Smooth Jazz Therapy

Walter Beasley - Here (Aqui)

‘Here (Aqui)’ from saxophonist, vocalist, educator and entrepreneur Walter Beasley might be the latest single from his current CD ‘Going Home’ but in reality it is much more than that.  During it’s recording Beasley’s father was very ill and he lost his Mother to cancer.  One day while getting ready to visit them, Beasley decided, no matter what, to accept responsibility for every day he was given. 

He picked up the saxophone and wrote ‘Here (Aqui)’, a fitting tribute to his parents and to the undeniable artistry of this stand out performer.

Ron King - Mellow Out

Grammy nominated trumpet player and composer Ron King, as well as being a highly acclaimed soloist, is one of the most sought after studio players in LA.   He has attained gold records for his work with artists such as George Benson and Marvin Gaye, been watched by millions during his regular slots on the Tonight Show and has performed with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

His new single is ‘Mellow Out’.  Take a listen, right here, right now.

 

 

Chris Walker - We're In This Love Together

When Al Jarreau passed away in 2017 it left a gap that was impossible to fill.  Through a glittering and much storied career during which he won no less than seven Grammy awards and was nominated for a dozen more he inhabited a special place in that unique space somewhere between jazz and soul.

Now he is being remembered by a tribute project featuring guest artists such as Chris Walker, Larry Williams, Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Regina Belle, Bob James, Bobby Lyle, Jerry Hey, Greg Phillinganes, Paul Jackson Jr, Marcus Miller, Nathan East and many more.

The first single is Jarreau’s seminal ‘We’re In This Love Together’ and has Walker on lead vocals. A magnificent taste of what will be a magnificent collection.

Brian Lenair - Silky Soul

I first became aware of DC based saxophonist Brian Lenair back in 2011 and given he has performed with the likes of Will Downing, Maysa, Billy Paul, Angela Bolfill, Al Jarreau, Tony Terry, Phyllis Hyman, Pieces of a Dream, Miles Jay, Grover Washington, Jr., Peabo Bryson, and George Benson he instantly became impossible to ignore.  A one time integral part of the band Spur Of The Moment Lenair made his solo debut in 2006 with ‘Inspirations Vol 1’ and has gone on to record a string of albums that include ‘A Saxy Christmas’, ‘Underground Volume 3’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Eye Of The Storm’.

Lenair’s new single, ‘Silky Soul’ is written and produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis. It reunites him with the sort of mid tempo vibe that fits so well with his trademark streetwise playing style.

Will Downing - Deja Vu

When in 1990 the incomparable Dionne Warwick performed her 1977 hit ‘Déjà Vu’ with the song’s composer Isaac Hayes it marked a special moment in the history of soul music. Now, almost twenty years later, legendary vocalist Will Downing is delivering his own take on this classic tune. In doing so has called upon rising star Avery Sunshine to help re-interpret that special time when Warwick and Hayes shared the stage together.

With bass player Al Turner, percussionist Pablo Batista and drummer Mike Logan, Jr. providing the backing this is a track that will do well.

Bob Baldwin - Long Weekend

Now for something special.  Ahead of the release of Bob Baldwin’s new CD ‘Henna’ comes the delicious ‘Long Weekend (See You On Tuesday)’.  Co-written by and featuring long time collaborator Ragan Whiteside it is everything we have come to expect from this pioneer of the genre who burst onto the scene in 1988 with ‘The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin’.  Since then he has never looked back and despite the fact his lavish discography has at times been overlooked it has nevertheless been adorned with a succession of musical gems.  If ‘Long Weekend’ is anything to go by ‘Henna’ is all set to be another.

 

Mariea Antoinette - That Thing

San Diego native Mariea Antoinette is perhapsbest known for her dual talents as principle harpist in the Southeast Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and an integral part of the all star touring female jazz soul group Jazz In Pink. 

With a style that is both contemporary and urban, Mariea is certainly the real smooth jazz deal and now, ahead of herforthcoming album, ‘All My Strings’ comes the dreamy, stringed magic of ‘That Thing’.  Indeed, twenty years after the song won two Grammys for Lauryn Hill, and with strong orchestral backing that bestows something of an old school vibe, Marieais proving once more how, in the right hands, the harp can be an outstanding smooth jazz instrument.

U-Nam - The Love Vault - Future Love Part 2

Little did writer, producer and guitarist extraordinaire Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboulknow that when he recorded his chart busting album ‘Future Love’ he was in fact unleashing a tsunami of music characterized by infectious grooves and unbridled depth.  Which tracks to leave out and which to allow in became a real dilemma and this depth became apparent when to celebrate the release of a very special Japanese edition of ‘Future Love’, Skytown Records made the previously unreleased  ‘Soul Walkin’, available as a bonus track.

It triggered U-Nam to revisit a whole raft of songs, unrecorded and hidden away in his extensive archives, with the result being  ‘The Love Vault – Future Love Part 2‘ that will be released October 11, 2019 on the Skytown Records label.