junsjazz cool grooves

Tim Bowman

2010-03-25T12:31:00.006+08:00

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Artist: Tim Bowman
Album Title: Smile
Release Date: October 2000
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/192kbps
Total Time: 53:39 min
Total Size: 70.2 MB

Tracks:
01. Heart & Soul
02. Smile
03. Happiness is
04. Wanda Patrice
05. Glory to Glory
06. Columbus, GA
07. Yes, No and Yes
08. Friends
09. Watchout
10. Flyin' Away
11. Just Another Day
12. My Prayer

Tim Bowman - Smile

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Tim Bowman calls his disc Smile, and thus it follows naturally that the guitarist would create songs and moods that would provoke that response from the listener. Titles like "Happiness Is...," a bright, retro-soul charmer featuring Bowman's chipper electric lines and occasional wah-wah accents, tell the basic story; it's pleasant, uplifting music that only occasionally extends beyond simple cheery emotions with some well crafted improvisations. He toys with various acoustic tones on "Heart and Soul," sometimes bringing Peter White's lightheartedness to mind as synth strings waft through. The title track is in some ways the ultimate smooth jazz radio track — a snappy guitar melody offset by some rich harmonic undertones and a lush solo by saxman Dave McMurray. His liner notes reveal his Christian faith, and it's no surprise that the best tracks here have more of a gospel influence. He gives gospel singer Fred Hammond's "Glory To Glory" a likeable reading, which allows some stretching on electric, even if it's over a very synthesized groove. The church roots truly come alive on the buoyant and funky "Columbus GA," on which Bowman blends his own low electric tones with the muted trumpet musings of Jesse McGuire — all bouncing happily over the shimmering organ foundations of Bryan Bowman. The moody closer "My Prayer" isn't quite as inspired, but it's still a nice display of Bowman's rich and soulful sense of balladry.~From iTunes Preview

Akira Jimbo

2010-03-04T15:42:00.004+08:00

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Artist: Akira Jimbo
Album Title: Slow Boat
Release Date: 1991
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/320 kbps
Total Time: 46:38 min
Total Size: 107 Mb

Tracks:
01. Roll over 90's (4:54)
02. The Summer's End (4:51)
03. Get Down to the Wire (4:46)
04. Mosaic (4:26)
05. Sincerity (4:19)
06. Rain and Shine (5:00)
07. Dreams of Rio (5:06)
08. Playin' Together Again (5:26)
09. Parisian Nights (4:03)
10. Irish Field (3:47)

	Akira Jimbo - 09. Parisian Nights .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Akira Jimbo is a Japanese freelance jazz fusion drummer who became famous through his playing with Casiopea during the years 1979-1989. These days Casiopea is recording again with Jimbo, who returned in 1997. During his solo career he formed Jimsaku-duo with Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. Today he's working with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square by playing drums together in the name Synchronized DNA. Using Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals, along with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create an array of different sounds and styles from his drumset.~From ActiveMusician.com

David Sanborn

2010-03-02T10:57:00.003+08:00

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Artist: David Sanborn
Album Title: The Essentials
Release Date: 2002
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/250 kbps VBR
Total Time: 67:58 min
Total Size: 123 Mb

Tracks:
1. Chicago Song (6:25)
2. Bang Bang (4:33)
3. Smile (10:37)
4. Anything You Want (3:42)
5. Neither One Of Us (5:03)
6. I Told U So (5:00)
7. Love & Happiness (6:48)
8. Slam (4:58)
9. Knockin' On Heaven's Door (4:54)
10. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (5:39)
11. Nobody Does It Better (4:37)
12. This Masquerade (5:42)

	David Sanborn - Slam

	Found at skreemr.com

David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American saxophonist, most commonly associated with smooth jazz. He was born in Tampa, Florida and grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Sanborn suffered from polio in his youth, and began playing the saxophone on a physician's advice to strengthen his weakened chest muscles and improve his breathing. He has been a highly regarded session player since the late 1960s.

One of his first professional gigs was as a member of Paul Butterfield's band. One of Sanborn's earliest guest recordings was on David Bowie's Young Americans. Around this time his output as a session player became prolific and over the next ten years he played with a dazzling array of artists, such as Stevie Wonder, Marcus Miller, Paul Simon, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, Bob James, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Gil Evans, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Roger Waters and Steely Dan.

Alongside his career as a session musician, Sanborn has become one of the biggest selling and highly regarded instrumentalists of the last forty years, winning numerous awards including Grammys for "Voyeur (1980)" and "Straight to the Heart".~From David Sanborn MySpace

Mezzoforte

2010-02-08T14:54:00.001+08:00

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Artist: Mezzoforte
Album Title: The Very Best Of
Release Date: 2003
Genre: Jazz-Funk/Fusion
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/192 kbps
Total Time: 70:16 min
Total Size: 95.6 Mb

Tracks:
1. Garden Party (Millenium Mix)
2. Rockall
3. E.G. Blues
4. Spring Fever
5. No Limit (Millenium Version)
6. Early Autumn
7. Expressway
8. This Is the Night
9. Midnight Sun
10. Daybreak
11. Squid
12. Stratus Listen
13. Funkin' Marvelous Jazz/Funk Medley
14. Garden Party (S.O.L. Radio Mix)

