Smooth Jazz Therapy

Kayla Waters - Zephyr

Back in 2017 keyboard player, vocalist and composer Kayla Waters introduced herself to the world of smooth jazz with her first full-length album ‘Apogee’. It also marked her debut on the Trippin N' Rhythm label and now, brand new for 2018, comes the follow-up ‘CoEvolve’ from which the stunning new single ‘Zephyr’ is taken.

Make no mistake this is a number with all the elements necessary to make it one of the tracks of the year. Indeed it seems destined to propel this classically trained artist (the daughter of Kim Waters and graduate of Howard University where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance) into the contemporary jazz spotlight.

Dee Brown - Remembering You

Accepting the raison d’etre of all artists is to make music what renders ‘Remembering You’ by guitarist Dee Brown that much more powerful is that it has been inspired by the sad loss of his fiancée Shaunia Edwards who passed away in 2016. Yet far from being a somber remembrance of a life lost this is an uplifting ten-track collection that underscores the joy of living. Of course those who have been with Brown for the long haul will recall his 2007 debut recording ‘No Time To Waste’ and the follow-up, ‘A Little Elbow Room’ that followed two years later. His 2014 project, the delicious ‘Brown Sugar, Honey-Coated Love’, included ‘I’m Here For You’ that he co-wrote with Shaunia who also featured on vocals. Now, ‘Remembering You’ is testimony to the fact is Brown remains here for her too.

Walter Beasley - The Best Of Walter Beasley - The Affable Years Volume 1

Released in January 2018 and a must for Walter Beasley fans everywhere, ‘The Best Of Walter Beasley – The Affable Years Volume 1’ is a fine collection of tracks that substantially come from those albums recorded by Walter over the last twenty or so years on his own Affable label. It is a stunning showcase for some of his best ever work and includes the wonderful ‘Late Night Lover’ featuring Raheem DeVaugn, a sparkling cover of the Isaac Hayes song ‘Ellie’s Theme’ and a selection of songs written, or co-written, with long time collaborators Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis and Chris Davis. Indeed the latest single to be released to radio is the Phil Davis – Walter Beasley composition ‘Skip To My Lew’, that takes its name from the family of his Road Manager Chris Lewis. 

This is an outstanding CD but don’t take my word for it, check out what Walter has to say on the subject, right here right now.

 

 

Richard Riley - L.I.T.

I am indebted to my good friend Max Hill for the heads up on rising sax star Richard Riley and his current single ‘L.I.T.’ Hailing from Cleveland Ohio Riley turned some heads in 2017 with the five track EP ‘Evolving’ that included the radio friendly ‘Family Ties’ and the equally good ‘Between You And I’.

Now ‘L.I.T.’ looks set to propel him back into the smooth jazz spotlight ; check it out.

 

 

Sam Rucker - True Love

‘Redemption’ is the latest album from sax-man Sam Rucker and leading the fanfare ahead of its highly anticipated release comes the hot new single ‘True Love’. Rucker's fat tenor sax sound ensures that this sensually steamy mid-tempo groove really packs a punch yet it is tempered by sultry nylon guitar from John Calisto that proves to be an absolute delight.

Hip-hop producer turned sax-man Rucker hails from Williamsburg, Virginia and caught some attention in 2014 with his sophomore CD ‘Tell You Something’ that included contributions from Norman Connors, Bobby Lyle, Tom Browne and Alyson Williams. 

With ‘Redemption’, Rucker is set to do the same again. Look out for it.

Doc Powell - Steppin Out

The all embracing easy grooving style that Grammy-nominated guitarist Doc Powell has made his own marks him out as someone whose music totally exemplifies what contemporary jazz should be all about. A case in point was the sumptuous ‘Let Go’ that he co-wrote with Barry Eastmond and which can be found on his 2006 self-titled CD. It was right up there with the best the genre has ever produced yet, truth to tell, Powell’s artistry can be found both far and wide. As musical director to the legendary Wilson Pickett, to a stint with Luther Vandross and his group, the B. B. &Q, Powell has rubbed shoulders with the best. He has leant his distinctive guitar sound to recordings from artists such as Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Teddy Pendergrass, Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan and Smokey Robinson. 

Now he is back with a brand new single, ‘Steppin Out’ that features Snarky Puppy keyboard player Shaun Martin, flautist Althea Rene and sax player Kelley O’Neal. A little more dance orientated than his earlier work it’s a number that opens him up to a whole new audience. 

Excellent track.

Michael Franks - The Music In My Head

New for 2018, his eighteenth album overall and the first since the stunning 2011 CD ‘Time Together’, that genre-defying magician Michael Franks is back with the simply wonderful ‘The Music In My Head’. The recording is remarkable in many respects, for the consummate art that Franks displays both as a performer and composer, the reflective rhythms that permeate the entire collection and also the outstanding line-up of A- List jazz musicians that have contributed to the process.

Marcus Click - Brand New Day

Now for a name new to me but one who on the strength of the single ‘Brand New Day’ has a lot going on. This one to watch is Marcus Click, a native of Louisville Kentucky, who grew up with aspirations to be a pro footballer, went on to spend ten plus years in the US Navy and has modelled his accessible smooth jazz style on greats of the genre such as Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum and Dave Koz. 

Produced by smooth jazz superstar Jonathan Fritzen (who also features on keys) the foot tapping ‘Brand New Day’ is a very tasty track indeed.