Smooth Jazz Therapy

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Ten Covers Of 2009

The smooth jazz cover has, in recent years, become something of an art form. Far removed from a straight forward copy of another artists work, these re-imaginings have breathed new life into music that, typically, originated in the classic soul era of the 60’s and 70’s. Even these boundaries have, of late, been frayed so, by way of paying homage to the very best that this sub genre has to offer, here is my very personal choice of Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Ten Covers of 2009.

‘Forget Me Knots’ by Darren Rahn from his album ‘Talk Of The Town’. When not pursuing his increasingly successful solo career, Rahn is very much part of the band De’Nate. Here fellow De’Nate colleagues, keyboard player Nate Harasim and vocalist Deborah Connors, join him for an off the chain rendition of Patrice Rushen’s seminal hit.

‘Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)’ by Boney James from his romantically inclined ‘Send One Your Love’. Written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, it was a huge success for the Stylistics in 1971, and in 2009 enabled James to ride high on the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio.

Read on for the remainder of this year’s top ten covers. If you have your own list of favorite covers from 2009 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected] Happy New Year!!

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Twenty Tracks Of 2009

Well, what a year it has been for Smooth Jazz Therapy. Over the last twelve month we have reviewed ninety eight CD’s, reported on twelve gigs and in doing so surpassed all previous records. The way my readers keep coming back in ever increasing numbers never ceases to amaze me and it is totally down to all of you that the site has become the hottest place for contemporary jazz on the web. Thanks a million! Thanks also to the publicists, the record companies and of course the artists, both established and up and coming, who have all played a part by making their music so generously available. Therefore, accepting the self indulgence of it all, but by way of celebrating what has gone before, here are my own personal highlights of the year. In other words and in no particular order, my Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Twenty Tracks of 2009.

‘Foreign Exchange’, the title cut from the wonderful collaboration between Paul Brown and Marc Antoine. Infectious in the extreme, sublime horns, and with many of Brown’s typical production touches, this one is as captivating as they come.

‘Reminiscence’ by Evan Knight from his debut release of the same name. Sax man Knight hails from Syracuse, NY and has hit the ground running with this sensuous six minute fifty five second smoker that is one of the real surprises of the whole year.

Read on for the remainder of this year’s top tracks and if you have your own list of favorites from 2009 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected] Happy New Year!!

Whats Smooth Jazz? Brian Culbertson - Live From The Inside

We have all been in situations where we have brought up the subject of the music 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 occasional feature unremarkably called ‘What’s Smooth Jazz?’ Designed to illustrate some of the most definitive examples of the genre, it has, up until this point, always concentrated on specific tracks. However, with the recent release of Brian Culbertson’s ‘Live From The Inside’ there is now an entire album that can be used to demonstrate how perfect smooth jazz is meant to sound.

Chuck Loeb - Between 2 Worlds

Out earlier this year but well worthy of comment is Chuck Loeb’s latest album, ‘Between 2 Worlds’. Released on the Heads Up International label, ‘Between 2 Worlds’ is a collection of music gathered from sessions in New York and in Berlin. However, of more significance, Loeb has used the project to dispense with much of the technology that was a feature of his previous recordings. Instead he has chosen to focus on the basic trio of guitar, bass and drums yet despite this pared down approach, Loeb has still enlisted the help of a few friends along the way. These include saxophonist Eric Marienthal and smooth jazz superstar Brian Culbertson who provides a cool trombone solo on the jazzily ‘in the groove’ opening cut ‘Let’s Go’. Even Loeb’s wife and daughter, Carmen Cuesta and Lizzy Loeb get in on the act with memorable vocals and shared-writing credits.

Philippe Saisse Garners Grammy Nomination

The multi talented songwriter, arranger, producer and keyboard player Philippe Saisse is in line to scoop a Grammy award. He has been nominated in the category of Best Contemporary Jazz Album for his stunning 2009 effort ‘At World’s Edge’ and despite a distinguished career that stands at thirty years and counting this is the first time Saisse has been short listed for such a prestigious accolade. For Saisse this recognition is made that much more special because the album is dedicated to his late father Maurice.

