Smooth Jazz Therapy

Patti Austin - Sound Advice

From session singer par excellence to best selling recording artist, the breathtaking Patti Austin has entertained and captivated with a string of R & B orientated hits that I am proud to include in my own list of all time favorites. ‘In And Out Of Love’ from the album of the same name, ‘Through The Test Of Time’ and the incredible ‘Hurry Home’ from her ‘That Secret Place’ collection all luxuriate in that warm place somewhere between jazz and R & B yet with her brand new project, ‘Sound Advice’, Patti is not only re-imagining some of the biggest pop hits of the past fifty years but is also taking a thematic approach by ensuring each of the twelve choice tracks carry with them some sort of advice. The result is everything that one would expect from an iconic performer still totally at the top of her game.

Listen To The Rippingtons Cote D'Azure Right Here

With ‘Cote D’Azur’ leader Russ Freeman has painted a stunning musical picture that reveals a very different Rippingtons and one that is sure to enthrall fans both new and old.

You first read my review of the album back in January but right here, right now, you can check out the fabulous title track. Simply click the start button and enjoy.

Paul Hardcastle Doesn't Get Better Than This

Now for news of what I consider to be the best track of 2011 so far. Taken from the highly anticipated Paul Hardcastle album ‘Hardcastle 6’ (which is due to hit the streets on June 22) ‘Rainforest/What's Going On’ is the wonderful blending of Hardcastle’s own 1984 blockbuster with what is arguably the late Marvin Gaye’s greatest song. Not only that, with snippets and flavors from Hardcastle’s biggest hit, ‘19’, sax from Rock Hendricks and vocals provided by Maxine Hardcastle this cut is a triumph of Paul Hardcastle’s production genius.

Some might argue that Hardcastle makes a little bit go along way but with music as good as this who could ask for more? ‘Hardcastle 6’ will be released on the Trippin N’ Rhythm label so check back here soon for a complete review.

Yancyy - Sax Chronicles - Volume 1

In a career which now spans over 20 years, soulful saxophonist Yancyy has paid his dues and then some. With performing credits that include engagements with the likes of George Clinton, Will Downing, Howard Hewitt, Maysa, Freddie Jackson, Jean Carne and Gene Dunlap he has learned from the very best and is now stepping center stage with the excellent ‘Sax Chronicles Volume1’. Yancyy is aided in this endeavor by the legendary Phil Davis who writes one song, co-writes two more and plays keyboards throughout. The result is a slice of urban jazz that in recent times is as good as anything I have heard.

Bryant Thompson - Puzzle Pieces

Keyboard player Bryant Thompson is located in the Atlanta area and has worked in several different areas of the music business. ‘Puzzle Pieces’, which is a commendable collection of predominately understated contemporary jazz, realizes a long held ambition to produce and release an album of his own music. Not only does it achieve this and then some but also provides an indicator of the depth of undiscovered talent that is out there and searching to be heard.

Patrick Bradley - Under The Sun

‘Under The Sun’ by keyboard player Patrick Bradley signals a return to his jazz fusion roots and with eleven all original compositions plus a wonderful line-up of supporting musicians, the entire project shimmers with a groove that is entirely pleasing. In fact the calibre of those involved is quite remarkable. The always excellent Jeff Lorber plays Rhodes throughout, duties on drums are shared between Tony Moore and Dave Weckl, Alex Al is on bass whereas Dwight Sills and Michael Thompson variously take the strain on guitar. Not only that, with guest performances from Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Eric Marienthal ‘Under The Sun’ represents a real ‘who’s who’ of the best that contemporary jazz has to offer.

Mindi Abair Steals The American Idol Show

When Paul McDonald performed Bob Seger's ‘Old Time Rock 'N' Roll’ on Wednesday evening’s American Idol live show judge Steven Tyler asked the question to which 26 million America viewers needed an answer but one that the entire smooth jazz had already worked out. “Never mind you, Paul, who is your sax player?”

That sax player was none other than Mindi Abair. She had been enlisted by guest producer Don Was, whom she met several years ago at the Newport Jazz Festival. In fact Mindi is a woman instrumentalist in a man's world, with her own hits on the Billboard charts alongside jazz greats like Herbie Hancock and George Benson. She has long dedicated herself to education and breaking down musical barriers, and along the way she has found her own voice as a solo artist. Her latest CD is In Hi-Fi Stereo.

