Smooth Jazz Therapy

Richard Riley - L.I.T.

I am indebted to my good friend Max Hill for the heads up on rising sax star Richard Riley and his current single ‘L.I.T.’ Hailing from Cleveland Ohio Riley turned some heads in 2017 with the five track EP ‘Evolving’ that included the radio friendly ‘Family Ties’ and the equally good ‘Between You And I’.

Now ‘L.I.T.’ looks set to propel him back into the smooth jazz spotlight ; check it out.

 

 

Jessy J - All I Want

Wow, where did those ten years go? It was back in 2008 that sax-tress extraordinaire Jessy J made her explosive debut with the hit album ‘Tequila Moon’ and to celebrate the occasion she has just released ‘Live at Yoshi's - 10 Year Anniversary Special’. Recorded at the legendary Oakland venue it is a collection of some of her best-loved tracks blended with fresh new music and in this latter category comes the wonderful ‘All I Want’.

Check it out.

 

 

Valeriy Stepanov - Live 2017

Less ‘From Russia With Love’ and more ‘From Russia With Groove’, it was back in April 2017 that multi instrumentalist Valeriy Stepanov took the world of smooth jazz by storm with his Skytown Records debut release, ‘New Beginnings’. 

Twelve months on this YouTube sensation who, to date, can boast over three million Internet views is back center stage with his latest release, ‘Valeriy Stepanov Live 2017’. Recorded in Moscow at the Kozlov Club, with 6 cameras, and state of the art multi-track sound recording it is a brilliant showcase for what Stepanov is all about.

Check out a preview of it, right here, right now and for more go to www.skytownrecords.com.

 

 

Selina Albright - Green Tinted Sixties Mind

Back in March of 2017 the sensational Selina Albright released her first full-length album. Titled ‘Conversations’ not only did it confirm her as one of the brightest new stars in that musical sweet spot between contemporary jazz and R & B, it also included the single ‘Eat Something’ that featured guitarist Kay-Ta Matsuno.

Now they have reunited for a cool cover of ‘Green-Tinted Sixties Mind’ that was a hit in 1991 for rock band Mr Big.

Check it out.

 

 

Igor Gerzina - The Whisper Of Your Heart

With a sequence of albums and stand-alone singles that each in their own way entirely captures the essence of contemporary jazz, Croatian sax-man Igor Gerzina never fails to deliver. His latest effort, the easy grooving ‘The Whisper Of Your Heart’, is another gem and one more reason why he is such a firm Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite.

 

 

Amsterdam Connection - Creepin

Produced by the double Grammy winning smooth jazz guitarist Paul Brown, 'Isn't She Lovely' by Tim  Welvaars and Naomi  Adriaansz (aka Amsterdam Connection) is the duo's tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder.

 

With Adriaansz on sax and Welvaars on jazz harmonica and piano they together create a sound that is different enough to get them noticed while Brown's featured performance on the track 'Creepin' is right on the money.

 

Interesting project.

 

Jef Kearns - Soulscape

Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite Jef Kearns has just launched his latest single, the decidedly moody ‘Soulscape’. Recorded and composed live in the studio, it is a jazz-meets-hip-hop exploration for which Jef takes a walk on the dark and sensual side.

Check it out and enjoy Kearns’ undoubted artistry that here is supported by Anthony Lewis on bass and Daniel Cowen on keys. The track was mixed by Douglas Romanow, mastered by Chris Gehringer and has been streaming from all major platforms since November 17.

 

 

Will Downing - I'm Feeling The Love

Now for one of the smoothest soul tracks you will hear this year.  It's the sensational 'Im Feeling The Love' from the always excellent Will Downing and featuring Avery Sunshine (who also makes a cameo appearance on the new one from Boney James).

The song is taken from Downing's brand new project, 'Soul Survivor' , a title that sums up Downing to perfection.

Magical!

 

 

DJ Riquo & DJ Bertrum - Absolutely Captivating

If you are in the mood for a little chill then you will be in the mood for music producer(s) DJ Riquo and DJ Bertrum with a one of their most successful lounge tracks ‘Absolutely Captivating’.

