Smooth Jazz Therapy

Nils - What The Funk

With the hit CD’s ‘Pacific Coast Highway’, ‘Ready To Play’ and ‘Up Close And Personal’ already under his belt, the position of guitarist Nils as a major writer, performer and producer is well established. With a style that I have previously described as ‘chill out funk’ there is no doubt he often bestows his music with a hypnotic quality which transports the listener, trance like, to another place. His latest offering, ‘What The Funk’ is also guaranteed to do just that but, in doing so, this ultra tight twelve track collection has picked up a little attitude along the way.

Patrick Yandall, Smooth Jazz Now & The Digital Guy

Friend of the site and smooth jazz guitarist Patrick Yandall certainly has it all going on. The track ‘Tower Of Soul’ from his brand new CD ‘The Window’ was recently my new music choice on Bruce Nazarian’s ‘Digital Guy’ radio show, www.thedigitalguy.net, and now the album is to be extensively aired on the internet radio station www.smoothjazznow.com

In fact Smooth Jazz Now is one of three locations where the ‘Digital Guy’ can be regularly heard. The show goes out Mondays on www.solarradio.com at 4-00 PM Pacific and is then reprised Wednesdays at 3-00 PM Eastern on www.smoothjazznow.com, Thursdays at 10-00 AM Eastern on www.myjazzplanet.com, Thursdays at 10-00 PM UK time on www.innersoulradio.com, Saturdays at 10-00 AM Eastern on www.smoothjazznow.com and finally again on Saturdays at midnight UK time on www.innersoulradio.com.

This two hour delight of music and opinion provides a fine mix of cutting edge contemporary jazz that is often funky but never boring.

Dave Koz - Hello Tomorrow

A new CD from smooth jazz superstar Dave Koz is the highlight of any musical year and the fact ‘Hello Tomorrow’ is his first collection of original music since 2003 has only served to heighten the excitement which surrounds it. In reality this is a body of work that for Dave represents a fresh start in almost every way. Recently signed to Concord Records and with Grammy award winning producers Marcus Miller and John Burk on board, he has delivered an album that not only raises the bar but also embraces a whole new musical concept.

Jessy J - New Management Plus New CD

When in 2008 sax player Jessica Spinella, aka Jessy J, released her debut CD ‘Tequila Moon’ a range of factors combined to make it one of the most hyped events of the year. Produced by Paul Brown, who also provided a significant writing input, the collection merged smooth jazz with Latin sensibilities in a way that had rarely been done before. When her good, some would say stunning, looks were taken into consideration it was hardly surprising that, within the genre, the project quickly elevated her to star status. Little more than a year later Jessy J was back with her sophomore effort ‘True Love’ which moved her closer yet to her Latin heritage while again drawing heavily on the Grammy-winning Paul Brown’s talents as a writer, producer and performer. Now she is returning to the studio to record what will be her third Paul Brown produced album. It is expected to hit the streets in the second quarter of 2011. However, for Jessy, that is not the only new thing going on right now.

The Jazz Photography Of Leon Morris

Now for a view of jazz from a different angle; Award-winning music photographer Leon Morris has recently released what previously was a latent collection of some of his most memorable music images. Titled ‘Homage’, this fine photographic journey captures, in the most revealing of ways, some of the most influential figures of jazz, soul, and blues. In addition to this fabulous photograph of Earth Wind & Fire it includes, among others, those of Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Cab Calloway, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Jamie Cullum. Following a show at Art on the Wharf in Newport, RI his work is currently on display at the Gallery Exposed in California. The exhibition coincides with the Monterey Jazz Festival and, looking ahead, a coffee table book is planned for late 2011.

Ty Causey - Down II Earth

Silky smooth vocalist Ty Causey first came to prominence as a co-writer and featured vocalist on Najee’s 1998 project ‘Morning Tenderness’. The exposure and creative energy that this provided ultimately led to his own debut recording, the 2004 CD ‘N-Tysing’, and he went on to release four more acclaimed albums including ‘Love Notes’ and the top selling Urban / R&B collection ‘Expressions’. Now he is back with the sensational ‘Down II Earth’.

Pamela Benton - String Madness

I was recently made aware of contemporary jazz violinist Pamela Benton and her new CD ‘String Madness’. Originally from San Francisco and now domiciled in Spokane, Pamela has a playing style anchored by Jean-Luc Ponty and Stephane Grappelli while her jazz influences flow from players such as Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Peter White and George Benson. A favorite track is the mid tempo ‘Our Place’. At times jazzy, and at others wildly evocative of Gipsy rhythms, this one is different enough to stand out from the crowd.

