The latest Paul Hardcastle single to be lifted from his 2018 project ‘Hardcastle VIII’ is the mesmerising 'Happy Go Lucky' with featured sax from Rock Hendricks. Much like the entire album it is the sort of track that finds him doing what he does best while throwing in a few surprises along the way.
When, in 2008, contemporary jazz guitarist Earl Klugh released the album ‘The Spice Of Life’ it was immediately evident that he had lost none of his legendary mellow flair. He even found time within it for a Brazilian makeover of a Thelonious Monk classic but the track that stood out for me was the wonderful ‘SleepyHead’ that is trademark Klugh and then some.
One track that has really come from no-where to sit atop the Billboard singles chart is ‘Groovers and Shakers’ from smooth jazz guitarist Blake Aaron. It is the latest track to be drawn from Aaron’s soon to be released CD ‘Color and Passion’ and in this respect joins ‘Riviera Nights’, ‘VIVID’, ‘Godfather Brown’ and ‘Summer Ride’ as singles that have all enjoyed extended stays on the Billboard chart.
‘Groovers and Shakers’ features sax-man Darren Rahn and is tight as tight can be.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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’.
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.
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.
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’.
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.