Smooth Jazz Therapy

Konstantin Klashtorni - Led By You

‘Led By You’ is the latest project from Konstantin Klashtorni. It follows on the heels of his critically acclaimed debut solo release ‘Downtown’ and promises to make a major mark in the ultra competitive world of smooth jazz saxophone. This is very much a virtuoso project for Konstantin. As well as writing, programming and producing all ten tracks he variously plays saxophones, flute, keys and additional guitars but still finds space to include some excellent backing musicians. Yerman Aponte plays bass, Udo Demandt is on drums, the guitar of Roy Lewis features on four of the cuts and, in addition, Klashtorni blends in some significant guest performances.

Tisdale's Old School Makes It's Mark

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending April 28, 2006. Although the higher echelons of the chart remain static there are big winners elsewhere. In this respect there is none more so than Mindi Abair who’s ‘True Blue’ is up five more places to 10. Just behind at 11 is three-place climber Nick Colionne with ‘Always Thinking Of You’ and another guitar man, Wayman Tisdale, is also back on the chart. Tisdale makes a habit out of bringing old school anthems back to life and has done it yet again with the Kool And The Gang classic ‘Get Down On It’. He is up ten huge places at 20. Paul Brown’s ‘Winelight’ is still at number 1 and the one new entry this week comes from Rick Braun. The first single from his ‘Yours Truly’ CD went all the way to number one and now the second single, ‘Groove Is In The Heart’, makes its entry at 28.

Nelson Rangell - Soul To Souls

Nelson Rangell is one of the most talented players on the smooth jazz circuit. Yet, because he lacks the level of exposure and volume of radio play that is routinely enjoyed by some of his sax-playing contemporaries, his music often seems to be overlooked. Despite that, for those fans who really know smooth jazz, Rangell is right up there with the best. Two Smooth Jazz Therapy all time favorite tracks come from Rangell and together they demonstrate the versatility of the man. Although the uplifting and vibrant sax piece ‘Going All The Way’ from the 1994 CD ‘Destiny’ and his flute playing on the stunningly beautiful ‘April Snow’ from his 1997 ‘Turning Night Into Day’ stand at opposite ends of the smooth jazz rainbow they could both be used to demonstrate what the genre represents. Indeed Nelson Rangell is well known for his ability to move comfortably and instantly from piecing, almost raucous, saxophone to the gentlest of touches on flute and he demonstrates this once more with his latest CD release ‘Soul To Souls’. His third album in eighteen months since his move to Koch, and his fifteenth in all, it is a varied and interesting collection that never disappoints.

Paul Brown - Performer And Producer

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending April 21, 2006. With Paul Brown’s ‘Winelight’ still at number 1 its easy to forget that before he became a chart topping smooth jazz guitarist he was (and remains) one of the most influential producers of the genre. In fact with the new release from Peter White that is due out in August he already has his production hat firmly back on his head. The album will be a collection of some of Whites all time favorite tunes and is sure to figure highly on the smooth jazz charts later in 2006. This week’s chart has something of a static look about it. ‘Mismaloya Beach’ from Ray Parker Jr. climbs two to 26 while ‘Sexual Healing’, by Jason Miles, is up four places at 22. However Pamela Williams goes one better. Her new one, ‘Positive Vibe’, leaps five big places to 24. ‘Biggest Part Of Me’ from David Pack also continues to make an impression. It’s up three to 18.

New Radio Single From Anders Holst

‘Until The End Of Time’ is to be the new single from UOM, (Unheard of Music) recording artist Anders Holst. It will be released to radio on May 1 2006. Uplifting yet comforting this love song features a wonderful flute solo by Magnus Lindgren and guest appearances by Gerald Albright on saxophone and Paul Jackson JR on guitar. ‘Until The End Of Time’ is the second radio offering from Anders Holst’s 5-song EP ‘Five’. The first single, ‘Love Me Like A River’, received airplay on over 100 smooth jazz stations across the USA and this latest effort looks good enough to do the same.

