Smooth Jazz Therapy

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Ten Covers Of 2014

Here we are at the end of another contemporary jazz year and despite it being a bumper twelve months for new music the phenomenon that is the smooth jazz cover continues unabated.  No doubt it has a unique place within the genre and although being regarded as both a blessing and a curse, it has now pushed beyond the familiar territory of vintage soul to take in a wider spectrum of popular music.  There is no doubt that the cover version is here to stay so, looking back on what this year has delivered, here is my very personal top ten Smooth Jazz Therapy covers of 2014. 

‘Love Is The Answer’, by vocalist Geoff McBride, from his CD ‘Journey To The Soul’.  McBride came to prominence through the US production of the hit television show ‘The Voice’ and with this rendition of England Dan & John Ford Coley’s 1979 cover of the Todd Rundgren composition it is easy to see why.  

‘Footsteps In The Dark’ by Sam Rucker from the album ‘Tell You Something’.  Rucker stormed to prominence in 2014 with this, his breakthrough recording and although it included a blistering performance of Frankie Beverly’s ’Before I Let Go’, in terms of personal favorites this smoky interpretation of the Isley Brothers classic gets the nod. 

‘Remind Me’ by Ragan Whiteside from her latest project, ‘Quantum Drive’.  This exciting take on Patrice Rushen’s silky smooth classic finds Whiteside combining flute and vocals like only she can and is further lifted by none other than Rushen herself guesting on keyboards. 

‘If I Only Had A Brain’ by Kiki Ebsen from the album ‘Scarecrow Sessions’.  This sensationally melodic masterpiece owes everything to the collective talents of Ebsen and stellar input of pianist Henry Hay, that immaculate guitarist Chuck Loeb, bass-player John Patitucci and of course the incomparable David Mann. 

Read on for the remainder of this year’s top ten covers.  If you have your own list of favorite covers from 2014 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected].  Happy New Year!!

J. White - After Hours

Despite the magic that is Christmas it is always good to put aside the festive tracks for another year and get back to the business of discovering great new music.  Fortunately this is exactly what we have with ‘After Hours’, the new single from sax-man J. White. 

Taken from White’s up-coming EP that is expected out in Spring of 2015 this is a track that oozes urban sensibilities and which is brought to life by a top-notch mid tempo vibe.  Looks like 2015 might well be the year of J. White.

Paul Hardcastle - Rhythm Of Life

It was inevitable that Paul Hardcastle would make it into the Smooth Jazz Therapy Top 20 of 2014 with the wonderful ‘Unlimited Love’.  Featuring Cindy Bradley on trumpet it was Hardcastle’s homage to Barry White and came from the critically acclaimed CD ‘Jazzmasters VII’. 

Now, from the same collection, comes the equally good ‘Rhythm of Life’ that on the album features as both an ultra cool mid tempo charmer and a sultry chill mix of the highest order. 

Check it out; it’s a brilliant way to start 2015.

Smooth Jazz Therapy - Top Twenty Of 2014

 
2014 proved to be nothing short of a mega-year for new smooth jazz releases.  Despite a growing trend for emerging artists to bring ‘stand-alone’ singles to the market, it seemed that this year virtually every ‘A-List’ contemporary jazz performer had a new album out.  From Gerald Albright to Euge Groove, from Richard Elliot to Kim Waters, sax driven music was everywhere.  Peter White came up big with his latest CD, trumpeters Rick Braun and Cindy Bradley both made their mark while a new smooth jazz super-group (in the form of Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp) made it’s debut.  Through it all, and with a record number of visitors, the pages of Smooth Jazz Therapy remained the hottest place for contemporary jazz on the web. 

Thanks a million to the publicists, the record companies and of course the artists, both established and up and coming, whom have all played a part by making their music so generously available.  Therefore, accepting the self-indulgence of it all, but by way of celebrating what has gone before, here are my own personal highlights of the year.  In other words and in no particular order, my Smooth Jazz Therapy Top Twenty Tracks of 2014. 

‘Med Groove’ from Italian keyboard player and composer Paolo Rustichelli.  Sunny, sexy and invigorating, this fabulous cut betrays Rustichelli’s penchant for blending smooth jazz with chill and electronica. 

‘Sneakin’ Out The Front Door’ by Chris Standring from the CD ‘Don’t Talk, Dance!’  One of those ultra cool cuts for which Standring is famous, it is added to in no small measure by subliminal vocals from Janelle Sadler. 

‘Fullerton Ave’ by Brian Culbertson from his 2014 project, ‘Another Long Night Out’.  Taking its name from the street, in Chicago, where for Culbertson it all began, this horn driven gem not only has Chuck Loeb taking the honors on guitar but also cements Culbertson’s position as one of the great innovators of smooth jazz. 

