‘New American Suite’ from the newly form trio Kevin Toney 3 is a quality collection of piano driven jazz of a standard that befits Toney’s track-record as leader of the legendary The Blackbyrds and thirty year recording artist in his own right. In fact with Toney on keyboards, Michael Bradford on bass and Chris Coleman on drums, Kevin Toney 3 are a collective united in both their religion and their music. They prayer together and play together while the album’s nine hugely cinematic tracks acknowledge in music what Toney identifies as a recent paradigm shift in the USA toward real, forward thinking change. This vibrant recording is not ‘easy on the ear’ smooth jazz but is a sophisticated collection that has the power both to defy genres and delight those who listen.
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June 30, 2012
June 28, 2012
Jeanette Harris - ‘All I Do’
‘Saxified’ by soulful saxophonist Jeanette Harris first saw the light of day in 2010 but now, with promotional efforts re-galvanized, is getting the publicity it so richly deserves. Central to this refocusing is the brand new radio single ‘All I Do’ which is a silky cover of the Stevie Wonder composition that back in 1966 helped make Tammi Terrell a star. It is but one highlight of an album packed full of them and when one factors in another superb cover (The Stylistics 1971 blockbuster ‘People Make the World Go Round’) and a guest performance from Norman Brown this is a collection that should stay hidden no more.
Harris is a graduate plus of the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston and has been a force on the music scene since 2005. Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Saxified’.
June 26, 2012
Kenny G & Rahul Sharma - Namaste
A new project from Kenny G is always a highlight of any contemporary jazz year but his latest venture, ‘Namaste’, which he has made in collaboration with santoor player Rahul Sharma, promises to be one of his most intriguing yet. The evolution of ‘Namaste’ is a fascinating story of how two artists, both at the top of their respective games, have transcended cultural boundaries in the most sensational of ways.
June 24, 2012
Kyra Simone - So Good
Due out on July 19 and produced by Don-E, 'The Ladies Night' is an EP that will feature some of the hottest female vocalists on the UK neo-soul scene. One track from it that is already catching some attention is Don-E’s silky remix of Kyra Simone’s 'So Good’ which is a fabulous example of easy grooving R & B that is sure to do well on radio.
Check out Kyra’s music now at www.kyrasimoneofficial.com
June 22, 2012
Randy Crawford & Joe Sample - Live
I have to admit that over the years live recordings have often disappointed me. The inevitable reduction in sound quality coupled with what could best be described as superfluous applause served to drastically reduce my listening pleasure so it is particularly pleasing to report on a brand new live album that in every respect is out of this world. ‘Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Live’ was recorded at various concert venues throughout Europe over the period October – December 2008. It finds Crawford and Sample in the sublime company of the incomparable Steve Gadd on drums and Joe’s son, Nicklas Sample on upright bass for an examination of some of their biggest hits that here in a live setting prove to be totally timeless.
June 20, 2012
Rob Tardik - Smile
Canadian guitarist Rob Tardik is certainly having some success with the album ‘Balance Energy Laughter Love’ (aka BELL). The singles ‘East Meets Wes’ and ‘Shakin The House’ both made a considerable impact on the smooth jazz airwaves and now the third single, ‘Smile’, has just been serviced to radio.
Featuring Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Jaared on sax this happy tune with a feel good vibe is sure to put a smile on the face of all those who hear it.
In fact ‘BELL’ has considerable star quality. In addition to Jaared, the likes of Paul Brown, Warren Hill, Darren Rahn and Gabriel Mark Hasselbach all provide some typically fine guest performances while Rob also finds time for two vocal tracks ‘The Right Time’ and ‘When It Comes To Lovin' You’ that he co-wrote with the Emmy award winning Don Breithaupt.
June 18, 2012
Pete Belasco - Light On
For those not familiar with the music of Pete Belasco, the album ‘Lights On’ is sure to be a revelation. In fact the multi talented Belasco made his debut in 1997 with ‘Get It Together’ which, at the time, was described as a “brilliant example of R&B, blues and jazz fusion”. With a vocal style that caused comparisons to Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield impossible not to make, Billboard Magazine referred to Belasco as one of a number of new artists responsible for the re-emergence of what it described as the soul music movement. In fact these comments corresponded with the release of Belasco’s 2004 sophomore CD, ‘Deeper’ which, with original compositions such as ‘Hurry Hurry’, ‘Keep On’ and ‘Wonderful Woman’, garnered considerable interest in both the USA and the United Kingdom. Now, after over seven years, Belasco is back with the long-overdue ‘Lights On’.
