Bay Soul 2.0’ was about how a sensational campaign to raise the $25,000 necessary to record the album hit its target. However, now it’s all about the music and without doubt this is a collection of the highest order, in fact everything (plus a little bit more) that one would expect from the artistic genius of its creator Greg Adams. Of course Adams was the founding member of Tower of Power where his signature sound as performer and arranger made the TOP horn section a sought out entity all it's own. When recently I talked with Greg via Skype from his office in LA I was eager to discover more about the creative process behind ‘East Bay Soul 2.0’.

Spotlight On Dexter Wansel

Relatively unknown outside the United States, composer and keyboard player Dexter Wansel is credited with having had a significant influence on the genre that developed into new age soul and jazz funk. Although his most successful album was the 1976 release on Philadelphia International, ‘Life On Mars’, for those who admire the origins of edgy yet sensuous contemporary jazz the 1979 release ‘Time Is Slipping Away’ must arguably be Wansel’s finest moment. It contained the iconic track ‘The Sweetest Pain’ which featured vocals from Terri Wells and today still sounds just as fresh as on the day it was recorded.

Spotlight On Roan Soul

As if from no-where, the pairing of Robert Berry and Andi Schenck, aka Roan Soul, has burst onto the scene with not one but two brand new albums. Titled ‘Walk The World’ and ‘Redefining’ the collective twenty two self penned tracks are a fine blend of the rock, pop, R & B and influences that have shaped their respective careers yet, paradoxically, the outcome of this exquisite coming together is a wonderful example of what might be termed ‘blue eyed’ soul, all presented in the best traditions of bands such as Hall & Oates, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Ambrosia.

Spotlight On Reze Khan

One artist who is pushing the contemporary jazz envelope while drawing heavily on musical heroes such as Pat Metheny, the Rippingtons and Acoustic Alchemy is guitarist Reza Khan. ‘Language Of Love’, from his latest CD ‘A Simple Plan’, features the always excellent Andy Snitzer on sax and has just been serviced to radio.

Spotlight On Daniel Davis

Totally different from anything you are likely to hear this year is the zesty interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Want You’ from the 2009 album ‘Play For Me’ by youthful violinist Daniel Davis. Of course contemporary jazz violin is hardly a novelty as artists such as Karen Briggs and Mark Cargill will attest but the fact Davis was only 18 years of age at the time the album was released makes it that bit different.

Davis originally built a fan base on YouTube through his renditions of Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’ and Soulja Boys’ ‘Kiss Me Through The Phone featuring Sammie’. He appeared before 50,000 spectators at the Obama ‘Stand for Change Rally’ in the University of South Carolina, Koger Center for the Arts and has also opened for Najee, when he performed a song including samples of Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Much like his contemporaries in hip hop and rap, Davis has modified the traditional path of his predecessors and with ‘I Want You’ scheduled for smooth jazz radio looks set to reach out to a totally different listening audience.

Spotlight On SmoothGrooves

Among the growing band of internet radio stations that are leading the fight to keep contemporary jazz alive, the SmoothGrooves Radio Show is right up there with the best. Presented live at 7-00 PM every Monday from UK based Gloucester Radio on 96.6 FM, and around the globe at 11-00 AM Pacific, 2-00 PM Eastern and 8-00 PM Central European time, the show is presented by the excellent Rich Edwards (pictured here with Jonathan Fritzen) and is replete with the same musical passion that is evident in everything that Rich does.

In recent weeks, and with one eye always on fresh new music, Rich has showcased the Four 80 East produced ‘Soul Revolution’ from Michael Dunstone plus ‘Magic’ from the massively underrated Michael Paulo. Equally good have been the jazz funk oriented ‘What About That’ by 76 Degrees West and ‘Riding High’ from Joel Rodney Siemion. With an ability to build that is awesome this is a tune designed to restore faith in the splendor of contemporary jazz.

