Watch out Jeff Bradshaw. That niche territory of urban jazz trombone in which he previously ruled the roost has just got more congested. That’s because Atlanta based Will Jaxx (who from 1998 to 2008 was the principle trombonist for the “off Broadway” gospel stage play ‘King of Glory’) has burst onto the scene with his debut CD ‘Dichotomy’. Running the full gamut from jazz, to neo-soul, to rap, to chill and back again it’s a collection that shimmers with eclecticism and as a result is certain to have something for almost everyone, irrespective of his or her own particular penchant for contemporary jazz.
« January 2014 | Main | March 2014 »
February 28, 2014
February 26, 2014
Motown Moe - Escape To The City
Originally from Detroit and now working out of the Chicago area,keyboard player, producer, and music engineer Motown Moe has worked with smooth jazz notables such as Nate Harasim and Daniel Domenge. His music has been heard on radio stations across America and Moe has just released his latest project, ‘Escape To The City’. Influenced by the likes of George Duke, Jeff Lorber, Pat Metheny and Joyce Cooling the album is an amalgam of smooth jazz and chill with the ultra cool title cut being a fine example of what this choice collection is all about.
Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Escape To The City’.
February 24, 2014
Blake Aaron - Groove O Matic
Despite the fact that the release of ‘Soul Stories’ from guitarist Blake Aaron is still some months away, his label, Innervision Records, is wasting no time with its choice of radio singles with which to lay siege to the smooth jazz charts.
First up it was ‘You’re The One For Me’ featuring vocalist Spencer Day that held a place in the top 10 for a commendable 20 weeks and now the 70s disco groove of the appropriately titled ‘Groove-O-Matic’ is enjoying an extended stay on both the Groove Jazz and Billboard Smooth Jazz charts.
Check out this live rendition from a gig that Blake played in Temecula, CA back in September 2013.
February 22, 2014
Nick Colionne - Got To Keep Moving
Back in 2011 the wonderful ‘Feel The Heat’ signaled Nick Colionne’s debut on the Trippin N Rhythm label. In addition it marked another significant artistic step forward for a performer who just keeps on getting better. Now he is back with ‘Influences’ that will be released, April 1 (also on Trippin N Rhythm) and if the first single, ‘Got To Keep Moving’, is anything to go by then he is on to another winner.
Indeed the premise on which ‘Influences’ is based is an exciting one in that Colionne is using the project to take musical stock of the people and things that have helped drive his career. ‘Influences’ is a musical journey of self re-discovery which offers a palate of moods and flavors born of life experiences, challenges and the effect of the people, past and present, that have helped shape his sound.
Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Influences’.
February 20, 2014
February 18, 2014
Vandell Andrew - Turn It Up
Raised in New Orleans and now based in Texas, sax-man Vandell Andrew first burst onto the smooth jazz scene in 2011 with his debut CD ‘Years Later’. This collection of all original music quickly grabbed the attention of those in the know and now he is back with the superb five-track EP, ‘Turn It Up’.
February 16, 2014
U-Nam - Something's Up
Throughout the latter part of 2013, that excellent French guitarist U-Nam used the singles ‘Love’s No Distance’ and the equally high octane title cut to showcase the album ‘C’est Le Funk’ which is scheduled for release later this year. Now he is adding fuel to the anticipatory flames with his latest offering ‘Something’s Up’.
It’s a wonderful tune that again finds him teaming with sax player and vocalist Shannon Kennedy (with whom he records under the name niVO DEUX). The track, featuring Bill Steinway on keys, Christian Martinez on trumpet and Denis Benarrosh on percussion, is currently being offered as a ‘summer radio edit’ and is feel good music of the highest order.
Highly recommended.
