Alan King‘s ultra melodic, instantly infectious Something More–a perfect and promising title for what he’s offering throughout—he takes the exotica factor to exciting new territory with R&B flavor, Latin Rhythms and Eastern koto sounds.
Test his new album at CDBaby.
Should the guitarist Craig Sharmat be unknown to the reader, he was the composer of trailers for movies like King Kong, Ghost Rider, Eragon, Anchorman, wrote songs for the TV series like CSI Miami, Without A Trace and many more. He also arranged songs for Rick Braun, Peter White, and Mindy Abair.
He gave his debut with the album So Cal Drivin, which was released in 2009. His sophomore album Outside In followed in 2010. With his new album Bleu Horizons Craig ensures continuity. On his new project he is supported by a variety of professional musicians. I discover in the liner notes Craig Manning (keyboards), Rayford Griffin (drums), Hussain Jiffry (bass), Peter White (accordion), Rick Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn), Luis Conte (percussion) and several more.
With sound collages like First Stop NYC and Manhattan Morning Craig lures listeners into the magic of his new work. On A Day In Paris he captures with intense sounds the appeal of the French capital. The bring into play of Peter White on accordion is simply ingenious. In his guitar playing, he emphasizes the picturesque interpretation and not technical sophistication. This French life sense of savoir vivre also transmits Craig Sharmat on his next song La Seine Strut. Rick Braun on trumpet and Benedict Breyden on the violin are exponents of this way of life.
Take a bit of 1970s-style fusion, put it to new compositions, and you might come up with something like Jeff Babko’s Crux (Tonequake Records, 2012).
Babko, a keyboardist and composer who has spent a decade as composer and arranger for ABC Television’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, has also toured with such luminaries as James Taylor, Larry Carlton, Sheryl Crow, Robben Ford and Shelby Lynne. On Crux, Babko is accompanied by a variable lineup of musicians, including bassist Tim Lefebvre.
“The International Client” begins the set. Babko and the rhythm section lay down the groove with tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel and trumpeter Walt Fowler blending for the lead. The two instruments not only carry the melody but also a bridge passage. Lefebvre and drummer Gene Coye set the foundation for the rotating dialogue among trumpet, sax and piano, cranking up the intensity a bit as they get deeper into the conversation.
Phillip‘Doc’Martin a rising alto saxophone star who’s heartfelt, humble melodies are wooing live audiences across the country. Phillip’s third and current release Realization, features 14 new songs that don’t passively fit traditional smooth, instrumental or funky rhythm genres. His tunes flex, bounce & bend offering audiophiles a new sax diagnosis.Martin plays his horn with a warm and clear tone supplemented by a chronic range that takes you on a soulful and energetic journey.
Realization is a toe-tapping finger-snapping,get out of your-seat groove CD. Martin’s unique eclectic style takes you on a musical journey from smooth to straight ahead jazz. Jazz star Jeff Lorber says”Doc Martins horn always blows with the energy of a live club recording something sadly missing from most smooth jazz artists these days”.
Legendary George Benson says, Doc Martin is “Someone to watch!”In following his ambition, he attended the University of Central Florida and played as a sideman with Grammy Award winner Sam Rivers, Grammy nominee Kirk Whalum, Sunnie Paxton, Wes Hamrick & the Sounds of Soul. As Phillip continued to hone his skills, he became influenced by saxophone greats Charlie Parker, Grover Washington Jr.,Dave Koz & Gerald Albright.
In 2003, he recorded his first CD, Saxappeal, with music producer, keyboardist, Tony Hemmings. After moving to Washington, D.C.Martin became a member of the Marcus Johnson Project; and graduated from Howard University College of Dentistry hence the moniker ‘Doc’. While in dental school,Martin realized he was able to do it all and through studying on a plane between gigs, his new release Realization on his own label Saxtime Entertainment became a reality/vision for the new CD.
Phillip performs in festivals/venues throughout the U.S./Caribbean including the St.Lucia Jazz Festival,Bahamas Jazz Festival,Carolina Music Festival, Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival,Washington, D.C.’sBlues Alley,Philadelphia’s Dell East, and many more.
Jazzy, Funky and Smooth all describe the Innervision Records Debut of sax-man Phillip ‘Doc’ Martin, “Good Day at Work“! Available at CDBaby.
For an enjoyable jazzy, R&B, and soulfully influenced musical experience that includes original compositions and a unique interpretation of some popular songs, you cannot go wrong with this latest musical excursion of the Jeanette Harris Band.
Reflections was released in 2007 and is now available at CDBaby.
Musician with a “mission”.
The person behind I.P. Network is Inge Wenzel, keyboard-player, composer and arranger with a goal: to give (unknown) talented musicians a chance to be heard and to bring contemporary Smooth Jazz on air in The Netherlands. As different styles have already integrated in the Dutch culture, she thinks Smooth Jazz is a natural move along the other styles of jazz and could be a “bridge” to people who are not familiar with any form of Jazz.
Inge plays also keyboard in the band Out of the Box – Smooth Jazz. This band was formed to bring out USA Smooth Jazz covers in The Netherlands. In 5 years this band has grown from 3 to 5 persons. Now, in full setting Out of the Box performs all over the country. For their debut CD “Steppin’ Out”, Inge has written the songs.
I.P. Network is a solo CD project from Inge. I.P. are her initials: “Ingrid Pauline”, the network symbolizes the people of I.P. Network. “Switched On” is the first CD of I.P. Network aiming hopefully to more future CD projects. On this CD known and unknown talented musicians will be introduced.
The song Oceans Deep from the I.P NEtwork CD has been recently rearranged and co-written by Chieli Minucci tripple Emmy Award winner, 10 nominations and leader of the Grammy nominated group Chieli Minucci & Special EFX. This song will be released as separate song on CD baby!
The network has one goal to go: bring out these talentful musicians and contemporary smooth jazz on air in the Netherlands!
Switched On is now available at CDBaby.
Eight-time GRAMMY® nominee Dave Koz remembers a time when the summers lasted forever, and the most popular rock, R&B, soul and funk bands of the day were propelled by high-octane, richly arranged horn sections. Indeed, from the late 1960s through the ‘70s, bands like Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and other brassy juggernauts of the era ruled the airwaves and opened his young ears to the saxophone’s limitless possibilities as a solo instrument as well as a collaborative voice with the trumpet and trombone.
Four decades later, Koz has assembled three of his most talented and trusted colleagues – Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair – to revisit this golden age with new arrangements of classic songs from this period in the history of popular music. Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns, produced by Paul Brown (Al Jarreau, George Benson, June Tabor, Boney James), is a collaborative effort that throws the spotlight on four high-profile saxophonists, and augments the team with several other equally talented musicians and vocalists. Summer Horns, set for release on June 11, 2013, on Concord Records, turns up the heat just in time for the summer tour season.
“The first album I ever bought was Back To Oakland, the 1974 recording by Tower of Power,” says Koz. “I’ve always been fascinated with that sound. There are few things in music that are as exciting as the energy that comes from a really tight horn section. Over the years, that sound has graced some of the greatest records of all time by bands like Sly & the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, and so many others. That’s what Gerald, Richard, Mindi and I are recreating on this recording.” Read more
Smooth Jazz Daily
