Smooth Jazz Therapy

Blake Aaron - Love and Rhythm

Out now on the Innervision label, ‘Love and Rhythm’ is the latest CD from guitarist Blake Aaron. It is his seventh album release and the first since 2020 and the highly acclaimed ‘Color and Passion’. It finds him hitting the ground running in that the collection has already garnered four Billboard top 5 hits, ‘Feels So Right’, ‘Crush’, ‘Dreamland’ and the current single, ‘She’s The One’, which comes complete with a wonderfully brassy veneer that is difficult to resist.

In fact ‘Dreamland’, which I previously described as being possibly the most sunshine filled number of 2022, blends outrageously dexterous playing by Aaron with that of co-writer Adam Hawley. In fact it is everything great smooth jazz should be and with Eric Valentine on drums, Mel Brown on bass, David Mann on sax and horn arrangements plus trumpet from Trevor Neumann, the track offers another copper plated reason why ‘Love and Rhythm’ is without doubt one of the best smooth jazz releases of this year.

Jeff Logan - Indigo

Keyboard player Jeff Logan has just released his sophomore CD, ‘Indigo’, a tight ten track self-penned collection that was produced by two-time Grammy winner Paul Brown.

Brown also adds guitars and percussion while in addition brings in ‘go to’ session players Shane Theriot who plays bass, drums, guitar and additional keyboards, Greg Vail on sax, Gorden Campbell on drums, bass player Roberto Vally and trumpeter Ron King. That feisty foundation doesn’t take long to make its mark with the easy grooving and horn enriched ‘Lemonade’ while elsewhere that same brassy veneer adds in no small measure to the charm of ‘Let It Go.’

The first single to be serviced to radio is ‘Chill Factor’, a song where the title just about tells you all you need to know. Paul Brown weighs in with a memorable lead guitar riff and the mood remains relaxed for ‘Bread And Wine’ that proves to be a great showcase for Logan on keys. Much the same can be said of ‘Fall In Love’ where Logan’s interplay with Vail is magical. Talking of magic, Logan weaves some of his own with the easy on the ear ‘If Only’ and although ‘Tears Of Hope’ provides a nice balance between Latin rhythms and soothing flute it with the title cut that Logan finds a funky R&B groove that is hard to resist.

Chris Standring - As We Think

When, in 2023, contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring released ‘The Lovers Remix Collection’ I described it as being notable for many things. Not only was it the ultimate make out music for a romantic occasion but also a fabulous gift from Standring to his myriad of fans. Indeed, for those discovering Standring’s music for the very first time it was a wonderful place from which to start so it is very likely that those same fans, new and old, will be equally captivated by Standing’s latest project, ‘As We Think’ that is due out in April of this year.

Much like everything Standring does ‘As We Think’ is crammed full of the innovation that in 2010 (and his genre busting ‘Blue Bolero’) found him employing striking string arrangements blended sublimely with enticing guitar. His penchant for strings continued in both ‘Electric Wonderland’ and ‘Don’t Talk, Dance!’ before culminating with a 19-piece orchestra for the excellent ‘Wonderful World’.

With ‘As We Think’ Standring takes a slightly different approach as he shifts away from strings towards a standout horn section comprising Aaron Janik on trumpet, Brandon Fields on alto sax, Katisse Buckingham on tenor sax and Ido Meshulam on trombone. The brassy veneer that this collective bestows is instantly noticeable with the reggae infused ‘This Life’ and again with the delightfully jazzy ‘Michael’s Watch’ that is right up there with the best that ‘As We Think’ has to offer.

Steve Oliver - A New Light

For guitarist Steve Oliver 2022 was quite a year. Having whetted the collective appetites of his myriad of fans with singles such as ‘Morning Touch’ and ‘New Heights’ he released the album ‘Sojourn’ to critical acclaim. Now, just over a year later he has back with ‘A New Light’ a collection of smooth jazz radio ready originals that finds him in the company of hit co-producer Michael Broening, saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, legendary drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and bass player Larry Antonino.

‘A New Light’ is soon up and running with the easy grooving ‘Slingshot’ which is quickly followed by the sumptuous ‘Skyway’ that earlier this year enjoyed success on the smooth jazz radio play charts.

Incognito - Into You

From as far back as 1980 jazz funk powerhouse Incognito has been in the capable hands of its creator Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick. Although the band’s last CD, ‘Surreal’, was replete with the extremely accessible and retro tinged groove for which Incognito is best known its latest project, ‘Into You’, retains much of that trademark Incognito vibe with the addition of moods and influences drawn from a whole rage of predominately UK based jazz talent.

