Smooth Jazz Therapy

Darren Rahn - Speechless

It was through his work with the late Wayman Tisdale that producer, composer and saxophonist Darren Rahn first made his mark. At first his role was very much behind the scenes and behind the mixing console but his studio activities with Tisdale and an assortment of other smooth jazz heavy hitters proved pivotal in launching his solo career. Three critically acclaimed solo albums ensued and now he is back with number four, the high octane ‘Speechless’.

Gabriel - New Album Set For July

When, in 2010, horn player Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, aka Gabriel, released the fabulously restrained CD ‘Told Ya So’ it provided several highpoints of that smooth jazz year. With contributions from Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Marc Antoine and Darren Rahn this was a collection of the highest order imaginable and included the deconstructed but totally hypnotic ‘Pastels’ of which I commented at the time that “chilled out contemporary jazz doesn’t come better than this”.

Now, with a release date of July 1, 2012, Gabriel is back with his latest offering, ‘Kissed By The Sun’. Co-produced by Jeff Lorber, the collection will feature guest performances from Chuck Loeb, Brian Bromberg, Rock Hendricks, Walle Larsson and Rob Tardik.

Also on July 1, the CD release party will take place at Spaghettini in Seal Beach CA from where it is rumoured that special guest Paul Brown will be along for the ride.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Kissed By The Sun’.

Kenyon Carter - Right By My Side

Those who take an interest in the Groove Jazz charts of most played on smooth jazz radio will have noticed the impact rapidly emerging Kenyon Carter is currently making. His smoothly mellifluous ‘Sangria Sunday’ is certainly creating some waves and comes from Carter’s excellent debut album ‘Right By My Side’. With a playing style that is exemplified by his full-ness of tone, this Atlanta based sax-man certainly seems to have a promising future ahead of him.

Michael Vince - Shelby St. Bridge

I first became aware of guitarist and keyboard player Michael Vince in 2006 with the release of his excellent self-titled EP. Although the opening three tracks were written, performed, arranged and produced by Vince, for the remaining two numbers he handed over the production reins to none other than Paul Brown who not surprisingly spread his magic all over them. In fact I described one of these tunes, the enticingly ‘in the pocket’ ‘Slow And Easy’ as one of the best contemporary jazz cuts of the year and now, after what seems way too long, Vince is back with the stunning new single ‘Shelby St. Bridge’.

Available for download now at both iTunes and CD Baby, ‘Shelby St. Bridge’ was written and produced by Michael who also features on guitar, keyboards, synth and drum programming. With a languid, easy grooving vibe that is entirely to die for this one is sure to make it into my top twenty of 2012.

For more on Michael Vince go to www.michaelvince.com

Paul Whitley - Versatility

Ranging from the sounds of gospel, neo soul, R&B, soft rock and contemporary jazz, guitarist Paul Whitley really has it covered. His aptly named album ‘Versatility’ bears witness to this and then some as with fifteen all original and substantially self-penned tracks he serves notice that here is a musical force to be reckoned with.

Spotlight On Dexter Wansel

Relatively unknown outside the United States, composer and keyboard player Dexter Wansel is credited with having had a significant influence on the genre that developed into new age soul and jazz funk. Although his most successful album was the 1976 release on Philadelphia International, ‘Life On Mars’, for those who admire the origins of edgy yet sensuous contemporary jazz the 1979 release ‘Time Is Slipping Away’ must arguably be Wansel’s finest moment. It contained the iconic track ‘The Sweetest Pain’ which featured vocals from Terri Wells and today still sounds just as fresh as on the day it was recorded.

Naturally 7 - Life Goes On

Those of you who caught Michel Buble’s recent live tour will be already familiar with a cappella flavored vocalists Naturally 7. Singing primarily R&B with a very harmonious edge this seven piece collective was the opening act for Buble and, as if to underline their pedigree, have just been snapped up by niche label Hidden Beach Recordings from where they will release a new CD in June of this year.

The first single from the album is titled ‘Life Goes On (Let It Go)’ and is one that I am tipping not only to have genuine cross-over appeal but to also find favor across listening generations.

Check back here often for more news on Naturally 7.

Brian Auger - Language of The Heart

Who could doubt, for those of a certain age, that the song ‘This Wheels On Fire’ by the Brian Auger Trinity formed part of the soundtrack to their lives. It featured vocals by Julie Driscoll, which for Auger represented a significant collaboration in a career packed full of them. Despite being in the music business for in excess of fifty years Auger has released relatively few solo albums so it is particularly pleasing that he is back on the recording scene with the CD ‘Language Of The Heart’. Produced by Franck Balloffet and Phil Bunch (aka Tea) who also contribute on guitars and keyboards respectively, this eclectic collection includes input from guitarist Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter who of course was a founding member of Steely Dan and also played with the Doobie Brothers. Joining Baxter on guitars is Julian Coryell (son of Larry Coryell) and talking of famous parents, Auger’s son and daughter, Karma and Savannah, also play a part.

