Smooth Jazz Therapy

Naturally 7 - Fix You

Hidden Beach Records can always be relied upon to stretch the boundaries of urban jazz and that is very much the case with ‘Hidden In Plain Sight’ the new CD from a cappella band with a difference, Naturally 7.  Having perfected a style they have branded as ‘Vocal Play’ this seven-man crew is more than just your average singing group.  In fact every instrument sound that they sing is created from the human voice and this innovative approach is applied to good effect with the latest single, a delightful cover of the Coldplay hit ‘Fix You’.

It is a worthy follow-up to the album's first single ‘Life Goes On (Let It Go)’ that at the time of its release I described as having genuine cross-over appeal.

Interesting track.

Soweco - Only You

As well as being a country of outstanding beauty Sweden also enjoys a long and illustrious musical heritage.  Back in the day it was Abba while latterly contemporary jazz star Jonathan Fritzen has been putting this corner of Scandinavia well and truly on the map.  Now the band Soweco is all set to carry on this tradition with its own brand of smooth jazz that reverberates with a decidedly west coast vibe. 

Keyboard player Mattias Roos and drummer Peter Gustavsson formed Soweco back in 2011.  The band’s first album was ‘Don’t Hide Your Love’ that was released a year later and the as yet unnamed follow-up is all set for later in 2015. 

However you can catch a sneak preview of what to expect right here right now with the delicious ‘Only You’ where Roos and Gustavsson maintain a sensational groove while vocals from Frosche Lindgren are top notch. 

Excellent track.

 

Jazmin Ghent - Dream Ride

Smooth Jazz saxophonist Jazmin Ghent boarded the Smooth Jazz Cruise in 2014 as a paying customer and left as a star in the making.  By winning the star search ‘Opening Act’ she not only came to the attention of some of the biggest names in the genre but also demonstrated a talent that is agile enough to connect with a whole range of jazz styles from smooth all the way to ‘straight ahead’. 

Her debut album release is planned for later in 2015 but to whet the appetite the single ‘Boss’ is just what you need.  This edgy mid tempo cut promises much and is well worth a listen.

Brian Simpson - Out Of A Dream

When, in 2013, Brian Simpson released the outstanding ‘Just What You Need’ it marked, for him, something of a departure.  Up until that point (and with the exception of a sumptuous cover of ‘Because Of Love’ from his almost forgotten 1995 project ‘Closer Still’) he had always favoured populating his albums with all original music.  Consequently the inclusion of Jobim’s ‘The Girl From Ipanema’ and the Des’ree smash ‘You Gotta Be’ raised a few eyebrows.  However for those (me included) who consider Simpson to be at his immaculate best when interpreting his own music, his latest CD ‘Out Of A Dream’ (that hit the streets February 17 on the Shanachie label) is an unadulterated delight.  With ten all original numbers either written or co-written by him, plus some outstanding guest performances, this is an early contender for best smooth jazz recording of 2015. 

ShaShaty - Dream Ride

If you are looking for classically melodic smooth jazz with an edge then look no further than ‘Brighter Day’, the latest CD from the curiously named ShaShaty.  Having released his debut in album in 1993 this LA based sax-man is no stranger to the genre and the fact this latest collection of all original material has been produced and co-written by Steve Oliver certainly marks it out as one to watch. 

The rich groove of ‘Brighter Day’ is exemplified by the track ‘Dream Ride’ for which the horn section is bolstered by fellow saxophonist Will Donato. 

Nice track.

 

Lee Jones - After The Pier

Smooth Jazz Therapy has followed the career of British guitarist Lee Jones since 2007 and the release of his debut album, ‘Swish’.  At the time I described it as a fine blend of up-tempo and tranquil rhythms that sounded as if they had come right out of Southern California.  When, in 2011, he returned with the sophisticatedly jazzy ‘Songs From The 13^th Hour’ it marked him out as a purveyor of jazz that was both accessible and thought provoking. 

Nelson Rangell - Point Of Departure

Having recorded with The Rippingtons, Chuck Loeb, Patti Austin, Tom Browne, and The GRP All Star Big Band to name but a few, sax player and flautist Nelson Rangell can truly be regarded as being a pioneer of what we today regard as smooth jazz.  He was signed by Larry Rosen and Dave Grusin to the legendary GRP label from where he released eight albums and also featured on Don Grusin's seminal CD ‘The Hang.’ 

Not only that, Rangell is responsible for all time personal favorites such as ‘Going All The Way’ (from his 1995 recording ‘Destiny’) and the spellbinding ‘April Snow’. 

Now, after way too long, Nelson is back with not one but two new recordings.  The first is ‘Red’ which features high octane, dynamic and heartfelt sax driven songs while ‘Blue’ is filled with beautiful melodies and phenomenal performances on flute. 