	Mezzoforte - Garden Party .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

In global pop industry terms, jazz - funksters Mezzoforte would in 1983 have seemed rather an unlikely bunch to become the pioneers of a long awaited ´breaking of the ice´ for the desperately isolated musical community of Iceland. Still, thanks to the combination of a dead cool summer anthem, and the daring optimism of their gutsy manager, Mezzoforte indeed became the surprise hit makers of 1983 in the UK , with a single called Garden Party taken from an album fittingly titled Surprise Surprise! The rest of the world would soon follow and start heading for Mezzoforte´s funky Garden Party, only to be pleasantly surprised and amused...Essentially, still a ´boy band´, these baby faced whiz kids were just teenagers at the time, having found each other at the tender age of 15 and matured surprisingly fast on a healthy musical diet, balancing Keith Jarret with George Duke and Duke Ellington with Weather Report.~By Jacques F. Magnét from MP3NINJA.com

Matt Bianco

2010-02-03T10:27:00.000+08:00

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Artist: Matt Bianco
Album Title: The Best Of Matt Bianco: Platinum Collection
Release Date: September 2005 (re-release of The Best of Matt Bianco 1990)
Genre: Jazz/Pop/Vocals
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/192 kbps
Total Time: 67:17 min
Total Size: 97 Mb

Tracks:
1. Don't Blame It on That Girl (3:48)
2. Yeh Yeh (3:19)
3. Half a Minute (3:46)
4. More Than I Can Bear (4:24)
5. Sneaking Out the Back Door (3:49)
6. Fire in the Blood-7" (3:27)
7. Good Times (4:15)
8. Matt's Mood (5:23)
9. Get Out Your Lazy Bed (3:28)
10. Wap Bam Boogie (7:32)
11. Dancing in the Street (3:56)
12. Whose Side Are You On? (3:23)
13. Say It's Not Too Late (4:58)
14. Nervous (4:30)
15. We've Go the Mood - Matt's Mood (5:48)
16. Fire in the Blood-12" (4:51)

	Matt Bianco - Don't Blame It On That Girl .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Formed by ex-members of modern jazz ensemble Blue Rondo a la Turk, Matt Bianco evolved into one of England's top jazz-pop bands. Their rendition of Georgie Fame's "Yeh Yeh" received a European music award as Best Single of 1985, while their single "Wap Bam Boogie" was the number one European club track of 1988. Matt Bianco has withstood numerous personnel changes. Initially featuring keyboard player Danny White, bassist Kito Poncioni, and vocalists Mark Reilly and Basia, the original group disbanded shortly after releasing their debut album, Whose Side Are You On?, in 1982. Three years later, the group was resurrected with Reilly and keyboard player Mark Fisher, who had previously appeared with the band during a live television show. The group has worked with a variety of guest vocalists. Their 1988 album, Indigo, featured the hit singles "Don't Blame It On That Girl," sung by Emilio Estefan, and "Wap Bam Boogie," sung by Ambassador. A compilation album, A/Collection, sampled earlier recordings and included a new version of "Wap Bam Boogie," featuring the vocals of Kym Mazelle. Released in 2001, Rico, featured a blend of acid jazz and traditional Cuban rhythms. Partly recorded in the Havana studio where Wim Wenders and Ry Cooder recorded Buena Vista Social Club, the album included "Cha Cha Cuba," which reached the top of the charts in Japan. ~From Discogs.com

Fourplay

2010-02-02T20:34:00.000+08:00

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Artist: Fourplay
Album Title: X
Release Date: August 2006
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Quality/Bitrate: Mp3/250 kbps VBR
Total Time: 46:19 min
Total Size: 93 Mb

Tracks:
1. Turnabout (6:17)
2. Cinnamon Sugar (4:44)
3. Eastern Sky (6:33)
4. Kid Zero (4:45)
5. My Love's Leavin' (5:08)
6. Screenplay (6:00)
7. Twilight Touch (4:52)
8. Be My Lover (4:10)
9. Sunday Morning (3:50)

	Fourplay - Eastern Sky .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Smooth-jazz journeymen Fourplay reunite for X and deliver more solid, lite-instrumental sounds. Centered around the talents of keyboardist Bob James, guitarist Larry Carlton, bassist Nathan East and drummer Harvey Mason, Fourplay also feature here blue-eyed-soul icon Michael Mcdonald who takes an inspired vocal turn on the Steve Winwood tune &"My Love's Leavin'. It's a great track that nicely exploits the aesthetic connection and '70s heritage of both smooth jazz and soft-rock. Similarly appealing are James's noirish &"Screenplay showcasing Carlton's bluesy chops and James's urbane keyboard style; as well as East's slow R&B ballad &"Sunday Morning". This is a softly-funky, superbly crafted and unapologetically low key album. Frankly, that's what longtime fans have come to expect from these masters of smooth and in that sense X succeeds. ~Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Kim Waters

2010-02-01T11:58:00.000+08:00

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	Kim Waters - Love Don't Love Nobody .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Reedman Kim Waters is all about the quiet storm on his R&B-infused From the Heart. Showcasing his calm, sweet saxophone tone over hummable melodies, Waters may not be pushing the smooth jazz envelope, but with such suggestive songs as "Until Dawn" and "Sweet Desire," one gets the sense that it ain't an envelope that needs pushing. Walter Beasley's "Slow Role" is an urban highlight with its mellow wah-wah guitar backgrounds and Waters' laid-back alto lead. In a deft move for a kind of crossover appeal, Waters has Dru Hill member Jazz sing on the excellent ballad "Love Don't Love Nobody." Also dressing up the radio-friendly tracks is the guitar of smooth jazz pro Chuck Loeb.~By Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Chieli Minucci & Special EFX

2010-01-14T10:59:00.001+08:00

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	Chieli Minucci & Special EFX - Sweet Surrender - clip .mp3

