Smooth Jazz Therapy

Ryan La Valette - Lovers Melody

Although February 14 has come and gone, one track with a distinctly Valentine vibe is ‘Lovers Melody’ from New Zealand bred and based multi instrumentalist Ryan La Valette.

It is taken from his 2022 Trippin’ N Rhythm debut recording ‘New Beginnings’ for which he enlisted the help of three of the genre’s top producers and keyboard players, Nicholas Cole, Greg Manning and Chris “Big Dog” Davis. With ‘New Beginnings’ Ryan’s aim was to showcase his prowess both as a songwriter and performer on guitar, bass and saxophone. He did that and more with another song from the album, ‘Closer To You’, cool collaboration with Davis and now, in the company of Nicholas Cole, he is using ‘Lovers Melody’ to reveal another side of his musical persona.

 

 

Dave Koz - Wrapped Up In Your Smile

Taken from his 2022 seasonal collection ‘Dave Koz & Friends: Christmas Ballads’ Dave is utilizing the big expansive ballad ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ to prove (if indeed proof was needed) that his music is for life not just for Christmas. Although ‘Christmas Ballads’ was in the main crammed full of yuletide classics that, in the company of Rick Braun, Peter White, David Benoit and Rebecca Jade, provided a welcoming backdrop to his now legendary multi city Christmas tours, ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ is the sort of track that sounds good whatever the time of year.

 

 

U-Nam - Sunshine Of Mine

Slated for release March 6, ‘Sunshine Of Mine’ is the latest album from Billboard chart-topping artist and multi-platinum producer Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul. An eclectic concoction of eight original compositions plus two carefully crafted covers it opens with the easy grooving title cut that takes its name from the love U-Nam has for his six year old son Myles who, quite literally, is the sunshine of his life. Indeed, the sumptuous ‘Little Dreamer’ again underscores the bond a father has with his son. From mellow beginnings that gradually evolve into a pulsating beat, U-Nam calls on the combined artistry of Kim Hansen on keys and Michael White on drums yet still stays at the epicentre of the entire piece.

A track already setting the airwaves alight is the shimmering ‘Make A Wish’. 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 just the sort of infectious cut that U-Nam seems able to effortlessly deliver.

Lin Rountree - It's You

Soulful trumpeter Lin Rountree has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen since 2005 and his debut release ‘Groovetree’.

Now, seventeen years later and ensconced in the smooth jazz friendly confines of Trippin n Rhythm, he is sounding as good as ever, a fact confirmed by his brand new single ‘It’s You’ that he co-wrote with Michael Broening.

Check it out.

 

 

Paul Brown - 7 and 7

Lifted from Paul Brown’s ninth solo project ‘Promised Land’ the swaggering ‘7 and 7’ finds him in superb collaboration with the always-excellent Euge Groove.

Of course it was in 2000 that Brown part produced Groove’s eponymous debut CD and although the rest is history it is interesting to reflect how Brown’s career has gradually moved him to center stage as a performer in his own right. That particular journey began in 2004 with his own (aptly titled) debut recording ‘Up Front’ and with ‘Promised Land’ continues to go from strength to strength.

 

 

Nathan Mitchell - 100% Cotton

Currently on radio and taken from the 2022 album 'It's My Time' '100% Cotton' by silky smooth keyboard player Nathan Mitchell certainly is one to watch. With an inviting mid tempo groove and nice work on sax from long time Prince sideman Marcus Anderson it is a fine example of what the excellent 'It's My Time' is all about.

 

 

Rob Zinn - When and Where

Now for something new from trumpet and flugelhorn player Rob Zinn. Titled ‘When and Where’ it finds him in explosive collaboration with sax-man Jeff Ryan for a brass infused slice of high-octane smooth jazz.

Zinn rocketed to fame in 2018 with his sophomore CD ‘Walk The Walk’ which was produced by Paul Brown and featured sax players Michael Paulo and Andrew Neu. The follow up ‘Anything Can Happen’ is expected early in 2023 and as well as reuniting Zinn with Paul Brown the album is rumored to feature Greg Manning. Roberto Vally, Dennis Johnson and the ubiquitous Adam Hawley.