Smooth Jazz Therapy

Kim Waters - Joy Dance

Since 1989, and the release of his debut CD ‘Sweet & Saxy’, sax-man composer and producer Kim Waters has been a constant on the urban-jazz landscape.  With a reputation for being one of the most technically gifted players around, he has released twenty-four recordings as a leader and is all set to make that twenty-five with a new album set to hit the streets later this month on the Shanachie Entertainment label.

Ahead of that comes the easy grooving yet jazzy single ‘Joy Dance’ that finds Waters at his sophisticated best.

Check it out.

 

 

Candy Dulfer - Jammin Tonight

Sometimes it’s nice to be surprised and at others it’s equally good to know exactly what to expect.  In this respect sax player Candy Dulfer leaves her plethora of fans in no doubt.  She has been serving up fulsome ‘in your face’ contemporary jazz since 1990 when her debut release ‘Saxuality’ became an overnight sensation.  It contained the seminal hit ‘Lily Was Here’ that was written by David A Stewart of Eurythmics fame and with whom she had previously honed her skills as a session player.

Several of the tunes that appeared on ‘Saxuality’ were hard driving funk drenched numbers written by guitarist Ulco Bed and, now, twelve studio albums on, it is this hard driving edge that Candy has carried over to het latest recording, ‘We Never Stop’ that will hit the streets October 28 on the Funk Garage / Macot label.

As if to endorse the point the first single is the raucous ‘Jammin Tonight’ featuring a guest appearance by Chic guitarist, producer, songwriter and three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Nile Rodgers.

Strap yourself in and prepare for Jammin Tonight.

 

 

Richard Smith - Groove Assets

By any account 2020 was a bad year but for guitarist Richard Smith it was worse than for most.  He was fighting a battle against stage three cancer of the throat that included radiation, chemotherapy and taking part in a clinical trial of a drug that involved four hours a day of intravenous infusion.  To divert his mind Smith reached out to one of his former students at USC Thornton School Of Music, Billboard chart-topping guitarist Adam Hawley, to help him write and produce a few singles.

The first two, ‘Let’s Roll’ and ‘Soul Share’, were both chart successes and he is all set to make that three for three with ‘Groove Assets' which is out now.

It has a certain laid back, chilled out quality that is hard to resist while the mid tempo groove engendered by Smith’s cool electric jazz guitar blends perfectly with the harmonies of Hawley’s rhythm guitar.

Completing the line up is drummer Eric Valentine, bass player Mel Brown and the song’s co-writer Tico Pierhagen on keys.  Add in ‘go to’ smooth jazz trumpeter Michael Stever with a ‘kick ass’ horn arrangement and there is little doubt that this is a hit in the making.

As Smith himself explains “There is no greater pleasure or prouder moment in a jazz professor's life than the act of hiring a former student for the incredibly important job of producing a single. I am a very lucky, proud soul indeed,” smiles Smith whose cancer is in complete remission.

 

 

Chris 'Big Dog' Davis - One Day At A Time

Back in 2020 Smooth Jazz Therapy commented on how almost impossible it seemed that keyboard player Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis had yet to release his debut album.  Indeed, this Grammy nominated writer and producer has been the driving force behind a plethora of Billboard topping smooth jazz records and in so doing has worked with the likes of Nick Colionne, the multi-Grammy nominated Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Phil Perry, Najee, Brian McKnight, Chante' Moore, Melba Moore, Marion Meadows, George Clinton, Kim Waters, Rick Braun, Alex Bugnon and many more.

Finally with the new album ‘Focus’ getting ever-closer Chris provided an early heads up with the first single, the sumptuous ‘Its All Love’ that featured Dave Koz on sax.  It didn’t disappoint and much the same could be said of the entire collection adorned as it was by collaborations with smooth jazz heavyweights Gerald Albright, Kim Waters, Ace Livingston, Maysa, Marty Q and the late great Nick Colionne who added his own slice of magic to the extremely hip ‘Just When You Thought You Had Enough’.

 Yet all things considered the Smooth Jazz Therapy top track was ‘One Day At A Time’ where Davis alongside trumpeter Rick Braun delivered what was to become an instant personal favourite. 

 

 

Gary Honor - Momentum

Back in February of 2020, during what might be described as the quiet before the COVID storm, Australian sax-man Gary Honor hit the scene with the Latin flavoured ‘The Pulse’.  Produced by Skinny Hightower, it featured Cheili Minucci on guitar and was intended as the first single from what was to become ‘Momentum’.

Then came the pandemic and everything stopped.

That said, just over twelve months later, Gary was back with his follow up single ‘Bang Bang Bang’.  This hard driving number, which was written and produced by serial hit-maker Michael Broening, gave Honor the inertia he was looking for and this momentum carried him into the summer of 2021 and the appropriately titled ‘Summer Cool’.

Gary then went four for four with the fourth single from the album, the high octane ‘Deep Blue’ and now his label, Trippin N Rhythm are putting him back on radio with the decidedly rhythmic title cut from this choice collection. Gliding along on a mid tempo groove this is smooth jazz at its foot tapping best.

 

 

Julian Vaughn - Romance The Rain

Taken from his 2021 long-player ‘Chapters Of Love’, smooth jazz bass player Julian Vaughn is back on radio with the excellent ‘Romance The Rain’ that features Elan Trotman on sax.  Make no mistake, this is contemporary jazz at its smoothed out best and well worth a listen.

