Archive for August, 2013

Delton Walker – Back On Track

Back On TrackThe Delton Walker Band is a true testament to what music can be. A pure manifestation of the powerful combination of passion,creativity and vision. Lead by Delton Walker, there is the added bonus of compassion and purpose in the music. He masterfully intertwines sentimentality and funk while satisfying your jazz ears with improvisation and mastery of his instrument. Don’t miss them the next time you see them advertised

Back On Track has a smooth soulful style as easy and comforting as a lazy Sunday afternoon drive, a melodious style and sound which can cross over to all genres of music.

Get your copy at CDBaby.

2013
08/31
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Jonathan Butler – Merry Christmas To You

MCTYSanta Claus has a special treat to stuff in the stockings of all the good Jonathan Butler fans this Christmas: the first Christmas album by the two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-guitarist. Butler produced and arranged “Merry Christmas To You,” which will be released October 1 by Artistry Music. Two singles will be shipped to multiple radio formats this holiday season: an instrumental take on “Sleigh Ride” decorated with hallmarks from the South African native’s homeland, and the album’s title track, which is a retro-flavored R&B/adult contemporary ballad penned by Butler.

Butler recorded eight Christmas chestnuts for the collection and penned a pair of new songs, including “Happy Holidays,” an ardent urban groove ornamented with riffs of cool jazz guitar. High-profile hornmen Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Paul “Shilts” Weimer contribute to the festivities on a couple of tracks as does Butler’s daughter, vocalist Jodie Butler, and bassist Dan Lutz, who plays upright on a tune, but the heart of the intimate recording is Butler solo pouring his impassioned voice and acoustic guitar into the seasonal songs. His arresting performances and sparse production captivates, fostering an air of freshness to the evergreen material.

“These songs are beautiful on their own so I felt they didn’t need a lot of instrumentation. Plus I wanted my fans to have a personal Christmas message from me. That is why the CD has very little production and plenty of voice and guitar. It’s a very proud moment for me to finally have a Christmas record, which has been a long time coming. I hope fans feel blessed and uplifted when they play it at home or in their car or wherever they may be. I truly thank God for giving me the strength and the opportunity to make this album,” said Butler, who lives in California’s San Fernando Valley with his family.

The “Merry Christmas To You” album opens with an energizing version of the Donny Hathaway soul classic “This Christmas.” Butler applies South African vocalization, chanting and rhythmic percussion to “Little Drummer Boy.” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “The First Noel,” “O Holy Night” and the lesser known “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” are presented starkly featuring show-stopping performances by the devoutly inspired man with his guitar. Continue reading →

2013
08/30
CATEGORY
Holiday Jazz
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Earl Klugh – HandPicked

Guitar virtuoso Earl Klugh performs as professional musician since more than four decades. Starting as a 17 years old guitarist on George Benson’s album White Rabbit he wrote music history with numerous contributions.

His newest album HandPicked was released July 30, 2013 on the Heads Up label and already hits at #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album chart. HandPicked is a solo guitar album with no additional instruments. The more amazed the enormous economic success of the album. This is due to Klugh’s outstanding expressiveness on acoustic guitar.

Klugh has made himself a personal birthday present with 12 covers of popular pieces and four originals. The album starts with Alfie written by Burt Bacharach in 1966. Burt wrote the song for the movie after he had seen some of the scenes. The melody is appealing and found Klugh’s interest and wish to include the song in premier place.

Read more …  

2013
08/29
CATEGORY
CD Reviews
Jazz
Smooth Jazz
TAGS



Leave a comment

Jessy J – Second Chances

JessyJSecondChances400 Jessy J burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in 2008, blending her love for Latin rhythms and jazz on her chart-topping, award-winning debut album Tequila Moon. Jessy earned the Radio & Records’ ‘Debut Artist of The Year’ Award and Contemporary Jazz ‘Song of the Year’ by both R&R and Billboard for the title track, which held the #1 spot on the chart for eight weeks. The talented saxophonist, pianist, singer and songwriter who has worked with everyone from The Temptations to Michael Bublé, has been developing her musical voice since she was very young, when she could be found practicing the saxophone, instead of heading out to play with friends.

