Smooth Jazz Therapy

Earth Wind & Fire - Why

When, back in June of 2014, the legendary Earth Wind & Fire re-released its album ‘The Promise’ (which originally saw the light of day in 2003) much of the early buzz was about the input of smooth jazz superstar Gerald Albright on the track ‘Never’.  Now, and equally good, the latest single is the stunning ‘Why’. 

With Maurice White and Philip Bailey sharing lead and background vocals, Ralph Johnson on percussion and background vocals plus Verdine White on bass, this fresh 2015 remix provides an enticing flashback to the sensuous soul that was the stock in trade of this iconic band. 

Jessy J - My One And Only One

Very cool, very understated and very sophisticated would all be perfect ways to sum up the latest CD, ‘My One And Only One’, from smooth jazz saxophonist Jessy J.  It is her fifth studio project and second for Shanachie, with whom she released ‘Second Chances’ in 2013.  Replete with her trademark blend of Latin, smooth jazz and soul, it will be heavily showcased during an extensive twenty one date tour that will take her the length and breadth of the USA as well as to the Pizza Express jazz club in London, England where she has become a firm fan favorite.

Josie James - Coming Back To Your Love

With a resume that includes singing lead on Patrice Rushen’s ‘What’s the Story’ and vocal contributions to Stevie Wonder’s seminal CD ‘Songs in the Key of Life’, the Grammy nominated Josie James has done it all. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles she is equally at home on the concert stage or in the recording studio with the ability to switch effortlessly from R&B to gospel to pop and to jazz.  Josie’s Grammy nomination came for her performance of ‘Street Life’ with The Crusaders, B.B. King, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded live at London’s Royal Festival Hall.  In fact she is no stranger to the United Kingdom having appeared at Wembley Arena in front of 100,000 people for The Nelson Mandela Freedom Concert and with Burt Bacharach on BBC television as part of the network’s ‘Electric Prom’ series. 

Incognito - Send Your Love

Now for a must addition to everyone’s music collection; In response to the great tragedy suffered by the people of Nepal, the legendary Incognito felt compelled to take immediate action by coming together to make a song for those affected by the disaster.  With all the funds raised being donated to UNICEF the aim is to help some of the 1.7 million children who require humanitarian assistance.  The result is the ultra infectious ‘Send Your Love’ that is classic Incognito and then some. 

Great music for a great cause – an unbeatable combination

Maysa - Last Chance For Love

Taken from Maysa’s brand new album ‘Back 2 Love’ the sultry ‘Last Chance For Love’ is a seventies style R & B ballad that finds her teaming with the legendary Phil Perry.  Take a listen, right here right now, it’s a partnership made in heaven.

 

The Sax Pack - Power Of 3

In an era when smooth jazz can justifiably be accused (at times) of taking itself too seriously the occasional coupling of Steve Cole, Kim Waters and Jeff Kashiwa in the guise of The Sax Pack remains a total breath of fresh air.  All accomplished recording artists in their own right they use the motif of The Sax Pack to reach out to a more party orientated fan-base and this is very much the case with the group’s latest release, the aptly named ‘Power Of 3’. 

Nate Harasim - Harmony Park

Nate Harasim has been on Smooth Jazz Therapy’s radar since his stunning 2008 collaboration with Deborah Connors as the duet De’Nate’.  Their album ‘Reminisce’ remains a smooth jazz classic and now, with a few label changes along the way, Harasim has arrived at the friendly confines of Woodward Avenue Records from where he is all set to release the CD ‘Shades Of Nate’. 

Greg Adams & East Bay Soul - That's Life

In just a few short years Greg Adams has built his East Bay Soul creation into the preeminent horn driven collective of its era.  Indeed since the band’s self-titled debut hit the streets in 2009 the army of ‘funk soldiers’ who hang on the band’s every note has increased at an incredible rate.  The follow-up, ‘East Bay Soul 2.0’, that came along in 2012 only served to underwrite ESB’s undisputed credentials and now Adams’ has taken the project to a whole new level with the simply incredible ‘That’s Life’. 

