Smooth Jazz Therapy

Steve Oliver - New Heights

Perhaps best known for his use of synthesized guitar to conjure up a whole range of instrumental and orchestral sounds, Steve Oliver is all set to release an album of out and out guitar solos. It is a response to his many fans who over the years have asked him for such an offering and indeed the first single from it ‘Morning Touch’, promised much.

Now he is back with the second single. ‘New Heights’ that has a nice Rippingtons sort of vibe going on and is sure to raise expectations to a whole new level.

 

 

U-Nam - California Funk Machine Volume 2

Back, and this time with a focus completely on the greatest funk of the eighties, comes Volume 2 of the genre defining series California Funk Machine which was released July 22, 2022 on the Skytown Records label.

Indeed, much like Volume 1, the driving force behind the project is none other than Billboard chart topping artist, Platinum producer and multi instrumentalist Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul who, since moving to Los Angeles from his native Paris, France in 2007, his built a reputation for knowing funk like no one else knows funk.

California Funk Machine Volume 2 is not just a collection of music, it is a concept, a style, a coming together of like minded musical brethren to breath new life into some of the hottest funk, disco, soul and jazz funk classics of that golden age otherwise known as the eighties.

U-Nam’s contribution to California Funk Machine Volume 2 reaches far and wide. As well as arranging both horns and strings, U-Nam also produces and arranges the entire album. In fact his own prodigious input extends not only to lead and rhythm guitars, talk box, vocoder, bass, moog bass, Rhodes, clavinet, synth guitar, keyboards, drums, horn programming and editing but also lead and background vocals.

Ricky Alan Draughn - When You Love A Woman

Musically on point and politically focused vocalist Ricky Alan Draughn has hooked up with serial hit maker Adam Hawley for an explosive rendition of the 1988 pop ballad ‘When You Love A Woman’ that was written and originally performed by Journey.

Given the recent Supreme Court decision that deals a hammer blow to women’s rights, the timing of ‘When You Love A Woman’ is significant. As Ricky explains it “I wanted the song to celebrate women but not only that, I wanted to bring back a memory of simpler days with a refreshing reboot of a classic tune. We arranged the background vocals specifically to allow for general interpretation and not just for a romantic relationship. With women’s rights in the USA and elsewhere currently coming under threat my hope is that the single becomes an anthem”.

While the single is brand new, Draughn has been performing it in concert with his twelve-piece band for years. He usually closes his sets with it, bringing down the house with his captivating performance and in so doing making it one of his most requested numbers.

The addition of Hawley both as producer and with a standout solo on electric guitar has been something of a game changer yet that said the integrity of the song has remained entirely intact. Hawley also brought in Carnell Harrell on synths and Dan Needham on drums to reinforce that timeless 80’s sound for a track that is slated to be the first single from Draughn’s soon to be released CD ‘Genesis 8:5’. The album will be substantially produced by Hawley including the second single, ‘Relentless’, that Draughn describes as being an upbeat original with a neo soul vibe.

Check back here soon for more on Ricky Alan Draughn

 

 

Mark Etheredge - Love Planet

It was in 2016, with the CD ‘Connected’, that keyboard player Mark Etheredge took the world of smooth jazz by storm.  It was his first genuine foray into the genre and maybe it was the ten self penned songs or the plethora of A-List collaborators who rallied round to lend a hand but there seemed little doubt that here was an artist who had truly arrived.  Well that was then but as he slipped into the despair of alcoholism, faced the specter of bankruptcy, lost his West Hollywood home and watched on as his mother slowly slipped away, Etheredge’s world had turned on its head.  Yet through all of those dark times he found strength by composing and playing music.  Now, coming out of the other side and reunited with producer Paul Brown, he is back with the excellent ‘Love Planet’.

Boney James - Bring It Back

Due out September 23 on Concorde Records, ‘Detour will be Boney James’ eighteenth solo album and follows his 2020 outing ‘Solid’ which became his twelfth  #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album chart.

Recorded largely at Boney’s L.A. home studio, this new ten track collection features vocals from 5-time Grammy winner Lalah Hathway and was produced by Boney with co-production from in-demand writer and producer, Jairus “J-Mo”.  Also featuring are guitarists Mike Hart and Paul Jackson Jr., keyboard player Tim Carmon, long time collaborator Omari Williams on drums, bass player Alex Al and the legendary Lenny Castro on percussion.

The first single to be serviced to radio is ‘Bring It Back’ that features composer, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, and trumpeter, Dontae Winslow.

Check it out, right here right now

 

 

U-Nam - Make A Wish

Going for adds on August 1, 2022 and out on the 3^rd,‘Make A Wish’ is the latest single from Billboard chart-topping artist and multi-platinum producer U-Nam.  Reminiscent of the stellar work U-Nam was doing back in the nineties with some of the biggest R & B acts around, but with the addition of silky strings to bestow a veneer that is both sophisticated and soulful, this exuberant slice of up-tempo smooth jazz is the perfect accompaniment to the long hot summer days to come.

Indeed it is just the sort of infectious cut that U-Nam seems able to effortlessly deliver and deliver he certainly does where from his CFM Lab in Laguna Hills, CA he is front back and center with lead & rhythm guitars, bass, keyboards, horns, programming and editing.  Not only that, he writes, produces, mixes and masters throughout while in the company of Raymond Gimenes he concocts a sublime string arrangement that in the capable hands of Lyudmila Kadyrbaeva on cello and Maria Grig on violin and viola is a joy to behold.

Truth to tell U-Nam’s production touches are everywhere and when the picture is completed by Larry Salzmann’s tight percussion there is only one thing left to do, close your eyes, Make A Wish and let U-Nam transport you to that special place where a luscious, Motown style vibe meets instrumental smooth jazz in the most sensational of ways.

Brendan Rothwell - Destiny

Originally from North Yorkshire, England, and now comfortably ensconced in Alberta, Canada, Brendan Rothwell is one of that exclusive group of contemporary jazz musicians who as a bass player has made his mark as a lead artist. His latest release is ‘Destiny’ which follows his 2016 debut ‘Time On My Hands’ and ‘Sentiment’ that hit the streets two years later.  Much like his previous work ‘Destiny’ finds him front, back and centre of a project for which he writes all twelve tracks and plays every instrument.

In fact it is unobtrusive piano that adds another dimension to the ultra contemplative ‘My Time’ and truth to tell the entire collection finds Rothwell predominately in tender mood.  This is particularly so with ‘Foundation’ where he sublimely blends bass guitar with keys and again with the equally laid back  ‘Solitude’.  The track is further enhanced by a seriously catchy riff while elsewhere, and for anyone who has ever been to the Californian city of Carmel, there will be instant recognition of the sun blushed location that gives its name to this luscious tune.

Nicholas Cole - All The Way

Right now in the UK it is hot, in fact it is very hot, steamy hot even and when the mercury sores it can only mean that quiet storm is the order of the day.

Consequently and right on time comes keyboard player Nicholas Cole with his latest single ‘All The Way’.  It features LeFrance on vocals and is everything and more we have come to expect from Cole who since 2010 and his breakthrough record ‘A Journey Of One’ has been quietly building a reputation as being one of the genre’s brightest stars.

Most recently his album ‘The Weekend’ has proved to be a gift that keeps on giving.  With radio ready tracks such as ‘Sugar’, the equally good ‘Soulmate’ and the vibey yet catchy ‘It Aint Over’ it is a collection that has marked out Cole has as a consummate purveyor of high quality smooth jazz.