Smooth Jazz Therapy

Kenya - Never Giving Up

Ultra jazzy and ultra sophisticated, ‘Never Giving Up’ is the latest single from the sultry and soulful Kenya and is sure to captivate the growing number of contemporary jazz fans that have already latched on to her debut CD ‘My Own Skin’.  It follows both ‘Let Me’ and the zesty title-track to radio and exposure that she so richly deserves.

Paul Hardcastle - Echoes Rising

‘The History Of Paul Hardcastle’, out soon on Trippin N Rhythm is yet another celebration of the groove that has garnered an entire sub-genre of contemporary jazz.  Hardcastle has the ability to take a single vibe then wring every once from it.  ‘19’ is a case in point and another is ‘Bird Island’, traces of which can be found on the enormously compelling ‘Echoes Rising’ that launches the album in the USA as the first radio single.

Quite simply this is wonderful music from a truly timeless artist and comes highly recommended.

 

 

Jef Kearns - Just Jane

Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Jef Kearns has teamed with vocalist Carlos Morgan for the sumptuously soulful single ‘Just Jane’ that will be available for streaming and download from iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Tidal, and Spotify on October 11.

Indeed, since 2011, and the release of the album ‘On The Level’, this Toronto based flautist has been cornering the market in superbly produced and sensationally performed urban jazz. The follow up, ‘Soulfisticated’ (that arrived in 2013) served to confirm that here was no flash in the pan and in 2016 went three for three with equally good ‘The Flute’.

‘Just Jane’ is certainly one to watch.

Curt Jones - Can't Stop

It might be a track from Curt Jones’ 2015 album, ‘Curt III’, but ‘Can’t Stop’ has some shimmering old skool soul credentials.  Complete with an understated ‘steppers’ beat this one is a real gem.

 

 

Adam Hawley - Joy Ride

Having already delivered the highly acclaimed single ‘35th Street’ (that featured Eric Darius on saxophone) ‘Just The Beginning’ from guitarist Adam Hawley is proving to be one of the standout albums of 2016. The latest track to be offered to radio is the groove drenched ‘Joy Ride’ that Hawley co-writes with Greg Manning, who also mixes and produces.

Born in Portland Oregon but a fixture on the LA music scene since 2002, Hawley

Has worked with artists such as Lalah Hathaway, Jennifer Lopez, The Backstreet Boys, Natalie Cole, Dave Koz, Joss Stone, Sheila E, Peabo Bryson, Eric Benet, Kirk Whalum, Take 6, Ray Parker Jr. and Pat Metheny to name just a few.

Good track.

Drew Davidsen - East Moon

When in 2010 I reviewed ‘Around Again’ by guitarist Drew Davidsen I described him as being someone who was destined to be around in smooth jazz for a considerable time to come.  His follow-up, ‘Spin Cycle’ garnered similar critical acclaim and in 2013 he again came up big with ‘True Drew’, a CD that artistically moved him closer to players such as Pat Metheny, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Larry Carlton and Robben Ford.  That Metheny meets Benson vibe is again in evidence with Drew’s latest project ‘Six String King’ from which the single ‘East Moon’ comes.

Written by Davidsen with Cedric Givens, (whose own debut recording, ‘One Of A Kind’ is a delicious walk on the smooth side), this mellow masterpiece should do well.

Patrick Yandall - Peytons Place

San Diego based guitarist Patrick Yandall has a style that entirely epitomizes the sumptuous smooth jazz spirit of this sensational city.  Indeed, with a discography that (with his latest project, ‘Ethos’) now extends to nineteen CDs he has captured to perfection the essence of west coast contemporary jazz.  If proof of this were needed then look no further than the first single to be released to radio, the zesty ‘Peytons Place’.  It is what the music of Patrick Yandall is all about.

Dave Bradshaw Jr. - Guys Night Out

Although a long time coming, ‘Set Me Free’, the highly anticipated full length album from smooth jazz keyboard player Dave Bradshaw Jr. is almost upon us.  After a succession of ‘teaser’ radio singles (the latest of which is the up tempo ‘Guys Night Out’) contemporary jazz fans will already know what Bradshaw Jr. is all about but may not be aware that the recording is, in part, indicative of the blossoming musical partnership he enjoys with producer and saxophonist Darren Rahn.

Skinny Hightower - Cityscape

Pianist and producer Skinny Hightower has burst onto the contemporary jazz scene with his debut album ‘Cloud Nine’. He is supported in the venture by acoustic guitarist Antonio Rivera and Perry Mase who contributes on vocals and piccolo bass. If this track, ‘Cityscape’, is anything to go by Hightower seems destined for smooth jazz stardom.

 

 

 

Barbara Acklin - Am I The Same Girl

 

Old School Cool is an occasional feature that, for those of a certain age, retraces the journey of musical lifetime in a way that keeps the memories flooding back. This time it is the Barbara Acklin hit song ‘Am I The Same Girl’, the Record and Sanders composition that was originally recorded by Young Holt Unlimited.

The Aston Grey Project - Can't Get Enough

‘The Sensual Side’ by the rapidly emerging Aston Grey Project was released on June 24. Its eighteen songs are designed to set the mood for love with the first single, ‘Get Back Home To You’, making a big impact at radio. Now the seductive ‘Can’t Get Enough’ looks set to do the same.

Check it out.