Smooth Jazz Therapy

Jazz Funk Soul - Forecast

The title cut from super-group Jazz Funk Soul’s current CD ‘Forecast’ is going for radio play right now.

Aka Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Paul Jackson Jr, Jazz Funk Soul operates very much at the ‘high end’ of contemporary jazz, a fact born out by the uplifting ten-track ‘Forecast’ that 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.

Much the same can be said of the title track that luxuriates in a stunning brass veneer that proves to be the perfect backdrop for more vintage Lorber on keys.

 

 

Skinny Hightower - Groove Factor

Short of new music since his 2020 Trippin n Rhythm album ‘Blue Moon’ that groove drenched keyboard player Skinny Hightower is finally back on the scene with his latest single the appropriately titled ‘Groove Factor’.

Jazzy and sophisticated it sits extremely well with standout tracks from ‘Blue Moon’ such as the intensely rhythmic ‘Rain’, the similarly disposed ‘Bittersweet’ and the altogether more chilled out title cut.

 

 

Steve Oliver - Skyway

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. Best known for his use of synthesized guitar to conjure up a whole range of instrumental and orchestral sounds, ‘Sojourn’ was something of a departure in that it delivered up an exquisite range of guitar solos. 

Now he is back with the sumptuous single ‘Skyway’ that finds him at his understated best.

Check it out.

 

 

Keb' Mo' - Taking Me Higher

Featured on the original soundtrack for the motion picture ‘Sweetwater’ which is directed by Martin Guigui and tells the story of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton who, in the fall of 1950, was the first African American player to sign a contract with the NBA comes the track ‘Taking Me Higher’ from five time GRAMMY winner Keb’ Mo’.

Last year, Keb’ Mo’ released the critically acclaimed ‘Good To Be…’ that was nominated for Best Americana Album at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards. It was his 12th total nomination and followed his 2020 GRAMMY win in the same category with ‘Oklahoma’.

 

 

Jackeim Joyner - Missing You

Brand new from smooth jazz sax-man Jackiem Joyner comes the wonderful ‘Missing You’, an infectious, rhythmic and totally compelling single that is sure to lay siege to the radio play charts for some time to come.

It is another notable number in a sequence of post pandemic successes that started out in 2021 with the cool five track EP titled ‘Journey Of Passion’ and continued with the hit singles ‘Dance Again’ and ‘Say What’.

Check it out.

 

 

Michael Lington - Moon Goddess

Blazing a trail for his new EP ‘Looking Ahead’, the mellifluous yet edgy  ‘Moon Goddess’ from Danish born sax-man Michael Lington certainty checks all the smooth jazz boxes.  The track represents a first-time collaboration with fellow saxophonist David Mann, who he first met back in 1998 towards the tail end of his years touring with the late Bobby Caldwell.

Due to hit the streets May 12, ‘Looking Ahead’ is Lington’s first collection of original songs since 2018 and ‘Silver Lining’. His holiday album ‘A Foreign Affair Christmas’ came along a year later while his 2021 compilation ‘Alone Together (The Duets)’, featured audio recordings taken from performances with various genre superstars all streamed live over the StageIt platform during the pandemic.

Not only that ‘Looking Ahead’ luxuriates in the plethora of the life changes that Lington has recently gone through.  A move to San Diego County after 32 years in Los Angeles, his marriage to wife Keri, being a devoted stepfather to her young daughter Lauren and (at age 50) becoming a first time dad have all combined to spark this fresh burst of creativity.

 Since releasing his self-titled debut in 1997, his 2000 breakthrough album ‘Vivid’ and its hit single ‘Twice in a Lifetime’ his output as an artist has been prolific and although he can look back to those days with huge satisfaction there is little doubt he is now very much looking ahead.

 

 

Lemek - Groove Central

Time was when Smooth Jazz Therapy was all over the music if of sax-man Quentin Gerard W so it is particularly special to feature his son, Lemek , who, from his base in New Orleans, is forging a career as a contemporary jazz guitarist.

Signed to the Trippin N Rhythm label Lemek’s latest single is the hugely infectious ‘Groove Central’ that features label mate Ryan La Valette on sax.

Make no mistake; this is one to look out for.

 

 

Mark Jaimes - Midnight Rendezvous

Taken from his 2021 Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm CD ‘Hear At Last’, UK based guitarist Mark Jaimes is headed to radio with Rod Temperton’s ‘Midnight Rendezvous’.  It is a number that reflects Jaimes’ classic R&B sensibilities and which pairs his slick work on guitar with a soaring vocal hook by the great Patti Austin

It is right up there with the best that ‘Hear At Last’ has to offer.

 

 

Tarik Clark - Come On

Very easy on the ear is the classy new single from sophisticated sax-man Tarik Clark.  Titled ‘Come On’ it features the in demand Adam Hawley on guitar and follows recent singles ‘Just After Sunrise’ and ‘Soul Surpluss’.

Good track.

 

Cindy Bradley - For The Cool In You

Not only was ‘The Little Things’ from Trippin n Rhythm recording artist Cindy Bradley a worthy to successor to her 2017 CD ‘Natural’ it was also her sixth studio project with the label.  It delivered the sophisticated ‘Wind Chill Factor’ plus the wonderfully mellifluous ‘Stockholm Summer’ that both went on to become standout radio hits. 

In 2022, and in preparation for an album slated for release later that year, she was back, first with the melodically charming ‘Love Yourself’ and later with the high octane ‘Drive’.

Now, and still building a bridge toward the ever more anticipated new album comes ‘For The Cool In You’ which, as the title might suggest, is pretty damn cool.

