Smooth Jazz Therapy

Spotlight on - ZOE

A new band to me is the interestingly named ZOE that plays regularly in and around the Philadelphia area.  Having opened for the likes of Dave Koz, Sheila E. and Jonathan Butler these guys certainly know their way around the contemporary jazz scene and, with appearances at the Catalina JazzTrax Festival and the Spring Breeze Soul Jazz Cruise also on its resume, this is a group of musicians that are consummately comfortable in a live environment.  To experience what ZOE is all about check this out.

 

The band has just released its new CD, ‘Unstoppable’, on the NuGroove2 label from which the first single, ‘Always Thinking of You’ features, and was produced by, Jim Peterik who, in his time, composed that seminal song ‘Eye of the Tiger’ and several years ago also dipped a toe into the smooth jazz pool.

Althea Rene - In The Flow

Back in January I speculated that, for smooth jazz flautist Althea Rene, 2013 was likely to be quite a year.  Newly signed to Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm, and with Michael Broening lined up to produce her latest CD, things looked decidedly rosy so its doubly pleasing to report that if the title cut is anything to go by ‘In The Flow’ will be a sheer delight.  Up tempo and zesty its just the sort of number that those of us who have followed her career closely have come to expect.

Joe Leader - The Secret Garden

Now for something from UK sax-man Joe Leader who has recently made some serious steps into the world of sultry smooth jazz with the appropriately titled ‘Seductive Sax’.  This nine-song collection includes some cool covers of blockbusters such as ‘Nature Boy’, the Bill Withers' smash ‘Just the Two of Us’ and, most notably the Quincy Jones classic ‘The Secret Garden’ that, in its time, has also been reimagined by Brian Culbertson. 

This version by Leader was recorded at The Pheasantry in London.  Is it up there with the original?  Does it add something that Culbertson didn’t?  Join the debate at Twitter with me, Denis Poole@PooleJazz.

 

Selina Albright - Why Does Life

Selia Albright (yes, thats right, the daughter of Gerald) is all set to release her debut EP from which the first single is 'Why Does Life' featuring no less than the great Brisan Culbertson. Check it out here.

 

Introducing Tammie K

Singer songwriter Tammie K was good enough to reach out to me this week with her brand new single ‘Joy’ that is available now at iTunes. It certainly is a song very much in adult contemporary territory and the delicious vibe that underpins it owes much to the classy interventions of multi instrumentalist Andy Attanasio and producer Matty Amendola. Check out Tammie right here right now and to enter the debate join me on Twitter @PooleJazz

 

Darren Rahn - One Step Ahead

In just a week’s time ‘Speechless’ by in demand Darren Rahn will have been on release for fully twelve months.  It has proved to be an auspicious start of his relationship with Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records and with featured performances by big hitters such as Dave Koz, Paul Brown, Najee, and Nate Harasim has provided a rich vein of radio ready smooth jazz. 

The big radio hit was of course the easy grooving ‘Magnetic’, which with a delicious urban swagger, proved to be infectious in the extreme.  Other standouts were ‘Magical’, ‘Give n Take’ (featuring Paul Brown) and the sexy title cut with vocals from the up and coming Maxine Hardcastle.  Now the label has gone to the well one more time for ‘One Step Ahead’ that was serviced to the airwaves on March 18. 

Those collecting the CD one track at a time will find it to be a tune that confirms Rahn as being at the very top of his game. 

Earl Carter - Real Mother For Ya

The debut album from Washington DC based guitarist Earl Carter is titled ‘Welcome Back Carter’ and if the first single is anything to go this is a seriously hot collection.  It’s Carter’s down and dirty take on Johnny Guitar Watson’s 1977 smash  ‘A Real Mother For Ya’ which, complete with a great little promotional video clip, is right on the funky money. 

 

Monkey House - Faith In The Middle

Now for a really a really nice track from Toronto based Don Breithaupt who’s musical vehicle Monkey House has just released its fourth album.  Titled ‘Headquarters’ it is a CD that was recorded in big rooms with live bands, which in these days of programmed production, is rare indeed.  This fine collection of pop tinged adult contemporary tunes isn’t smooth jazz and certainly isn’t soul but given that most of the tracks feature splendid horn sections and the judicious use of male and female backing vocals there is certainly enough there to appeal to a contemporary jazz audience.  A case in point is the hugely foot-tapping ‘Faith In The Middle’ where velvety horns really are the icing on a rather nice cake. 

