Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jeffrey Osborne & Chaka Khan - Baby It's Cold Outside

I have to admit to having a certain seasonal weakness for the timeless ‘Baby, It's Cold Outside’ that despite being written in 1944 carries with it a festive charm which never gets old. Up until now my favorite version has always been that recorded by James Taylor in collaboration with Natalie Cole and hidden away on Taylor’s little known CD ‘A Christmas Album’ which was only ever available from Hallmark stores. However, right up there with it is a brand new and very different interpretation by soul icons Jeffrey Osborne and Chaka Khan. In fact it is the first single from Osborne’s upcoming project ‘A Time For Love’ and is sure to be a sumptuous stocking filler for the holiday season.

Esprit De Four - In Bob James' Own Words

Back in early September I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to review ‘Esprit De Four’ by the fabulous Fourplay. I found it to be a wonderful example of how both individually and collectively the players expertly interpret their own immaculate compositions. Indeed, 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 band’s early days and now, by way of confirmation, comes a delightful personal perspective on how ‘Esprit De Four’ came to fruition.

Listen to Bob here now.

Jeff Jarvis - Just You

This latest reflective look back on some of the hidden gems of contemporary jazz focuses on trumpeter Jeff Jarvis who in 2000 shook the genre to its core with the stunning single ‘Just You’. It can be found on Jarvis’s sixth solo album, ‘Morning Drive’ and was written by Jarvis in partnership with a then emerging Brian Culbertson. Indeed, with a decidedly chill orientated groove, the track was arguably ten years ahead of its time and although the collection featured performances from Brian Bromberg and Steve Cole it also, for whatever reason, marked a premature halt to Jeff’s recording career.

Chris Jasper - Keep Believin

If you loved the soulful funkiness that exemplified the music of the Isley Brothers then you might just enjoy ‘Keep Believin’ from former band member Chris Jasper. Taken from Jasper’s forthcoming CD release ‘Inspired’, this hard driving slice of funk carries with it a positive anti-violence -pro-education message that, in these difficult times in which we find ourselves, has never been more relevant.

Check it out right here right now and rediscover the magic of Chris Jasper.

Euge Groove - House Of Groove

It was in 2009 that smooth jazz superstar Euge Groove partnered with Shanachie Records for the release of the delightful ‘Sunday Morning’. Two years later he was back with the highly acclaimed ‘S7even Large’ and if his latest project is anything to go by the creatively friendly surroundings that the label provides are suiting him just fine. Titled ‘House Of Groove’ the album is everything one has come to expect from an artist who, with his 2000 self titled debut, really hit the ground running and truth to tell has been running ever since. It is his eighth solo recording and one which artistically finds him very much in control. He writes or co-writes all ten tracks, produces throughout and carries out mixing duties in the good company of long time mentor Paul Brown. Not only is this a collection that confirms his position as being in the very highest echelons of contemporary jazz but is also one of the best recordings of the year so far.

Paul Brown & Jackiem Joyner At Anthology

October 19, 2012. They may have never played together before but, when contemporary jazz icon Paul Brown took the stage with Jackiem Joyner at San Diego’s Anthology, these sublimely talented individuals delivered what quite simply was the best live performance I have witnessed this year. They were there in support of local radio personality Kelly Cole who, with her weekly ‘Lites Out’ show at KPRi 102.1, is doing her best to re-engage a smooth jazz audience that through the demise of KIFM has become entirely disenfranchised. The good news is that with the fabulous pairing of Brown and Joyner checking almost every box imaginable this ‘Listener Appreciation’ event went some way to doing just that.

Alan Hewitt - Save Me

Producer, writer and keyboard maestro Alan Hewitt has, with a succession of critically acclaimed albums, carved out his own niche in the annals of smooth jazz. His most recent project was ‘Retroactive’ which I described at the time as being “entirely up to expectations” while elsewhere he has combined writing music for Oprah Winfrey with playing keys for the Moody Blues on the bands recent US tour. As if all this wasn’t enough he is now back with his very own vocal CD. Entitled ‘High Fidelity’ it shows off Hewitt’s sublime talents as a singer-songwriter and with several instrumental tracks thrown in for good measure there should be, whatever ones adult contemporary persuasion, something for everybody.

The first single is ‘Save Me’ so, if you want to find out more about Alan Hewitt the vocalist, check it out now.

