Smooth Jazz Therapy

Rob Tardik - Moments

Canadian guitarist Rob Tardik can always be relied upon to deliver all original contemporary jazz that, invariably, is wrapped in a deliciously mellifluous package and this is exactly what he done with his latest project, ‘Moments’.  It follows ‘Limitless’ that garnered no less than four hit singles and now, with a veritable bevy of guest artists on board, ‘Moments’ looks set to do exactly the same.

Tim Watson - Secret Place

The 2002 breakout album, ‘Soultopia – The Tim Watson Project’, by keyboard player Tim Watson found him dipping a toe into the waters of smooth jazz for the very first time.  As such it’s sophistication is truly remarkable and none more so than with the sumptuously easy grooving ‘Secret Place’ which proved to be an absolute triumph. 

The CD provided the catalyst for other contemporary jazz projects such as Tim’s 2007 ‘Sunday Afternoon’ and his latest effort ‘Up & At’em’. 

It boasts a line-up of some of the genre’s heaviest hitters including the Grammy award winning Phil Davis, flautist Ragan Whiteside and sax players Pamela Williams and Phil Denny.

 

Cecil Ramirez - Talk To The Hand

It’s a measure of a musician’s stature in the industry when A-List performers are there to lend a hand with a new recording or project.  Keyboard player Cecil Ramirez is one such musician and, for his second solo CD, ‘Party In The Back’, he is joined by Brian Culbertson, Michael Lington, Darren Rahn and Adam Hawley. 

In fact Sacramento native Ramirez is a veteran recording studio musician while as music director has worked with Paul Brown, Vincent Ingala, Eric Darius, Jessy J, Steve Oliver, Phil Denny, Elan Trotman, Lin Rountree and Lebron. 

‘Party In The Back’,a collection of 7 original songs and 3 covers, is Cecil's second album and the lead single, the vibrant street-wise ‘Talk To The Hand’, features sax man Phil Denny.

Phil Davis - Another Day Like This

‘Another Day Like This’ by producer, keyboard player and songwriter Phil Davis comes from his 2008 CD ‘Philosophy’ and is, in every respect, a hidden gem.  In fact it is nothing more than one would expect from an artist who has contributed to the musical monologues of performers as diverse as Sheila E., Will Downing, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell, Prince, Alex Bugnon, Boney James, Michael McDonald, Philip Bailey, Cee-Lo Green, and Erykah Badu. 

‘Philosophy’, which includes featured appearances from Najee, Ronnie Garrett, Melvin Baldwin, Sean Michael Ray and Darrell Freeman, remains available and is very well worth checking out.

 

North '2unes' Woodall - Find Your Way

Born in Dayton, Ohio, guitarist North “2unes” Woodall has shared the stage with the likes of The Ohio Players, Roy Aires, Millie Jackson, Tom Brown and Will Downing.  Since relocating to Atlanta he has become a staple of that city’s music scene while as a recording artist he has released the albums ‘Hot & Cool’, ‘Loving 2’ and the 2007 collection ‘Straight @ You’ on which the track ‘Find Your Way’ can be found. 

It’s where smooth jazz meets chill and then some.  Check it out.

 

Stewart Coxhead - Gone But Not Forgotten

Stewart Coxhead, manager of smooth jazz acts such as Acoustic Alchemy and Jessy J, was a man in a million.  An old school kind of a manager who invariably traveled with his bands, Stewart passed away October 17 in Leeds, United Kingdom.  He will be sadly missed.  Unlike many managers, Stewart (pictured here with Jessy J) would always ensure his artists were accessible to the media.  I recall, just at the time I was getting started as a music writer, how I reached out to Stewart in the hope of securing an interview with Acoustic Alchemy’s Greg Carmichael.  ‘Hope’ was the operative word as, back then, it was quite common for managers and labels to afford interviews only to those writers who already had a presence in the industry. 

Stewart could not have been more helpful.  In the space of a couple of short telephone calls the interview was set up and from that point on Stewart ensured I was always among the first to review his artist’s new music. 

Thanks for everything Stewart.  Smooth jazz is a bleaker place without you.

Terry Wollman - Survive

Last year I commented on the welcome news that acclaimed songwriter and producer Terry Wollman had just released ‘The Very Best – Silver Collection’.  It takes a nostalgic look at the best of his previous projects that, over a period of thirty years, have sustained him as an interesting presence on the contemporary jazz scene.

The latest single from the album is the mellifluous ‘Survive’ that originated on Terry’s 1998 project ‘Say Yes’.  As well as featuring subtle sax from Gerald Albright the track also includes input from Abe Laboriel on bass, Marc Hugenberger on keys, drummer John JR Robinson and incomparable percussionist Luis Conte.

Top-notch smooth jazz!