Words like dedicated, focused and hard-working all describe her drive and motivation to succeed and make music a life-long career. With her fourth release, Second Chances, due out on Shanachie Entertainment on September 10, 2013, Jessy reaches a major milestone as she takes over the reigns as the producer of the new album. The set features collaborations with Grammy Award-nominated keyboardist-producer Jeff Lorber, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown, renowned bassist Jimmy Haslip (formerly with The Yellowjackets) and legendary pianist Joe Sample.

Second Chances represents a new direction for Jessy as she purposely set out to meld her love for jazz and Latin rhythms with R&B grooves. The album title, Second Chances, developed out of the theme that it’s never too late to try again and “getting a second chance to do something that you messed up on the first time.” She shares, “In this case, for me it was with something that happened the previous year. I realized that this year I had a second chance and every day is new, is fresh. The title track is really an inspirational song about doing something you really want to do.” Not coincidentally, several of the songs on the album include “two” in the title including the first single “Listen 2 The Groove,” co-written by Lorber, “Tango for Two,” “Dos,” “Twice” and “Double Trouble.” The ten song set features eight originals and two beautiful covers including the Roberta Flack hit “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and the Sérgio Mendes classic “Magalenha.”   Continue reading →

2013
08/28
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Christian Tumalan – Keyboard Pathways

Keyboard PathwaysBorn in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico Christian’s music career started at the early age of 7, where he began acquiring the most important concepts of music and live performance. In addition to his pianistic studies, he felt a powerful attraction to the art of composition. During a period of seven long years, he continued studying classical piano at the “Escuela Superior de Musica” in Mexico City. Later, he turned his interests towards Jazz, a language field where he felt a deep compassion and freedom. He then further developed his skills in live performance, Jazz and Big Band arranging.

His performing experience includes a variety of projects such as Jazz, Salsa, Pop and Latin Pop as well as Peruvian and Afro-Cuban music. He has also produced recordings for stage plays and broadcast “jingles”. Currently, Christian continues his musical studies in the United States. Christian Tumalan has also taken a myriad of professional music courses and workshops that have enriched his musical knowledge; from great musicians such as world reknowned music educator Gerald Wilson, master pianist Bill Bell, saxophonist Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny group drummer Antonio Sanchez, legendary jazz musician Winton Marsalis, Creator of the official Latin Real Book: Rebecca Mauleon Santana; and Mexican jazz educator for the past 30 years, Francisco Tellez.

Keyboard Pathways is a delightful and unique blend of smooth jazzy sounds with a Latin taste. This album is on sale at CDBaby.

2013
08/27
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Michael Kollwitz – Steppin’ Out

Steppin' OutMichael Kollwitz has been performing on The Chapman Stick® * since 1976 and was one of inventor Emmett Chapman’s first music students. He studied with Chapman for 10 years and is considered one of the world’s top players of this new American instrument.

One of the most prolific Chapman Stick musical artists, Kollwitz has had twelve (12) independent releases: 9 audio CDs, a “Live In Concert” DVD (10/06) and 2 digital download albums- one of which was the world’s very first digital download album of Chapman Stick music. They are currently offered on more than 30 different premium digital music sites. “Under The Banyan Tree” (01/09) is his most recent audio CD release. Recorded ‘live’ under the famous banyan tree in Old Lahaina Town on Maui, it also features master flutist Lance Israel on wooden flutes from around the world. Prior to that, his CD “Hawaiian Paradise” (08/08) was created entirely on Maui with a distinct Hawaiian flair- including four tracks in duo with pedal steel guitar. “Waterfallin’” (05/06) was the first-ever CD to prominently feature the new higher-range Alto Stick® developed by Chapman in 2005. His other releases are: “Steppin’ Out” (01/00), “Moments” (03/03), “Carnival” (12/03), “Memories” (05/04), “Frosty The Stickman” (12/04) and “Here Comes Spring” (05/05). His digital download albums are “20 Greatest Hits” (10/06) and “Greatest Hits- Vol.2″ (02/08).