For a complete review of ‘Five’ check out the CD review section here at www.smoothjazztherapy.com and for more on Anders Holst go to his website at www.andersholst.com
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Gerald Abright - New Beginnings

It’s fitting that Gerald Albrights new CD is titled ‘New Beginnings’ because a fresh start is what Albright is currently all about. Not only is he breathing the creative fresh air that stems from his relocation to Castle Rock Colorado he is also basking in the freedom afforded to him by his new label Peak Records. This liberation has allowed him to write and produce music that he describes as ‘genuine Gerald’ and, for this latest project, to gather together an awesome array of smooth jazz and R & B greats. In addition, his decision to make this recording the first to feature his regular touring band of bassist Melvin Davis, drummer Tony Moore and the bands newest member, keyboardist (and Musical Director) Tracy Carter, has given him the luxury of working with artists who instinctively know what he wants. In fact long term collaborations are very much a feature of ‘New Beginnings’. Albright first worked with Jeff Lorber in the early eighties when as a young sax man he replaced the soon to be famous Kenny G in The Jeff Lorber Fusion Band. Lorber plays a part on four of the tracks and Patrice Rushen, for whom Albright played the now signature tenor solo on the smash hit ‘Forget Me Nots’, is there too. Truth to tell the entire collection is brim full of wonderful surprises.

Culbertson At The Warner Theater, Washington DC

Brian Culbertson is one of the most energetic performers on the smooth jazz circuit and his March 24 sell out show at the Warner Theater in Washington DC bore testimony to all that and more. Typical of whenever Culbertson plays live he positively exploded onto the stage. From the very first note of his electric keyboard he sent shock waves throughout the theater. Throwing a touch of trombone into the mix and harnessing the contributions of Jim Culbertson on trumpet and the incredible Eric Darius on sax the band set the scene with a melody that evoked memories of old school days gone by. That was no coincidence as the theme of the nights show was in fact old school and as Culbertson, draped in a red velvet jacket, red t-shirt, jeans and Italian made shoes, strutted across the stage he literally tore the place up. Picking out some choice cuts from his latest CD ‘Its On Tonight’ and reaching back into his discography for gems from the past he was deep into his own music, coming up occasionally to connect to his audience with the sensual moves he has made all his own. The reaction from the crowd was both predictable and stunning. The energy levels were cranked up another notch, the ladies screamed non stop and, as he played, eyes closed, chilling and doing his own thing, the hallmark Culbertson vibe permeated the entire auditorium.

Pamela Williams In The Thirty

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending April 14, 2006. ‘Mismaloya Beach’ from Ray Parker Jr., a track that last week slipped out of the thirty, is a re-entry at 28. It is joined by two other newcomers, ‘Positive Vibe’ from Pamela Williams and ‘Sexual Healing’ by Jason Miles. Paul Brown remains at number 1 with ‘Winelight’ and joint highest climber of the week is ‘Biggest Part Of Me’ from David Pack. It’s up six to 21. The other tune to leap six places is by Mindi Abair’. ‘True Blue’ is at 18 and comes from her soon to be released album ‘Life Less Ordinary’. One tune that has been around for awhile comes from Gerald Albright. A non-mover this week at 20 ‘We Got The Groove’ is taken from his brand new CD ‘New Beginnings’. The track is one of four collaborations with Jeff Lorber that Albright features on the album. A complete review of ‘New Beginnings’ is scheduled to appear here on April 20.

