Smooth Jazz Therapy

Richard Elliot - Summer Madness

Irrespective of his outstanding smooth jazz track record, and with a resume stretching all the way back to Tower Of Power, sax-man Richard Elliot has always been a big, ballsy player with decidedly soulful tendencies. Consequently it is no surprise that when he was preparing ‘Summer Madness’, his follow-up to his 2014 project ‘Lip Service’, he sought a funky vibe with its origins embedded in the instrumentally based R&B of the 70’s.

The title cut is a case in point, Elliot’s take on the seminal Kool & The Gang blockbuster from 1974.

Excellent track and a contender for best cover version of the year.

Najee - Poetry In Motion

Sax and flute player Najee has been one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz for the past thirty or so years. Well known for his classy virtuosity, he enjoyed his first big break in 1983 when, with his brother Fareed, he toured with Chaka Khan. This in turn brought him to the attention of producer Charles Huggins and it was through Huggins that Najee cut his debut long player for EMI, ‘Najees Theme’, in 1986. The album went platinum and two years later this success was repeated with the follow up ‘Day By Day’. Since then Najee has added ten more releases plus one ‘best of’ collection and has garnered four ‘gold discs’ along the way. Now he is back with his latest offering, ‘Poetry In Motion’, that was released August 25 on the Shanachie label.

Donald Hayes - Georgy Porgy

As both a musician and an arranger sax-man Donald Hayes has worked with James Brown, EW & F, Beyonce, Babyface and most recently Robin Thicke. Now he is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with his debut CD 'Front Ground' from which the jazzy ‘Georgy Porgy’ is taken. 

Nice track.

U-Nam - The Essential Collection

With an abundance of riches from which to choose, Billboard chart-topping artist and multi-platinum producer U-Nam comes roaring back with the aptly titled ‘The Essential Collection’ that will be released August 28 on the Skytown Records label. Indeed with eight (yes eight) Top 30 US Billboard hits amongst the fifteen standout tracks this is less a retrospective and more a joyous celebration of the high octane guitar driven smooth jazz that has been U-Nam’s calling card ever since 2007 and the release of his critically acclaimed breakthrough album ‘Back From The 80’s’.

Not only that, and as if to underscore the fact that this is far more than simply a ‘best of’ collection, U-Nam includes two brand new songs. Both feature input from up and coming keyboard player Mattias Roos and the first of them, ‘Let The Music Play’ finds U-Nam making use of full orchestral backing to tip a hat to the legendary Barry White. The second, the sumptuously easy grooving ‘Soul Breeze’, not only seems destined to become U-Nam’s ninth US Billboard hit but has also been chosen as the first single to be offered to radio. It will be officially “Going for Adds” on August 28.

Michael McDonald - Find It In Your Heart

With the ultimate voice of blue-eyed soul, the iconic Michael McDonald has captivated audiences since the late seventies when he emerged as a singer with both Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. As an artist and a songwriter he has garnered five Grammys® along the way while in terms of touring and performance he is quite simply the best live act I have ever seen.

Ahead of the release of his latest album ‘Wide Open’ comes the single ‘Find It In Your Heart’ that is vintage McDonald and then some.

Check it out.

Special EFX - Deep As The Night

Despite his award winning contributions to the world of television and film, guitarist, composer and arranger Chieli Minucci has (with the exception of a brief period in the late nineties) been synonymous with the evolution of jazz-fusion band Special EFX. In fact it was back in 1982 when the multi talented Minucci co-founded Special EFX with percussionist George Jinda. They released the bands eponymous debut CD in 1984 yet despite artistic differences, and Jinda’s untimely death in 2001, the impact of this Grammy nominated collective on the evolution of smooth jazz remains nothing short of immense. This phenomenal musical journey shows no signs of winding down and as Special EFX moves into its 35th year of recording and touring they have recently released ‘Deep As The Night’, the band’s 21st studio recording and first on the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm record label.

Boney James - Tick Tock

On September 1, 2017, smooth jazz superstar Boney James will release his 16th CD, ‘Honestly’, a collection that finds him rediscovering that urban edginess which was so much a feature of his earlier work. Critical acclaim notwithstanding the albums that immediately followed his sensational 2001 project ‘Ride’ only flirted with what might be described as James at his soulful best yet with ‘Honestly’ he has rolled back the years in a way that will delight his fan base around the world. Take for example the first two tracks to be offered to radio. R & B stations are being courted with the splendid title cut that features picture perfect vocals from Avery Sunshine while smooth jazz outlets are being treated to the stunning ‘Tick Tock’ that seems destined to be one of the best tunes of the entire year.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Honesty’.

Jonathan Fritzen - Ballads

‘Ballads’, the sixth solo recording from the Billboard chart-topping Jonathan Fritzén, finds him in the mellow yet expansive mood that his legion of fans around the world have, up until this time, experienced only briefly. That said, despite showing off a different side to his musical persona, this stunning twelve-track tour de force shimmers with the readily recognizable Fritzén vibe that has been front back and center of his discography to date. Take for example the critically acclaimed ‘Magical’ CD, from which the title cut blasted a path to #1 on every smooth jazz airplay chart on the planet, or his sensational 2015 project ‘Fritzenized’ that included outstanding performances from Gerald Albright, Paul Taylor and Nils Landgren.