Rick Braun - Swingin In The Snow

In case you hadn’t noticed it’s almost that time of the year again and even before Halloween is upon us the talk is all about Christmas. Of course in the world of smooth jazz this can only mean the usual batch of festive releases and in this respect ‘Swingin In The Snow’ by Rick Braun is sure to be up there with the best. Described elsewhere as “a celebration of the most wonderful time of the year” it features trumpeter Braun with some of his most talented musical friends supported by string quartet and a gospel choir led by R&B vocalist Jeffrey Osborne.

Gianni Vancini - Souls United

New to some will be Italian saxophonist Gianni Vancini who has just released the CD ‘Souls United’. Not only does it feature fellow countrymen Umberto Tozzi and Andrea Mingardi but also includes input from Eric Marienthal. The last time Marienthal added his weight to a project from an up and coming sax star the outcome was ‘Cant Put It Down’ from the excellent Brad Rambur and everyone knows what a success story that turned out to be.

The first single from ‘Souls United’ is ‘Grapes’ which is funky in an easy grooving sort of a way and sure to assist Vancini in making his mark.

Jackiem Joyner - Church Boy

Due out October 23 on the Artistry label ‘Church Boy’ is the fourth solo release from the in-demand Jackiem Joyner who many will also know as the ‘go-to’ sax-man for Keiko Matsui’s touring band. Joyner describes the album as confirming his place in the music ministry of God and in many ways is a transparent and honest testament of his faith. For Joyner this faith has been strengthened by his experiences when, after graduating from high school and moving from upstate New York to Virginia, he found himself with no money, no job and homeless. For almost six months Joyner lived from shelter to shelter and was put on the right track by his Pastor who helped him to find a job and get an apartment. Yet after only a few short months Joyner was again in difficulty. It was the same situation, shelter to shelter, eventually at rock bottom and living in his car.

Spotlight On - Rob White

Sax-man Rob White is currently making some waves with the CD ‘Just Kickin It’. It has already garnered the hit single ‘Should've Kissed You’ and is all set to do the same with the equally appealing title cut. What is not commonly known is that White is very much a product of Orpheus Enterprises, the Indianapolis based company that was responsible for the debut projects of Billboard-topping talent such as Najee, Freddie Jackson, Alex Bugnon and Andre Ward. In fact the president of Orpheus, Beau Huggins, took an early interest in White’s development and saw to it that his debut recording ‘Let It Ride’ stayed firmly under the control of seasoned producer Rahni Song who, as well as currently having a hit CD of his own, has also been part of the Orpheus family since the very beginning.

Chico Mario - Moonlight

World class producer Chico Mario has, over a whole series of album releases, built up something of a cult following in the fields of lounge influenced smooth jazz, electronica and chill. His latest project is titled ‘Moonlight’ and might well prove to be one of the surprise packets of the contemporary jazz year.

Bob Baldwin - Re-Vibe Remix

It has been exactly twelve months since I reviewed the scintillating ‘Re-Vibe’ from Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Bob Baldwin. It was (and is) a sublime showcase for his work and despite input from a whole host of stellar guest artists it is Baldwin’s own contributions that remain at the center of everything.

In this respect there is none more so than his ultra tight playing on the mid tempo title cut and so it is particularly pleasing to find that this wonderful tune has been remixed and released as a single. More mellow and understated than the album version, this is a track well worth checking out.

Nils - City Groove

When, in 2005, I reviewed ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ I described the music of Nils as ‘chill out funk’ and commented that even with the more up tempo numbers his production was able to engender a hypnotic quality that transports the listener, trance like, to another place. Just as important, it seemed he had worked out exactly what it takes to create music that is ‘radio ready’ and from that point, with the projects ‘Ready To Play’, ‘Up Close And Personal’ and most recently ‘What The Funk’ he has simply gone from strength to strength. Now, any release from this top-notch writer, performer and producer is invariably regarded a highlight of any smooth jazz year and this is certainly the case with his shimmering new CD ‘City Groove’.

James Colah - Come With Me

I first became acquainted with the music of writer, producer and keyboard player James Colah back in 2010 and although at that time he was a relative newcomer to the world of smooth jazz he has since ‘kicked on’ and then some. His latest single is the exquisite ‘Come With Me’ which is not only everything and more that a great smooth jazz tune should be but also a milestone track in that it is the first on which Colah has not used a guitarist or sax player. In fact he has composed, performed and produced the entire piece and has used his extensive library of sounds to create the exact phrases he requires.