Smooth Jazz Therapy

Lebron - Let Me Count The Ways

Fire Fighter and Paramedic turned sax player Lebron Dennis (aka Lebron) burst onto the scene in 2013 with the critically acclaimed ‘Shades’.  Not only did it get him noticed but also delivered three top 10 Billboard radio singles and paved the way for the albums ‘New Era’ in 2015, ‘Moonlight Love’ that followed a year later and the 2019 blockbuster ‘Undeniable’.

 The latest single to be lifted from this choice collection is ‘Let Me Count The Ways’ that features vocals from Anthony Saunders.

Check it out, right here right now.

 

 

Ragan Whiteside - JJ's Strut

Having already provided her unique interpretation of ‘Reminiscing’ that was a hit for Australian rock group Little River Band back in 1978, ‘Five Up Top’ from soulful flautist Ragan Whiteside has now delivered her latest radio single ‘JJ's Strut’.  Produced by Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin this feel-good number takes its name from Ragan’s daughter JJ and is well worth checking out.

 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Hardcastle IX

Just short of two years since the release on Trippin N Rhythm of Paul Hardcastle’s ‘Hardcastle 8’ comes the logically titled ‘Hardcastle IX’.

All things considered ‘Hardcastle IX’ finds PH in decidedly chilled mode and none more so than with the distinctly ethereal ‘Welcome To The Morning’.  Several tracks later he sends out another welcome, in fact ‘Welcome To The Beach’, that is as light and airy as the title suggests it might be.  It possesses the usual Hardcastle elements of smoky sax and seductive rhythm while elsewhere the moody ‘Outside My Window’ possesses a tension that just builds and builds.

Lin Rountree - Fluid

Lifted from Lin Rountree’s latest project, ‘Fluid’, comes the extremely easy on the ear title track that is one of the best examples of smooth jazz you will hear all year.  The album follows his 2018 effort ‘Stronger Still’ and is certainly one to look out for.

 

 

Randy Scott - Joy Ride

 

Building on the success he enjoyed in 2015 with the album ‘Serenity’ Detroit based sax-man Randy Scott is back with ‘Elevation’ from which comes the hot new single ‘Joy Ride’.  This easy grooving street savvy number is the perfect fit for Scott’s playing style and is sure to provide the sort of exposure that this most talented of performers has long deserved.

Nice track.

 

Paul Brown - Notorious

Back in 1997 serial hit maker Paul Brown co-wrote the song ‘Notorious’ with Rick Braun and Leon Bisquera.  It was included on what turned out to be Braun’s hit CD ‘Body and Soul’ and now, twenty three years later, Brown is revisiting the track and making it part of his tenth studio album, ‘Ones Upon A Time’, that will be released August 14 on Woodward Avenue Records.   The project finds Brown gathering together a batch of his favorite chart-toppers that over the years he has produced for either himself or other artists such as Boney James, Larry Carlton, Kirk Whalum, Bob James and George Benson.  In doing so he has given a fresh new look to some of the greatest smooth jazz tunes ever recorded and a case in point is the lead single ‘Notorious’.  

Where first time around ‘Notorious’ proved to be a brilliant showcase for the interplay between Braun and sax man Boney James, this 2020 version has Brown centre stage on guitar and Richard Elliot playing the ‘Boney’ part and in so doing making it sound brand new.

The line-up is completed by Roberto Vally on bass, drummer Gorden Campbell, Lenny Castro on percussion and keyboard player Greg Karukas whose shimmering solo turns out to be the icing on a very special smooth jazz cake.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Ones Upon A Time’

Norman Brown - Heading Wes

Lee Ritenour did it in 1993 with the CD ‘Wes Bound’ and now super smooth guitarist Norman Brown is paying his own tribute to guitar legend Wes Montgomery with the track ‘Heading Wes’.  It is taken from his brand new album ‘Heart To Heart’ that will be released August 7 on the Shanachie label, which, with contributions from Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown and Chris Big Dog Davis, promises to be very special indeed.

‘Heading Wes’ is a song notable for many reasons including a velvety brass section courtesy of Lee Thornburg and Greg Vail.  Also featured are co-writers Paul Brown and keyboard player Lew Laing plus Lenny Castro on percussion and Roberto Vally on bass.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ’Heart To Heart’.

U-Nam - Each Day A Gift EP

Innovator par excellence U-Nam has done it again.  He is releasing an EP built around the track ‘Each Day A Gift’, that originated both in instrumental and vocal form on his hot new CD ‘U-Nam Goes Big Band’.  In addition to these original two versions the EP also includes the associated radio edits plus a brand new smooth funk remix featuring vocals from Tim ‘TiO’ Owens.  With a velvety horn foundation and a mood that has a George Duke meets Earth Wind & Fire thing going on, this really is U-Nam at his very best and is all the more remarkable for the way he has re-constructed the song from its Latin tinged roots.

Reaching out as it does to both smooth jazz stations and more R & B orientated outlets this is an EP that could well be a radio programmers dream.

The Listening Room - Notorious By Rick Braun

Welcome to the Smooth Jazz Therapy Listening Room, a new feature to these pages that will offer, with the aid of Spotify, the opportunity to listen again to some of the greatest contemporary jazz tunes of all time.  First up is Rick Braun’s blockbuster ‘Notorious’.  It comes from Braun’s 1997 CD ‘Body and Soul’ and features Boney James on sax.  Indeed the selection of this sexy yet invigorating number is all the more timely in that Paul Brown’s re-imagining of the track is included on his latest project, ‘Ones Upon A Time’ that will be released August 14 on Woodward Avenue Records.

Check back here soon for more news on ‘Ones Upon A Time’ and if you would like your own favorite smooth jazz tunes included in the Listening Room then just let me know.