Smooth Jazz Therapy

Cindy Bradley - For The Cool In You

Not only was ‘The Little Things’ from Trippin n Rhythm recording artist Cindy Bradley a worthy to successor to her 2017 CD ‘Natural’ it was also her sixth studio project with the label.  It delivered the sophisticated ‘Wind Chill Factor’ plus the wonderfully mellifluous ‘Stockholm Summer’ that both went on to become standout radio hits. 

In 2022, and in preparation for an album slated for release later that year, she was back, first with the melodically charming ‘Love Yourself’ and later with the high octane ‘Drive’.

Now, and still building a bridge toward the ever more anticipated new album comes ‘For The Cool In You’ which, as the title might suggest, is pretty damn cool.

Check back here often for more on Cindy Bradley

 

 

Spotlight On Doc Powell

With the splendid news that Grammy-nominated guitarist Doc Powell will be touring 2023 through 2024 it seems entirely appropriate to take a deeper dive into an artist whose music totally exemplifies what contemporary jazz should be all about.  Indeed the trademark easy grooving style that Powell has made his own marks him out as the real contemporary jazz deal with a case in point being the sumptuous ‘Let Go’ that he co-wrote with Barry Eastmond and which can be found on his 2006 self-titled CD.  It was right up there with the best the genre has ever produced yet, truth to tell, Powell’s artistry can be found both far and wide.  As musical director to the legendary Wilson Pickett, to a stint with Luther Vandross and his group, the B. B. &Q, Powell has rubbed shoulders with the best.  He has lent his distinctive guitar sound to recordings from artists such as Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Teddy Pendergrass, Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan and Smokey Robinson.

 

His 2016 CD ‘This Is Soul’ was notable for many things and not least the infectiously shuffling title cut and the just as good is ‘Love On Top’.  Produced by the award winning Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis ‘This Is Soul’ was a collection that brought together the heart and soul of some of the best music from the present and the past.

Fast forwarding two more years to the single, ‘Steppin Out’ and Powell was in the rarefied company of Snarky Puppy keyboard player Shaun Martin, flautist Althea Rene and sax player Kelley O’Neal for a track that was a little more dance orientated than his earlier work and which opened him up to a whole new audience.

Yet in term of personal favorites it is impossible to look beyond the sumptuous ‘Sunday Mornin’ from his 1996 project ‘Laid Back’.  With Kirk Whalum on sax and Lori Perry on vocals it was also included on his 2010 long player ‘For Old Times Sake’ and the excellent 1996 compilation from Beechwood Music ‘JazzFusions Four’.

Johnny Britt - Butterflies

Back in the early nineties (along with Norman Brown and Wayman Tisdale) trumpeter Johnny Britt's then group Impromp2 was among the first to sign with the legendary MoJazz label.  Since then as well as working with a veritable who’s who of R & B and contemporary jazz talent he has just released his fifth album, the entirely magnificent ‘After We Play’.

Released to radio simultaneously with the title track (that features Peter White on guitar) is the vocal ballad ‘Butterflies’ which proves to be a stunning showcase for the legendary Will Downing.  A new entry into the top 50 R&B singles chart, this one is a real winner.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘After We Play’

 

 

Johnny Britt - After We Play

Smooth jazz fans will know singer, songwriter, producer, trumpeter and arranger Johnny Britt for his contributions to Boney James critically acclaimed CD, ‘Contact’.  Others may recall his work with the likes of Josh Groban, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, The Temptations, Maxwell, Peabo Bryson, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Norman Conners, Aaron Neville, Harvey Mason Jr. and Marcus Miller while film buffs are likely to recall his name in connection with blockbusters such as Ides Of March, The Lion King, Forest Gump and Spiderman 3.

Now he is back with his fifth album, ‘After We Play’, for which he writes ten new songs and produces all thirteen. Notable among them is the moody title cut that features contemporary jazz superstar Peter White so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘After We Play’

 

 

Michael Broening - Never Too Late

New out on Trippin n Rhythm records is the debut album. ‘Never Too Late’ from artist, producer, pianist and songwriter Michael Broening.

Since 2001 Michael has written and produced music for a veritable who's who of contemporary jazz talent including George Benson, Wayman Tisdale, Marion Meadows, Nick Colionne, Cindy Bradley, Brian Simpson, Michael Lington, Steve Oliver, Tim Bowman, Lin Rountree, Althea Rene, Lebron Dennis and Randy Scott. Not only that, he has written and produced over fifty contemporary jazz hits, including twenty six top five and thirteen number one singles, one of which was the 2007 Grammy winning song ‘Mornin’ by George Benson and Al Jarreau.  A former touring musician, DJ, and private music teacher, LA born Michael works from his B-Hive recording studio in Phoenix where he operates as both producer and engineer.