‘At World’s Edge’ was a clear highlight of the Smooth Jazz Therapy year so check back here soon to see if the outstanding single from, ‘The Rover’ has made it into my top twenty smooth jazz tracks of 2009.

Brian Hughes - No Reservations

Brian Hughes ‘No Reservations’ is the excellent new live DVD by one of contemporary jazz’s finest guitarists. Featuring an all-star band it was recorded at one of my favorite venues, Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club in Seal Beach, CA and includes some real gems from Hughes notable discography. In fact he delves deep for thirteen cuts that reach back as far as his 1990 breakthrough album ‘Between Dusk and Dark’ from which he conjures both ‘And Dreaming’ and the deliciously mellow hit ‘Promise You’. Later, and fast forwarding nine years, Hughes dips into the highly rated ‘Shakin Not Stirred’ to include both ‘For You’ and the title track from this same release which, in its time, was notably featured on an episode of Sex in the City.

Now Listen To Your Favorite Tracks At Smooth Jazz Therapy

It is now possible for you to sample music directly from the Smooth Jazz Therapy home page. Each month we will be posting five featured tracks for your listening enjoyment and, to get things started, the wonderful new tune; ‘That Wayman Smile’ from Tom Braxton is topping the list. Also there is ‘On Sunday Morning’ from Art Sherrod Jr. who is one of the hottest sax players to hit the scene this year. He is in the excellent company of the incomparable Najee and with two great cuts from San Diego based flautist Bradley Leighton there really is something for everyone.

The Smooth Jazz Therapy player is located on the right hand side bar of the page. To get started simply select the tune you want and hit ‘play’.

Enjoy and check back here soon for great new streaming music.

Fabio Mignola - Take Me Higher

Swiss born guitarist Fabio Mignola first appeared on the contemporary jazz radar screen in 2003 with his CD ‘Flyin Away’. With a style that has been compared to that of Peter White and Acoustic Alchemy his next project was the 2005 ‘Luna Rossa’. This collaboration with tenor sax player Mauro Bonomi raised expectations of what might follow and now he is back with ‘Take Me Higher’. It is something of a showcase for Mignola’s wide raging musical talents who, as well as delivering eleven self penned tracks, also engineers and produces throughout.

Last Chance To Spend New Years Eve With Nick Colionne

It was way back on August 21 that Smooth Jazz Therapy first leaked news of a great chance to celebrate New Years Eve with Nick Colionne. Nick will be the headline performer at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Philadelphia Airport on December 31 and if you have not already made plans to be there then there is no time like the present. The event is the brainchild of Michael Tozzi of www.ijazzglobal.com who, as former Program Director for WJJZ and a driving force behind the city’s music scene, is in every respect Philly’s Mr. Smooth Jazz.

The all suites Embassy Hotel has recently undergone a $14 million upgrade and with a spectacular waterfall in the lobby is, by all accounts, a very cool place to be. Options are available for overnight and extra day stays, dinner, tickets for Nick’s big show and an after party with Philly's best party band, ZOE. For reservations and tickets call the Embassy Suites Hotel, Philadelphia International Airport at 215-365-4500 and ask for the Nick Colionne New Year's Special. Seating will be at tables in cabaret style so it goes without saying that the earlier you book the closer to the stage you will be.

Saltman Knowles - Yesterday's Man

Hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed fifth CD, ‘Return of the Composer’, bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles (aka Saltman Knowles) are back with ‘Yesterday's Man’. It is scheduled for release January 26, 2010 on the excellent Pacific Coast Jazz label and boasts ten original songs, five by each partner, that are chock full of the warm, satisfying melodious sounds that typify their work. Although grounded in traditional jazz, the music of ‘Yesterday's Man’ takes the listener on a journey that at times is swinging, at others sentimental but invariably melodic. As such it will appeal to jazz aficionados of varying complexions and is helped in this respect by sublime vocals from Lori Williams-Chisholm. In addition the combination of jazz and world music that comes courtesy of steel pan drum played by Victor Provost is yet one more reason to check out this remarkably adult body of work.

