Smooth Jazz Therapy

Smooth Jazz Archives - JazzFusions One

In this edition of the occasional ‘Archives’ series we look back to 1994 and the release in the UK of the compilation album ‘JazzFusions One’ on the Beechwood Music label.  At that time, and despite its meteoric rise in the USA, ‘smooth jazz’ had, in England, hardly been heard of yet this release, together with companion releases that followed, did much to promote the smooth jazz genre on the ‘other side’ of the Atlantic.

Quite simply ‘JazzFusions One’ was and is an outstanding compilation and, as the first of the set, a real ground breaker.

Interestingly enough the words ‘smooth jazz’ cannot be found on either the sleeve or the notes yet there is little doubt that over fourteen well chosen and, at times, brilliantly sequenced tracks this is the music that the collection represents.

Greg Adams - Burma Road

The musical arrangements that trumpeter Greg Adams has created for Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Linda Ronstadt to name only a few has made him one of the ultimate musicians’ musicians.  Indeed everyone from the Rolling Stones to Paul Schaffer to Madonna has called on him to contribute to their projects and in addition Greg’s hallmark ensemble sound has made the concept of the horn section an American treasure.  Despite all that, and the huge credentials gained as founding member of the evergreen Tower of Power, it took until 1995 and his solo debut album ‘Hidden Agenda’ for him to be become as well recognized outside the recording studio as he was within it.  The album rocketed to number one on the smooth jazz charts and became an instant classic of the genre.

‘Hidden Agenda’ was notable for many reasons not least of which being the sensational track ‘Burma Road’ which demonstrated, in terms of chill music, that Greg was at least fifteen years ahead of the curve.

One of my all time favorite tracks from one of my all time favorite albums, this one will never, ever, get old.

 

 

Michael Franks - How I Remember You

'How I Remember You' comes from Michael Franks wonderful 1993 album 'Dragonfly Summer' and although not a Christmas song  it does have something of a Christmas feel to it. Indeed the shimmering lyric "the silence of snowfall in winter"  never fails to send a shiver down my spine and the night I saw Franks perform the song live at Anthology in San Diego remains one of my most memorable musical moments.

Enjoy. 

 

 

Paul Hardcastle - Blue Days

Recorded in 1991, and variously reported as being released anywhere from 1991 to 1993, ‘Jazzmasters 1’ from the superb Paul Hardcastle confirmed his mastery of the moods and textures that categorize contemporary jazz. This track, ‘Blue Days’ features Helen Rogers on vocals who, recently, released her own solo collection, ‘Smooth Jazz Meets Reggae’.

 

Larry Carlton - I Can't Tell You Why

In terms of pure musical beauty it would be difficult to surpass the 1979 Eagles smash ‘I Can’t Tell You Why’ yet buried deep in the archives is this splendid cover version that the legendary Larry Carlton included on his 2001 project, ‘Deep Into It’, and which featured vocals from Shai.

Fabulous track.

 

Marcus Johnson - 88 Ways To Love

Right up there in my top five smooth jazz tunes of all time, ‘88 Ways To Love’ written and performed by Marcus Johnson can be found on his 1998 album ‘Chocolate City Groove.’

 

Reviewing ‘Chocolate City Groove’ at the time of its release Michael G. Nastos described Johnson as a ‘Ramsey Lewis wannabe operating in his 1974 ‘Sun Goddess’ phase’. He referred to his music as “simplistic, unchallenging melodies that are pleasant enough, but closer to disco than real R&B.” Mr. Nastros is entitled to his opinion. He should however be aware that given the ‘Sun Goddess’ project was a collaboration for Lewis with the band that inspired Johnson as a youth, Earth Wind and Fire, the similarity should not be surprising.

In addition, for the true aficionado of smooth jazz, ‘88 Ways to Love’ is a real stand out track that demonstrates Johnson’s keyboard virtuosity. Although ‘Chocolate City Groove’ features nice side work from guitarist Stan Cooper and sax men Marshall Keys and Bryan Mills, plus vocals from Alyson Williams, he very much goes it alone on ‘88 Ways to Love’. His multiple keyboard programming achieves an easy dance groove that he overlays with excellent smooth jazz piano playing. It’s a wonderful example of smooth jazz that can also be found on the Jazz FM compilation ‘Pacific Coast Highway’.

