Smooth Jazz Therapy

Sam Rucker - Tell You Something

Hip-hop producer turned sax-man Sam Rucker hails from Williamsburg, Virginia and, with his sophomore CD ‘Tell You Something’, looks all set to blast his way to contemporary jazz stardom.  Indeed, after wading through some decidedly average releases this year, I am pleased to report that in every respect Rucker is one huge breath of fresh air and with contributions from Norman Connors, Bobby Lyle, Tom Browne and Alyson Williams, ‘Tell You Something’ is very much the real deal.

Robin Bramlett - Sunny Skies

When not captivating audiences with her contribution to jazz super-group JAZZ IN P!NK, bass player Robin Bramlett is also finding the time to carve out a solo career of her own.  Her debut CD ‘This Is My Life’ was released back in 2013 and features JAZZ IN P!NK  band-mates Gail Jhonson and Karen Briggs as well as Darren Gholston and Jeanette Harris on saxophones. 

The latest track to be serviced to radio is ‘Sunny Skies’ that, with an easy grooving disposition, cannot fail to get her noticed.

 

Brad Rambur - Heard You Smile

As debut albums go ‘Can’t Put It Down’ by Southern Californian sax-man Brad Rambur could hardly have been better.  It was produced by contemporary jazz luminary Eric Marienthal for whom Rambur has become something of a protégé and it was his influence that led Jeff Lorber to write and perform on four of the tracks.  Now, with an eye firmly on the follow-up, Brad is back with the radio single ‘Heard You Smile’.  With an effervescent vibe and some cool production it puts him right back where he left off, firmly on track for smooth jazz stardom. 

Check back here soon for a review of the entire CD.

Igor Gerzina - Better Man

Since its release late last year ‘One Click World’ by Croatian sax-man Igor Gerzina has been building a following across the globe.  Among my personal favorites from this tight ten track collection is the supercharged, soul filled ‘Better Man’ that owes much to the vocals of Mirza Tetaric (aka Mirza Soul Shadow) and has the potential to fill dance floors in clubs throughout Europe and beyond. 

Check it out right here right now.

 

Nick Colionne - Influences

When Nick Colionne’s splendid new CD ‘Influences’ was previewed by the radio single ‘Got To Keep Moving’ it was clear from the get-go that he was on to another winner.  It’s a number that has all the vitality that one has come to expect from this superstar of the genre but more than that is totally in keeping with the mood of the entire album which Nick uses to take musical stock of the people and things that have helped drive his career.  Indeed, with six tracks written and produced by Pieces Of A Dream stalwart James Lloyd, ‘Influences’ is as tight a collection as you will hear anywhere this year.

Terry Wollman - Welcome To Paradise

With five albums over almost thirty years, Terry Wollman can never be accused of over exposure.  Yet from his 1986 debut, ‘Bimini’, to the follow up ‘Say Yes’ (which hit the streets twelve years later) and the 2012 triumph ‘Buddha’s Ear’, this acclaimed songwriter and producer has always been an interesting presence on the contemporary jazz scene.  In fact ‘Buddha’s Ear’ garnered the hit single ‘Mandela’ (that featured Mindi Abair and was written by Terry in collaboration with Keb Mo) while for his latest venture, ‘The Very Best – Silver Collection’, he is taking a nostalgic look at the best from those previous projects.

In fact the track that is previewing the release of ‘The Very Best – Silver Collection’ is ‘Welcome To Paradise’ that just happens to be the very first track from that very first 1986 CD.  It finds him teaming with Dave Koz, Greg Manning, Johan Robinson, Luis Conte, and Abraham Laboriel for a high tempo smooth jazz extravaganza that, with a splash of Latin spice added for good measure, is sure to play well in a live environment.

Les Sabler - Jobim Tribute

Guitarist Les Sabler first found his way onto the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen in 2007 with the CD ‘Sweet Drive’.  In fact a song from it, ‘I’m Not The Same’, (with featured vocals from Toni Scruggs and Rahsaan Patterson) made it into my top twenty contemporary jazz tunes for that year.  In all Les has six album releases to his name and has just made that seven with his tribute to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Simply titled ‘Jobim Tribute’ it features twelve timeless tracks that capture to perfection the magic of the great man while lifting the lid on some of his lesser known gems.