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Led by Chieli Minucci and the late George Jinda, Special EFX became one of the seminal forces in the early days of Smooth Jazz,"Sweet Surrender" is now the fourth and latest project since Minucci resurrected the Special EFX banner a few years back. "Sweet Surrender" features Chieli Minucci alongside 'core' Special EFX band members saxophonist and flutist David Mann, drummer Lionel Cordew, vocalist and percussionist Philip Hamilton, pianist and keyboardist Jay Rowe and bassist Jerry Brooks, as well a few guest musicians. The album showcases a fresh mix of irresistible grooves filled with funky memorable hooks, lyrical sweeping melodies, head-nodding polyrhythmic romps and dance inducing and body shaking rhythms. Highlights on the CD include "Mystical" the album's first single, sure to skyrocket to the top of the charts with its funky syncopated melody, surprising chord changes and infectious grooves and the tour-de-force "Au Naturale" which exposes Chieli's virtuoso guitar skills and keen compositional chops (Minucci wrote all the songs on the CD. To sum it up: Minucci at his best and most creative since early Special EFX. This well crafted album is an instant classic.~By Joel The Dapper from Amazon.com

Fattburger

2010-01-06T20:59:00.000+08:00

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San Diego's Fattburger is one of smooth jazz's elder statesgroups, and could easily rest on their laid back laurels if they chose to. Instead, the powerful playing and eclectic tempos of All Natural Ingredients combine to create one of their most hard hitting works to date. A good deal of the new energy comes from snappy electric guitarist Evan Marks and Hollis Gentry, an original member who guests here with cranked up, jazzed out solos on flute and sax. While laid back softies like "Till Then" have the trademark feel, it's the firepower of hypnotic urban jams like "Coronado" and "100% Fatt" which kicks these ingredients into high gear. Tommy Aros gets zesty Latin percussion workouts on the feisty original "Do That Again," while Gentry and keyboardist Carl Evans (doing the blues) fuse to make their version of "Oye Como Va" one of the wildest in recent memory. Another well-read cover, the summery shuffle of Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World," rounds out what amounts to this band's revitalization as they enter their second decade in pop-jazz consciousness.~By Jonathan Widran from CD Universe

Down To The Bone

2009-12-15T12:43:00.000+08:00

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	Down To The Bone - Future Boogie .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

No bones about it, the latest offering from the popular British funk ensemble Down to the Bone, reveals the inner workings of its creator Stuart Wade's collaborative efforts with Paul "Shilts" Weimar, the D.C. Horns, vibist Roy Ayers, vocalists Hill St. Soul and Corrina Greyson, and a dynamic rhythm section to perfection. Supercharged features 11 new songs that sizzle with energy, soul and a hard-edged funky groove. Hill St. Soul's delivery is so sincere on "Smile to Shine" that you know she's singing rote and not from sheet music. With dynamic vocals from Corrina Greyson elevating "Shake It Up" to a thrilling showstopper, this song is sure to get you out of your seat. The signature vibes are from Roy Ayers, one of the definitive modern jazz vibraphonists on the scene today. Ayers is at the top of his game on "Electric Vibes." Shilts increases the hard-edged horn funk throughout his soloing that has amazing power, range and creativity, while the rhythm section provides the perfect atmosphere for the set. The D.C. Horns are reminiscent of the funk and groove heard in a lot of Maceo Parker's bands but their musical prowess is more reminiscent of Tower of Power. All of Stuart Wade's arrangements are well conceived and offer both the group and soloists great songs that have melodic virility and room to stretch. If you're bored with the mass- produced sound of some of the contemporary jazz on the scene today, give a listen to Supercharged. The music goes right down to the bone! ~By Paula Edelstein from CDUniverse.com

Najee

2009-12-08T10:28:00.000+08:00

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	Najee - Come What May

	Found at skreemr.com

The Best of Najee contains a selection of 11 highlights from the smooth saxophonist's late-'80s and '90s recordings for EMI/Capitol. There may be a few fan favorites missing, but Najee's career lends itself better to an anthology than most musicians, mainly because it is oriented toward songs, not performances. Consequently, this disc offers a good overview of his career, since it captures not only many of the best-known songs -- "For the Love of You," "Tokyo Blue," "Can't Hide Love," "Day by Day," "Betcha Don't Know," and "Najee's Theme" -- it also gives a good sense of what his albums sound like. An excellent choice for the curious and casual fan.~By Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Azymuth

2009-11-26T19:58:00.000+08:00

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	Azymuth - A Presa .mp3

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They continue to be one of the greatest and most influential trio of Brazilians that ever made a noise in Rio. Is this new material (far out) dated? Yes and no but there's no apology for it and why should there be? For many it might be the first time they have heard them. If that's the case, you're in for a treat...Brazilian Soulis a billed as 'new' greatest hits as they reflect on three distinct periods of their career. The early years when they recorded with various singers, their chart heydays of the late 70s-early 80s and the present day with Far Out...Whatever period, the music is testament to the fact that they are still hot and at it. There's no obvious new monster 'Jazz Carnival' -- their most well known tune worldwide. It was a big hit in the US and in the UK Top 20 for eight weeks in 1979. This was at a time when people bought singles! However, there are enough top tunes on this 14 tracker to keep you excited.~From FLY Global Music

Mark Whitfield

2009-11-18T12:03:00.000+08:00

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	Mark Whitfield - Headin' To The Wes' Side