‘Into You’ was recorded, mixed, and mastered mainly at Bluey’s Colibri Sound Recorders studio in the east end of London by his co producer and engineer Mo Hausler. Collaborations abound and in this respect there is none more so than those that which harness the dance floor filling ‘Nothing Makes Me Feel Better’ where production duo Basile Petite and Drew Wynen from France and Belgium respectively lay down a killer groove.

The first single to go to radio was the predominately instrumental ‘Back On The Beach’ that, like several of the tracks, reverberates with a sumptuous brassy veneer.

U-Nam - California Funk Machine Volume 3

Back, and rich with the greatest funk of the seventies and eighties, comes Volume 3 of the genre defining series California Funk Machine that is out now across all platforms.

Indeed, much like Volumes 1 and 2, 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 3 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 what is widely regarded as a golden age.

U-Nam’s contribution to California Funk Machine Volume 3 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.

Kenny G - Innocense

Kenny G has always been an artist to divide opinion and his twentieth album, ‘Innocence’, looks all set to divide it even more. Yet the numbers speak for themselves. He has sold more than 75 million records, owns the best-selling instrumental recording of all time with his 1992 project ‘Breathless’ and has played to sell out audiences all around the world. At the heart of what Kenny is all about is his ability to convey deep emotions and a look back to the track ‘By The Time This Night Is Over’ featuring Peabo Bryson from the ‘Breathless’ CD sums this up to perfection. Much the same can be said of ‘That Someone Was You’ featuring Toni Braxton from his 1996 album ‘The Moment’ yet ‘Innocence’ brings with it an entirely different emotional vibe.

It is his first collection of lullabies, a clutch of timeless tracks with orchestral accompaniment that include ‘Rock-a-Bye Baby’, ‘Edelweiss’, ‘Over the Rainbow’ and seven other original songs.

Indeed the title, ‘Innocence’, not only reflects the innocence of childhood but also the innocence of a lullaby itself, those sweet and simple melodies that never grow old.

As Kenny himself explains it “I’ve already made music that people get engaged to, and then I made music they get married to and then they tell me how they make babies to my music. Well, I said, now I have got to complete the circle. Let me make them a record that you can use to put them to sleep. Seriously though I think it was more about making something that people could share in their family, intimate moments.”

Teddy Pendergrass - This Christmas ( I'd Rather Have Love)

Now digitally available for the very first time the long out of print ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ is the sole holiday title and final studio album from the incomparable Teddy Pendergrass. It offers a soulful blend of original songs plus an array of festive classics, such as ‘Little Drummer Boy’, ‘Oh Holy Night’ and ‘The Christmas Song.’

When released, in September 1998, ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ made its debut at number 83 on the Billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop albums chart. In 2010, following Pendergrass’ death, it surged in popularity again, peaking at number 43 on the Holiday Albums chart. The collection, which marked Pendergrass’ 14th and final long player, was also received warmly by critics, including All Music, which proclaimed, “Pendergrass' smouldering vocals make ‘This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love)’ one of the most romantic seasonal records on the market.”

In writing ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ Pendergrass worked with frequent collaborators such as the GRAMMY® winning composer and producer Reggie Calloway and songwriter and producer Jim Salamone. In doing so he injected the album with an array of original material, including ‘Happy Kwanzaa’ and the hip-hop inspired ‘Having a Christmas Party’ both of which were written by Calloway.  Other highlights include the Pendergrass-Calloway original ‘I Won’t Have Christmas’ while slow jams ‘Christmas and You’ and ‘This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)’ blend romance with the true holiday spirit.

Available from Craft Recordings / Concord This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) is out now.

Brian Bromberg - The Magic Of Moonlight

Since 1985, acclaimed bassist and producer Brian Bromberg has been confounding the music industry with an ever-increasing catalogue of straight ahead and contemporary jazz offerings that are often driven by specific sounds and themes. His latest project, ‘The Magic Of Moonlight’, is his 27th in all and with the help of an A-List of contemporary jazz talent he delivers eleven all original high end tracks that are right up there with the best that the genre has offered all year.

‘The Magic Of Moonlight’ is quickly up and running with the brass enriched high-octane title cut that includes a notable contribution from sax-man Everette Harp.

Harp is also around for the sophisticated mid tempo ‘Last Day Of Summer’ while when Bromberg eases down the tempo for the gently meandering ‘The Third Child’, Harp’s contribution is just as good.

Later, when sax duties pass to Gary Meek his interplay with Bromberg on the hugely descriptive ‘Just Another Beautiful Day’ is a joy to behold. It has already become an instant Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite and talking of favorites ‘Nico’s Groove’ is right up there with the best that ‘The Magic Of Moonlight’ has to offer. The tune was written for smooth jazz guitarist Nick Colionne, who passed away on New Year’s Day, 2022 at the age of just 55. Colionne had worked with Bromberg on numerous occasions and Brian has always been generous in his support of his friend and colleague.

