Smooth Jazz Therapy

Julian Vaughn - Sway

Back in 2012 smooth jazz bass player Julian Vaughn burst on to the scene with his appropriately titled ‘Breakthrough’.  Fending off obvious comparisons between his own playing style and that of the late Wayman Tisdale, Vaughn quickly emerged as very much his own man.  A string of crucially acclaimed albums followed including the 2015 ‘Limitless’, the 2017 ‘Bona Fide’, ‘Supreme’ in 2019 and his latest project ‘Chapters Of Love’.

Taken from it is the track ‘Sway’ that has recently been serviced to radio and features sax-man Donald Hayes.

Nice one.

 

 

KEM - Lonely

It is without doubt that Robbie Vincent is the preeminent contemporary jazz and soul deejay of our times so it was with great excitement that I heard he is back on the radio, on Jazz FM, Sundays at 1-00 pm, in the UK.  You can always rely on Robbie to come up with some gems and his first show was no exception.  Opening up with the Blackbyrds smash ‘Walking In Rhythm’ before, among others, splicing in cuts from George Benson (‘Breezin’), Keni Burke (‘Risin’ To The Top’) and S.E.I. (‘Falling’) the show was a delight from start to finish.

Not only that he also played ‘Lonely’ by KEM from his 2020 album ‘Love Always Wins’.  Check it out right here right now.  Featuring Brian Culbertson on keys this was a standout track of the entire year.

 

 

Justin Lee Schulz - Gruv Kid

One of the hottest new releases of 2020 was ‘Gruv Kid’ from the then thirteen-year-old multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz.  Out on the Shanachie Entertainment label and with featured performances from the likes of Bob James, Harvey Mason, Najee, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, and Pieces Of A Dream this was a piece of work with quality that confounded Justin’s tender years.

The latest single to be lifted from it is the uplifting title track, a real foot tapper that glides along on Schultz’ mellifluous keys.

 

 

Marion Meadows - Twice As Nice

On April 23, 2021, Shanachie Entertainment will release the latest album from Nashville based sax-man Marion Meadows.  Titled ‘Twice As Nice’ it is Meadows sixteenth solo recording and features a veritable who’s who of contemporary jazz talent including Paul Brown, Joey Sommerville, Jeff Lorber, David Mann, Steve Oliver and Chris “Big Dog” Davis.

In fact the first track to be serviced to radio is the decidedly jazz and blues infused title cut that Meadows co-wrote with long time collaborator Davis.

Check it out right now and check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Twice As Nice’.

 

 

Nicholas Cole - It Aint Over

Having already garnered the hit singles ‘Sugar’ and the equally good ‘Soulmate’, keyboard player Nicholas Cole’s current album ‘The Weekend’ has all the attributes of a gift that keeps on giving.  The latest gem to tumble from this jeweled masterpiece is the vibey yet catchy ‘It Aint Over’ that cements the place Cole has as a consummate purveyor of high quality smooth jazz.

With a discography that includes the 2010 breakthrough album ‘A Journey Of One’, ‘Endless Possibilities’ that followed two years later, his 2015 blockbuster ‘Night Sessions’, Cole and now ‘The Weekend’ Cole has quietly built a reputation as one of the genre’s brightest stars.

 

 

Jazz In Pink Featuring Gail Jhonson - Positivity

Founded twelve years ago by Gail Jhonson, Althea Rene and promoter Kyna Hubbard, Jazz In Pink has established itself as a veritable revolving door of female musical excellence.  Over that time over fifty women have graced the stage with them, both as headline artists or side musicians and the line-up is currently making waves with its Shanachie Entertainment debut, the excellent ‘Joy’.

The latest single from it to be serviced to radio is the ultra catchy ‘Positivity’ that features Kim Scott on flute and is a fine example of what ‘Joy’ is all about.

 

 

Randy Scott - Affection

Detroit based sax-man Randy Scott has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar since 2015 when he burst onto the scene with the CD ‘Serenity’.  His latest project, ‘Elevation’, hit the streets in July of 2020 and back then I identified the sublime  ‘Affection’ as the album’s top track.

Seems like I wasn’t the only one to be captivated by this choice tune as Trippin n Rhythm has now selected ‘Affection’ as the latest track from ‘Elevation’ to be serviced to radio.

Check it out.

 

 

Kim Waters - Feels Like Friday Night

Lifted from his excellent 2020 release ‘Shakedown’, ‘Feels Like Friday Night’ is the latest radio single from sax-man Kim Waters.  As well as shimmering throughout with the magnificence of Waters’ melodic sax this easy grooving number would be equally at home as the backdrop to the best Friday night steppers event you have ever attended.

 

‘Shakedown’ is out on the Shanachie Entertainment label.  Check it out.

Special EFX - Sunset Passion Juice

‘All Stars’ by name and ‘All Stars’ by nature this the latest release from sophisticated super group Special EFX features a star studied ensemble of guest performers.  Violinist Regina Carter, sax-man Nelson Rangell, trumpeter Lin Rountree, multi-horn player David Mann, Spyro Gyra drummer Lionel Cordew, highly regarded bass player Gerald Veasley and keyboard player Lao Tizer are all involved from time to time as is fretless bassist and vocalist Fernando Saunders whose history with Special EFX dates back to the early days.

The latest single from this choice collection is the decidedly chilled ‘Sunset Passion Juice’ that finds Special EFX co-founder Chilli Minucci teaming with David Mann to spectacular effect.

Excellent track.

 

 

Justin Lee Schultz - Do I Do

One of the nicest surprises of 2020 was the release on the Shanachie Entertainment label of the album ‘Gruv Kid’ from the then thirteen-year-old multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz.

