Smooth Jazz Therapy

Kenny G In Snickers Ad

You’re Not You When You’re Hungry?  Well, maybe Kenny G isn’t either.  Following the likes of Joan Collins into television advertisements for the chocolate bar Snickers he pokes fun of himself in this humorous representation of who least you might want to be. 

Kenny has had his fair share of criticism over the years but those who know their music and have seen him perform live know just how unfounded that criticism is.  Anyway, check out the ad right here and its OK if you laugh.  After all, by now  Kenny must have quite a thick skin.

 

Magdalena & Threestyle - Easily In Love

When, earlier this year I reported on the single ‘Chilling Mr. Benson’ from the band Threestyle I described them as trying to disprove the myth that Eastern Europe doesn’t do smooth jazz.  Well, with sultry sax player Magdalena Chovancova front back and center, they have just gone one better with the single ‘Easily In Love’.  It features contemporary jazz heavyweight Paul Brown who as well as having collaborated with the likes of George Benson, Dave Koz, Al Jarreau, Peter White and Norman Brown is also the winner of two Grammy awards. 

‘Easily In Love’ is a sublimely sensuous number that checks every box imaginable and demonstrates that Magdalena could well have a great musical future.

 

 

Decide for yourself, right here right now.

Steve Quirk's Fusion Flavours - View From The West Coast

Radio personality Steve Quirk has been bringing his unique Fusion Flavours to the listening public of the United Kingdom for over twenty-three years.  This undisputed master of uncovering what might best be described as the hidden gems of contemporary jazz and smooth R & B has been responsible for some stunning compilations including ‘JazzFusions Four’, ‘Pacific Coast Highway’, ‘Ocean Drive’ and ‘101 Eastbound’.  Now he has done it again with the download only ‘View From The West Coast’.

Scott Allman - Life Within

Scott Allman hails from Illinois and if recent indications are anything to go by he is certainly a young man in a hurry. With ten self penned tracks, his debut CD ‘Generations’ showed off the flair he has for melodic contemporary jazz and now he is back with the follow-up ‘Next Stop Home’. The zesty disposition of the first single, ‘Life Within’ owes much to the fact it was produced, mixed, and mastered by Darren Rahn, who is also features on saxophone. Check it out if you can.

Ash Morgan - Ex Factor

Although television talent shows often get a bad press The Voice, both in the United Kingdom and USA tend to produce performers that could be described as a little above the norm. A case in point is Ash Morgan who recently was a beaten semi-finalist in the UK version of the show to become, arguably, the best vocalist ever not to win a place in the final.

Certainly blue eyed soul doesnt get better than this and if Smooth Jazz Therapy has anything to do with it this guy is destined to be a star. If you thought the Lauryn Hill original of Ex Factor was good just check this out.

 

 

Maysa - The Making Of Blue Velvet Soul

Out this week and highly recommended comes the wonderful new CD from the incomparable Maysa Leak. Titled 'Blue Velvet Soul' (is there any other kind?) it is a sumptuous collection that includes production from the always excellent Chris 'Big Dog' Davis and input from long time collaborator and Incognito mainstay Bluey Maunick.

Check out this cool behind the scenes glimpse of the making of 'Blue Velvet Soul' and look out for a complete review, right here, soon.

 

Dave Koz And Friends - Summer Horns

Despite the fact that the project is backed by an extensive itinerary of live performances, the sensational ‘Summer Horns’ featuring Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot is much more than simply a vehicle for the festival circuit.  In fact it is a must for all those who grew up listening to bands such as Tower of Power and retain a hankering for the ‘horn-centric’ blockbusters of their youth.  With some fabulous guest performances and an array of everyone’s favorite songs this one is a must for summer and just about every other season besides.