Broening’s approach to the tight ten tune ‘Never Too Late’ has been very much to drip feed it into the market. First came the sumptuously easy grooving ‘Shine A Light’ that was followed by the arguably even better ‘Summer In Blue’. The most recent radio single, the moody ‘Let It Breathe’, lifted listener expectation to a whole new height and, with these three tracks scheduled one two and three, ‘Never Too Late’ is afforded a colossally strong opening.

Nick Colionne - Just Like That

Gone but certainly not forgotten, the death of contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne hit the smooth jazz landscape like a ton of bricks. At the time of his sad demise Nick had just completed the recording of what turned out to be his final album and this musical legacy has ensured his position as one of the brightest stars in the Trippin N Rhythm constellation.

The first single, ‘What You Do To Me’ was released earlier in 2022 and proved to be a sumptuous easy grooving delight. Then, with a nod to the dance that has dominated black popular culture for the last thirty years, the follow up was the hugely rhythmic ‘Step To This’.

Now Trippin N Rhythm is making it three for three with ‘Just Like That’. It’s a track that shows off a jazzier and distinctly bluesy side of Colionne’s musical persona and is well worth a listen.

 

Keiko Matsui - Steps On The Globe

Always positioned at the high quality end of the contemporary jazz spectrum, Keiko Matsui will release ‘Euphoria’, her 30th studio album, March 31, 2023 on the Shanachie Entertainment label. For it she has enlisted an all-star line-up of special guests that includes vocalist Lalah Hathaway, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Mike Stern, sax-man Kirk Whalum, harmonica player Grégoire Maret, pianist John Beasley and vibe player Joel Ross. She is also joined by regular touring band members Rico Belled on bass, guitarist JP Mourao and drummer Jimmy Branly.

The opening number (and the first to be serviced to radio) is the up-tempo, ‘Steps On The Globe’. This horn enriched gem is Keiko’s ‘tip of the hat’ to all those in the world who live their lives with joy and courage

It is a track that is destined to do well so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Euphoria’.

 

Ryan La Valette - Lovers Melody

Although February 14 has come and gone, one track with a distinctly Valentine vibe is ‘Lovers Melody’ from New Zealand bred and based multi instrumentalist Ryan La Valette.

It is taken from his 2022 Trippin’ N Rhythm debut recording ‘New Beginnings’ for which he enlisted the help of three of the genre’s top producers and keyboard players, Nicholas Cole, Greg Manning and Chris “Big Dog” Davis. With ‘New Beginnings’ Ryan’s aim was to showcase his prowess both as a songwriter and performer on guitar, bass and saxophone. He did that and more with another song from the album, ‘Closer To You’, cool collaboration with Davis and now, in the company of Nicholas Cole, he is using ‘Lovers Melody’ to reveal another side of his musical persona.

 

 

Dave Koz - Wrapped Up In Your Smile

Taken from his 2022 seasonal collection ‘Dave Koz & Friends: Christmas Ballads’ Dave is utilizing the big expansive ballad ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ to prove (if indeed proof was needed) that his music is for life not just for Christmas. Although ‘Christmas Ballads’ was in the main crammed full of yuletide classics that, in the company of Rick Braun, Peter White, David Benoit and Rebecca Jade, provided a welcoming backdrop to his now legendary multi city Christmas tours, ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ is the sort of track that sounds good whatever the time of year.

 

 

U-Nam - Sunshine Of Mine

Slated for release March 6, ‘Sunshine Of Mine’ is the latest album from Billboard chart-topping artist and multi-platinum producer Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul. An eclectic concoction of eight original compositions plus two carefully crafted covers it opens with the easy grooving title cut that takes its name from the love U-Nam has for his six year old son Myles who, quite literally, is the sunshine of his life. Indeed, the sumptuous ‘Little Dreamer’ again underscores the bond a father has with his son. From mellow beginnings that gradually evolve into a pulsating beat, U-Nam calls on the combined artistry of Kim Hansen on keys and Michael White on drums yet still stays at the epicentre of the entire piece.

A track already setting the airwaves alight is the shimmering ‘Make A Wish’. Reminiscent of the stellar work U-Nam was doing back in the nineties with some of the biggest R & B acts around, but with the addition of silky strings to bestow a veneer that is both sophisticated and soulful, this exuberant slice of up-tempo smooth jazz is just the sort of infectious cut that U-Nam seems able to effortlessly deliver.