Smooth Jazz Therapy

Dave Koz & Friends - The 25th Of December

The long running infatuation that smooth jazz superstar Dave Koz has with Christmas is all set to add another chapter.  He first proclaimed his love for all things festive in 1997 with the album ‘December Makes Me Feel This Way’ and continued to build on this seasonal theme in 2001 with his ‘Smooth Jazz Christmas’, in 2007 with ‘Memories of A Winter’s Night’ and finally in 2011 when he released the CD ‘Ultimate Christmas’. 

Now, what started out as ‘The Heart And Soul Of Christmas’ will (courtesy of a late name change) be released September 30 as ‘The 25^th Of December’ and includes, (even by Dave Koz standards), a remarkable list of guest performers.

Willie Bradley - What You Won't Do For Love

‘What You Won't Do For Love’ by Bobby Caldwell is arguably the most significant contemporary jazz vocal number of all time and now this seminal song has been given an instrumental makeover by emerging urban jazz trumpeter Willie Bradley.  It’s from his CD ‘Another Day & Time’ that features Nicholas Cole on keys plus, another great trumpeter, Lin Rountree.

 

Althea Rene - Free

‘In The Flow’ from smooth jazz flautist Althea Rene turned out to be one of the delights of 2013.  The zesty title cut made instant waves at smooth jazz radio while the follow-up single, ‘Sunday Cruise’, dazzled in similar style.  Now, the label, Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm, is going for single number three, a picture perfect rendition of the Deniece Williams hit ‘Free’. 

Of course regular readers of these pages will know that before becoming a full time musician Althea spent more than 10 years as a Wayne County Deputy Sheriff in Detroit, MI.  With perhaps the exception of Cagney & Lacey, she is certainly my favorite ex-cop of all time and with ‘In The Flow’ has become the favorite of many more. 

Mattias Roos - Masterpiece

Swedish keyboard player, songwriter and producer Mattias Roos is certainly finding his feet in the world of smooth jazz.  After releasing singles such as the silky smooth ‘Need Somebody’ and the easy grooving ‘Pressure’ (that features Magdalena Chovancova on sax) he is back with the song ‘Masterpiece’.  This zesty and melodic cut is driven along by input from saxophonist Greger Hillman and is certainly a nice addition to this year’s crop of new music. 

 

 

U-Nam - C'est Le Funk

Move over Phil Spector, a new wall of sound is in town and it comes from that excellent French born guitarist U-Nam who, with his latest CD ‘C’est Le Funk’, has delivered the most explosive contemporary jazz project of recent years.  Make no mistake this one is special and if you were to think of your favorite party album of all time, then multiply its intensity by ten, you would still be some distance from conjuring up the power of this supercharged recording.

Dre K.B. - Summertime (Fine)

The much sampled Kool & The Gang classic 'Summer Madness' (that orginally featured on the band's 1974 album 'Light Of The World') has just undergone a new make-over. Recorded by a well known smooth jazz side-man who from time to time masquerades under the name of Dre K.B. it will not only get you guessing as to who that might be  but will also provide an ultra cool backdrop to these last few precious weeks of summer.

Simply click on the player to enjoy.

 

 

Patrick Bradley - Can You Hear Me

It was back in 2011 that keyboard player Patrick Bradley returned to his jazz-fusion roots with the CD ‘Under The Sun’.  Striking a fine balance between his considerable performing and songwriting talents, it was characterized by a wonderful line-up of supporting musicians who are again to the fore with Bradley’s latest project ‘Can You Hear Me’ that will hit the streets September 23 on Patrick’s own Music Factory label.

Lin Rowntree - Gutter Funk

Way before Trippin N Rhythm signed trumpeter Lin Rountree as a ‘new and emerging’ artist Smooth Jazz Therapy was already all over him.  His 2005 CD ‘Groovetree’ proved to be a spectacular starting point and the follow-up, ‘Sumthin Good’, was also right on the money. 

In 2011 the independently released ‘Soul Tree – The Soul Jazz Experience’ found him collaborating with Althea Renee, Elan Trotman and Grammy nominated producer Nate Harasim while his Trippin N Rhythm 2013 debut recording, ‘Serendipitous’, has already garnered three radio ready singles. 