Check it out.

Jeffrey Osborne - Don't Let Me Lonely Tonight

Now in his sixty-fifth year, and arguably as good as ever, legendary vocalist Jeffrey Osborne is back with his latest album ‘A Time For Love’ which, as well as returning him to familiar smooth soul territory, also includes the sumptuous ‘Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight’. 

This wonderful Osborne take on the James Taylor classic features George Duke on on electric piano, Christian McBride on bass, the redoubtable Paul Jackson Jr on guitar, and ace percussionist Lenny Castro.

 

Barbie Anaka - Speechless

 

Perhaps the controversy that courts the use of vocals in contemporary jazz is just one of the reasons why great vocal tracks remain something of a collector’s item.  Walking a fine line between smooth jazz and what might be best described as smooth soul; such songs are normally characterized by an edgy urban groove or the classically soulful tones of artists such as Anita Baker and Pattie Austin.  Of course one exception is Pete Belasco and another is white vocalist Barbie Anaka.  From the Pacific Northwest, and adept as a songwriter, pianist, producer, and music educator, Barbie has just released the CD ‘Speechless’ from which the title cut is proving to be something of a radio revelation.  A stupendous groove coupled with some stellar backing marks out this seductive song is as the biggest surprise of the musical year so far. 

Check back here soon for a complete review of the album ‘Speechless’.

Jeanette Harris - Summer Rain

‘Summer Rain’ by sax-tress Jeanette Harris is her fourth recording and follows the 2010 CD ‘Saxified’ that in 2012 enjoyed something of a revival with the radio single ‘All I Do’.  This silky cover of the Stevie Wonder composition (that back in 1966 helped make Tammi Terrell a star) considerably enhanced the reputation of Harris as a player to be taken seriously and, if that wasn’t enough, she also co-wrote  ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ with Grammy-winning guitarist Norman Brown for his album ‘24/7’.

Earl Klugh - Private Affair

Earl Klugh’s switch to Windham Hill in 1999 proved to be a win – win for both parties and garnered the excellent CD ‘Particular Situation’.  Not only did this fabulous project reinforce his position as an influential master of the smooth jazz genre but also delivered the stunningly mellow single ‘Private Affair’ that, almost fifteen years on, still sounds every bit as good as the day on which it was first recorded. 

Check it out. 

 

Phil Perry - Say Yes

Produced by the multi-talented Chris “Big Dog” Davis (who has worked with the likes of Will Downing, Maysa, and Kim Burrell) 'Say Yes' is the latest CD from mega smooth vocalist Phil Perry.  This beautiful collection of original compositions, co-written by Perry and Davis, also includes very personal versions of signature hits by such icons as Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Sam Cooke and  Michael McDonald.

• Check back here soon for a complete review of 'Say Yes' and to grab a flavour of what this lovely album' is all about listen on now.  

 

Jonathan Fritzen - To The Top

‘Magical’ by the always-outstanding Jonathan Fritzén was, without doubt, one of the contemporary jazz triumphs of 2012.  Much in keeping with his previous three blockbuster releases it underscored Fritzén’s talents as a composer, producer and performer while the title track reached #1 on every smooth jazz airplay chart.  Now he is going back to radio with the second single from this fine CD.  Titled  ‘To The Top’ it features emerging sax star Vincent Ingala and is a cert to restore Fritzén to the top of the charts. 

Check it out right here right now.

 

Roman Street - Prima Vista

Guitar driven Latin infused contemporary jazz has, through the work of players such as Jesse Cook and Russ Hewitt, developed into a sub-genre all of its own.  Now, Noah and Joshua Thompson, who record under the name of Roman Street, are also emerging as outstanding protagonists of the art.  The zesty ‘Prima Vista’ is a case in point.  It is taken from the band’s current CD ‘Caravan’ from which the title track registered a highly commendable number 24 on Billboard's 2012 countdown of Smooth Jazz songs for that year.

Jef Kearns - No One Like You

As Smooth Jazz Therapy continues to follow the career of funky flautist Jef Kearns with more than a passing interest, the good news is that his sophomore album is now well and truly in the works.  As well as mega smooth covers of the Nicki Minaj track ‘Right By My Side’ and an equally beguiling take on Ciara’s ‘Promise’ the CD is rumored to include this all original (and extremely mellifluous) slice of hip hop which features great vocals from Dynesti.  Titled ‘No One Like You’ its worth checking out.