Gary Stanionis - Hey Lady

Drummer and percussionist Gary Stanionis has been part of Jackiem Joyner's touring band since 2006 and appearances with Greg Manning, Vincent Ingala, Oli Silk, Will Donato, Steve Oliver and Paul Brown have endeared him to smooth jazz audiences everywhere.

Now, marking his debut as a solo artist, Stanionis has released the hot, spicy and decidedly Latin radio single ‘Hey Lady’.  Featuring both Will Donato and Jay Gore, the track was produced by Manning and inspired by Gary’s wife Johanna.

Rob Juice - My Phone

Chicago based trumpeter Rob Juice walks that ultra cool line between nu-soul and urban jazz that along the way is sprinkled with funk and tempered by smooth jazz.  In 2011 Rob was the winner in the ‘best jazz album’ category at the Chicago Music Awards and his latest CD will be released in May of this year.

Ahead of it comes the sumptuous ‘My Phone’ which is a total delight.  Check it out right now.

 

Edison Herbert - My Favourite Tunes

When, in 2006, I reviewed ‘More Beautiful Each Day’ from London based guitarist Edison Herbert, I described him as delivering a virtuoso performance complemented by his tight production skills.  Now, as The Edison Herbert Trio, he has teamed with drummer Winston Clifford and upright bass player Neville Malcolm to reimage nine of his all-time favorite songs that, if personal taste is anything to go by, will quickly become your favorites too.

Pete Belasco - I Ain't Doin It

Despite being around for well over two years, the album ‘Lights On’ by Pete Belasco is currently enjoying a new, promotional, lease of life.  In fact the multi talented Belasco made his debut in 1997 with ‘Get It Together’ which, at the time, was described as a “brilliant example of R&B, blues and jazz fusion”.  With a vocal style that encouraged comparisons with Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, Billboard Magazine referred to Belasco as one of a number of new artists responsible for the re-emergence of what it described as the soul music movement.  In fact these comments corresponded with the release of Belasco’s 2004 sophomore CD, ‘Deeper’ which, with original compositions such as ‘Hurry Hurry’, ‘Keep On’ and ‘Wonderful Woman’, garnered considerable interest in both the USA and the United Kingdom.

The new media interest surrounding ‘Lights On’ is sure to open up Belasco to a whole new audience while the lead single, ‘I Ain't Doin It, is not only where lounge music meets chill in the most sensational of ways but also exactly what the genre is crying out for.

Listen to it right now.

 

Bob Reynolds - Everlong

When not touring the world with the likes of John Mayer, Usher, Josh Groban and the Jonas Brothers, saxophonist Bob Reynolds is a recording artist in his own right.  His latest project, ‘Somewhere In Between’, describes to perfection the reluctance he has to be constrained by genres or conventions yet with solo performances in clubs across the U.S. Reynolds has stayed true to his jazz roots.

In fact three of his five previous albums were recorded live with a ‘who’s who’ of the jazz and rock worlds while this latest collection is being showcased by Reynolds fulsome interpretation of the Foo Fighters barnstorming hit ‘Everlong’.

Check it out.

David Pack - Napa Crossroads

Both as front man for the band Ambrosia, and as Grammy winning producer of legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin and Kenny Loggins, David Pack has rubbed shoulders with presidents and superstars alike.  Yet his latest venture, ‘Napa Crossroads’ might just have given him the most satisfaction of his entire career.

Enrique Corro - Cool Chile

Based in Las Vegas, guitarist Enrique Corro cites Peter White as being amongst his major influences and having heard his track ‘Cool Chile’ its not difficult to understand why.  Driven along on a zesty Latin beat this mid tempo charmer comes from Corro’s debut CD ‘Feels So Right’ and is definitely worth a closer look.

Check it out.

 

Ken Navarro - Ruby Lane

With seven original compositions, and two innovative covers, guitarist Ken Navarro has blasted back onto the scene with the beguiling ‘Ruby Lane’.  It’s the twenty first solo release from this consummate musician whose ability to push the contemporary jazz envelope has consistently kept him ahead of the crowd.  Indeed, with ‘Ruby Lane’, the innovation that Navarro has made his calling card is again on show and although this is far from being what might be described as a ‘smooth jazz’ album, for those who appreciate the beauty of mesmeric melody, there is much to admire.