	Found at skreemr.com

I dont know but this recording sets the standards for a high approach of what a jazz guitarist is . Sharp and accurate sound so involving in its field bonding jazz and blues perfectly in such a balanced way that makes you wonder if harmony is the other face of perfection. YES DEFINITELY ONE OF THE GREATEST JAZZ GUITAR ALBUMS EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF JAZZ.Top notch musicians accompany MARK IN TRUE BLUE /Kenny Kirkland piano/jeff tain watts drums a real dynamite /nicholas payton trumpet/rodney whitaker bass/branford marsalis saxophone/we have also excellent solos from MARK WHICH NEVER makes you feel tired brilliantly positioned along with the superb playing from the other members of this DREAM TEAM. The whole result really leaves you in a daze as if to give TRUE BLUE or not to give it the credit of the best and most complete jazz guitar album ever produced.~By K. Prousalis "papillon" from Amazon.com Jazz

Michael Lington

2009-11-10T12:42:00.000+08:00

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	Michael Lington - Call Me Late Tonight

	Found at skreemr.com

Released in 2002, Everything Must Change is combination of R&B with smooth jazz undertones from off the beaten path. Songs are a sensual mix of playable melodies. Lington takes great care in choosing the songs for each album. “One of the things that is most important is to have high quality songs. I take a bit longer to do albums than other artists. I find it is so important for the songs to be correct,” said Lington. Lington admits that he doesn’t necessarily write for radio format, either. “I just do what I do and hope the people like it.” Audiences are receiving Lington well. In April 2003, Everything Must Change went Top 5 on both national smooth jazz radio and internet charts.~By Cheryl Hughey from All About Jazz

Jackiem Joyner

2009-11-04T20:08:00.000+08:00

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	Jackiem Joyner - 01 - Just Groove

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

The folks over at ARTizen Music Group seem pretty stoked about newcomer Jackiem Joyner and his debut album, Babysoul. And with good reason. With this release, 26-year-old, Joyner steps out of his busy role as sideman to Marcus Johnson and Bobby Lyle on to center stage. Babysoul contains eleven tracks - ten original tracks written by Joyner, and features guest appearances by Rick Braun on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Peter White on acoustic guitar on the first radio single, “Stay With Me Tonight.” And Jackiem Joyner isn’t “just another sax player” – there are five tracks where he plays/programs everything you hear...Kicking things off is a little light R&B with a positive feel on “This Time Around,” followed by the radio friendly gentle soprano sax/acoustic guitar track, “Stay With Me Tonight.”...The funky and playful title track features David Dyson on bass, and “Just Groove” features Rick Braun as the trumpet section and Jackiem on everything else. “In Love Again” has a nice slow dance feel and features Jackiem on flute and saxes...The next two tracks let the sax do what it does best – sing the song. “Say Yes” is a very mellow, slow groove with a soulful, yearning sax that is actually quite addictive, and “Share My Tears” is a beautifully melodic ballad...Next up is “Lola” with its fun “sax/flute section” that backs up this Latin-feeling, mid-tempo track; and the slow groove oriented “Unforgiven.” There’s a slight Chill flavor in “Elevation” which has David Dyson holding down the bottom line and showcases Jackiem’s flute talents. The slow, soulful R&B sound on “Innocence” closes out the album...“The most important thing I can do to succeed long term as an artist is to continue to work towards becoming a great musician by practicing, and making sure I keep aware of the kind of music the audience wants to hear,” says Jackiem. “I’m still a baby in this business, but adulthood is just around the corner.”Babysoul is a noteworthy start.~By Elizabeth Ware from Smoothviews.com

The New Mastersounds

2009-11-01T08:46:00.000+08:00

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	The New Mastersounds - Nervous

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The New Mastersounds are a four-piece band based in Leeds, England, whose modern take on vintage soul-jazz, funk and rock draws influences from Jimmies McGriff, Smith, and Hendrix, as well as their most closely-associated mentors, The Meters. Try to imagine Grant Green and Lou Donaldson having a fight in a Hammond Organ shop while James Brown holds the coats, and you have some idea of what to expect from this band...Their first single, One Note Brown, was released on Blow It Hard Records in 2000 and was passionately championed by acclaimed Northern Soul and funk DJ Keb Darge. To date, the band has released four studio records: 102%, This Is What We Do, Be Yourself, Keb Darge Presents… as well as The New Mastersounds Re::Mixed, and Live At La Cova. Also of note: their single, “Your Love Is Mine” featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, was used in the 2007 Warner Brothers movie Feast of Love...Having toured throughout Europe, Japan and the USA, the NMS have earned global recognition as a key band in the ‘New Funk’ scene. But purists beware: their unique blend of funk, rock, soul and dance music is hard to sum up and doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre...Headed soon to a city near you, The New Mastersounds deliver gritty grooves and deep rhythms in clubs, theater venues and festivals alike. Their live shows will get you up dancing and hold you there intoxicated by the funk until last call- when you’ll stagger home, sweaty and exhausted, on a wave of euphoria...Led by guitarist and producer Eddie Roberts, The New Mastersounds feature Joe Tatton on Hammond, Pete Shand on bass and Simon Allen on drums.~From NMS Facebook

Sitti Navarro

2009-10-28T17:53:00.000+08:00

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“Tall and tan, young and lovely” is the famous opening of the classic bossa song, “The Girl from Ipanema”. These words came to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes when seeing young Heloisa Pinheiro pass by the café where they used to sit, right at the Ipanema district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her stunning beauty attracted the attention of these two bossa legends, and that was the story of how “The Girl from Ipanema” was written in 1962. If the young girl were Sitti, surely Jobim and Moraes would write the song just the same. Besides the beauty she has, Sitti can also sing beautifully. That’s the reason why Sitti is even better than the young girl described in The Girl from Ipanema...This month of July 2009, Sitti released a brand new album entitled Contagious. This is her 6th album, after 2006’s “Cafe Bossa” and “Sitti Live!” 2007’s “Sitti in the Mix” and “My Bossa Nova”, and the previous 2008’s Christmas album “Ngayong Pasko”. Through her bossa she successfully grabs the heart of many listeners including the youngsters and becomes widely popular again in Philippines. Sitti is one of the most important figures that help to preserve bossa around Asia in the millennium. Her previous albums have reached many achievements. Her debut album “Cafe Bossa” received Certified Double Platinum, “Sitti Live!” and “Ngayong Pasko” got Certified Gold, also “My Bossa Nova” gained Certified Platinum. I’m genuinely sure this brand new album, “Contagious”, will soon follow the success of the previous ones.~By Randy K from Jazzuality.com

