Smooth Jazz Therapy

Brian Hughes - Fast Train To A Quiet Place

Since 1992, and the release of his critically acclaimed ‘Between Dusk and Dreaming’, guitarist Brian Hughes has carved out an impressive career in contemporary jazz. Now, seven albums later and a parallel career performing and recording with vocalist Loreena McKennitt, Hughes is back with the excellent ‘Fast Train To A Quiet Place’. Given that Hughes writes, produces and performs throughout, it is a CD that can be accurately described as ‘all his own work’ yet the exceptional support he receives from Matt Rohde on keys, Tal Bergman on drums and Rufus Philpot on bass all serves to add to the quality of this superb body of work.

Eumir Deodato - The Crossing

As a performer, arranger or producer Brazilian born Eumir Deodato has racked up 16 platinum records and posted sales of well over 25 million records in the USA alone. His discography, including compilations and work as an arranger, producer and keyboard player, exceeds 450 albums yet he will probably be always associated with one song, his innovative rendition of the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey. It first appeared on his 1973 debut project and sold at least five million copies. Deodato’s latest CD is the ‘The Crossing’ which features some interesting collaborations and despite its decidedly retro disposition provides a wonderfully fresh showcase for Deodato’s incredible playing.

Help Greg Adams Make Music

As previously reported in these pages Greg Adams needs your help in the production and release of his latest CD from the wonderful East Bay Soul. This is how it works and this is how you can be part of what is a truly exciting project. Join Greg at Kickstarter to make a pledge, and if you can, spread the word to your circle of friends. Greg needs all the support he can gather. The money is going towards the recording studio, engineering, mixing, mastering, artwork, CD manufacturing and of course the musicians. He has ten all original songs with which to go into the recording sessions and, if successful at Kickstarter, he is planning a release date in the fall or early January. Remember, no pledge is too small!!

When someone makes a pledge with a credit card it is processed through the Amazon credit card services and is held there in an escrow account, and then, only if the project reaches its goal, will the credit card be charged. No one's pledge is publicly displayed. You may make a pledge for any dollar amount you want and in return select a reward of your choice.

At Kickstarter, if the financial goal is not attained the project does not get funded and all the money pledges are cancelled. In other words no one gets charged. It's an all or nothing deal!

If the goal is exceeded, the additional funds will go towards making the CD even better! Greg may even add real string players and even perhaps include some promotional activities.

The goal is $25,000 and with the deadline of August 10 at 4.56PM PST, rapidly approaching $15,866, i.e. 63% of the required total, has been pledged so far.

To help push Greg over line go to the fund raising platform at

www.kickstarter.com/projects/2065985585/join-greg-adams-and-east-bay-soul-20

This is a terrific initiative by one of the true legends of contemporary jazz. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Cindy Bradley - Unscripted

Smooth Jazz Therapy has followed the career of trumpeter Cindy Bradley since 2007 when she burst onto the smooth jazz scene with her debut solo project ‘Just A Little Bit’. At the time I described it as a choice eight track collection with rhythm and melody at its core. Indeed, the recognition that the CD brought led to a touring engagement with the legendary Pieces of A Dream and a record deal with Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm. The resultant follow-up, ‘Bloom’, was built around the basic constructs of Bradley’s velvety tones, stellar input as writer, performer and producer from Michael Broening and consistently excellent performances from Mel Brown on bass and Freddie Fox on guitars. Now (with Brown and Fox again in the line-up) Cindy has reunited with Broening for her latest release ‘Unscripted’.

Down To The Bone - The Main Ingredients

Ever since 1997, when they burst onto the scene with the seminal ‘Manhattan To Staten’, Down To The Bone has been all about the groove. The brainchild of non musician Stuart Wade, Down To The Bone came out of the acid jazz movement that was prevalent in the UK during the early 90’s. In the intervening years, and with sax man Shilts at its centre, the band delivered a series of high octane albums but now (with Shilts away to pursue his solo career) DTTB are entering a new phase of what by any measure continues to be an interesting career. Recently signed to Trippin N Rhythm, the band’s latest offering is ‘The Main Ingredients’ where the forte Wade has for using his production skills to bring alive his musical idea’s through a frequently changing group of ultra-talented performers is once more reaping rich dividends.

Hardcastle 6

Paul Hardcastle is on quite a roll. With the ‘Valentines’ orientated ‘Desire’ already to his name this year, and his ‘Jazzmasters 6’ CD still garnering substantial airplay, he has just released ‘Hardcastle 6’. Must like everything that this wonderful write and composer does, it is replete with delicious rhythms, music that will stand the test of time and several intoxicating surprises along the way. It should be remembered that his signature ‘19’ enjoyed a twenty fifth anniversary last year and now, having been in a somewhat mellow mood for his two most recent albums, he is using the brand new ‘Hardcastle 6’ to tread a feistier path.

