Smooth Jazz Therapy

Philippe Saisse - Eva Kant Dance

Despite the huge success of the excellent 2017 recording from the constantly good Philippe Saisse Trio, ‘On The Level’, it has been ten years since his last solo album, the wonderful ‘At World’s Edge’.  At the time I described it as being an exceptional collection of original compositions and now, to mark this ten year anniversary he has released the interestingly titled single ‘Eva Kant Dance’.

Written by Saisse and mixed by Goh Hotoda the title actually comes from a 60’s Italian comic book character, Eva Kant, who was a master of all disguises and  sidekick of criminal mastermind Diabolik.  It’s a foot stomping high tempo number that makes full use of Saisse’ talents on synth, vibraphone, Fender Rhodes, vocoder and clavinet.

Check it out right here right now.

 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Latitude

Just short of two years since the release of Paul Hardcastle’s ‘Hardcastle 8’ comes the logically titled ‘Hardcastle Nine’ and if the lead single, ‘Latitude’ is anything to go by it looks set to enthral his legion of fans with more of what he does best.

Look out for ‘Latitude’ from May 25 and check back here so for a complete review of ‘Hardcastle Nine’.

Euge Groove - Dirty Dozen

Ever since 2000, when the runaway hit single ‘Vinyl’ blasted him into the contemporary jazz spotlight, the always-excellent Euge Groove has been a firm Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite.  The song was lifted from his self titled Warner Bros debut CD and set in motion a solo career that can not only be measured by his blockbuster live shows around the world but also by a discography of eleven best selling albums which is all set to become twelve with ‘Sing My Song’ that will be released June 26 on the Shanachie label.

The title cut was written by rising star Lindsey Webster and features an outstanding vocal performance by Maysa Leak while the first track to be serviced to radio is the groove driven ‘Dirty Dozen’ that is textbook Euge Groove and then some. 

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Sing My Song’.

Walter Chancellor Jr - Steppin Out

Now for a slice of old school smooth jazz that will not only captivate steppers everywhere but also remind the listening public what a rare talent Walter Chancellor is.  As a sax player, multi-instrumentalist, educator, arranger, mentor and producer Chancellor has plied his trade in the twin cities for the past twenty-five years working with that other Minneapolis legend, Prince, and appearing on his ‘Emancipation’ CD in 1996 for which he received a Double Platinum record.

The new single, ‘Steppin Out’, written by Chancellor and produced by Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis is the follow up to his 2019 single hit ‘Beautiful Day’ and comes highly recommended.

Paulo Rustichelli - Hot

Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite Paolo Rustichelli delighted aficionados of both chill and smooth jazz with a sequence of compelling singles that culminated in the wonderful album ‘Soul Italiano’.  This composer, producer, piano and keyboard player first ventured in to the chill genre with albums such as 'Mystic Jazz' & 'Mystic Man' that featured Miles Davis and Carlos Santana.  Indeed Santana, in an interview with Billboard magazine, is quoted as saying "Paolo can easily create a hookin' melody that makes the song really catchy, sounding classic and innovative at the same time.  Paolo's music is a soundtrack for life!"

His latest offering is the soon to be released ‘Tempus Fugit’ from which comes Paulo’s homage to summer on the central coast of Italy, the appropriately titled ‘Hot’.  He composed it while quarantined from the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy and as such is his anthem, his expression of freedom from illness and stress.

 Check it out. Right here right now.

 

 

Kim Waters - Shakedown

Since 1989 and, the release of his debut CD ‘Sweet & Saxy’, sax-man Kim Waters has been a constant on the urban-jazz landscape.  With a reputation for being one of the most technically gifted players around, he has released twenty three recordings as a leader and is all set to make that twenty four with ‘Shakedown’ which will hit the streets May 29 and the Shanachie Entertainment label.

With an upbeat theme intended to make the listener happy and to sooth the soul this vibrant ten-track collection is just perfect for the troubled time in which we now live and is being showcased by the title cut which, complete with handclaps and an edgy streetwise vibe, really hits the spot.

Jakob Magnusson - Caption This

Produced by Paul Brown and lifted from the EP ‘High North’, the magnificently grove drenched ‘Caption This’ by keyboard player and composer Jakob Magnusson is the second single to be harvested from this extended player and follows ‘Hook Line & Sinker’ that was characterised by Magnusson’s playful acoustic piano.

It featured Jeff Ryan on sax whereas for ‘Caption This’ Magnusson teams with flugelhorn player Snorri Sigurdsson, drummer and synth player Lew Laing plus Brown on guitar for a retro tinged number that evokes the halcyon days of contemporary jazz.

As well as being widely regarded as Iceland's foremost musical icon Jakob Magnusson is is arguably one of the most renowned Fender Rhodes players in the world.  He can also be found recording under the name of Jack Magnet and is well worth checking out.

Oli Silk - New Bounce

With a string of choice albums to his name and a profile that makes him the United Kingdom’s favorite smooth jazz keyboard player, the superb Oli Silk is back with his sixth solo project, the appropriately titled ‘6’.  The first track to be serviced to radio is the ultra smooth ‘New Bounce’ that features the always excellent Vincent Ingala and if this choice number is anything to go by ‘6’ looks like being a real gem.

Check back here soon for a complete review ‘6’.