Terje Lie - Dance On The Water Serviced To Radio

When earlier this year I reviewed ‘Urban Vacation’ from Norwegian born saxophonist Terje Lie I described it as ‘his most commercially appealing to date’ and ‘well worth checking out’. The listening public did just that and in so doing ensured that the first single, ‘Bail Out’, enjoyed a protracted spell in radio rotation. Written by Lie and Jeff Lorber, the tune’s fluidly flowing horn arrangements showed off Lie’s penchant for funky driving sax and now, with the sometimes melodic yet often funky ‘Dance On The Water’, he is again targeting the airwaves. This composition by Lorber and Yellowjackets mainstay Jimmy Haslip allows Mike Landau on electric guitar to really shine and is guaranteed to further raise the ever increasing reputation of Terje Lie.

Drew Davidsen - We 3 Stringz

2010 is proving to be quite a year for talented guitarist Drew Davidsen. Not only has his brand new CD ‘Around (Again)’ become one of the most talked about releases of the year but has also led to his nomination in the category ‘Best New Artist’ at the up coming American Smooth Jazz Awards that will take place in Chicago, IL on October 29. If that wasn’t enough Drew is now setting the backdrop for a wonderful holiday season with his Christmas CD ‘We 3 Stringz’. It features inspired renditions of timeless seasonal melodies and includes guest performances from fellow guitarists Chuck Loeb and Paul Jackson, Jr. plus a host of top notch Nashville session players.

For more go to www.drewdavidsennetwork.com

Cal Harris Jr - Inside Out

‘Inside Out’ by Phoenix based keyboard player Cal Harris Jr has been ten years in the making yet the vibe that this hugely accessible eleven track gem generates makes the wait entirely worthwhile. Not only that, with contributions from the likes of bass player Freddie Washington, guitarist Matt Marshak and drummer Michael White, this fine collection of all original music has the red thread of quality running right through it.

Firefly Soul - Taking Time Out

LA based R & B songstress Aysha recently caught the attention of Smooth Jazz Therapy with her latest recording ‘Stay With Me’. At the time I described it as ‘a tight and extremely personal collection that includes notable input from several smooth jazz superstars’ and now she has re-emerged as a featured vocalist on the seven track CD ‘Taking Time Out’ from adult contemporary collective Firefly Soul. All the more surprising for the fact that the band’s two central figures, Lenny Sharman and Ben Meeking, are based in Melbourne, Australia, this liaison sits comfortably with other guest appearances from singer Tepaeru (from New Zealand) and Australian sax-man Justin Hall. The resultant fusion of vocals, orchestration and harmony makes for very interesting listening

Tom Grant - Delicioso

Since 1976 and the release of his debut album ‘Mystified’, pianist Tom Grant has been wholly in sync with what great contemporary jazz should be all about. In all he has released twenty three CDs and is now set to add to that with his latest offering, the sublime ‘Delicioso’. Pronounced Dee-lish-e-oso it is a sophisticated collection of original music with those twin components of rhythm and melody at its very heart.

Aysha - Stay With Me

Jazz and R&B vocalist Aysha is back. Her brand new EP ‘Stay With Me’ was released on August 24 and comes as a welcome follow up to the 2006 debut CD, ‘Love Is A Rock’, from which the tracks ‘Honey’, ‘Is This Just a Dream’ and her rendition of the Atlantic Starr 1991 R&B top twenty-five hit, ‘Send For Me’ all found a way to adult urban contemporary internet radio. Produced by the legendary Monty Seward, whose credits include work with The Jacksons, James Ingram and Howard Hewett, ‘Stay With Me’ is a tight and extremely personal five track collection of original music that includes notable input from smooth jazz superstars Everette Harp and Gerald Albright.

Lynne Fiddmont - Lady

‘Lady’ is the brand new CD from that superb vocalist Lynne Fiddmont. Not only does it represent a welcome return for this firm Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite but also delves into jazz fusion of an altogether different kind. Quite simply ‘Lady’ is Lynne’s homage to the great Billie Holiday and although it is by no means an attempt to copy this timeless vocalist the album does succeed in bridging the gap between the past and the future. In so doing Lynne ushers Billie Holiday into the 21st century whilst adding significantly to her sumptuous discography.

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