Smooth Jazz Therapy

j.dee Back With New Album

Hot news from nuGroove is all about the release of ‘Smoove on the Move’ from saxophonist j.dee. With a style that is often sultry, sometimes funky but always smooth, j.dee first caught the attention of Smooth Jazz Therapy with his debut CD ‘Tippin on the Edge of Funk’. It was received to critical acclaim and now he is back with a collection that has already been described as being without boundaries and which includes R&B instrumentals such as ‘It’s On & Crackin'’ and ‘Let’s Walk’. The ultra smooth title track and a cool cover of Stevie Wonder's ‘Don’t You Worry Bout’ A Thang’ both serve to enhance that quality of an album that looks certain add to j.dee’s growing reputation.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Smoove on the Move’

Richard Elliot - Rock Steady

Richard Elliot regards himself as essentially an R&B instrumentalist with jazz influences. Soul and funk are his foundation and he has used these staples to create the framework for his brand new album ‘Rock Steady’. Out now on the Artistry Music label it is a collection for which Elliot has drawn on the input of some of his most valued musical associates including touring band regulars Rob Reinhardt, Dwight Sills and Nate Phillips. Rick Braun co-writes five tracks, co-produces throughout and finds time to make a stellar contribution on trumpet while, if that wasn’t enough, keyboard maestros Jeff Lorber and Philippe Saisse also play a part.

Freddie Fox Debuts On nuGroove With Feelin' It

‘Feelin’ It’ is the latest solo album from guitarist Freddie Fox and it’s a measure of the standing he has in the world of smooth jazz that some of the genres biggest hitters have gathered round to lend a hand. Originally released last year, but now totally invigorated by Fox’s new alliance with nuGroove Records, it features performances from luminaries such as Nelson Rangell, Najee, Michael Lington and Walter Beasley. Not only that, Freddie’s wife, the legendary Evelyn "Champagne" King, provides a stunning vocal on the track ‘Happy Feelings’.

Fox played on George Benson’s Grammy winning song ‘Morning’ and has toured extensively with the likes of Atlantic Starr, Jennifer Holliday, Vesta Williams, Eric Benet, Rose Royce and Sheila E. Through his association with producer and keyboard player Michael Broening he has also played a major part in recent projects from Marion Meadows and Cindy Bradley but now ‘Feelin’ It’ is all set to take him center stage.

It will be released across the USA on July 7. For a complete review of ‘Feelin’ It’ be sure to check back here soon.

Pieces Of A Dream - Soul Intent

Famously ‘discovered’ by Grover Washington, Jr. in 1979, the wonderful Pieces Of A Dream has been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz ever since. Although label and personnel changes have been a feature of the bands evolution, the dazzling piano technique, inventive synthesizer programming and leadership of James K. Lloyd have been front back and centre of the soulful sound that Pieces Of A Dream can call its own. These days comprising Lloyd, co-founder Curtis Harmon and a rotating collective of featured performers that often includes Eddie Baccus Jr. on sax, the band is still weaving its musical magic and is back for 2009 with the stupendous ‘Soul Intent’.

Jackiem Joyner - Lil' Man Soul

When in May 2007 I reviewed Jackiem Joyner’s debut CD ‘Baby Soul’ I described it as an extremely accomplished collection and a superb showcase for his obvious talent. Now, signed to the Artistry Music wing of Mack Avenue Records, ‘the baby’ has very much become ‘the man’ and his aptly titled new release ‘Lil’ Man Soul’ is chock full of the soulfully smooth grooves that typify his style of urban jazz. In fact it is music that has accurately been described as soul-jazz and with nine of his own compositions, another co-written with Paul Brown plus two innovative covers, this is an album that simply oozes soul.

Diane Birch Makes Her TV Debut With Nothing But A Miracle

I am indebted to my good friend Steve Quirk for recommending new singing sensation Diane Birch to me. Her brand new album ‘Bible Belt’ is produced in part by none other than the iconic Betty Wright (aka ‘the clean-up woman’) and the track ‘Nothing But A Miracle’ is an absolute joy. She recently performed the song on Craig Ferguson’s Late Late Show and a clip from it is now at YouTube.

Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdQxYnnAes&feature=related

Although only in her mid twenties there is a startling maturity in Birch’s singing and a veteran’s self-assurance in her writing. ‘Bible Belt’ was recorded in New York City and New Orleans. It is clearly one to watch.

Rob Thorsen - Lasting Impression

‘Lasting Impression’ is the latest CD from upright bass player Rob Thorsen. Given that he has been a key figure on the San Diego jazz scene since his arrival from San Francisco in 1989 it’s a title that is totally apt and now, under the nurturing wing of the excellent Pacific Coast Jazz Records, looks all set for even greater recognition. Thorsen has played with a literal ‘who’s who’ of jazz performers including Kenny Burrell, Nestor Torres and Kenny Rankin while as a recording artist he has previously released the albums ‘First Impression’, ‘Evolution’ and ‘Moon Ray’.

The eclectic nature of ‘Lasting Impression’ is entirely indicative of what Thorsen is all about and with four original compositions resting easily with his interpretations of tunes from writers as diverse as Charlie Parker, George Gershwin, Charles Chaplin and John Coltrane there is clearly something for everyone. Indeed his zesty take on ‘The Man I Love’ shimmers with the intricate trumpet of Gilbert Casellanos, his own composition ‘Cigarones’ sparsely evokes the sights and sounds of Costa Rica yet perhaps best of all is the introspective ‘Smile’ that finds Thorsen combining with pianist Geoffrey Keezer to magnificent effect.

Sometimes it’s nice to travel ‘straight ahead’ and Rob Thorsen’s ‘Lasting Impression’ is a delightful vehicle with which to do so.