Peter White - The Closer I Get To You

For those in the United Kingdom who are feeling that October and the next Peter White tour seems an awfully long time away here is a track from his 2004 performance at the Long Beach Jazz Festival that will lift the spirits and gladden the heart. Not only that, with an absolutely killer backing band of Michael Paulo on sax, keyboard player David Sparkman, bass-man Donald Patterson and drummer Lamont Peoples, White has never sounded better.

 

Darryl Williams - When It Rains

Darryl Williams has spent the last 30 years performing with the likes of Chaka Khan, Euge Groove, Brian Simpson, Tevin Campbell, Howard Hewitt, Angela Bofill and Evan Marks but back in 2007 he made a tremendous leap forward with the release of his debut solo album, ‘That Was Then’. The standout track and an entry onto the Smooth Jazz Therapy ‘best list’ for that year was ‘When It Rains’ with Reggie Smith featuring on sax.

A truly timeless track

 

 

James 'PJ' Spraggins - Isadore

Back in 2007 drummer, keyboard player, composer and producer James ‘PJ’ Spraggins released ‘The Light Of Day’ an album replete with gentle, lyrical yet groove drenched tunes that somehow (and inexplicably) failed to find its place on the smooth jazz radar.

Make no mistake this was (and is) a top notch collection with this track, ‘Isadore’, being right up there with the best this fabulous album has to offer.

Check it out

 

Paul Hardcastle - Soft Rain

From Paul Hardcastle’s 2014 project, ‘Jazzmasters VII’, this is ‘Soft Rain’. Chill music with the wow factor.

 

 

Greg Adams - Burma Road

It might date all the way back to 1995 but just one more listen to ‘Burma Road’ by Greg Adams from his wonderful CD ‘Hidden Agenda’ and it is obvious that, in terms of chill music, Greg was at least fifteen years ahead of the curve.

One of my all time favorite tracks from one of my all time favorite albums, this one will never, ever, get old.

 

Earl Klugh - Living Inside Your Love

All the way from 1976 comes this sensational number from smooth jazz pioneer Earl Klugh. Take from the album of the same name it was jointly written by Klugh and the great Dave Grusin who was was behind some of the greatest smooth jazz tunes of the seventies and eighties.

This one is magical.

 

 

Barry White - Midnight & You

I came across this track from the sensational Barry White album 'Rhapsody In White' that featured his wonderful Love Unlimited Orchestra and which I am delighted to say still forms part of my vinyl record collection. What is doubly cool is that it sounds just as good now as when I purchased it back in 1974.

Bring it on!

 

 

Jeff Lorber - Down Low

While on the subject of Jeff Lorber and his latest collaboration (‘More Serious Business’) with Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp, here is an example of how Lorber has, for a generation, remained on the cutting edge of contemporary jazz. ‘Down Low’ is taken from his 1998 project ‘Midnight’ and is a gem.

 

 

The Michael White Project - A Sunday Breeze

The 1999 release by the Michael White Project, ‘Take That’, included the stunning ‘A Sunday Breeze’ with featured vocals from ex Shalamar lead singer, Howard Hewett. It is extremely hard to believe that this extremely ‘current’ track is now seventeen years old and perhaps an indication of how White’s sophisticated music was way ahead of its time.

Check it out.

 

Howard Hewett - Heaven Sent You

Perhaps best known, during the period 1976 to 1985, as the former lead singer of R&B group Shalamar, the incomparable Howard Hewett went on to carve out a significant solo career. In so doing he also became a darling of the smooth jazz fraternity, collaborating along the way with Joe Sample, Brian Culbertson, George Duke, the Rippingtons, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Stevie Wonder. In fact his hit song ‘Heaven Sent You’ was originally produced with input from both Stanley Clarke and George Duke.

Check it out.

 

3rd Force - She Whispered To Me

Taken from the 1997 ‘Vital Force’ album from smooth jazz collective 3rd Force, this super smooth cut is exactly what is required for a somewhat chilly early spring day. 3rd Force is the collaboration of multi-instrumentalists William Aura, Craig Dobbin and Alain Eskinasi while ‘She Whispered To Me’ is a fine example of the vibe that the band has created over a discography that now extends to eight albums.

 

 

Freemasons Featuring Siedah Garrett - Rain Down Love

The second album from production duo Russell Small and James Wiltshire (aka Freemasons), ‘Unmixed’ was released in October 2007 with the lead single ‘Uninvited’ being a house inspired version of the Alanis Morissette hit tune. However the track that did it for me was this, ‘Rain Down Love’ with vocals from the consistently superb Siedah Garrett and more than a nod to the timeless Barry White.

Check it out.