Rahni Song - 91 North

Rahni Song (aka Rahni P. Harris, Jr.) really has a lot going on. Active as a producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, recording engineer and educator, his resume includes extensive work with legendary funksters Bootsy Collins and George Clinton. Rahni’s major influences include the likes of Quincy Jones, Thom Bell, Norman Whitfield, Frank Wilson and Maurice White so it should be no surprise to find he has an innate sense of what soulful, jazzy, R & B should be all about.

As if to demonstrate the fact, he has recently burst onto the scene with the delicious ‘Breakin’ The Rules’. It is fine example of the urban direction in which contemporary jazz is currently flowing and contains a number of what can accurately be described as truly outstanding tracks.

Reinhold Schwarzwald - Sunset

I recently became aware of the music of saxophonist and producer Reinhold Schwarzwald through the release of the radio single ‘Sunset’. Lifted from the album of the same name it is an outstanding example of the best that contemporary jazz has to offer and one of many great tunes in a collection crammed full of them. In fact the CD provides a superb showcase for Schwarzwald’s ultra smooth talents and is embellished by a stellar line-up of backing musicians that include guitarist Doc Powell and the stupendous flautist Valerie King.

Aysha - Release Me

It was back in 2010 that jazz and R&B vocalist Aysha made a splash with the tight and extremely personal five track collection, ‘Stay With Me’. Bolstered by guest contributions from smooth jazz superstars Everette Harp and Gerald Albright it was an album that garnered considerable airplay and now, in the works for later this year, comes her yet to be titled follow up.

Despite the fact that several of the tracks are still being written, the promotional engine is already being cranked up with the result that the first single, ‘Release Me’, is being offered to radio . Previously described as being pleasant, passionate and powerful, this sultry love song is sure to add some vocal spice to the contemporary jazz genre.

Check back here often for a complete review of the new CD.

Chinua Hawk - A Beautifully Complicated Life

Atlanta based and New Jersey born, singer –songwriter Chinua (Shin-Wah) Hawk has been making a mark on the urban scene since 2001 and the release of his solo debut ‘The Beautiful Things’. In 2003, together with his writing partner Kwame Viapree, he won the 2003 Heineken Music Initiative Award for their song ‘I Remember You’ from his CD ‘Sunflower’ and now is using his latest offering, ‘A Beautifully Complicated Life’, to revisit some of his previously recorded material, add a few new tunes along the way and blend them with a selection of well chosen covers.

Ruben Studdard - Wear Me

Despite his status as a former winner of American Idol, vocalist Ruben Studdard didn’t really come onto my radar screen until his memorable collaboration with Fourplay on the band’s 2010 CD ‘Let’s Touch The Sky’. Indeed Studdard’s stunning rendition of the Teddy Pendergrass classic ‘Love TKO’ delivered what was undoubtedly the best cover of that year and now he is back with his own album ‘Stories From Birmingham’. Due for release on March 13 it is crammed full of sumptuous tunes that are decidely from the old school side of the tracks and in this respect there is none better than the magnificently easy grooving ‘Rock Witcha’. Other songs worth looking out for are the soul drenched ‘I’m Single’ and the first track to be serviced to radio, ‘Wear Me’.

This brass enriched cut is soul the way its meant to be and comes highly recommended.

Najee - The Smooth Side Of Soul

Well known for his classy virtuosity, sax and flute player Najee has been one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz for the past twenty-five years. He enjoyed his first big break in 1983 when, with his brother Fareed, he toured with Chaka Khan. This in turn brought him to the attention of producer Charles Huggins and it was through Huggins that Najee cut his debut recording for EMI, ‘Najees Theme’, in 1986. The album went platinum and two years later this success was repeated with the follow up ‘Day By Day’. Since then Najee has added eight more releases plus one ‘best of’ compilation and has garnered four ‘gold discs’ along the way. Now he is back with his latest offering, ‘The Smooth Side Of Soul’.

Tom Scott Back On Radio With Stuck On You

For followers of contemporary jazz, 2012 has started out in spectacular fashion and among the highlights of the year so far has been the initial digital release of the sensational new album from sax-man Tom Scott. Titled ‘Telling Stories’ it finds him in delightful partnership with vocalist Paulette McWilliams and for the first radio single, (a blistering interpretation of the Kool & The Gang blockbuster ‘Too Hot’), they were joined by the invariably excellent Will Downing.

Now Scott is headed back to the airwaves with another selection from ‘Telling Stories’. It’s a smoky, jazz drenched version of Bobby Caldwell’s seminal ‘Stuck On You’ that first appeared on Bobby’s 1992 CD of the same name and which provides another compelling reason why ‘Telling Stories’ should soon be part of your collection.

Anne Walsh - Go

Back in 2009, when reviewing the CD ‘Pretty World’ from vocalist Anne Walsh, I described her voice as being as clear as a bell and the album as a wonderful amalgam of buoyant Brazilian jazz grooves and poignant heart tugging ballads. Now Walsh has built on this winning formula with her latest release, the sublimely accessible ‘Go’. Again produced by her husband Thomas Zink, this sumptuous collection also features contributions from some of the finest session players around including Brian Bromberg on acoustic bass and the invariably excellent Garry Meek on saxes and flute.