For more, and to get in on the SmoothGrooves act, go to www.smoothgrooves.mobi

Spotlight On Rob Parissi

Smooth jazz fans may recognize the song ‘Play That Funky Music’ as a track from Warren Hills 2005 release ‘Popjazz’ but in fact it’s origins go back to 1976 and the band Wild Cherry. Rumoured to have been written in less than five minutes by the band’s founder, Rob Parissi, it was Wild Cherry’s one and only hit yet the success that the song enjoyed opened doors for Parissi to go on to work with Bobby Caldwell and to co-write several tunes that in the eighties became hits on both sides of the Atlantic.

Spotlight On Renato Falaschi

Born in Bari, Italy, multi instrumentalist Renato Falaschi is now based in Paris and after years enhancing the projects of others, this fine keyboard player is now making a mark that is all his own.

His first solo recording was the EP ‘Summer Rain’. It was released in February 2009 and since then Renato has issued three excellent singles all of which demonstrate the ability he has to apply his understanding of what makes great smooth jazz to both modern day classics and his own exquisite compositions.

Spotlight On Zachary Breaux

Guitarist Zachary Breaux died in 1997, just a few months after recording the CD ‘Uptown Groove’. He was thirty six. Breaux had been vacationing in Miami Beach with his family when he went to the rescue of another swimmer who was in difficulties. The woman he tried to save, Eugenia Poleyeff, aged 66, of New York City, also died.

This potentially great artist had a style that was rooted in the music of George Benson. The funk-influenced ‘Uptown Groove’ climbed to #14 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart with the radio single ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ being especially popular. His earlier releases, the 1992 ‘Groovin’ and the even better 1994 follow up ‘Laid Back’ remain collectors items and the title track from ‘Laid Back’ can also be found on the 1995 compilation ‘Jazz Fusions Three’.

James Colah - Touched By The Light

Writer, producer and keyboard player James Colah records under the name of the James Colah Project and hot on the heels of his recent single release ‘Better Days’ comes another tune to ably demonstrate his smooth jazz credentials. Despite it’s silky smooth vibe ‘Touched By The Light’ is a tune with attitude written all over it and is yet another outstanding cut from this rising star of contemporary jazz.

Check out ‘Touched By The Light’ right here right now at ‘Listen Here’. Simply select the track from the listing in the right hand side bar and enjoy.

For more go to www.jazznet247.com/jamescolah

Spotlight On James Colah

Writer, producer and keyboard player James Colah may be relatively new to the world of contemporary jazz but the way he has captured the essence of the genre is something to behold. A case in point is the wonderful track ‘Blissful’ that he recorded with sax player Mike Parlett under the name of the Parlett - Colah Project and which has the sort of feel good vibe synonymous with the best in class. You can check out ‘Blissful’ right here right now at ‘Listen Here’. Simply select the track from the listing and enjoy.

Spotlight On Mark Cargill

Now for a feature on contemporary jazz violinist Mark Cargill that originally appeared in my regular column at ABYSSJazz. For more information on this top notch soul, R & B and smooth jazz magazine go to www.abyssjazz.com

Aside from the huge yet subtle orchestras that provided the back drop to much of the greatest soul music of the 60’s and 70’s it was when I first heard the violin being used to such sensational effect on Miles Jaye’s 1987 classic ‘I’ve Been A Fool For You’ that I realized the instrument has its own place in the fabric of popular music. The years have done nothing to change that view yet, with the notable exceptions of the wonderful Karen Briggs and the under hyped Gwen Laster, violinists, on the R & B and contemporary jazz scene, remain relatively few and far between. Yet, someone who has worked tirelessly to change all that is session player and sideman extraordinaire Mark Cargill. In fact multi instrumentalist Cargill ( he also plays harp and percussion) appeared on Karen Briggs 1992 project ‘Karen’ and over three decades has gathered credits that read like a veritable ‘who’s who’ of pop.