Smooth Jazz Therapy

Konstantin Klashtorni - 7 x 7

Konstantin Klashtorni has done more than most in extending the global reach of smooth jazz.  Originally from the Ukraine and now domiciled in Germany this fine multi instrumentalist has been building an extensive discography for the last sixteen years and is all set to add to it with the February 14 release of the superb ‘7 x 7’.  The date is significant in that it coincides with Klashtorni’s 49^thbirthday, a milestone that he has used to bestow the album with its title.

‘7 x 7’ isa sumptuous eleven track collection of gentle rhythms and compelling melodies that draws on all Klashtorni’s experiences as solo artist, master of chill and king of cool.

Skinny Hightower - Bittersweet

New for 2020, multi instrumentalist and producer Skinny Hightower weighs in with ‘Bittersweet’, the lead single from his latest project ‘Bluemoon’.  It is Skinny’s fourth album release and follows his 2016 debut recording ‘Cloud Nine’, ‘Emotions’ that followed a year later and ‘Retrospect’ from which came the single ‘One Way Street’ that I described at the time as checking every smooth jazz box imaginable.

The intensely rhythmic ‘Bittersweet’ finds Hightower taking the lead on Fender Rhodes and in so doing bestowing a wonderful retro vibe to this catchy tune.

Gail Jhonson - Joy Joy

Hot news is that this summer keyboard player Gail Jhonson will release her Shanachie debut CD.  It will feature her all-star female band, Jazz In Pink, which has forged a unique place in the annals of contemporary jazz with piano, violin, flute and harp at its core.  Showcasing the album will be the intoxicating, uplifting and jubilant ‘Joy Joy’ that has just debuted in the Top 30 of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart and which includes two special guest performers, sax-man Kim Waters and guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr.

Jhonson and Waters both hail from the city of Philadelphia and it was there that Gail Denise Johnson (who now records under the name of Gail Jhonson) began playing piano at the age of ten.  By age fourteen she had played her first gig and went on to study at Berklee College of Music where she received a BA in composition.  In 1985 she left her Germantown PA home and headed west to audition for Morris Day and the Time.  Johnson got the gig and made her home in L.A. where she now remains.  Currently dividing her time between her staff position at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA, her role as musical director and touring keyboard playing for smooth jazz superstar Norman Brown, and as an integral member of Jazz In Pink 2020 is, for Gail Jhonson, shaping up to be something quite special.

Ronnie Smith - Raise The Roof

The fact guitarist Ronny Smith grew up listening to Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, and George Benson does much to explain the tight melodic style that categorizes his playing. It is a style that he began to develop while still in junior high school and the time he subsequently spent performing, first with various bands at University then later in the armed forces, expanded both his musical and geographic horizons.  More importantly it led him to a career as a sought after backing musician. Collaborations with artists as diverse as the Marvellettes, Melba Moore and jazz drummer Bobby Durham all added to Smith’s reputation while as a solo artist he has been steadily building a significant body of work.   This commenced in 2001 with ‘Long Time Comin’ and continued with ‘Laid Back’, ‘Got Groove’, ‘Simply Stated’, ‘Just Groovin’ and his highly acclaimed 2013 project ‘Can’t Stop Now’.  ‘Shake It Up’ followed four years later and now, signed to the highly rated Skytown Records label; he is about to expand his discography yet further with ‘Raise The Roof’ that will be released January 27, 2020.

Brian Simpson & Steve Oliver - Unified

Due out January 17 ‘Unified’ is the brand new album from Brian Simpson and Steve Oliver who have combined to create what was originally envisaged as being built around an electronic music concept but which over time has evolved into contemporary jazz project that nevertheless retains elements of electronica.

Also including contributions from ‘go to’ bass player Alex Al, drummer Eric Valentine and percussionist extraordinaire Ramon Yslas this is a CD that heralds in the latest in a long line of exciting smooth jazz pairings and one that could well be around for some time to come.

Maysa - It's Gonna Be Alright

Often described as the best-kept secret on urban adult contemporary radio, the incredible Maysa has recently been making waves with her latest project, ‘Music For Your Soul’.  The latest track from it is the Barbara Perry composition ‘It’s Gonna Be Alright’ that owes much to the production nous of Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis, silky smooth vocals from the legendary Phil Perry, cool sax from Kim Waters and some stellar backing vocals from Kevin Monroe and Devotion.

Of course it is well chronicled how, back in 1991, Maysa went directly from Morgan State University to sing backup for the legendary Stevie Wonder.  The rest, as they say is history yet to this day Maysa remains as one of the brightest stars in the contemporary jazz galaxy.

Greg Manning - Twinkle

Born in Nigeria and brought up in Switzerland, composer producer and keyboard player Greg Manning moved to Los Angeles in the nineties. Since then he has been building a niche position in the world of contemporary jazz with quality collaborations with the likes of Mindi Abair and Jonathan Butler.

As a solo artist his CD’s ‘Dance With You’, ‘Sugar & Spice’ and ‘The Calling’ while the single ‘Top Down’ made it to #1in 2019 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Airplay chart.

Now he is back with the zesty ‘Twinkle’.  Written by Earl Klugh it features Darrel Crooks on guitar and is a fine way to get the New Year started.

Ragan Whiteside - Reminiscing

Smooth Jazz Therapy has admired the music of the wonderfully soulful Ragan Whiteside since 2007 and the release of the highly acclaimed ‘Class Axe’.  It instantly marked her out as a leading exponent the smooth jazz flute and in the intervening years she has continued to cement her place in the upper echelons of this niche sub-genre.  Now, ahead of the release of her latest CD ‘Five Up Top’ comes her unique interpretation of ‘Reminiscing’ that was a hit for Australian rock group Little River Band back in 1978.

This fresh take on a classic number reinforces Whiteside’s versatility and is as appealing as it is different.