Nice one.

 

 

Lemek - Co-Motion

Brand new from guitarist and composer Lemek comes the ultra jazzy ‘Co-Motion’ that tips a hat to the jazz funk of the nineties and does so in the most rhythmic of ways.

Available now on Trippin N Rhythm and all major streaming platforms this one is well worth a listen.

 

 

David Benoit - Pioneer Town

The latest single to be lifted from David Benoit’s current album  ‘A Midnight Rendezvous ‘ is the warmly uplifting ‘Pioneer Town’.  This star-studded collaboration with co-writer Jeff Lorber has a title that sheds light on the town in San Bernardino's High Desert that was set up in 1946 as an 1880’s themed working movie set and which even to this day remains as something of a tourist destination.

Check it out

 

 

Nathan Mitchell - Journey To Love

Out now on Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records ‘Journey To Love’ is the latest offering from multi instrumentalist and producer Nathan Mitchell.

His musical journey began in 2012 with the single ‘For All Eternity’ and from that time, and up to 2017, he played with some of the genre’s most elite artists.  In 2018 Nathan released his debut album ‘Smooth Groove’ that garnered the single ‘Inspiration’, which climbed to #22 on the Smooth Jazz Billboard charts.  ‘Soulmate’ followed in 2019 with ‘Love Languages’ arriving two years later.

As for ‘Journey To Love’ this silky smooth charmer is rendered more so by an outstanding featured performance from Kirk Whalum and is a track well worth checking out.

 

 

Lindsey Webster - Stay With Me

Ahead of Lindsey Webster’s new album, ‘Reasons’ (that will hit the streets September 2 on the Shanachie Entertainment label) comes the single ‘Stay With Me’.  This smoky streetwise R & B gem features the legendary Randy Brecker on trumpet plus an understated rap from Kev Choice that really hits the spot.

‘Stay With Me’ is the second track to be serviced to radio and follows the sumptuously jazzy  ‘I Didn’t Mean It’ that featured Brian Culbertson on trombone, Lil John Roberts on Drums, Lenny Castro on Percussion, Chris Snowden on bass, Chris Harris on guitar and Lindsay’s long time writing partner Keith Slattery on keys.

Indeed ‘Stay With Me’ is another Webster and Slattery composition and is well worth checking out.

 

 

Nick Colionne - Step To This

Gone but certainly not forgotten, the death of contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne left a huge void in the smooth jazz landscape.  Yet, by virtue of the fact that at the time of his sad demise Nick had just completed the recording of what turned out to be his final album, he remains one of the brightest stars in the Trippin N Rhythm constellation.

The first single, ‘What You Do To Me’ was released earlier this year and proved to be a sumptuous easy grooving delight.  Now, and with a nod to the dance that has dominated black popular culture for the last thirty years, comes the hugely rhythmic ‘Step To This’.

Fabulous track.

 

 

Jazz Funk Soul - Hustle

Supergroup Jazz Funk Soul, aka Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Paul Jackson Jr., is back with its latest offering ‘Forecast’ that will be released tomorrow, August 5, on the Shanachie Entertainment label.

This uplifting ten-track collection opens with the album’s first single. ‘Hustle’, an original Jeff Lorber composition that not only finds him blowing the doors off on Hammond B3 but also combining with Harp and Jackson Jr. for some truly outstanding interplay. With the addition of long time collaborators Gary Novak on drums, bass player Mono Neon and sax-man David Mann this is a number that gets ‘Forecast’ started in a way in which it means to carry on.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Forecast’.

 

 

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.

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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.

 

 

Steve Oliver - Morning Touch

First thing to remember about Steve Oliver is that as well as being a fabulous guitarist he is an equally excellent vocalist.  But that’s not all.  He is an also an engaging and different voice artist with the ability to use of his synthesized guitar to conjure up a whole range of instrumental and orchestral sounds.  That’s why it is doubly surprising that his soon to be released album is an out and out solo guitar record.

It is a response to his many fans who over the years have asked him for such an offering and if the first single ‘Morning Touch’ is anything to go those same fans can expect something special. In fact every sound the listener will here is made with the guitar, even some not normally associated with the instrument and with the rest of the tracks being mixed right now the expectation is that the full album should be ready sometime later in the fall.

 

 

Kenney Polson - Mesmerized

Sax-man Kenney Polson although based in the Pacific Northwest has lived and performed in over 50 countries. Known widely as a smooth jazz artist, his seasoned musical style incorporates a range of jazz favours sublimely anchored on a firm foundation of straight ahead jazz.

His 2019 album, For Lovers, blending as it did smooth jazz with rhythm and blues, figured significantly on the jazz charts and featured a stellar line-up of supporting artists that included guitarists Bruce Conte, and Phil Upchurch, Tower Of Power keyboard player Roger Smith, trumpeter Larry Gittens, trombone player Fred Wesley, bass player and vocalist Michael Henderson plus smooth jazz pioneer and pianist Tom Grant.

His 2021 album ‘Colors Of Brazil’ sparkled with infectious Latin rhythms and in this respect there was none more so than the wonderful ‘Mesmerized’ that proved to be the perfect vehicle for Polson’s undoubted virtuosity.