Billy Cobham

2009-10-27T10:54:00.000+08:00

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	Billy Cobham - Red Baron

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Generally acclaimed as fusion's greatest drummer, Billy Cobham's explosive technique powered some of the genre's most important early recordings -- including groundbreaking efforts by Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra -- before he became an accomplished bandleader in his own right. At his best,Cobham harnessed his amazing dexterity into thundering, high-octane hybrids of jazz complexity and rock & roll aggression. He was capable of subtler, funkier grooves on the one hand, and awe-inspiring solo improvisations on the other; in fact, his technical virtuosity was such that his flash could sometimes overwhelm his music. After debuting as a leader with the classic Spectrum in 1973, Cobham spent most of fusion's glory days recording for Atlantic; briefer stints on CBS, Elektra, and GRP followed, and by the mid-'80s, Cobham was de-emphasizing his own bands in favor of session and sideman work. Even so, he continued to record for various small labels with some regularity.~From MSN.Music.com

Kenny Rankin

2009-10-20T16:10:00.001+08:00

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	Kenny Rankin - Sunday Kind Of Love

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

The choice of material here is as diverse as it is musically rewarding – from Rankin’s inspired re-invention of such Pop classics as "Spanish Harlem", The Beatles’ "I’ve Just Seen a Face", and a heart-wrenching reading of Leon Russell’s "A Song for You", to Kenny’s ingenious spin on Thelonious Monk’s "’Round Midnight". These selections are perfectly balanced by a number of tunes from the Great American Songbook – both highly recognizable ("The Way You Look Tonight" and "Love Walked In") and slightly lesser known gems ("When The Sun Comes Out" and "She Was Too Good To Me"). All of these are beautifully rendered with Kenny’s trademark finesse and emotional honesty. The overall effect is a rarity on today’s music scene – an album that flows and engages from start to finish – an adult pop gem...The success of this recording is due in no small part to the legendary multi-GRAMMY Award winning production team of Tommy LiPuma and Al Schmitt (Diana Krall, George Benson, Natalie Cole, etc.) This CD is also of superior sound quality and is rounded out musically by the tastefully restrained orchestrations for small wind and string ensembles by pianist / arrangers Alan Broadbent and John Beasley...The real measure of this projects success is the vocal artistry of Kenny Rankin – a high, pure instrument that sounds as strong now as it did 35 years ago when he saw the release of the first full length recording under his own name. An engaging live performer who usually requires only his voice and nylon string guitar to mesmerize a crowd, Rankin is poised to start the next phase of his already illustrious career and musical journey. A Song For You will surely help take him where ever he wants to go.~Verve Music Group

Frank Gambale

2009-10-12T15:45:00.000+08:00

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	FRANK GAMBALE - FORTUNE

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The connoisseur of sweep picking, Frank Gambale, has laid down an alternative canvass for his instrumental impressions- a drumless offering, if you please...This isn’t a maiden album of that nature; his collaboration with Maurizio Colona was evidently drumless (and bass deprived, mind you). Similarly, Natural High isn’t an initial adventure in acoustic dominance; the critically acclaimed Thinking Out Loud was very absorbing & largely distortion-free. Naturally, Gambale’s sweep picking buffs will be repelled by this introduction but do well to judge the sage after listening to this collection of mersmerising tunes, to say the very least...Unlike Gambale’s drive-laden tunes, the arrangements here are jazz inclined, more importantly, they will appeal to fans of easy-listening & guitar aficionados alike. Alain Caron & Otmaro Ruiz more than made up for the absence of drums, impressive are their percussive phrasings & insane doubling of Gambale’s fleet fingered passages. The touch of class is simply the intelligence of avoiding a technically introverted performance per se, memorable verses are aplenty but melody was never compromised on any occasions. The trio ensured commanding moments to highlight their technical superiorities; there was no loss of form for sure...Natural High isn’t a professional segue in an attempt to excel on a platform which escapes critical comparison. If you are of the opinion that Frank Gambale is lethal only with a solid body electric guitar, this album will prove your predisposition futile.~From Soft.com

Maceo Parker

2009-10-06T23:27:00.000+08:00

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	Maceo Parker - Uptown Up

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	Maceo parker - Soul Power

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Maceo Parker is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, as well as Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of Brown's hit recordings, and a key part of his band, playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. He is by now probably as well known for his own shows, as he has toured continuously under his own name since the early 1990s and has built up a fan base on this touring alone. Parker's unique rhythmic and rapid playing style is influenced by Cannonball Adderley, David "Fathead" Newman, and mixed with Brown's own innovations in funk music, although it would be fairer to say he is more influential than influenced.~From Wikipedia

John Scofield

2009-09-27T21:16:00.000+08:00

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	John Scofield - Night Time Is the Right Time