Chris Standring - The Lovers Remix Collection

Out now for just a couple of months, ‘The Lovers Remix Collection’ from contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring is proving to be an outstanding way to commemorate his 25^th anniversary as a solo recording artist.

Indeed although Standring’s back catalogue is replete with a variety of tones, tempos and textures his considerable fan base has always demonstrated a love for his more chilled creations and with this in mind ‘The Lovers Remix Collection’ was born. Standring uses it to revisits ten tunes from his original songbook along with one new addition and he gets the show on the road with a trip back to 2008 and his seminal ‘Blue Bolero’ from which he not only selects the spine tingling ‘Sensual Overload’ but also the ultra chilled ‘Contemplation’.

Euge Groove - Comfort Zone

Never one to rest on his laurels, that consummate hit-maker, celebrated saxophonist, composer and producer Euge Groove has worked with everyone from Tina Turner, Eurythmics, Aaron Neville and Richard Marx, to Joe Cocker, Tower of Power, Huey Lewis and Luther Vandross.

Growing out of a collaboration with regular contributors Cornelius Mims and keyboard player Tracy Carter his latest project is ‘Comfort Zone’. It follows his 2020 outing ‘Sing My Song’ and is an outstanding set of ten original compositions that confirm his place at the top table of contemporary jazz sax players.

 

Michael J Thomas - Outside The Door

Sax-man Michael J Thomas has been releasing songs one at a time since December of 2021. It started with the original Holiday song ‘It's Christmas’ that featured two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Maysa and was followed by ‘The OG Bounce’, a brass driven spectacular that really had a Parliament, Funkadelic, Tower Of Power thing going on. Then came Thomas’s reworking of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule The World’ that included trumpet from the legendary Randy Brecker while ‘H.A.D’ featured Chieli Minucci of Special EFX on guitar. This drop feed of radio ready gems concluded with a rendition of Stevie Wonder's ‘I Wish’ that was underpinned by a brass section of Steve Patrick on trumpets, Barry Green on trombone and Mark Douthit on alto, tenor and baritone saxes.

Now these five radio ready gems have been released in EP form under the title of ‘Outside The Door’ which interestingly is being provided using the Dolby Atmos Music audio technology that has already transformed the world of cinema and home theater by providing an immersive three-dimensional sound experience and is now aiming to do the same for music.

 

 

Greg Adams & East Bay Soul - The Real

Since 2009, and with five outstanding albums, trumpet player extraordinaire Greg Adams has been building his East Bay Soul creation into what is now the preeminent horn driven collective of its era. This hugely talented line-up, which over the years Adams has subtly rotated, has its roots firmly grounded in the uniquely soul based genre of San Francisco’s East Bay area and as a consequence delivers tight horn filled rhythms that are entirely timeless.  Now, this founding member of the legendary Tower of Power is doing it all again with ‘The Real’ that hit the streets June 2 on Ripa Records.

 

At its core are the powerful horns, lush strings, and an all-star rhythm section that, for East Bay Soul, have become its calling card yet this time around the added emphasis of sweet soul vocals courtesy of Terrell Edwards provides the collection with a whole different feel.

In fact of the nine original compositions five have a vocal component with the first being ‘Dig A Little Deeper’.  Crafted from a platform afforded by Herman Matthews on drums, this gritty number is the real EBS deal and talking of ‘real’ much the same can be said of the funk driven title cut that luxuriates in a bass laden groove powered by Del Atkins.  This collective collaboration brings songwriters Adams, Nick Milo, Richard Smith and Tico Pierhagen together to sensational effect and with lyrics by Edwards it is a standout in an album crammed full of them

Edwards again works his magic with the feel good vibe of ‘Come And Gone’ yet in terms of personal vocal favourites the luscious R&B ballad ‘Baby, Please Stay’ is right up there with the best that ‘The Real’ has to offer.  However, all things considered, the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track is the wonderful ‘100%’.  Velvety horns sumptuous vocal and as easy grooving as you like this one has it all going on.

Turning to the instruments, the mid tempo magic of ‘Dreams Come True’ finds Adams’ flugelhorn never sounding better.  It’s a tune that is beauty personified and much the same can be said of ‘Rear Window’ and although ‘Moment In Time’ is another brass infused powerhouse it is with ‘57^th West’ that Adams takes the listener on an evocative late night stroll in uptown Manhattan.

For many reasons ‘The Real’ comes highly recommended.  The writing and production partnership of Adams and Nick Milo has never been sharper and the chemistry that exists between the entire band comes shining through.