June 16, 2012
Mindi Abair To Tour With Aerosmith
Often referred to as the hardest working star in smooth jazz, sax player Mindi Abair certainly spreads her wings far and wide. As well as her own hectic performance schedule, a syndicated chill music radio show and a drop in appearance to play sax on American Idol she has been invited by “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” to be the featured saxophonist on its up-coming “Global Warming Tour’. Yes we are talking Aerosmith and after joining up with the band for rehearsal in Minneapolis she will be hitting the road with them on what promises to be quite a tour.
June 14, 2012
Gerald Albright & Norman Brown - 24/7
Friends for three decades and now recording partners, smooth jazz superstars Gerald Albright and Norman Brown are all set to release their first ever album together. Titled ‘24/7’, this fine ten-track recording draws on their collective jazz sensibilities in a way that is little short of sublime and with almost fifty years of recording experience between them, there is little doubt that these two fine players sit loftily at the very peak of their respective careers. In fact Albright’s resume reaches all the way back to 1987 and the CD ‘Just Between Us’ while Brown, by way of a massive coincidence, made his debut in 1992 with a project that, remarkably, was also named ‘Just Between Us’. Despite all of that it seems certain that for both of them, ‘24/7’ will bring a future that is every bit as good as their illustrious past.
June 12, 2012
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - Starpixie
It was back in 2010 that trumpet, flute and flugelhorn player Gabriel Mark Hasselbach released the highly acclaimed ‘Told Ya So’. At the time I described it as being a fine example of contemporary jazz and notable on many counts while fine guest performances from the likes of Darren Rahn, Marc Antoine, Paul Brown, Rock Hendricks and Jeff Lorber added considerably to the richness of the entire collection. Now Hasselbach, who records under the more user-friendly name of Gabriel, is back with his latest album, ‘Kissed By The Sun’.
June 10, 2012
Dave Koz At The Cinnamon Club
June 9, 2012 – At the end of what in the United Kingdom had been a Jubilee week, it was appropriate that smooth jazz royalty was on hand to add to the proceedings. Closing out his nine-night UK mini-tour, the king of contemporary jazz, aka Dave Koz, hit the stage of the Cinnamon Club, in the southern suburbs of Manchester, with the sort of energy that exemplified his unrivalled reputation, not only as one of the finest sax players around but also as the consummate showman. The fact that Koz was in the company of long-time Musical Director (and now a hit recording artist in his own right) Brian Simpson only added to this truly regal occasion and with a full English backing line-up of Frank Felix on bass, Marc Parnell on drums and Mark James on guitar it was clear from the opening note of the opening tune that the band were stoked and ready to go.
June 08, 2012
June 06, 2012
Gerald 'GG' Bonnegrace - Seventy Seven
Composer and multi instrumentalist Gerald ‘GG’ Bonnegrâce is the driving force behind the exciting new fusion collective G’s Way. The band released its debut album, ‘Seventy Seven’, back in March of 2011 and now, with a fresh focus on marketing and promotion, is beginning to get noticed. With a fresh mix of jazz, funk and Latin grooves ‘Seventy Seven’ provides something for everyone and in particular those who hanker for the brand of fusion popularized by the likes of Ray Baretto and Eumir Deodato. Switching as he does between keys, percussion, trumpet, trombone and flute, Bonnegrâce certainly leads the way but is ably supported by remaining band-members Thierry Jean-Pierre on bass, Stefane Goldman on guitar, saxophonist Sylvain Fetis and drummer Christian Templet.
June 04, 2012
Paul Hardcastle - East To West
Seems like Smooth Jazz really does have an east meets west thing going on. Recently I reported that Kenny G is collaborating with master santoorist Rahul Sharma for his brand new album ‘Namaste’. It is due out later in June and represents an interesting coming together of musical styles yet not to be outdone, and in advance of Paul Hardcastle’s latest project ‘The Chill Lounge Vol. 1’, Trippin n Rhythm has just serviced radio with the single ‘East To West’. Crammed full of smoky Asian influences the tune, together with ‘Ibiza Dub’, is one of two previously unheard tracks in what is a massively strong collection
June 02, 2012
Pete Gitlin - Amplify
Brand new from Phoenix based guitarist Pete Gitlin is the hugely eclectic ‘Amplify’. It’s the follow up to the highly acclaimed ‘Full Circle and the Great Temptation’ which not also garnered the radio hit ‘Sunshine Days’ but in the process also became an instant Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite. ‘Amplify’ features ten all original Gitlin compositions. With production by John Herrera plus guest appearances from Cindy Bradley, Jeff Kashiwa, Dominic Amato, Michael Broening and Mel Brown, it is a CD with much to commend it.