For news on Rob Thorsen visit his website at www.robthorsen.com and to find out about more great music coming from Pacific Coast Jazz visit www.pacificcoastjazz.com

Marion Meadows - Secrets

Sax-man Marion Meadows has been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz since 1990 and the release of his debut album ‘For Lovers Only’. Over the intervening years eight more highly acclaimed collections have followed with the last four being on the consistently outstanding Heads Up label. Now he is all set to strengthen that association with his ninth solo recording, ‘Secrets’, which hit record stores across Europe on June 8, 2009.

Indeed, from as far back as his 2002 CD, ‘In Deep’, a significant feature of Meadows music has been the input as writer and producer of Michael Broening. With ‘Secrets’ Broening again sprinkles his groove drenched magic over six of the twelve choice cuts and, in the company of regulars Mel Brown on bass and guitarist Freddie Fox, helps deliver some of the best contemporary jazz you will hear this year or next. With four more original compositions and two sublime covers Meadows ensures that ‘Secrets’ is an album of the highest quality imaginable.

Ann Walsh - Pretty World

With her debut jazz CD ‘Pretty World’ Anne Walsh has sublimely captured the concept of this planet of ours as a beautiful place to be. Her voice is as clear as a bell and as she joyously interprets a range of songs that span the decades the entire collection is blessed with a luscious string section and picture perfect production from husband Thomas Zink. In fact Walsh navigates this wonderful amalgam of buoyant Brazilian jazz grooves and poignant heart tugging ballads with total aplomb yet the fact that three memorable instrumentals have been given original lyrics, written specially for Walsh by Joe DeEnzo, simply adds to the creativity of this refreshing piece of work.

Irene & Her Latin Jazz Band - A Song For You

Take a mellow jazz sound, add authentic Brazilian musicians, pick some classic Latin tunes, blend in some standards from the Great American Songbook, then finally mix in a few original compositions. The result is the smooth, gentle and sultry sound of Irene and Her Latin Jazz Band with the ensemble’s sophomore CD, the hugely pleasing ‘A Song For You’. Irene is in fact vocalist and pianist Irene Nachreiner who was born in East Los Angeles at the heart of California’s Latin culture. She grew up listening to the Latin jazz, bossa novas, sambas and rumbas that were staples of her local radio station and became totally captivated by the passionate and seductive rhythms that typify what the best of Latin music is all about. With ‘A Song For You’ Irene has channeled her passion into fourteen (yes fourteen) interesting tracks that she sings mainly in English but with a little Portuguese, Spanish and French added in for good measure. Equally, backed by a stellar line-up of core musicians that include pianist Rique Pantoja, acoustic guitarist Marco Tulio and Cristiano Novelli on drums and percussion, the quality is never doubt.

Michael Lington To Perform For Denmark's Prince Henrik

Saxophonist Michael Lington has been commissioned to perform for Prince Henrik of Denmark as part of the June 11 celebration of the Prince's 75th birthday. It will be the third time that Danish born Lington has performed for the Danish royal family. In 1990 he had the distinction of appearing in his hometown of Copenhagen at the 50th birthday party of Queen Margrethe II and he also played at the wedding reception of Crown Prince Frederik and Australian Mary Elizabeth Donaldson at Fredensborg Castle in May 2004.

For Lington the event promises to be memorable in more ways than one. Not only does he share his own birth date with that of the Prince; it will also be the first time that he has performed as an American citizen for his former sovereign. This special command performance is a private event and no tickets will be available to the public.

Paula Atherton - Groove With Me

As if from no-where, and courtesy of her brand new project ‘Groove With Me’, singer, songwriter and woodwind player Paula Atherton has dramatically emerged as a major player on the contemporary jazz scene. This sensational collection features eleven of Atherton’s original compositions plus one well chosen cover and, with the perfect blend of instrumental and vocal cuts, oozes quality throughout. The production of Lou Gimenez (who also makes significant contributions on acoustic and electric guitars) is never anything short of top-notch and with some fantastic guest musicians to lend a hand the entire recording is a total delight.

Tea - Dreams

Tea, the production team of guitarist Frank Balloffet and drummer - keyboard player Phil Bunch, has just released its second album ‘Dreams’. A sumptuously intoxicating collection of original French and African songs, it is entirely different from anything you will hear this year and features a high calibre line-up of supporting musicians. The project, which comes in the wake of the critically acclaimed CD ‘Voyages du Jour’, is the latest phase of a love affair that Balloffet and Bunch have had with the LA soul - afrobeat scene since the early nineties and the band Bateke Beat. The duo later emerged with Orchestra Shegemo and recently have been producing and collaborating with a range of artists from this overlooked sub-genre which, in the context of compelling rhythms, never fails to deliver.

Tina Latora - Dream A Little

Described as a soulful purveyor of sensuous smooth jazz, vocalist Tina Latora looks all set to cause a stir with her ultra ‘easy on the ear’ album ‘Dream A Little’. While offering up some genuine radio play possibilities, this perfect antidote to a stressful world features ten turned down tracks that evoke the intimacy of a late night jazz club. Although originally released in 2008 the reactivation of ‘Dream A Little’ is fantastic news for all those who crave music that blends top notch contemporary jazz with sumptuous yet insightful vocals.

Ariana Jane - Imagination Of Love

Moscow born and educated predominately in Europe, vocalist Ariana Jane has been based in Detroit, Michigan since 1993. Although she is best known for her interpretations of American jazz standards, her creatively stimulating collaboration with Grammy award winning producer Michael J. Powell has resulted in the release of the solo CD ‘Imagination Of Love’. Despite Ariana’s decidedly theatrical style it is a collection that moves her closer to the genre of vocal contemporary jazz and, in addition, features stellar performances from an impressive array of supporting musicians.