Bobby Caldwell - One Of Those Nights

Those who have had the pleasure of watching him perform live will alreay know there is much more to Bobby Caldwell than simply retro swing.  His tightly produced impeccably delivered tunes with distinct R & B tones are often enhanced by fulsome horn sections plus classy backing vocals while his current album, ‘House Of Cards’, is testomony  to the way his music is now reaching out to a brand new audience.

The latest single from this enduring collection is 'One Of Those Nights' which features sax from the currently in demand Andrew Neu. 

Check it out right here right now.

 

Earl Klugh Back With Stunning New CD

The melodic magic of Earl Klugh has been a delightful constant of contemporary jazz since 1976 and the release of his self-titled debut CD.  Thirty albums later and there remains something both warm and reassuring in every note he plays and this is certainly the case with his highly anticipated 2013 project, the appropriately named ‘Hand Picked’.

Daniel Domenge - On The Wave

 

Now for one of the smoothest cuts you will hear all year.  ‘On The Wave’ by French guitarist Daniel Domenge comes from his 2013 CD ‘Lost In My Thoughts’ and is a mellow yet compelling track that shows off the penchant Domenge has for sophisticated yet accessible contemporary jazz.

Based in Languedoc-Roussillon, Domenge released his debut album ‘Patchwork’ in 2008 and this time around he is joined by Emmanuel Beer on keyboards, Reynald Evrard on drums & percussion plus bass player Xavier Cortazar on bass for a collection that is sure to get him noticed.

Andrew Neu - Everything Happens For A Reason

Embellished by a horn section and full orchestra, ‘Everything Happens For A Reason’ is the brand new CD from sax-man Andrew Neu.  It is exemplified by the zesty title cut that also happens to be the first single serviced to radio and is a jazzy brass driven extravaganza totally indicative of the all star line-up that Neu has gathered around him for the project. 

Brian Bromberg, Steve Oliver, Rick Braun, Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lorber, Tom Schuman and Alex Acuna are all involved and, although Neu regularly tours the world with Bobby Caldwell, Diane Schuur and Smokey Robinson, the indications now are that his solo career is all set to go into overdrive.

Lebron - Groove City

Newly signed to Cutmore Records, fireman and paramedic Lebron Dennis is a seriously smooth sax-player whose debut single ‘Groove City’ is fan-faring the summer release of the album ‘Shades’. 

Based in Phoenix AZ Lebron was inspired to pick up the sax after seeing Grover Washington Jr in concert and, having gone on to share the stage with the likes of George Benson and Kirk Whalum, is clearly a fast learner. 

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Shades’.

Ronny Smith - Can't Stop Now

Guitarist Ronny Smith has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar since 2007 and the release of his excellent ‘Simply Stated’.  Two years later the equally good ‘Just Groovin’ hit the streets and now, after what seems way too long, Smith is back with ‘Can’t Stop Now’.  It finds him in partnership with producer Eric Copeland and, with ten well-chosen tracks, is a superb example of the tight melodic style that categorizes his playing.

Louis Colainnia - Obsession

Despite his status as a virtuoso of classical piano, accomplished songwriter, arranger and performer Louis Colaiannia has recently released the decidedly moody radio single ‘Obsession’.  He is a native of Denver, Colorado and a dentist by profession but now in his fifties has embarked on a public career in music, performing around his local area and nationwide. 

‘Obsession’, with subtle Latin rhythms accentuated by Brazilian bassist Eduardo "Bijoux" Barbosa and drummer Burt Shur, features the sultry saxophone of Greg Vail who over the last thirty years has played with everyone who is anyone in smooth jazz and made television appearances on stations such as BET Jazz, History, Fox News and TBN.

Motown Moe - Riding Into The Sunset (Chill Remix)

 

When, last week, I was researching the music of keyboard player, producer, and music engineer Motown Moe I stumbled across this wonderful track that Moe recorded in collaboration with the always in demand Nate Harasim. Truth to tell chill music doesnt get better than this and ceratinly whets the appetite, and then some, for Moe's up coming album release ‘Rhodes To Cool Places’.