 

Lin Rountree - Wish It Was

Urban jazz trumpeter Lin Rountree is very much back on the scene with his fifth studio recording, the totally accessible ‘SoulFunky’.  With guest performances from some of the industries hottest musicians, including Lebron, Nicholas Cole, Nils, Nate Harasim, Al Turner and Hidden Beach Recording artist Mike Phillips, this is an album that, for Rountree, raises the bar, a fact which is evidenced by the current radio single ‘Wish It Was’.  It includes great bass guitar from Julian Vaughn and is entirely ‘radio ready’.

Marc Sadane - One Way Love Affair

In terms of rare grooves they don’t come much rarer than the sumptuous ‘One Way Love Affair’ from the hugely under-rated Marc Sadane.  A product of the mid seventies, Sadane fronted the band Tungsten Steele before embarking on a solo career that saw him tour with Stephanie Mills.  Having caught the attention of legendary producers James Mtume and Reggie Lucas this led to Marc signing with Warner Brothers with whom he released his debut album ‘One Way Love Affair’ in 1981. 

The title track, which is arguably one of the finest slices of smooth soul of all time peaked at #34 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, and stayed on the chart for 13 weeks. 

Check it out.

 

Al Turner - B.E.A.T.

Very few can crank out a bass line the way Al Turner, aka ‘The Burner’ cranks out a bass line and to prove it Al is back with ‘Simply Amazing’, his fourth studio album in the last ten years. 

Skillfully blending Jazz, Funk and R&B while making a musical statement that is both eclectic and melodic, the CD is being showcased by the zesty ‘B.E.A.T.’ which features Ray Parker Jr. and tells you all you need to know. 

Nice track.

Bruce Nazarian - Rest In Peace My Friend

Bruce Nazarian was someone special and it is sad he is not around anymore.  Bruce died late last week just when his amazing career was set to take another fork in the road. As many of you know, I guested for several years on his Digital Guy Radio show where he kindly allowed me to present the new music feature.  Bruce was great to work with, the consummate professional and perfectionist who brought a touch of class to everything he did.  I remember a great night (and a great dinner) we had together in San Diego where we met up at a Lee Ritenour gig and then of course back in San Diego for the unforgettable Lemonade Weekend where single handed, and against all odds, he pulled together a sensational musical experience. Thanks for the memories Bruce, thanks for the music but, above all, thanks for your friendship.

 

 

Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers - Live In Seattle

In the ultra competitive world of smooth jazz saxophone differentiation is the name of the game and that is even more the case when applied to the female of the species.  Whether it be Paula Atherton, Candy Dulfer, Jeanette Harris or Pamela Williams, they have all found elements of uniqueness with which they define their musical identity yet when it comes to Mindi Abair she has elevated uniqueness to a whole new level.  Her earlier albums such as ‘Always And Never The Same’, ‘It Just Happens That Way’ and ‘Come As You Are’ were top-notch smooth jazz collections but then along the way something happened.  Maybe it was her appearances as the sax player on American Idol, the fact she toured with rock band Aerosmith or that she shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen but Mindi began to emerge from her contemporary jazz cocoon as something of a rock chick.  This was underlined with her 2014 project ‘Wild Heart’ and reconfirmed with her latest release ‘Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers Live In Seattle’. 

Melissa Manchester - You Gotta Love The Life

After a remarkable forty years of making music (and with her first album release for ten years) Melissa Manchester is back with ‘You Gotta Love the Life’.  If the first single, the velvety, up-tempo, horn driven title cut is anything to go then this could well be a sensational collection.

Spotlight On Mark Morrison

Often thought of as troubled, and who from time to time found himself on the wrong side of the law, German born and UK based soul singer Mark Morrison perhaps peaked too early.  Despite his first official recording being the 1993 vinyl pressing, ‘Where Is Our Love’ it was in 1995 when what was classed as his debut single, ‘Crazy’, was released.  It became a top 20 hit in the UK while the follow up, ‘Let's Get Down’ made the top 40. 

However Morrison’s next visit to the recording studio garnered the massive cult hit, ‘Return of the Mack’ that became an international best seller.  His first album, also titled ‘Return Of The Mack’, became a multi-platinum success and although other lesser hits followed the classic status that ‘Return Of The Mack’ quickly assumed meant, in reality, it’s popularity would never be surpassed. 

Check it out right here right now.

 

Paul Hardcastle - Acoustic Dreams

In the early '90s, Paul Hardcastle moved away from the beat driven dance material with which he had made his name and with his 1991 album ‘The Jazzmasters’ and 1994's ‘Hardcastle 1’ moved in the direction of  jazz fusion.  The sequel, ‘Hardcastle 2’, came along in 1996 and featured this sublime track.  Check it out.