It is a total winner.

Easy Bay Soul are Greg Adams, Michael Stever: trumpet and flugelhorn, Johnnie Bamont, Ed Wynne: saxes, Terrell Edwards: lead vocals, Nick Milo: keyboards, Richard Smith: guitar, Herman Matthews: drums, Del Atkins: bass

Vahagn Stepanyn - A New Chapter

Keyboard player Vahagn Stepanyan is an award-winning music producer, arranger, songwriter, film and television composer who, since his arrival in the USA from his native Armenia, has been making waves in the field of jazz fusion.  His latest album, the appropriately titled ‘A New Chapter’, is notable for many things not least of which being the stellar line-up of supporting musicians he has gathered together for what is a truly outstanding project.

Take for example the opening track and the first to be released to radio, ‘Synergy’ that with smooth jazz legend Dave Koz on sax proves to be a sassy upbeat gem. 

Stepanyan keeps the tempo high for ‘Without Limits’ that features guitarist Mark Lettieri and bass player Anthony Crawford while elsewhere ‘Gravity’ is the sort of hard driving brass enriched number to ensure Stepanyan stands out from the crowd.

He keeps his foot firmly on the fusion gas with ‘Motion’ and much the same can be said of  ‘Revolution’ where Feodor Dosumov on guitar is on fire.

In terms of personal favourites the magically mellow ‘Hold My Hand’ is a tranquil triumph and although ‘So Good’ shifts easily from a fusion flavour to melodic smooth jazz it is the splendid ‘Toy’ that, by some distance is the Smooth Jazz Therapy top tune.

 

 

Keiko Matsui - Euphoria

Always positioned very much at the high end of contemporary jazz, keyboard player Keiko Matsui is currently garnering critical acclaim with her latest CD ‘Euphoria’.  Not surprisingly given the status Matsui enjoys she is joined on the recording by a veritable who’s who of contemporary jazz talent and none more so than for ‘Luminescence’ where she teams with Kirk Whalum on sax and ‘go to’ bass player Alex Al.

 

Michael Lington - Looking Ahead

 

Currently knocking them dead as an integral part of the Dave Koz And Friends smooth jazz cruise (the latest leg of which sets sail from Barcelona on May 15), Danish born sax-man Michael Lington is having quite a 2023.  His new five track EP ‘Looking Ahead’ will be released May 12 and is his first collection of original songs since 2018 and ‘Silver Lining’.

Kim Waters - That Special Touch

'That Special Touch', the current album from sophisticated saxophonist Kim Waters is a ten-track tour de force that has just spawned the title track as the latest single to be serviced to radio.  A standout in its own right this is a number that is special in more ways than one.  Kim’s daughter Kayla Waters joins him to play keys on what proves to be a sublime duet.  Of course Kayla is on her own fast track to smooth jazz stardom and having released the albums ‘Apogee’ and ‘Coevolve’ she has most recently signed with the Shanachie Entertainment label from where her latest long player ‘Presence’ is set for release July 7.

As for 'That Special Touch' eight original compositions sit hand in glove with two tasty covers the first being a spine tingling rendition of the Adele blockbuster ‘Easy On Me’.  Waters, aided and abetted by the soulful vocals of Raynard Gibson, also reimagines Joe’s ‘If I Were Your Man’ to spectacular effect and all things considered this looks like an album that will stay hot for some time to come.

 

 

Michael Broening - Never Too Late

New out on Trippin n Rhythm records is the debut album. ‘Never Too Late’ from artist, producer, pianist and songwriter Michael Broening.

Since 2001 Michael has written and produced music for a veritable who's who of contemporary jazz talent including George Benson, Wayman Tisdale, Marion Meadows, Nick Colionne, Cindy Bradley, Brian Simpson, Michael Lington, Steve Oliver, Tim Bowman, Lin Rountree, Althea Rene, Lebron Dennis and Randy Scott. Not only that, he has written and produced over fifty contemporary jazz hits, including twenty six top five and thirteen number one singles, one of which was the 2007 Grammy winning song ‘Mornin’ by George Benson and Al Jarreau.  A former touring musician, DJ, and private music teacher, LA born Michael works from his B-Hive recording studio in Phoenix where he operates as both producer and engineer.

Broening’s approach to the tight ten tune ‘Never Too Late’ has been very much to drip feed it into the market. First came the sumptuously easy grooving ‘Shine A Light’ that was followed by the arguably even better ‘Summer In Blue’. The most recent radio single, the moody ‘Let It Breathe’, lifted listener expectation to a whole new height and, with these three tracks scheduled one two and three, ‘Never Too Late’ is afforded a colossally strong opening.