Predictably Mindi owned the Idol stage with her typically feisty performance and even though she wasn’t given a name credit there is sure to be a whole new audience checking out her music in the weeks to come.

Peter White At The Pizza Express - April 2011

April 10, 2011. It was a case of standing room only at London’s Pizza Express as Peter White played his penultimate gig before jetting off to Turkey for two nights at JC’s Jazz Club and Restaurant in Istanbul. Outside summer had arrived early while in the basement jazz club ‘on-air’ personalities such as Solar Radio’s Bruce Nazarian, Rod Lucas from Best Smooth Jazz and Rich Edwards of the SmoothGroves Radio Show mingled with the likes of Renato Falschi, James Colah and a fervent fan following to witness a show that even by Peter White’s colossal standards was right out of the top drawer. Indeed in the stellar company of Mark Parnell on drums, everyone’s favourite bass-player Frank Felix, sax-man Jaared and the immaculate Greg Karukas on keys, White delivered an outstanding two hour set that, while showing signs of being tweaked for 2011, retained everything that makes him the best in the business.

Nick Colionne Joins Trippin 'N' Rhythm

Hot off the press is the news that Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records has signed guitarist and vocalist Nick Colionne. He is without doubt is one of the busiest, most in demand and dynamic live performers around who over a succession of hit albums has maintained a steady stream of top ten smooth jazz hits.

Not only that, within a roster that seems to grow week by week, Colionne is arguably Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm’s most significant acquisition to date and will provide a pleasing counterbalance to the many sax and keyboard players already with the label.

Nick's 'Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm debut CD release will be titled ‘Feel The Heat’. It is currently in the final phase of production and is expected to ‘hit the ground sizzling’ in the summer of 2011.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Feel The Heat’.

Paul Taylor Headed For Prime Time

Sensual sax-man Paul Taylor is right up there with the best in urban jazz. His 2007 project, the sensational ‘Ladies Choice’, garnered his first #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart while the title cut from the appropriately named 2009 follow-up, ‘Burnin’, sizzled to the top of the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio. Now Taylor is all set to write another chapter with the June 14 release of his powerful and emotionally charged 10 song collection, ‘Prime Time’.

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - That's How We Roll

When, in 2008, I reviewed the superb ‘Act Your Age’ by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band I described it as “an album that often sneaks a peak backwards toward our musical heritage but in doing so never looses sight of the here and now. It is fresh, different and the perfect vehicle with which to widen jazz horizons.” In fact much the same can be said about the band’s latest project, ‘That’s How We Roll’ which was released, April 12 on the Telarc label, a division of Concord Music Group.

Boney James - Contact

Over a succession of outstanding albums, Boney James has differentiated himself not only by his penchant for sumptuous sensual melody but also for his collaborations with some of the hottest R & B performers around. His latest CD, ‘Contact’ (which was released on March 28) delivers on both counts and, in so doing, confirms Boney is the undisputed master of urban contemporary jazz.

Spotlight On SmoothGrooves

Among the growing band of internet radio stations that are leading the fight to keep contemporary jazz alive, the SmoothGrooves Radio Show is right up there with the best. Presented live at 7-00 PM every Monday from UK based Gloucester Radio on 96.6 FM, and around the globe at 11-00 AM Pacific, 2-00 PM Eastern and 8-00 PM Central European time, the show is presented by the excellent Rich Edwards (pictured here with Jonathan Fritzen) and is replete with the same musical passion that is evident in everything that Rich does.

In recent weeks, and with one eye always on fresh new music, Rich has showcased the Four 80 East produced ‘Soul Revolution’ from Michael Dunstone plus ‘Magic’ from the massively underrated Michael Paulo. Equally good have been the jazz funk oriented ‘What About That’ by 76 Degrees West and ‘Riding High’ from Joel Rodney Siemion. With an ability to build that is awesome this is a tune designed to restore faith in the splendor of contemporary jazz.

For more, and to get in on the SmoothGrooves act, go to www.smoothgrooves.mobi