Check back here often for more on Cindy Bradley

 

 

Johnny Britt - Butterflies

Back in the early nineties (along with Norman Brown and Wayman Tisdale) trumpeter Johnny Britt's then group Impromp2 was among the first to sign with the legendary MoJazz label.  Since then as well as working with a veritable who’s who of R & B and contemporary jazz talent he has just released his fifth album, the entirely magnificent ‘After We Play’.

Released to radio simultaneously with the title track (that features Peter White on guitar) is the vocal ballad ‘Butterflies’ which proves to be a stunning showcase for the legendary Will Downing.  A new entry into the top 50 R&B singles chart, this one is a real winner.

Check back here soon for a complete review of ‘After We Play’

 

 

Johnny Britt - After We Play

Smooth jazz fans will know singer, songwriter, producer, trumpeter and arranger Johnny Britt for his contributions to Boney James critically acclaimed CD, ‘Contact’.  Others may recall his work with the likes of Josh Groban, David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez, The Temptations, Maxwell, Peabo Bryson, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Norman Conners, Aaron Neville, Harvey Mason Jr. and Marcus Miller while film buffs are likely to recall his name in connection with blockbusters such as Ides Of March, The Lion King, Forest Gump and Spiderman 3.

Now he is back with his fifth album, ‘After We Play’, for which he writes ten new songs and produces all thirteen. Notable among them is the moody title cut that features contemporary jazz superstar Peter White so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘After We Play’

 

 

Nick Colionne - Just Like That

Gone but certainly not forgotten, the death of contemporary jazz guitarist Nick Colionne hit the smooth jazz landscape like a ton of bricks. At the time of his sad demise Nick had just completed the recording of what turned out to be his final album and this musical legacy has ensured his position as one of the brightest stars in the Trippin N Rhythm constellation.

The first single, ‘What You Do To Me’ was released earlier in 2022 and proved to be a sumptuous easy grooving delight. Then, with a nod to the dance that has dominated black popular culture for the last thirty years, the follow up was the hugely rhythmic ‘Step To This’.

Now Trippin N Rhythm is making it three for three with ‘Just Like That’. It’s a track that shows off a jazzier and distinctly bluesy side of Colionne’s musical persona and is well worth a listen.

 

Keiko Matsui - Steps On The Globe

Always positioned at the high quality end of the contemporary jazz spectrum, Keiko Matsui will release ‘Euphoria’, her 30th studio album, March 31, 2023 on the Shanachie Entertainment label. For it she has enlisted an all-star line-up of special guests that includes vocalist Lalah Hathaway, trumpeter Randy Brecker, guitarist Mike Stern, sax-man Kirk Whalum, harmonica player Grégoire Maret, pianist John Beasley and vibe player Joel Ross. She is also joined by regular touring band members Rico Belled on bass, guitarist JP Mourao and drummer Jimmy Branly.

The opening number (and the first to be serviced to radio) is the up-tempo, ‘Steps On The Globe’. This horn enriched gem is Keiko’s ‘tip of the hat’ to all those in the world who live their lives with joy and courage

It is a track that is destined to do well so check back here soon for a complete review of ‘Euphoria’.

 

Ryan La Valette - Lovers Melody

Although February 14 has come and gone, one track with a distinctly Valentine vibe is ‘Lovers Melody’ from New Zealand bred and based multi instrumentalist Ryan La Valette.

It is taken from his 2022 Trippin’ N Rhythm debut recording ‘New Beginnings’ for which he enlisted the help of three of the genre’s top producers and keyboard players, Nicholas Cole, Greg Manning and Chris “Big Dog” Davis. With ‘New Beginnings’ Ryan’s aim was to showcase his prowess both as a songwriter and performer on guitar, bass and saxophone. He did that and more with another song from the album, ‘Closer To You’, cool collaboration with Davis and now, in the company of Nicholas Cole, he is using ‘Lovers Melody’ to reveal another side of his musical persona.

 

 

Dave Koz - Wrapped Up In Your Smile

Taken from his 2022 seasonal collection ‘Dave Koz & Friends: Christmas Ballads’ Dave is utilizing the big expansive ballad ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ to prove (if indeed proof was needed) that his music is for life not just for Christmas. Although ‘Christmas Ballads’ was in the main crammed full of yuletide classics that, in the company of Rick Braun, Peter White, David Benoit and Rebecca Jade, provided a welcoming backdrop to his now legendary multi city Christmas tours, ‘Wrapped Up In Your Smile’ is the sort of track that sounds good whatever the time of year.

 

 

Lin Rountree - It's You

Soulful trumpeter Lin Rountree has been on the Smooth Jazz Therapy radar screen since 2005 and his debut release ‘Groovetree’.

Now, seventeen years later and ensconced in the smooth jazz friendly confines of Trippin n Rhythm, he is sounding as good as ever, a fact confirmed by his brand new single ‘It’s You’ that he co-wrote with Michael Broening.

Check it out.

 

 

Paul Brown - 7 and 7

Lifted from Paul Brown’s ninth solo project ‘Promised Land’ the swaggering ‘7 and 7’ finds him in superb collaboration with the always-excellent Euge Groove.

Of course it was in 2000 that Brown part produced Groove’s eponymous debut CD and although the rest is history it is interesting to reflect how Brown’s career has gradually moved him to center stage as a performer in his own right. That particular journey began in 2004 with his own (aptly titled) debut recording ‘Up Front’ and with ‘Promised Land’ continues to go from strength to strength.