With featured performances from the likes of Bob James, Harvey Mason, Najee, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, and Pieces Of A Dream it was every bit as good as the early hype suggested it might be with one of the standout tracks being Justin’s jazz fusion tinged take on the Stevie Wonder classic ‘Do I Do’.

Here he is performing it live with a little help from Jamie-Leigh Schultz on drums, Brandon Rose - bass guitar, Chris George – guitar, Mitch Lawrence - baritone sax, Nolan Plunkett – trombone, Johnny Cochran - tenor sax and Daniel Spearman – trumpet and horn arrangements.

The video was produced, programmed and arranged by Steve Johnson who also played keys.

 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Welcome To The Beach

When, in mid 2020, ‘Hardcastle IX’ from Paul Hardcastle hit the streets it found him in a decidedly chilled mood.  Jam packed with all the stuff Hardcastle routinely does so well the collection found instant favour with his legion of fans around the world and has now received a timely boost with the release to radio of the track ‘Welcome To The Beach’.

As light and airy as the title suggests it might be ‘Welcome To The Beach’ possesses the usual Hardcastle elements of smoky sax and seductive rhythm.

Check it out, right here right now.

 

 

Oli Silk - Hurry Up And Wait

With a string of choice albums to his name and a profile that makes him the United Kingdom’s favorite smooth jazz keyboard player, the superb Oli Silk had an excellent 2020 with his sixth solo project, the appropriately titled ‘6’.  With eleven new compositions plus one carefully crafted cover this cool twelve-track collection not only found Silk in top form but also in the company of some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz.

The first single to be serviced to radio was the ultra smooth ‘New Bounce’ that featured the always-excellent Vincent Ingala on sax while now Trippin & Rhythm is sending the extremely hip ‘Hurry Up And Wait’ to the airwaves.

Check it out.

 

 

Brian Simpson & Steve Oliver - The Road Never Ends

‘Unified’ from Brian Simpson and Steve Oliver turned out to be one of the surprise packages of 2020.  Originally envisaged as being built around an electronic music concept, over time it evolved into a contemporary jazz project that retained elements of electronica.

It made such an impression that the spine tingling ‘Last Summer’ made it into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty tracks of the year while now, and to get 2021 up and running, ‘The Road Never Ends’ is being released to radio.   This deliciously mid tempo cut proves to be a fine showcase for Oliver’s great work on guitar and is well worth checking out.

 

 

Marcus Adams Featuring Selina Albright - Someone

Smooth Jazz Therapy has followed the career of the sensational Selina Albright since 2013 when she rocked the world of contemporary jazz with the five track EP ‘Brighter’.  At the time I described it as a sensational collection that marked her out as one of the brightest new stars in that crossover galaxy somewhere between contemporary jazz and R & B.

Since then Selina has gone from strength to strength and made some waves in 2017 with her single ‘Eat Something’ that proved to be a shimmering slice of vocal urban jazz with the bonus of a featured performance by guitarist Kay-Ta.

Now another cool collaboration finds her teaming with the excellent Marcus Adams.  Titled ‘Someone’ it is everything we have come to expect from this soulful songstress.

Check it out

 

 

Dreaming In Colour - Panacea

Since 2012 and the release of the band’s debut album, ‘The Dream Merchant’, Smooth Jazz Therapy has followed with interest the fortunes of the excellent instrumental jazz group Dreaming In Colour.  Constructed around the band’s core members of Kevin Ellis, Chris Noonan and Joe Calandrino, the line-up has often, over the years, been complemented by some of the genre’s top artists.  This is particularly so with the current single, ‘Panacea’ thatfeatures Ken Navarro on nylon string guitar who is complimented in no small measure by the melodious free flowing sax exchanges of Jeff Kashiwa. 

Written by Ellis and Navarro, this mellow cut is well worth watching out for.

 

 

Patrick Yandall - Son Light

Prolific guitarist, composer and producer Patrick Yandall hails from San Diego and has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar since 2006 and the release of his excellent CD ‘Samoa Soul’.

His music is the heartbeat of the sunshine city he calls home and this is particularly so with his latest album ‘Rouge River’ which, replete with enticing melodies and attention grabbing vibes includes the wonderfully easy grooving ‘Son Light’ that is the first single to be offered to radio.

Lovely track.

 

 

25th Street Band - Maybe By Christmas

Another festive cut in a season absolutely bursting with them is ‘Maybe By Christmas’ from crossover jazz recording project 25th Street Band.  Based in London, England and featuring guest session artists from around the world, this cool collective is very much the creation of leaders Russ Klinger and Dave Radnor.

In fact ‘Maybe By Christmas’ was written, performed and produced by Klinger with vocals from Joel Kibble who as a member of the world's premier jazz-gospel acapella band, Take 6, has earned ten Grammy and ten Dove Awards.

Kibble's vocals have been described as combining the warmth of Nat King Cole with the emotional power of Johnny Mathis and as well as taking lead vocals for ‘Maybe This Christmas’ he also arranged and provided backing vocals from his base in Tennessee.

 

 

Justin Lee Shultz - This Christmas

So, you are thirteen years old.  You have just released your debut album, ‘Espresso’, that features heavy hitters such as Bob James, Harvey Mason, Najee, Jonathan Butler, Gerald Albright, and Pieces Of A Dream.  What do you do next?

Well, if you are multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz what you do is release a Christmas single, a keyboard driven reworking of the classic ‘This Christmas’.  With a little help from his sister Jamie on drums and horns from the one and only David Mann this excellent track is just what you will need to get into the festive spirit.