Bob Baldwin - Re-Vibe

Those listeners brand new to the special urban groove of the wonderful Bob Baldwin need only flip on the first track of his latest CD, ‘Re-Vibe’, to find out what this terrific musician is all about. Titled ‘Thanks For Stopping By’, the song (in Bob’s own words and in little over 2 minutes) perfectly sums up the ethos of this consummate performer.

Of course Baldwin has long been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz. His 2008 project ‘NewUrbanJazz.com’ served to redefine the genre and led to the legitimization of R & B tinged vocals within smooth jazz. Truth to tell Baldwin has been pioneering his unique vibe since he first hit the scene in 1988 with ‘The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin’. Since then his often overlooked discography has been adorned with musical gems and now ‘Re-Vibe’ raises the bar yet another notch.

Be Part Of Greg Adams New CD

Now for your chance to play a part in the production and release of the latest CD from the wonderful East Bay Soul. Much like the band’s 2009 debut, the project is the brainchild of trumpeter Greg Adams who has well as being a founder member of the legendary Tower of Power has carved out a unique place for himself within the higher echelons of contemporary jazz. With major record labels becoming fewer with every passing year Greg is going alone on this one and needs your help. Read on for Greg’s own words on how you can be part of it all.

Oli Silk - Latin Haze

Although ‘All We Need’ from Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite Oli Silk has been around since mid 2010 it continues to get him noticed. The title track enjoyed an extended spell on smooth jazz radio and led to his own show at London’s Pizza Express. Not only that, of late he has made some prestigious concert appearances in the USA and now Oli’s label, Trippin n Rhythm, has dipped back into ‘All We Need’ for the next radio choice. It’s the sunshine filled ‘Latin Haze’ which features fine guitar from Marc Antoine and is destined to put this outstanding writer, producer and keyboard player right back on the smooth jazz radar.

Given Antoine’s recent health problems it is to be hoped that ‘Latin Haze’ will provide a welcome boost to all concerned.

Jeff Golub In Battle To Save His Sight

The recent reports that guitarist Jeff Golub is battling to save his sight has come as a huge shock to everyone who knows his music or has witnessed his supercharged live performances. In fact it was back in February of this year, while finalizing his latest album, ‘Three Kings’, (which has already attained #1 on Amazon's contemporary blues chart) that Jeff began having trouble with his right eye. The condition worsened and after trips to several of New York's top eye specialists he was diagnosed with a collapse of the optic nerve in that eye. Although adjusting to what Golub has himself described as a ‘one-eyed life’, as of late June he has began to experience similar problems in his left eye. The fact Jeff continues to play and perform is a testament of both his courage and of his passion for the music he loves.

Randy Scott - 90 Degrees At Midnight

With his music firmly rooted in the ever buoyant Detroit music scene, sax player Randy Scott is not only a producer, songwriter and educator but also one of the most talented saxophonists around. He has a string of highly rated albums to his name and has worked extensively with fellow Michigan native Tim Bowman. Although his 2007 project ‘Breathe’ garnered considerable critical acclaim, the follow-up, ‘90 Degrees At Midnight’, (which is due out later this year) promises to be every bit as good.

The first single from the album to be serviced to radio is the zesty title cut and is certain to enhance his already considerable stature.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘90 Degrees At Midnight’.

Russ Hewitt Partners With Michael Lington For Pacific Sunrise

Scheduled to hit the streets later this summer, ‘Alma Vieja’ is the latest CD from guitar virtuoso Russ Hewitt. Replete with his rumba flamenco playing and lightning guitar runs, the album follows Hewitt’s 2008 debut ‘Bajo el Sol’ which was typified by fierce Latin rhythms and infectious contemporary jazz grooves. It garnered the kind of critical acclaim to suggest this talented player was already on the road to musical stardom.

‘Alma Vieja’ features some notable guest artists and among them are Grammy award-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat and, perhaps most notably, contemporary jazz saxophonist Michael Lington. In fact it’s Lington who features on my selection ‘Pacific Sunrise’ which is also the first single to be released to radio. With Lington’s status in smooth jazz coupled with Hewitt’s fine playing the easy grooving ‘Pacific Sunrise’ should certainly attract some attention.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Alma Vieja’.

Jeff Logan Enjoys Black Tie Affair

Despite its jazzy and straight ahead influenced intro, ‘Black Tie Affair’ by keyboard player Jeff Logan quickly slides into a cool contemporary jazz groove that is synonymous with his ability to construct memorable melodies that convey a range of emotions. It’s the title track and first radio single from Logan’s new album which follows earlier projects such as ‘Soulitude’ in 2002, ‘Mello-Fabulous’ a year later and ‘Radio-Active’, ‘Gratitude’ and ‘Love’s Compass’ in 2005, 2007 and 2009 respectively.

A native Washingtonian who grew up and still resides in nearby Maryland, Logan is a self-taught musician who began playing as a teenager. ‘Black Tie Affair’ is his first CD to be supported by a comprehensive campaign of radio promotion and should do well.

‘Black Tie Affair’ is due for release on August 9. Check back here soon for a complete review.