Now, make that four as the label has just rolled out the aptly titled ‘Gutter Funk’ that features sax-man Randy Scott.  Check it out. 

01 Lin Rountree _Gutter Funk_

 

Threestyle - Just For Fun

When, back in March of this year, I reviewed the single ‘Funky Lights’ by Threestyle I described the band as being out to disprove the myth that Eastern Europe doesn’t do smooth jazz.  In fact this cool collective is the creation of German guitarist Robert Fertl and Czech saxophonist Magdalena Chovancova who have now come roaring back with their latest offering, the Paul Brown produced ‘Just For Fun’. 

With a relaxed swagger and a catchy chorus its worth checking out.

Threestyle Just For Fun feat Magdalena

 

Kiki Ebsen - Scarecrow Sessions

Singer, composer and keyboard player Kiki Ebsen is perhaps best known as a contemporary jazz performer but she also happens to be the daughter of Buddy Ebsen who, in a long and versatile acting career, took a starring role in the hit television show, The Beverley Hillbillies.  As Kiki was taking her first steps toward what has long since blossomed into an outstanding musical career she repeatedly refused her famous father’s suggestions that she should learn how to sing jazz standards.  Now, eleven years after the passing of her dad, Kiki pays tribute to him by releasing ‘Scarecrow Sessions’ a body of work taken from The Great American Songbook and exactly the type of collection he fervently urged her to record.

U-Nam - Smoovin'

‘C’est Le Funk’ by that excellent French guitarist U-Nam will finally hit the streets this month yet, for those in the know, the anticipation has been building for some time.  Musical appetites have been well and truly whetted, first by the high-octane title cut and again with the wonderful ‘Something’s Up’ that finds U-Nam teaming with sax player and vocalist Shannon Kennedy.  Now he has made it three for three with the release of ‘Smoovin’, a feel good charmer that is fuelled by a luscious orchestral backing, a splash of horns and top-notch guitar work from the man himself. 

Check back soon for a complete review of  ‘C’est Le Funk’.

Michael Manson - Thumpin' - The Live Album

Given that a lack in sound quality rarely compensates for spontaneous energy I am, under normal circumstances, less than captivated by live recordings.  However when it comes to ‘Thumpin’ The Live Album’ by ace bass-man Michael Manson I am the first to admit that these are not normal circumstances and this is not, by any means, a routine live recording.  In fact ‘Thumpin’ is a glorious amalgam of soul, jazz and R & B all performed to the highest standard imaginable by Manson and some of his fellow Chicago jazz cats.  What’s more it is as compelling as any CD released this year.

Peter White - Head Over Heels

In what has already been described elsewhere as a ‘sensational summer of smooth jazz’ the ‘ante’ has been well and truly ‘upped’ by the news that Peter White’s latest album, ‘Smile’ will be released October 7 on the Heads Up label. 

White is without doubt a true superstar of the genre so it’s not surprising that special guests Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Euge Groove, Philippe Saisse, Nate Phillips, and violinist (and Peter’s daughter) Charlotte White have all gathered round to lend a hand. 

Not only that, if the first single, ‘Head Over Heels’ is anything to go by, this is a collection that seems certain to take the contemporary jazz world by storm. 

Check back soon for a complete review of ‘Smile’.

 

 

 

 

 

The Uptown Band - Heart Soul Body & Mind

Erich Cawalla, Jenifer Kinder, Forrest Brown, Mike Burton, Mike Humbert, Lamont Bates and Dave Fenwick, aka The Uptown Band, have just released their latest CD ‘Heart Soul Body & Mind’.  In common with the band’s 2010 project  ‘Waiting For Her’ it marks them out as having the ability to interpret an eclectic range of music in what is a very individualistic style and goes some way to explaining why they are widely regarded as one of Philadelphia’s most versatile live acts.

Nathan Woodward - Sunrise

Dallas based sax-man Nathan Woodward certainly packs a punch and this is evidenced by the high octane ‘Sunrise’ that his taken from his self-titled debut CD. 

With an immaculate work ethic, and a schedule that finds him on the road over fifty weekends of the year, Nathan is carving a reputation as an artist with the ability to cross seamlessly over between gospel, smooth jazz, and R&B.

an Woodward SUNRISE (Radio Edit)