‘Broke Down’ by Eric Darius from the album ‘Retro Forward’.  Fusing contemporary jazz with hip-hop and R&B, this is a recording that marks out Eric Darius as very much his own man with his own unique sound.  A case in point is ‘Broke Down’ that might yet evolve into a genuine dance floor filler. 

Read on for the remainder of this years top twenty and if you have your own list of favorites from 2014 why not e-mail it to me at [email protected].  Happy New Year!!

Boney James Featuring Angie Stone - Merry Christmas Baby

When, in 2007, Boney James dipped a toe into the pleasing waters of Christmas music the result was ‘Christmas Present’ which is arguably the best smooth jazz festive album ever made. 

It included artists such as Rick Braun, Chante Moore, Anthony Hamilton and, most notably, the amazing Angie Stone who features here on James’ jazzy rendition of ‘Merry Christmas Baby’. 

Top notch. 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Coming Home For Christmas

Had enough of Christmas tunes?  Well, here is one from that magical master of rhythm, Paul Hardcastle, who can always be relied upon to come up with something just a little different.  It can be found on the Trippin n Rhythm 2009 compilation ‘The Very Best Of Christmas’ and is sure to provide an extremely chilled festive season.

 

Bennett Brandeis - Get On Up!

One of the delights of 2014 has been the emergence of guitarist Bennett Brandeis and his latest album, the appropriately titled ‘Groove Time’.  Produced by multi Grammy winning Paul Brown, and with the likes of Ricky Lawson, Greg Adams, Roberto Vally, Marco Basci, Elan Trotman and Darren Rahn around to lend a hand, this is an album that came out of no-where to be rightly regarded as among the best of the year. 

Now, looking forward to the new year, Bennett (pictured here with collaborator Paul Brown) is all set to release a remix of the zesty ‘Get On Up!’  Although retaining horn arrangements from Darren Rahn, this new version takes on a decidedly hip, street-wise disposition and is certainly one to watch.

Igor Gerzina - Dream For The Future

With blockbuster albums such as ‘Metropolis’ and ‘One Click World’ Croatian sax-man Igor Gerzina has become a firm Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite.  His latest single is titled ‘Dream For The Future’ which, complete with a gospel choir and a supporting video filmed within a 13th century castle high above the ancient city of Zagreb, spreads a message of inner happiness in a way that is captivating, uplifting and rhythmically upbeat. 

Check it out

 

The Aston Grey Project - Angel

Now for news of a sensational cover of the Anita Baker hit ‘Angel’ from rising stars the Aston Grey Project.  With vocals from Chantual Williams and Montrel Dupri plus top-notch sax from Gabriel Bello this ultra smooth cut deserves to do well.

Robert Dubwise Browne - Groovy Love Thing

A name new to me is that of Jamaican guitarist Robert Dubwise Browne who is all set to release the CD ‘Groovy Love Thing’.  It is Robert’s third album release and follows his 2004 debut, ‘Birth’, and the 2010 follow-up ‘Electrifying Grooves Of Diversion.  In addition his guitar riffs have featured on albums from artists such as Ziggy Marley, Lauryn Hill, Shaggy and Diana King. 

‘Groovy Love Thing’ is not, by any means, all smooth sailing but the title track has a relaxed vibe of the sort often associated with the best of contemporary jazz. 

Check it out.

 

Freddie Washington - In The Moment

Seasoned session performer Freddie Washington made his solo debut in 2009 with the sensational ‘In The Moment’ yet this fine LA bass player had, at the time, already worked with everyone from Steely Dan to Michael Jackson, George Benson to the Crusaders and Stevie Wonder to Whitney Houston.  He co-wrote Patrice Rushen’s seminal ‘Forget Me Nots’ and Rushen was around to lend a hand with ‘In The Moment’ that superbly reinvented the much-maligned concept of quiet storm. 

Melina (Featuring Paul Brown) - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Rising star and Woodward Avenue recording artist Melina has been making quite a splash with her latest CD, the Paul Brown produced ‘Wishing On Love’.  Now, and with the festive season firmly in mind, they have again combined for the stunningly beautiful single ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’.  Brown’s contribution on guitar is sublime and with Melisa’s cool vocal getting the job done in fine style this is, without doubt, one of the best Christmas offerings of recent years.

Bradley Leighton - Holiday Of Lights

Smooth Jazz Therapy has been feeling in the Christmas spirit for some weeks and so it is particularly pleasing to see that ‘Holiday of Lights’ from San Diego based flautist Bradley Leighton has recently been re-released.  It finds him in combination with the Emmy award winning Allan Phillips and together they deliver a tranche of Christmas favourites that are re-imagined in a stylish fusion of modern Latin and Brazilian rhythms.  These innovative and jazzy interpretations certainly provide a welcome addition to this year’s crop of seasonal offerings and as Argentinean born Phillips creates an authentic Latin flavour it is Leighton who, in his own beautifully pure and heartfelt manner, adds some sumptuously timeless melodies.