Nelson Rangell At Prairie State College

‘Candid Jazz And Conversations’ (CJ & C) is the brainchild of former WNUA DJ Denise Jordan Walker and the first weekend of April represented quite a landmark for this concept of getting close up and personal with some of the biggest stars in smooth jazz. For the first time two shows were staged over the same few days. Nick Colionne headed up the show’s debut appearance in Gary IN where, on April 1, he played the Marquette Pavilion, Miller Beach. Two days earlier it was the turn of Nelson Rangell to take the stage of CJ & C’s principle venue, the Prairie State College auditorium in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Here, where he was interviewed by journalist Mark Ruffin and bass player and fellow performer on the night Mike Manson, the conversation and the opportunity that the audience got to ask questions from the floor served as a precious prelude to a performance by Rangell that was both breathtaking and original. Indeed when the discussion touched on the fact that Rangell is regarded by many as one of the most under-rated performers around he explained that jazz reaches out to its audience in many ways and in many forms. He has consciously tried to widen the spectrum of what contemporary jazz can portray and, when the talking was over, he demonstrated all this and more with his trademark use of saxophone, flute, piccolo and voice. Not only that he proved himself to be thoughtful, intelligent and funny with a wonderful perspective on how his music meshes with both his life and his happiness.

Auction Of Rare Van McCoy Recording Announced

News has reached Smooth Jazz Therapy that talented bass player and producer Tony Whitfield is offering a rare opportunity to bid for what is claimed to be an original recording from the studios of the late great Van McCoy. The obvious affinity that he has with McCoy’s music will come as no surprise to readers of these pages who recall the December 2005 review of Whitfield’s latest CD, ‘Pleasure Sensitive 2’. Featuring two versions of his classic ‘The Hustle’ the album serves in part as a homage to McCoy’s most memorable work. It evokes many memories and is a timely reminder of the production skills that Van McCoy brought to every project that he touched.

Euge Groove Charting Again

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending April 7, 2006. Although Paul Brown is still at number 1 with ‘Winelight’ it’s that other habitual chart topper Euge Groove who is getting noticed all over again. The latest single from his excellent 2005 release ‘Just Feels Right’ is ‘Chillaxin’ and it’s brand new this week at 28. The second newcomer of the week is from David Pack. He recently had major radio success with ‘You’re The Only Woman’ from his ‘Secret Of Movin’ On’ CD and now ‘Biggest Part Of Me’ is in at 27. This is a remake of the hit he enjoyed while with the band Ambrosia with the original being included on their 1980 album ‘One Eighty’. Back in the day Najee studied music with Nelson Rangell in Boston. Both artists are now superstars of the genre and coincidentally both have new CD’s on release. Najee has been leading the way with the radio single ‘2nd 2 None’ and again demonstrates his staying power by jumping two big places to 2.

What's Smooth Jazz? - Midnight In Manhattan

Paul Brown gave perhaps the best definition of ‘What’s Smooth Jazz’ when I once heard him explain smooth jazz as the music that Luther Vandross would play but with the vocals removed. Fact is we have all been in situations where we have brought up the subject of the music that we love only to be asked ‘what’s smooth jazz?’ It is a question not always easy to answer and one that forms the motivation for this new feature quite simply called ‘What’s Smooth Jazz.’ Imagine an episode from the hit TV show ‘Third Rock from the Sun’. Dick, newly arrived from another planet and thirsty for information, might ask ‘what is this phenomenon called smooth jazz?’ His worldly mentor Mary Albright would respond by reaching for her iPod to play a definitive smooth jazz example. The purpose of this new ‘What’s Smooth Jazz’ feature is to draw up a short list of the really great examples of smooth jazz that could be used in such a situation.

Paul Brown Most Played On Smooth Jazz Radio

Smooth jazz radio top thirty most played for the seven days ending March 31, 2006. It’s official. Paul Brown’s single ‘Winelight’ from his CD ‘The City’ has been steadily climbing for some weeks and is now most played on smooth jazz radio. Richard Elliot drops to 2 with ‘Mystique’ and ‘Summer Nights’ from Nils holds steady at 3. ‘Stitched Up’ featuring John Mayer and ‘A Song For You’ with Christina Aguilera, both tracks from the Herbie Hancock the album ‘Possibilities’, are at 14 and 16 respectively while this week’s biggest climber is ‘Do It Again’ from the Philippe Saisse Trio. It is up four at 13.