Smooth Jazz Therapy

The Italian Smooth Jazz All-Starz

Out now on the AlfaMusic label, ‘The Italian Smooth Jazz All-Starz’ is, as the title suggests it might be, a seventeen-track compilation of some of the best Italian contemporary jazz around. It is a really top notch collection which includes fabulous tracks such as Renato Falaschi’s ‘Following My Soul’ and ‘Top Down’ by Gianni Vancini that are both right up there with the best that the CD has to offer. 

Florito - Ko Samui Nights

Florito, aka DJ Florian Luettich, is well known for his work that spans lounge, deep house, and chill out music. His work can be found on the Karmaloft label and on this particular track, ‘Ko Samui Nights’ from the album ‘Chase the Sun’ he is joined by fellow Karmaloft artist Bes & Meret.

Very nice!

 

 

Brian Simpson - Persuasion

I have always considered smooth jazz superstar Brian Simpson to be at his immaculate best when interpreting his own music. It is an approach that has served him well and along the way garnered a discography typified, with only a few notable exceptions, by a succession of sumptuous original compositions. A case in point was the wonderful 2015 project ‘Out Of A Dream’ and another is his latest recording, ‘Persuasion’, that was released this past Friday on the invariably excellent Shanachie label.

With ten brand new contemporary jazz numbers (four of them co-written by Steve Oliver) ‘Persuasion’ is an unadulterated delight and a ready-made Christmas gift for smooth jazz lovers everywhere.

Vincent Ingala - The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

OK, it is that time again and smooth jazz artists everywhere are clamoring to release albums of Christmas music. This infatuation that contemporary jazz has with the festive season is nothing new but it is still good to see top-notch performers such as Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Vincent Ingala getting into the holiday spirit. His aptly titled ‘Christmas’ is out now and not only does it feature guest artists such as Steve Oliver and Ariana Savalas (daughter of Telly Savalas and featured vocalist of Postmodern Jukebox) but also is replete with Ingala’s fine playing. A case in point is the ‘The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’ that says everything about why we love Christmas.

Lindsey Webster - Back To Your Heart

‘Back To Your Heart’ from the ultra soulful Lindsey Webster is remarkable not only for the fact that it a collection of vocally driven contemporary jazz but also because Lindsey is a mere half the age of the instrumentalists who dominate the gerontocracy which typifies the genre. The fact she has been picked up by the invariably excellent Shanachie label is both a testimony to the quality of her music and a pointer to her massive potential while the eleven tunes that she composes with keyboard player Keith Slattery hints at song writing credentials that belie her years. 

Paul Hardcastle - It's Not Impossible

Taken from Paul Hardcastle’s most recent project ‘The History of Paul Hardcastle 1984 – 2016’, ‘Its Not Impossible’ is a brand new tune that features Hardcastle’s daughter Maxine on vocals.

Nice track!

 

 

Chuck Loeb - Unspoken

Undoubtedly at the very pinnacle of his career and at the vanguard of what might be described as smooth jazz for grown ups guitarist Chuck Loeb has just released the wonderful ‘Unspoken’. Out on the invariably excellent Shanachie label this superb eleven-song collection features a dazzling array of guest artists and is making a late bid to become one of the year’s standout recordings.

Michael C Lewis - Reasons

Not only one of the greatest Earth Wind & Fire tracks of all time but also possessing perhaps the best riff in soul music ever ‘Reasons’ is a colossal tune, a heavyweight masterpiece of the like that only comes along once in a lifetime. Consequently to take it on as a cover version is a very big ask indeed yet the new single by trumpeter Michael C Lewis is a very worthy attempt indeed. Check it out and the memories of the original will come flooding back.

Gerald Albright - Boom Boom

On the streets since September 13 the new album from the incomparable Gerald Albright is titled ‘G’. It is his very first independent release and with gems such as ‘Frankie B’, which is Albright’s tribute to Frankie Beverly, a cool remake of the classic ‘Lovely Day’, with the one and only Michael McDonald on vocals, and this track, the wonderful ‘Boom Boom’, looks like being a winner.

 

 

Doc Powell - Love On Top Re-Issued

Grammy-nominated guitarist Doc Powell is and always has been the real contemporary jazz deal. His latest CD ‘This Is Soul’ has been around for quite a while with the infectiously shuffling title cut really making it mark yet just as good is ‘Love On Top’ which was originally the lead single but has now been re-issued to radio. 

Produced by the award winning Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis ‘This Is Soul’ is a collection that brings together the heart and soul of some of the best music from the present and the past. 

Recommended.

Paul Taylor - What You Love

That wonderful saxophonist Paul Taylor is back with the outstanding CD ‘Countdown’ from which the excellent ‘What You Love’ is taken.

It finds Taylor at his innovative best so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Countdown’.

 

 

Roman Street - Mr Morris

Noah and Joshua Thompson, who record under the name of Roman Street made their mark back in 2012 with the CD ‘Caravan’ from which the title cut registered a highly commendable number 24 on Billboard's countdown of smooth jazz songs for that year. The band’s stock in trade is guitar driven Latin infused contemporary jazz yet the track ‘Mr. Morris’ from the album ‘Bohemia’ is a slice of no frills smooth jazz of the highest order. With a dazzling contribution from Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite Vincent Ingala this could be one of the best tracks of the entire year.