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As vocal tracks become an ever increasing presence in the genre of urban jazz, there has never been a better time to discover the talents of Chicago based vocalist Julia Huff. Her debut recording is titled ‘Meet Julia Huff’ and this fine 6 song EP benefits from input by the likes of Paul Jackson Jr., Doc Powell and Harvey Mason.
The first single is the silky smooth ‘Who's Gonna Hold Me Now’ and promises much for an artist for whom stardom surely beckons.
With Canada rapidly evolving into the sort of smooth jazz stronghold that could well rival the musical output of southern California, the latest Canadian to make his mark is composer and keyboard player Fred Engler. This former Canadian Smooth Jazz Award Winner has teamed up with vocalist Elby for the newly released CD ‘From Now On’.
In fact Engler and Elby are both members of the popular Toronto band Irina and with ‘From Now On’ they are taking smooth jazz right to the margins of pop and very much keeping it there. A case in point is ‘Close To Me’ which is not only the first single to be released to radio but also a ballad of the type that never gets old.
I first became aware of Phoenix based keyboard player Cal Harris Jr with the release of his CD ‘Inside Out’ which at the time I explained as being ten years in the making but with a vibe that made it entirely worth the wait. Now he is back with one of the hottest singles I have heard this year, the sumptuous and appropriately titled ‘Smooth’. Not only does it feature more of Cal’s rapidly emerging trademark sound but also includes a delicious interjection of sax from the highly regarded Elan Trotman.
Make no mistake, this is a track that is well worth looking out for. Highly recommended.
For more go to www.calharrisjr.com
With a magical combination of neo soul and urban jazz, Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite and flautist extraordinaire Ragan Whiteside is back on the scene with her brand new project ‘Evolve’. It follows her 2007 recording ‘Class Axe’, which at the time I described as finding the sweet spot where contemporary jazz meets smooth R & B, and in common with this previous release benefits hugely from the input of Bob Baldwin and Dennis Johnson. Perfectly demonstrating the talents of Whiteside, not only as a sublime flute player, but also as a songwriter and vocalist, ‘Evolve’ is right up there with the best contemporary jazz albums of 2012.
As keyboard player Ed Roth continues to build a fan base for his forthcoming (and self titled) debut CD he has followed the recently released single ‘Summertime’ with a very different spin on Ambrosia’s much-vaunted hit ‘Biggest Part Of Me’. In fact Roth has taken this David Pack composition and totally flipped it on its head. A live horn section adds something of a swagger to Roth’s mid tempo groove and all things considered this is a track that will provide yet another reason to check out the music of this emerging solo artist.
Roth’s album will be available in stores and online from October 16, 2012 on Warrior Records.
It was back in 1995, with the release of the spellbinding ‘Storyteller’, that the world of contemporary jazz really caught onto the magic of guitarist Ricardo Silveira. In part this was due to the sumptuous track ‘Francesa’ that dominated the adult contemporary charts of that year and has since become a much-loved smooth jazz staple. Now, fully re-mastered, and sounding better than ever, ‘Storyteller’ has just been reissued on the Adventure Music label. Those who have been with Silveira for the long haul will undoubtedly find this to be an exciting addition to their collection. Equally, for anyone discovering his music for the very first time, this is the perfect place from which to start.
Its not often the ‘wow factor’ hits me when I slide a new CD into the player but that’s exactly what happened when I checked out the latest offering from bass-man George Anderson. Titled ‘Expressions’ it’s Anderson’s second solo recording and follows ‘Positivity’ which at the time of its release in 2010 I described as being a terrific addition to that year’s crop of new music. However, Anderson is no new kid on the block. He has been a part of British jazz-funk collective Shakatak since 1982 and in fact his integration into the band coincided with the release of its 1982 sophomore project ‘Nightbirds’ from which the title cut and the equally impressive ‘Easier Said Than Done’ both found a way into the UK top ten. With a line-up that has remained commendably stable, the band has stayed in chart contention with a succession of albums in Europe, the USA and, most significantly, Japan where this ultra cool combination continues to enjoy immense popularity. Now, with ‘Expressions’, Anderson is taking some of the spotlight as his own.
The well-chronicled story of how East Bay Soul 2.0 started out as simply a dream but, through the support of a legion of followers, became a glorious reality is all set to add another chapter. The goal this time is to raise the funds necessary to make a promotional video at the band’s live show in Redondo Beach, CA on October 13 and in so doing generate the interest to allow the band to play more shows. It’s that simple.
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If thirteen is lucky for some then all those who appreciate the enduring magic of the fabulous Fourplay will hit the jackpot with the band’s thirteenth CD, ‘Esprit De Four’ which will be released September 18 on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group. In keeping with what has gone before the essence of ‘Esprit De Four’ is in the way, both individually and collectively, the players expertly interpret their own immaculate compositions and with writing credits shared around between band members Chuck Loeb, Bob James, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason, the album feels very much like a delicious throwback to the nineties and the early days of Fourplay.
It was obvious from the moment that sax-man Elan Trotman played the first note of his October 2011 gig with Peter White that a special kind of chemistry was flowing between these two outstanding musicians. Now, as if to reinforce the fact, White has co-produced Trotman’s exciting new CD that, given Elan originates from the Caribbean island of Barbados, has been appropriately titled ‘Tropicality’. This Caribbean connection extends to the first single to be released to radio, which is a juicy interpretation of the Bob Marley classic ‘Master Blaster (Jammin)’
‘Tropicality’ is rumored to include guest performances from White, Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Nick Colionne, Lin Rountree, Terri Lyne Carrington, and many others so check back here soon for a complete review of what promises to be an excellent collection.
Consistent with a bass player who is musical director for Christina Aguilera, and has played bass with Janet Jackson, Babyface and Patti LeBelle, Ethan Farmer certainly knows all about high-octane playing. His solo debut is titled ‘Wine & Strings’ and if the hot and jazzy and radio single, ‘Watch’, is anything to go by its likely to be entirely ‘off the chain’.
This funk-fest is guaranteed to place anyone who listens into a complete frenzy so, if you are not planning a party, this is a track that should be handled with care.
From the time in 2007 when guitar player Emmanuel ‘U-Nam’ Abiteboul moved from his native France to the musical intensity of LA he has been steadily building his reputation as one of the most innovative performers in the smooth jazz, R & B and soul genres.
Originally a renowned producer, U-Nam has worked with heavyweights such as Barry White and Kool & the Gang while as a solo artist his 2007 recording ‘Back From The 80s’ garnered the chart topping hit ‘Street Life’. ‘Unanimity’ followed two years later and now he is back with the hugely adventurous ‘Weekend In LA (A Tribute To George Benson)’. This look back at the music of one of the true pioneers of contemporary jazz is enhanced by an outstanding of list of guest performers and is far from merely being just a compilation of covers.
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