Motown Moe - Beach Breeze

I have been a fan of keyboard player, producer, and music engineer Motown Moe since 2013 when I heard his excellent single ‘Rhodes To Cool Places’.  It marked him out as someone who was really in tune with what instrumentals with an urban groove should be all about and this was confirmed a year later with the equally good ‘Escape To The City’. 

His latest offering is titled ‘Beach Breeze’ and is taken from the CD ‘Tropic Of Groove’. 

Well worth checking out;

Althea Rene - D'Licious

‘In The Flow’ by smooth jazz flautist Althea Rene not only turned out to be her break-through release it also made her part of the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm family from where she laid siege to the contemporary jazz charts with a sequence of radio friendly singles.  Now she is back with ‘D’Licious’ that will be released in late May, also on Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm. 

If the first single is anything to go by, Althea has picked up exactly where she left off so, for a complete album review, please check back here soon. 

Of course regular readers of these pages will know that before becoming a full time musician Althea Rene 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 ‘D’Licious’ is all set become the favorite of many more.

Maysa - Back 2 Love

Maysa Leak is one of those rare vocalists that can seamlessly flip from jazz to soul and back again in a way that is both beguiling and career defining.  2015 finds her celebrating twenty years as a recording artist and to mark the achievement her new CD ‘Back 2 Love’ will be released May 26 on the Shanachie label. 

It opens with the title cut, which is built around a classic dance groove and proves (if indeed proof was needed) that she has everything it takes to be a dance diva and then some.  Elsewhere ‘Heavenly Voices’ is a masterpiece of jazz infused soul that sits in the delightful company of ‘Go Away Little Boy’, a song inspired by Marlena Shaw's classic hit of the same name and produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis. 

Later, the seventies style R & B ballad ‘Last Chance For Love’ finds Maysa partnering with Phil Perry while ‘Smilin’ provides the platform for her to showcase that classic, rich, vocal style for which she has become famous and what has caused luminaries such as Stevie Wonder to describe her as “simply wonderful”. 

Wonderful is also a word that comes readily to mind when considering what is arguably the album’s best song, ‘Keep It Movin’, that was produced by Mint Condition's lead vocalist –producer - songwriter Stokley who also contributes guest vocals.  This urban gem is one seriously good number and an obvious contender for my top twenty tracks of the year.

Paul Brown - Stay Sly

Oft regarded as the producer with the Midas touch, Paul Brown’s emergence as a recording artist in his own right has been one of unbridled success.  His 2004 solo release ‘Up Front’ instantly grabbed critical acclaim and paved the way for ‘In The City’ in 2005, ‘White Sand’ in 2007 and ‘The Funky Joint’ that followed five years later.  He even fund time to record the outstanding ‘Foreign Exchange’ with fellow guitarist Marc Antoine in 2009 and now seems set to continue his remarkable journey with ‘Truth B Told’ that is due out on Woodward Avenue Records in the early summer of 2015. 

The lead single is the delicious ‘Stay Sly’ that features Euge Groove on sax and was written by Brown, Groove and long-term collaborators Jeff Caruthers and Roberto Vally. 

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Truth B Told’.

Jessy J - The Tango Boy

‘My One And Only’, written, arranged and produced by smooth jazz saxophonist Jessy J is her fifth studio album and second for Shanachie, with whom she released ‘Second Chances’ in 2013.  Replete with her trademark Latin, soul, and smooth jazz grooves it will be heavily showcased during an extensive twenty one date tour that will take her the length and breadth of the USA as well as to the Pizza Express jazz club in London, England where she has become a firm fan favorite. 

The album’s lead single is ‘The Tango Boy’ which features long-time collaborator Paul Brown and the constantly excellent Gregg Karukus. 

Check it our right here right now and return soon for a complete review of ‘My One And Only’.

 

Richard Elliot - When I Was Your Man

Richard Elliot's current CD, ‘Lip Service’ continues to generate radio ready gems and the latest track to make it to the airwaves is his soulful cover of the Bruno Mars smash hit ‘When I Was Your Man’.  With Lew Laing on keyboards providing the support, for anyone who does not yet own the album, this is a ‘must have’ download.