Composer and studio owner DJ Riquo is the pseudonym of Enrico Donner who has written and co-written over 500 tunes while Birchfield “DJ Bertrum” Lettsome is a hot entertainer from the Virgin Islands who brings a mix of hip hop and pop fusion to this sumptuous track.

Enjoy.

 

 

Jef Kearns - Reverie

Since 2011, and the release of the album ‘On The Level’, flautist Jef Kearns has been cornering the market in superbly produced and sensationally performed urban jazz. ‘Soulfisticated’ that arrived in 2013 served to confirm that Kearns was indeed the real deal and the equally good ‘The Flute’ followed three years later.

Now, effective July 21, Jef is back with this the aptly titled single ‘Reverie’ that is sure to get the party started.

Great track.

 

 

Althea Rene - Unstoppable

‘Unstoppable’ by smooth jazz flautist Althea Rene is the title track from her latest CD. It hit the streets in April this year and is a must for smooth jazz flute lovers everywhere. Not only that, if this feisty track is anything to go by, Althea has picked up exactly where she left off with her excellent 2015 project ‘D’Licious’.

Nice track.

 

 

Paolo Rustichelli - Voyager

That fabulous keyboard player Paolo Rustichelli has been building a reputation as the consummate purveyor of groove drenched smooth jazz and a case in point is this, Paolo's latest single 'Voyager' which is a great example of what he does best.

 

Walter Beasley - Come On Over

Just when you thought smooth jazz was loosing its edge along comes the wonderful Walter Beasley with his stunning new album ‘Blackstreams’.  The first single serviced to radio, ‘Don’t Say A Word’ proved to be a runaway success and this track, ‘Come On Over’, looks all set to follow a similar trajectory.  Blurring smooth jazz with chill in a way most artists would be afraid to do this is a number that is right on the money.

 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Straight Ahead

Regular visitors to this page will know it is an extremely Paul Hardcastle friendly zone. We miss no opportunity to showcase the music of the United Kingdom's finest smooth jazz export and are doing just that with this tune, the sublime ‘Straight Ahead’. 

It originates from Hardcastle’s 2005 CD ‘Hardcastle 4’, a collection that boasts superb tracks such as ‘Smooth Jazz is Bumpin’, ‘Serene’, ‘Where Are You Now’, ‘Was It Love’ and ‘Eastern Winds’. 

Check it out.

 

 

Roberto Sol - Can Not Forget You

Lifted from the album ‘Chilled Mind Volume 1’, the track ‘Can Not Forget You’ from renowned chill and lounge music producer Roberto Sol features German soul singer Mic Donet. For those, me included, who regard chill as a guilty pleasure, this one is right on the money.

 

 

George Duke - Guess You're Not The One

I once spent one of the best afternoons of my entire life, aboard the Smooth Jazz Cruise as it glided through the Caribbean, in a room of less than a hundred people, listening to the late great George Duke with only a piano and a lifetime of musical memories to get him through. 

On that day he was nothing short of magical and this track, ‘Guess You’re Not The One’ from his 2002 project ‘Face The Music’ is a timely reminder of why he will always be number one on my list.

 

 

Kloud 9 - Im Calling You

The album ‘Enjoy the Ride’ by Kloud 9 was released in 2008 and included the mega sultry ‘I’m Calling You’. Featuring some stellar guest performances from Tom Hemby on guitar plus vocals from Bebe and Cece Winans, Brian McKnight and Stephanie Mills it’s a track that showcases to perfection what Kloud 9 (aka Kendall and Kelvis Duffie) are all about.

 

 

Kirk Fischer - Dis Sup

Due out February 20, the CD ‘Friends’ by Kirk Fischer is notable for many reasons, not least of which being it is produced by none other than Greg Adams and features East Bay Soul’s rhythm and horn section along with full orchestra.

Look out for a complete review of ‘Friends’ soon but for now here is a fascinating insight into the making of the track ‘Dis 'Sup’ that will be released to radio today, January 16.