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Although sure to be criticized for cashing in on the Ray Charles bandwagon, jazzman John Scofield’s 2005 tribute release is also one of the most varied yet successful albums in the guitarist’s extensive catalog. Shifting from a big band/multi-vocalist approach for the classic "What’d I Say" featuring an all-star lineup of Dr. John, Warren Haynes, Aaron Neville, John Mayer and Mavis Staples trading verses (they all also take solo vocals on other tracks), along with longtime Charles saxist David "Fathead" Newman, to the lone guitar rendition of "Georgia on my Mind" that closes the disc, Scofield celebrates both Charles’ music and his eclectic approach to it. The stripped down instrumental version of "Crying Time" with only funereal organ accompaniment is perfectly offset by the following gospelized reading of "I Can’t Stop Loving You," brought home by Mavis Staples’ explosive vocal. Teen throb John Mayer acquits himself admirably on vocals and guitar, singing and trading licks with Scofield on a rugged "I Don’t Need No Doctor," and Dr. John brings New Orleans soul on a greasy "Talkin’ Bout You"/"I Got a Woman" medley. The horn section gets a workout on powerfully swinging instrumental takes of "Hit the Road Jack" and "Let’s Go Get Stoned." Scofield’s quivering solos show moderation yet convey the music’s R&B roots, even when he’s turning up the heat on a rousing Medeski, Martin and Wood -styled, acid laced "Sticks and Stones." Producer/drummer Steve Jordan finds the perfect vibe between jazz and R&B, and keeps the guest vocalists from stealing the spotlight. He provides the ideal framework for John Scofield’s fiery yet restrained playing and a fitting tribute to a jazz/R&B icon.~Hal Horowitz

Kevin Eubanks

2009-09-21T20:24:00.000+08:00

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	Kevin Eubanks - The Sting

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Guitarist Kevin Eubanks – who often good-naturedly serves as a comic foil for host Jay Leno – was officially named music director of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in April 1995 after filling in since January 30, 1995 for the band's original director, saxophonist Branford Marsalis...has toured extensively and recorded with many top jazz artists, including Branford Marsalis. With his own group, Kevin Eubanks recorded "Opening Nights," featuring Marsalis and Buster Williams, and "Face to Face," featuring Dave Grusin and Ron Carter. Kevin Eubanks' 1988 album, "Shadow Prophets," received more radio airplay than any other jazz recording that year. His most recent album, "Spiritalk 2, Revelations," a followup to last year's "Spirit Talk," is a collection of adventurous jazz pieces representing a significant surge of the music's evolution and the momentum of Kevin Eubanks' career...Eubanks lists Wes Montgomery, John McLaughlin and Jimi Hendrix as his major musical influences. Kevin Eubanks attended Boston's Berklee College of Music.~From Poptower.com

Brian Bromberg

2009-09-07T21:29:00.000+08:00

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	Brian Bromberg - Top Down

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	Brian Bromberg - Trade Show

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"Metal", the powerful new recording by critically acclaimed bassist/producer Brian Bromberg, showcases the bassist in a rare fusion-rock setting, simulating a full band on an arsenal of custom basses. Demonstrating Bromberg’s instrumental fusion-rock songwriting and aggressive playing, "Metal" is a departure from Bromberg’s jazzier outings, featuring him primarily on the guitar-like piccolo bass. Bromberg tears through melodies and solos with the force of today’s most skilled guitar heroes, playing the piccolo bass much like a lead guitar. But don’t be fooled – there are no guitars on this album. The rhythm guitar sounds and bass parts are also played by Brian on an array of different basses. What makes this recording exceptional is that nine of the eleven songs feature only Bromberg and hard-hitting drummer Joel Taylor. Rounding out this ground breaking project is keyboardist Dan Siegel, guesting on two tracks.~Liner Notes

Smooth Samba Collection

2009-09-06T15:15:00.000+08:00

Click any of the above images to download compilation. Details: Mediafire/110.31MB/hi-res front & back covers included in RAR file

This is the fifth in my compilation series. The first generation of samba players brought us the likes of Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sergio Mendes, Oscar Castro Neves and all those great Brazilian and Latin-inspired musical proponents. The present crop of smooth jazz artists have not forgotten to pay tribute to one of the most important and enduring styles of jazz, often including samba tunes in their albums. Aside from being literal samba tracks, the featured artists have infused their tunes with an edgier rhythmn, heavier grooves bordering on fusion, but always maintaining the distinctive samba beat. This compilation is a musical excursion celebrating the best in samba music as interpreted by the leading smooth jazz artists of today. Enjoy!~JJ

Armik

2009-09-03T23:01:00.000+08:00

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	Armik - Gypsy Flame

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	Armik - Pure Paradise

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Armik's masterful guitar playing was first discovered by his large allegiance of fans in 1994 with the release of the "Rain Dancer" album for Baja/TSR Records. The track "For Annette" received extensive airplay throughout the United States on Smooth Jazz radio and the album soared into the Top 10 on Billboard Magazine's New Age chart selling well over 100,000 units. But this success was only the beginning as Armik's next album, "Gypsy Flame", planted itself firmly on Billboard's New Age chart for over five months and sold an astonishing 300,000 units. With each subsequent release, Armik's enormous talent has become more evident and his loyal fans anxiously anticipate each new album. Four subsequent albums for Baja/TSR Records: "Rubia", "Malaga", "Isla Del Sol" and "Rosas Del Amor" have cemented Armik's stature as one of the preeminent new flamenco guitarists in the world. Now, by popular demand, The Best Of Armik has been compiled enabling everyone to discover the passion and skill that has captivated millions worldwide.~Guitar Nine Records