For more information about Saltman Knowles go to www.SaltmanKnowles.com

Patsy Meyer Authors New Childrens Book

Now for something completely different; the multi talented Patsy Meyer, as well as being an outstanding contemporary jazz vocalist and percussion player is also a much acclaimed children’s author. Between gigs she has been working on the Kazoo-Boo Magical Adventure book series and just in case your Christmas list is not yet complete this book plus CD combo is a great gift idea. Perfect for any 4-8 year old child, it has won a Mom’s Choice Award and a Moonbeam Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature. Patsy also wrote songs and played all the bongo parts on the CD that comes with the book. Check it out here www.kazooboo.com

After that it’s not too late to give yourself a present by delving into the archives for Patsy’s outstanding 2007 collaboration with Patrick Lamb, ‘Don’t Get No Better’. It was one of the albums of the year, a huge Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite and is still available.

Sade's Soldier Of Love Hits The Airwaves

Probably the hottest music news of 2009 is that the first single from the album ‘Soldier of Love’ by the incomparable Sade is now out. Released to radio effective December 8, it is sure to monopolize the contemporary jazz charts for the conceivable future and set off a countdown to February 8, 2010 when the album is scheduled hit the streets. ‘Soldier of Love’ was recorded in England and is Sade’s first studio album since the multi-platinum ‘Lovers Rock’ in 2000. The single is co-written by Sade and longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman. It features a pulsating and anthem like drum beat that underpins the haunting vocals for which Sade is so well known.

Hear ‘Soldier Of Love’ now at www.sade.com

Tracy Hamlin - Better Days

Although perhaps best known for her work as lead vocalist with Heads Up recording artists, Pieces of a Dream, Tracy Hamlin has performed with musical luminaries such as Carlos Santana, Marcus Miller, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale, Rick Braun, Jeff Golub, Acoustic Alchemy and Richard Elliott. Her solo debut ‘Seasons’ was released in 2005 and featured both Najee and her colleagues from Pieces of a Dream. It proved to be a stellar showcase for her rich vocal tones and built the perfect bridge between jazz and R&B. Now she is back with the sophisticatedly jazzy ‘Better Days’.

Dee Brown's True Reality Headed To Radio

In support of Dee Brown’s brand new CD ‘A Little Elbowroom’, nuGroove Records has just serviced the splendid ‘True Reality’ to radio. It’s a sumptuous mid tempo charmer that finds Brown’s melodic guitar entirely in sync with great sax from nuGroove label mate Darren Rahn.

Brown’s special blend of velvety smooth jazz and soulfully urban vibes first came to light in late 2006 with his incredible debut album ‘No Time To Waste’. The track ‘El Spanyo’ made it into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty tracks of 2007 and, when the CD was subsequently re-released on nuGroove, it became one of the surprise packets of 2008.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘A Little Elbowroom’

Trippin n Rhythm - The Very Best Of Christmas

Now December has arrived it seems only right and proper that Smooth Jazz Therapy should slip seamlessly into Christmas mode. Indeed, the annual infatuation that smooth jazz invariably has with holiday music often makes this fruitful territory in which to wander. 2009 is no exception and ‘The Very Best Of Christmas’, the brand new seasonal compilation from Trippin n Rhythm, features ten traditional tunes that glisten with stellar performances from some of the label’s hottest acts.

Melba Moore & Phil Perry On YouTube

When recently I reviewed ‘The Gift Of Love’, the excellent new Shanachie release from Melba Moore and Phil Perry, I was instantly taken by the pairing’s terrific rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Weakness’. This glorious homage to Wonder and vocalist Dionne Warwick finds Moore capturing the sweet charisma of Warwick’s unmistakable voice to perfection. Not only that, the track is further enhanced by Perry’s appropriately smooth interjections.

A live version of ‘Weakness’ by Moore and Perry can now be found at YouTube via the following link. Truth to tell there is not a weakness in sight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVQoyz7oNz0