Smooth Jazz Therapy

Tony Momrelle - We Had Searched For Heaven

Followers of jazz funk powerhouse Incognito will already be familiar with soulful vocalist Tony Momrelle who on albums such as ‘Amplified Soul’, ‘Transatlantic RPM’ and ‘Bees, Things, Flowers’ played a significant part in framing the sound that has become the band’s calling card.

Now he is back, fortified by a musical career spanning more than twenty years and performances with some of the worlds greatest artists such as Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan and Sade to deliver the stunning new single ‘We Had Searched For Heaven’.  It is taken from his latest CD ‘Best Is Yet To Come’ and features another Incognito regular, the outstanding Maysa Leak.

David Benoit And Friends

For four decades pianist David Benoit has been creating a legacy that thrives very much at the high end of contemporary jazz and on August 23, 2019 he will make his Shanachie Entertainment debut with his thirty-sixth solo album, the outstanding ‘David Benoit And Friends’.  A heady mix of shifting moods, uplifting anthems, virtuosic playing and more than a few surprises, it is a magnificent blend of original compositions, head turning covers and tributes to some of the genre’s most iconic players all delivered as only David Benoit can.

BK Jackson - Velvet Ropes

Now for a really fabulous new track.  ‘Velvet Ropes’ from sax man Bernard ‘BK’ Jackson features highly regarded keyboard player Nicholas Cole and is absolutely as catchy as can be.  Not only that, it is totally in keeping with the reputation BK has for his energetic stage presence and unparalleled passion for music.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Jackson spent three years touring domestically and abroad with musical icon Prince as a member of his 11-piece horn section known as New Power Generation.  He has crossed musical paths with industry giants such as B.B King, Brian McKnight, Bruno Mars and Chaka Khan while currently he can be found rocking the stage as part of Trombone Shorty’s touring band.

Great tune.

Rick Braun - Crossroads

Chart-topping contemporary jazz pioneer Rick Braun releases his eighteenth solo album, ‘Crossroads’, August 16, 2019, on the Shanachie Entertainment label.  Totally in keeping with someone who has routinely played with the best in the business he is joined here by a cross-section of friends both old and new. Keyboard player Philippe Saisse, bass-man Nate Phillips, sax supremo Richard Elliot, drummer Eric Valentine and percussionist Richie Garcia are all around to lend a hand while he also welcomes first time collaborators Greg Phillinganes, Michael Thompson, and Gregg Bissonette for a collection that in the final analysis is bound to be among the best of the year.

Dave Bradshaw Jr - Latina Love

 

It was in 2005 that keyboard player and long-time sideman Dave Bradshaw, Jr made some waves with the track ‘Jumpstep’ that was co-written and produced by Darren Rahn.  It proved to be the perfect radio friendly showcase for his melodic yet funky style.

Fast-forward to 2017 and the title cut from his ‘Flipside’ album proved to be in the best traditions of smooth jazz keys. It invited comparisons with the likes of Brian Simpson and David Benoit while much the same was said of ‘Miles Away’ that was also lifted from ‘Flipside’.

Now he is back with the intoxicating ‘Latina Love’ that boasts the input of the Earth Wind & Fire horn section.

Spicy!

Adam Hawley - Shuffle

Having already garnered the radio singles ‘Can You Feel It’, ‘Traveling Mood’ (with bass player Julian Vaughn) and ‘Just Dance’ featuring Dave Koz, Adam Hawley’s CD ‘Double Vision’ shows no signs of running out of steam. The latest single winging its way to radio is ‘Shuffle’ which was written, produced and mixed by Hawley and includes input from Darren Rahn on sax, Nathaniel Kerney Jr. on bass, organ from Carnell Harrell, drummer Eric Valentine and ‘go-to’ percussionist Ramon Yslas.

‘Double Vision’ has already made it to number 2 on the Amazon Sales chart, the top ten of the iTunes chart, the top 25 of the Billboard Jazz Album sales chart and garnered three number 1 singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz airplay chart.

Now ‘Shuffle looks like making that four.

Terje Lie - Slow Pacific

Norwegian born saxophonist Terje Lie first came into prominence in 2007 with his debut release ‘Traveler’.  The title seemed to authenticate his relocation to the contemporary jazz friendly confines of southern California and the album quickly established his credentials as a ‘serious’ musician.  His follow-ups, ‘Urban Vacation’ and the equally attractive ‘Bright Moments’ did nothing to tarnish that reputation which if anything was enhanced by input from Yellowjackets mainstay Jimmy Haslip and the ubiquitous Jeff Lorber.

Terje has now released a new single, his own composition ‘Slow Pacific’.  It not only exemplifies romantic images of the warm California coast and its rhythmically rolling ocean but also offers the perfect showcase for him as a multi instrumentalist.  He delivers the melody on alto sax, contributes a piano solo and adds backing with tenor sax, flute, and trumpet.