Pamela Williams

2009-09-02T09:10:00.000+08:00

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Pamela has always exhibited many diverse musical elements in her repertoire from jazz to funk, R&B, house Latin, and pop. She is an incredible producer and arranger who produces other artists as well. There is another creative side to Pamela Williams. She is not only an accomplished musician, she is also a very accomplished visual artist, working in every medium from pencil to watercolor to oil. Her work ranges from realism to abstract art and she has been commissioned to do several paintings. One wonders which came first and when has she found the time to pursue such time -consuming and demanding careers. "I have been a visual artist much longer than I've been a musician. When I was a child my first love was art but I also had a passion for music as well . My first big break in the music industry came when I was in college earning a degree in art and I landed a gig with Patti LaBelle. I was at a crossroads, but I found a way to make them both work." In a field dominated by men, Pamela Williams' name appears alongside chart-topping players like Dave Koz, Kenny G, Najee, and Boney James. She has no doubt found her own voice and proven that she can hang with the best of the boys...Pamela has recently released a new cd in June of 2007 entitled “The Look of Love”. This is Pamela’s seventh cd. This cd is a collection of covers of the magical music of Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach. Pamela has once again proven to be one of the most creative arrangers and producers around. She puts a new twist on 10 classical Burt Bacharach compositions to make them her own with a modern, funky, and sensual style. It has been said that artists often get better with time like a fine wine and Pamela Williams new release is musically intoxicating and tastefully done.~CDBaby.com

Julia Fordham

2009-08-27T14:14:00.001+08:00

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	Julia Fordham - Mysterious Ways

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	Julia Fordham - Girlfriend

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Perhaps with the current interest in female singer/songwriters (from Eva Cassidy to Norah Jones) the time has come for Julia Fordham to receive the recognition which has largely eluded her. One of Britain's finest in this area, with a rich, emotional voice covering a wide range, Julia is now resident in the US - indeed her album 'East West' has never been officially released in this country. 'Swept' is a fine introduction to Julia Fordham, and a beautiful album in its own right. This second issue CD features the excellent 'Love Moves in Mysterious Ways', which received a lot of airplay at the time of release. The rest of the album is consistently good, with sumptuous arrangements and virtuoso playing from the cream of British session men including wonderful keyboards from Grant Mitchell and stunning bass playing by Pino Palladino. Lovely late-night music with depth which will reward listening again and again.~By G. Cleaver (review from Amazon.com)

Earth, Wind & Fire - All Jazzed Up

2009-08-17T08:40:00.000+08:00

Click above image to download album. Details: Mediafire/96.44MB rar

There I was again yesterday browsing through thousands of jazz mp3s in my archives, and I thought of doing another compilation, my fourth in this series. If a few jazz artists found inspiration to do remakes of Michael Jackson, it was the exact opposite for the supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. I would understand why many jazz artists would do covers of EWF classics, foremost of which is that the group's music is rooted on gospel, soul and jazz, so the musical transition would be quite natural. It is obvious in the tracks lineup that these are EWF favourites. That's The Way Of the World, EWF's title track from its 1975 album, is rendered here by the soulful strings of Lee Ritenour as well as a keyboard cover by Ramsey Lewis who, with his extensive collaboration with the group, also does an instrumental take on the ballad Reasons. Two of guitarist Norman Brown's eight albums contain signature EWF tunes - After The Love Has Gone and Love's Holiday. I would have included Ramsey Lewis' eight-minute version of Sun Goddess with the extended keyboard solos but found it quite similar with EWF's original (not surprising since the song is a Maurice White/Ramsey Lewis project). Instead I opted for the shorter and breezy, mellow smooth remake of guitarist Doc Powell. You'll have a blast listening to the jazz renditions of keyboardist Brian Culbertson, flautist Dave Valentin, saxman Najee, trumpeteer Rick Braun, bassist Wayman Tisdale, guitarist Wilbert Longmire and vocalist Phil Perry. Each remake by each artist in this compilation is a testament to the musicality and genius of EWF which, after almost 40 years, is up there - legendary, enduring, respected and emulated by a whole generation of listeners, fans and musicians.~JJ

Steve Oliver

2009-08-11T11:39:00.000+08:00

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	Steve Oliver - High Noon

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	Steve Oliver - Positive Energy

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The follow-up to Steve Oliver's award-nominated debut album, "Positive Energy" takes a cue from Steve's enlightening and energetic persona with exciting Smooth Jazz and Instrumental Pop nuggets that feature Steve's unique style of vocalese and guitar work. Steve's blend of acoustic guitar in the style of Peter White fuses with his one-of-a-kind vocal sounds and scats to create a truly memorable experience. On "Positive Energy," Steve delves deeper into his passions for Latin and R&B music, and incorporates his trademark and crowd-pleasing wordless vocals into each of the 12 original tracks. Together, with Steve's dynamic band and a great cast of special guests, including Spyro Gyra keyboardist and co-founder Tom Schuman, bass phenom Brian Bromberg, saxophonist and labelmate Jeff Kashiwa, and saxophonist Brandon Fields, the elements are in line truly to create his best work yet.~Liner Notes

Maysa Leak

2009-08-06T22:07:00.000+08:00

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	LEAK, Maysa - Shadows & The Light

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	LEAK, Maysa - All My Life

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I've always been a fan of Incognito and its lead singer, Baltimore's own Maysa Leak. Her solo debut was a fine CD, but her 2000 effort, "All My Life" raises the bar even higher. It's such a shame that she isn't getting more attention, because she's certainly one of the finest soul singers around. Here, the disc seamlessly blends jazz, r&b, and soulful house, all of which are set to Maysa's sultry voice which exudes an effortless grace. Those who are familiar with Incognito's work will find plenty to savor here. From the positive vibe of the opener, "Got to Be Strong," I was hooked. The album is surprisingly consistent, with no filler tracks or lackluster tunes. In addition to "Got to Be Strong," my favorites are the jazzed-up "Mirrors," the anti-drinking message of "The Bottle," "Earth Child," and the flat out beautiful title track. The production has a stern ear for detail, capturing the right balance of sax, percussion, guitars, and bass. There are other soul records that may sell more, but you'll find few that are as exceptionally classy as "All My Life."~By The Groove (Review from Amazon.com)