February 14, 2014
25th Street Band - Dawn Of My Career
I first became acquainted with the 25th Street Band in 2007 through the band’s excellent project ‘The Key Of H’. This wonderful amalgam of edgy contemporary jazz featured some of the world’s top session players yet the band was, and is, very much the creation of leaders Russ Klinger and Dave Radnor. They write, arrange and produce all the songs and, as well as providing the instrument programming, play both keyboards and guitars. Consequently its good to report that, after way too long, the brand new 25th Street Band offering, ‘Dawn Of My Career’, will be available by download only from March 1. Guesting this time around is LA based drummer Tom Brechtlein, bass player Hussain Jiffry, sax-man Mornington Lockett and, from Toronto, flautist Bill McBirnie. Individually and collectively they are at the very top of their game throughout.
February 12, 2014
Tim DeHuff - Hurry Home
A new name to me, but I’m thinking soon to be famous for many, New York area guitarist Tim DeHuff has just released his debut recording, ‘Big Water Little Boat’. Indeed, if the first single ‘Hurry Home’ is anything to go by Tim has taken to contemporary jazz with consummate ease.
In a career that has seen him switch from funk to rock and Latin to reggae, its perhaps here, at the smoother end of the jazz spectrum, that Tim has found his niche.
February 10, 2014
February 08, 2014
Carl Harris Jr. - Shelter Island
I first became aware of Phoenix based keyboard player Cal Harris Jr with the release of ‘Inside Out’. It had been ten years in the making but thankfully his fans didn’t need to wait that long for the follow-up. Titled ‘Shelter Island’ the recording was showcased to radio by one of the hottest singles of 2012, the sumptuous and appropriately titled ‘Smooth’. Replete with Cal’s rapidly emerging trademark sound the track included a delicious interjection of sax from the highly regarded Elan Trotman.
The follow up single was the wonderfully easy grooving ‘By The Bay’ which, much like the title of the CD, betrayed a decidedly San Diego based theme. It was also another sensationally mellifluous number in a collection crammed full of them and now Cal is doing it all again with the album’s superb title track.
Featuring the always excellent Euge Groove on sax this atmospheric tune is yet one more reason why you should make ‘Shelter Island’ part of your listening pleasure.
February 06, 2014
February 04, 2014
Great Jazz - Great Seats!
It may be only February but if the current jazz concert schedule is anything to go by 2014 is going to be quite a year. Indeed the collaborations, energy and willingness to push the envelope that goes hand in hand with live music is in stark contrast to the recorded version which, of late, has attracted criticism for playing it safe and, as a result, being a little bland.
All things considered jazz (of every complexion) will stand or fall by its ability to take its message to the people and that is why it is particularly pleasing to have the site ClickItTicket as the definitive depositary of who’s on where and when.
http://www.clickitticket.com/jazz/Jazz-Tickets.asp
This comprehensive listing provides the ability to purchase tickets there and then and is a must for all jazz fans in North America. So, whether your passion is Pat Metheny, George Benson, Boney James or Peter White, go to ClickItTicket to play your part in keeping live music really alive.
February 03, 2014
Douye - So Much Love
I first became aware of vocalist Douye in 2009 through her debut CD, ‘Journey’. With a style both jazzy and soulful she was, at that time, already being talked about as the new Sade and the album was equally significant for the input of renowned pop songwriter Terry Shaddick who, among other things, garnered fame as the co-writer of Olivia Newton John’s smash hit ‘Physical’. Now Shaddick and Douye have reunited for her sophomore collection, ‘So Much Love’.
February 01, 2014
Michael Lington - Soul Appeal
With seven solo albums already to his name, Danish sax-man Michael Lington has been an ever present on the contemporary jazz scene for the past twenty-five years. His latest CD, ‘Soul Appeal’, finds him reaching out to his musical roots for a soul album of predominately original songs plus a couple of classics, inspired by some of the greatest soul music of our time, thrown in for good measure.
He is joined in the venture by an all-star cast of musicians including Freddie Washington, Paul Jackson Jr., Ray Parker Jr., and Lenny Castro while the first single to be serviced to radio is the old school inclined title cut that is sure to do well.