“Steppin’ Out” was Michael’s very first CD release. Half the songs were recorded with drums/percussion- featuring three top pro drummers in different styles. You’ll hear the widest spectrum of what is possible with this amazing new instrument in the hands of a master player. Songs include jazz, blues, rock, traditional, originals and a few surprises. Featured on the first-ever CD compilation of the world’s best Stick players, you’ll hear the great novelty tune “Severe Tire Damage” (initially released on Toe Tappin’ Records “Tappistry Volume 1”). There’s even a killer version of “Stairway To Heaven”! You won’t believe it’s just one person with one instrument! This album is presented at CDBaby.

2013
08/26
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Lebron – Shades

Lebron was infected by the smooth jazz virus in early age of 12 years, when he attended an Earl Klugh concert. He was blown away by the sax player of his band. His father played the saxophone professionally, so it was easy for him to learn this instrument.

Years later he was trained by the lead alto player for Frank Sinatra’s band, Hugh Lovelady. He calls Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Grover Washington Jr, and Nelson Rangell to his influences.

With his debut album Shades (CutMore Records) Lebron shows his great talent supported by Paul Brown and Frank Selman(guitar), Mel Brown and Ken Friend (bass), Nicholas Cole (piano), Darren Rahn (keyboards, sax and programming) and many more.

Read more …

2013
08/25
CATEGORY
CD Reviews
Smooth Jazz
TAGS



Leave a comment

Paris Combo – 5

Jazz with a French twist. That’s 5 (DRG Records, 2013) by Paris Combo.

Paris Combo consists of Belle du Berry, lead vocals; Potzi, guitar; Francois Jeannin, drums, percussion and vocals; David Lewis, trumpet, flugelhorn and piano; and Emmanuel Chabbey, contrabass. A string trio also contributes: Renaud Guieu, cello; Floriane Bonnani, violin; and Jeremie Pasquier, viola.

“Je Te Vois Partout” has a bit of a Bourbon Street parade vibe. Like many of the songs in this set, it combines elements of jazz with French folk sounds. It’s right at home in a jazz dance club or part of the soundtrack for Casablanca.

Read more …

2013
08/24
CATEGORY
CD Reviews
Jazz
Woodrow Wilkins
TAGS


Leave a comment

Nivo Deux – Open Beta

Open BetaNiVO DEUX is a French-American duo based in Los Angeles. The band’s 80’s New Wave and Electro-Pop influences are apparent, but the band also hints at the influence of the Smooth Jazz, Funk, Rock FM, Electropop, and Nu-Disco styles in their music. The group’s core members comprise of Platinum French R&B/Pop Producer and Chart-Topping Guitarist U-Nam and up and coming Saxophonist and Vocalist Shannon Kennedy.

NiVO DEUX’s music continues in the tradition of a number of extraordinary bands such as Blondie, New Order, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Level 42, Depeche Mode, Chic, Foreigner and even David Sanborn and George Howard. Their origins and style may seem eclectic but the clever ways in which they bring together these diverse influences is what makes their music interesting and even addictive.

The debut release Open Beta is now available at CDBaby.

2013
08/23
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment

Blueberry Hill – Scott Mo’s Diner

blueberryhillScotty Moore has produced a winner for those connoisseurs who’ll appreciate a dash of fifties flair and a side of southern blues served with their Smooth Jazz.

Scott Mo’s Diner offers nine inspired instrumentals crafted by Scotty, guitar virtuoso Bucky Barrett, Ron Fairchild (keys/bass) and Fred Satterfield (drums) with special guest performances by legendary Sax Man Boots Randolph (thanks to imagination and a little recording wizardry).

The album title pays tribute to the five-star cookin’ prepared for the band in Scotty’s kitchen during each session by Associate Producer Gail Pollack.

Order up at CDBaby!

2013
08/22
CATEGORY
Smooth Jazz
TAGS


Leave a comment