The first single from ‘Red’ is ‘Point Of Departure’ which proves (if proof was actually needed) that Nelson Rangel has lost none of his musical magic. 

Top notch.

Marion Meadows - Soul Traveler

It was in 1990 that smooth jazz sax-man Marion Meadows made his debut with the critically acclaimed ‘For Lover's Only’ and just two years later he was back with the wonderful ‘Keep It Right’.  The fact it found him forging soulful liaisons with the likes of Will Downing, Bob Baldwin, Angela Bofill and Norman Connors is significant as it placed Meadows very much on the urban side of contemporary jazz.  As he proceeded to amass a significant body of work this soulful connection was never too far away and his switch to the Shanachie label in 2013 delivered ‘Whisper’, an album that had soul to burn.  Consequently it is no surprise that the follow up (which hit the streets January 20) is titled ‘Soul Traveler’. 

Deja Vu - Bobbi 'Funkee Boy' Tammaro

‘Soul Purpose’, the latest CD from keyboard player Bobbi "Funkee Boy" Tammaro, has been doing the rounds for some time.  It has already delivered the excellent radio single ‘Let It Flow’ (that featured Warren Hill) and now, hot on it’s heels, comes the really splendid ‘Déjà Vu’.  This languidly silky track has a cool contribution on guitar from Nick Colionne and a vibe that is totally compelling. 

As well as the input from Hill and Colionne ‘Soul Purpose’ also includes guest performances from Bob Baldwin, Najee and Cindy Bradley.  Check it out.

Chris Standring - Ride

When, back in January of 2014, Chris Standring released the entirely spellbinding ‘Don’t Talk. Dance!’ I described it as a body of work for which the word ‘masterpiece’ would not be out of place. 

In the company of band members Rodney Lee on keys, bass player Andre Berry and drummer Dave Karasony, plus sumptuous string backing from Nikki Garcia, Barbra Porter, Tom Tally and Cameron Stone, Standring really knocked it out of the park and was helped in this respect by acclaimed songwriter Lauren Christy who sprinkled her vocal magic onto the wonderful ‘Ride’. 

In fact Christy (together with Scott Spock from St Louis, Missouri and Graham Edwards from Aberdeen, Scotland) is part of famed songwriting and production team The Matrix that has picked up countless industry awards through its work with the likes of Avril Lavigne, Ricky Martin, Robbie Williams, and David Bowie. 

Check out Standring and Christy right here right now with ‘Ride’.

 

Kejam - Featuring James Colah - Entropy

Dee Majek’s latest project, Kejam (that features Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite James Colah on keys) is all about vintage UK ‘feel-good’ jazz funk that captures to perfection the spirit of jazz stalwarts such as Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, The Crusaders, Patrice Rushen, Rodney Franklin and Donald Byrd. 

Cases in point are the (still available) tracks ‘Dystopia’ and ‘Radian’ while the latest single is the organ driven ‘Entropy’ which, complete with a cool vibraphone groove, can aptly be described as a real winter warmer. 

Check it out.

Phil Perry - A Better Man

As vocalist and composer the flawless falsetto and keen musical sensibilities of Phil Perry have made him one of the greatest voices in the long and illustrious history of R&B.  Once dubbed as "The Pavarotti of Jazz" by Down Beat Magazine, Perry remains one of the most in-demand singers on the scene with a list of enviable credits that include Josh Groban, Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, Peabo Bryson, the late George Duke, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Dave Koz, Bobby Womack, and Rod Stewart.  Now he is back with his 11^th solo CD, ‘A Better Man’ that was released January 20^th on the Shanachie label. 

Paula Atherton - Pocket Full Of Funk

Hot on the heels of the news that saxophonist Paula Atherton will release the CD ‘Ear Candy’ on February 17 comes the album’s first radio single, ‘Pocket Full Of Funk’ for which the title just about says it all.

It’s the kind of high octane number with which she made her name and makes her wait for real smooth jazz superstar status that much more difficult to understand.

Highly recommended

Jeff Bradshaw - All Time Love

As a boy growing up in Philadelphia, funky trombone player Jeff Bradshaw performed with brass bands on Broad Street, just a stone's throw from the spot where Philadelphia¹s most prestigious performing arts venue, The Kimmel Center, stands today.  Fast forward to 2015 and Bradshaw’s vision of bringing a genre crossing top notch gathering of singers and players to The Kimmel for a one-night-only musical event has become a reality.  The concert, which took place on May 28, 2014, in front of a rapturous, sold-out and wildly appreciative audience was a runaway success yet those who were unable to be there can now share in the joy by way of the CD ‘Home’ that will be released March 31, 2015 on the Shanachie Entertainment label. 

The album’s first single, ‘All Time Love’ finds Eric Roberson and Tweet trading sexy, soulful vocals while Robert Glasper adds luscious support on keys. 

Listen to ‘All Time Love’ right here right now and check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Home’.