When in 2011 I reviewed ‘Between Two Worlds’ by Cuban born composer and keyboard player Roberto Vazquez I described him as being without doubt a star in the making. At that time he was already a considerable force in the sphere of Latin music and in 2009 had begun to demonstrate his contemporary jazz credentials by co-writing the song ‘Sand Dancers’ for the Marion Meadows CD ‘Secrets’. Now he is back with ‘Matices’, a sparkling collection with which Vazquez paints musical tapestries of consummate quality and in so doing captivates his listeners in the most delightful of ways.
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May 29, 2017
May 25, 2017
Pieces Of A Dream - Right Back Atcha
Despite the fact that in 2016 Pieces Of A Dream founding members, keyboard player James Lloyd and drummer Curtis Harmon celebrated the milestone of their 40th anniversary they show no signs of slowing up. The duo’s new CD ‘Just Funkin' Around’ is due to hit the streets May 26, 2017 and if advance reports are anything to go by will demonstrate that they are still at the top of their game.
The collection is being showcased by the radio single ‘Right Back Atcha’ so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Just Funkin' Around’.
May 21, 2017
Ragan Whiteside - Treblemaker
In that most special of sub genres the always excellent Ragan Whiteside has become the preeminent contemporary jazz flautist of her time. Through a sequence of stunning albums, from ‘Class Axe’ in 2007, ‘Evolve’ that arrived five years later and on to her 2015 venture ‘Quantum Drive’, she has made it crystal clear that here is an artist who is the real smooth jazz deal. Now Whiteside is back with ‘Treblemaker’.
May 17, 2017
Cool Guitars
‘Cool Guitars’ is a choice seven track EP of instrumentals played by some of the best guitar players in the business. It is the sort of surprise package that might just prove to be one of the sensations of 2017 and certainly the deep, totally absorbing groove of what is simply titled as ‘Intro’ (complete with spoken word narrative extolling the virtues of guitar driven music) lays down a stunning marker for what this totally cool collection is all about.
May 13, 2017
Art Sherrod Jr - Side Step
The superb Art Sherrod Jr has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar since 2009 and the release of his highly regarded CD ‘Seasons’. Eight years on and it is wonderful to find that Art is still weaving his special brand of sax driven magic with his latest project, ‘Back 2 Business’, from which the excellent ‘Side Step’ is taken.
‘Back 2 Business’ is Art’s fourth studio release and, for him, marks a return to the Smooth Jazz genre. He is joined in the venture by none other than the iconic Chris "Big Dog" Davis on keys, Rohn Lawrence and Robert "WaWa" LeGrand on guitars, bass players Asa Livingston and Corey Baker with Salena Dunbar Gibbs, Anthony Buffy Burnett, Dawn Tallman, Lamone Andrews and Tiffany Tzelle handling background vocals.
Check it out.
May 09, 2017
May 05, 2017
Vincent Ingala - Nasty
It may have been on release for what is approaching two years but the sensational ‘Coast To Coast’ from rapidly rising sax star Vincent Ingala continues to captivate the airwaves. Indeed the latest cut from the album to do just that is the deliciously mid-tempo ‘Nasty’ that is enhanced by cool trombone work from Dennis Rollins.
Later in the year Vincent will be touring with Jonathan Fritzen so be sure to check them out.
May 01, 2017
Rocco Ventrella - Snap Your Fingers
Italian sax-man Rocco Ventrella has been a favorite of Smooth Jazz Therapy since 2007 and the album ‘Give Me The Groove’. It was a superb example of smooth jazz music, the perfect antidote to a stressful day and, just as significant, included stellar input from my great friend, the late and very much missed Bruce Nazarian. , Just as good was Rocco’s 2015 project ‘Another Time’ and now, with another CD in the offing, he is back on radio with the single ‘Snap Your Fingers’.
It’s a groove drenched cut that will set your feet tapping and put a smile on your face.