Jose Feliciano

2009-07-30T23:31:00.000+08:00

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	Jose Feliciano - Light My Fire

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	Jose Feliciano - The Windmills Of Your Mind

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Try to imagine yourself in a dark room with your eyes close listening to the most soulful voice you've ever heard. SOUL,is the perfect word to describe Jose Feliciano's crystal clear voice. In this collection of hits which also includes some of his early spanish boleros from the 60's is a very good place to start to discover the beautiful music that this amazingly talented musician has been producing for almost four decades. This is not the defintive and complete anthology of Feliciano, a lot of his greatest songs are missing but it is a fine CD with some of his most soulful tunes. This record is worth buying for many reasons among them Jose's appealing and smooth vocals throughout the album and excellent guitar work...Extremely gifted and versatile, Feliciano remains one of the most underrated artist in the music business WHY I haven't the slightest idea but one thing is for certain he has definately left his undeniable mark in music history. An amazing talent who only gets better with age.~By Carlos Rodriguez (Review from Amazon.com)

Will Downing

2009-07-24T20:23:00.001+08:00

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Finally Mr. Downing did it. "Sensual Journey" is the album I have been waiting Will to record for years, the jewel of the crown among many shining diamonds this wonderful bariton has been giving us during his brilliant musical journey. The hype is justified here: just sit down and relax, let the flow of smooth jazz, soul and passion catch you, feel the vibe, fly away with the beauty of the arrangements and the clarity of the sound of this superb cd. Michael Jackson's oldie "I can't help it" (penned by the great Stevie Wonder) is covered with chocolate and cream, a delicious piece of art; the original was beautiful, but even Mr. Jackson will agree this is heaven. The other covers in the album are "Just don't wanna be lonely" and Ephraim Lewis "Drowning in your eyes" : they're new and already a classic at the same time. Will voice purrs and sways and dance over the notes of Gerald Albright, Lee Ritenour, Boney James, Marcus Miller, it's supported by Vesta, Phil Perry, Kashif, and leaves you at the end with a sensation of complete peace. The final cut "Bolero Nova" it's my favourite, with its samba flare and its simple melody is an instant standard to be performed again for the years to come by (hopefully)many other artists. But I also adore "Don't talk to me like that" with a faboulos jazzy scat solo by Vinx, "Brooklyn breezes", "If I ever lose this even"... To cut a long story short, there's not a single bad song here. Thank you Mr. Downing for making a real good record. I knew you were great, but I didn't expect greatness going so far this time. Come on guys, don't let the charts ignore this smooth, flawless, sensual masterpiece!~By Roberto Ballati (Review from Amazon.com)

Labelle

2009-07-22T14:08:00.000+08:00

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	Patti Labelle - Lady Marmalade

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On 1974's 'Nightbirds' Patti, Nona (Hendryx) and Sarah (Dash) all make it clear that when it comes to stanky, sweaty New Orleans R&B and funk they will be the undisputed female champions! "Lady Marmalade" was of course Labelle's big breakthrough single and likely what they'll always be remembered for but the trio also deliver several other funky tunes in a similar vein such as the title track,"Don't Bring me Down","All Girl Band" and "Somebody Somewhere" and these gals truely give the music their all. Patti Labelle and Nona Hendryx never have belted out stronger then they do here and Alen Toussaint's organ and horn heavy arrangements give every song here, even the two ballads a big, punchy sound. But it's not a disco thing - it's all about that hefty rhythm and a lot of funkiness. A superb place to introduce yourself to Labelle if you already haven't and just a damn great CD to have!~By Andre S. Grindle (review at Amazon.com)

Pat Metheny

2009-07-12T11:53:00.001+08:00

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	Pat Metheny - Rain River

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	Pat Metheny - Facing West

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The New York Times called Pat Metheny’s 1992 Grammy Award-winning Secret Story the most sweepingly ambitious album that the jazz guitarist has yet recorded...a nearly 80-minute world-music suite with symphonic underpinnings. If the album functioned then, in the words of critic Stephen Holden, as part travelogue and part soundtrack for a nonexistent film, then this expanded and re-mastered edition can best be described as the director’s cut. Composer and guitarist Metheny revisited and restored five previously unreleased tracks in the studio over the last year, and he’s collected them on a bonus disc. More pastoral in tone than most of the original material on Secret Story and with a decidedly cinematic, orchestral feel these tracks are like the deleted scenes from a deeply evocative yet wordless narrative feature. Back in ’92, Metheny declared that Secret Story was unlike anything I’ve ever done. It’s the largest in scope - 80 people were involved in the record - but it's also the most intimate record I’ve done.~Liner Notes

Michael Jackson - A Jazz Tribute

2009-07-08T07:41:00.000+08:00

Click above image to download compilation. Details: Mediafire/88.o2MB rar

This is my third offering. And it is timely with the memorial service just a few hours ago for the late Michael Jackson. I was scanning yesterday some 10,000 jazz mp3s in my archives and found a few jazz artists with covers/remakes of MJ songs from the time of the Jackson 5 up to his solo outings. This just goes to show the vast influence of the king of pop or the appeal of his songs, prompting even the stalwarts of jazz to make their versions of MJ's classic tunes, adding individual distinctive styles such as the precise piano chops of David Benoit, the samba flavor of Grover Washington Jr., the upbeat take of Ramsey Lewis, the blues version of Phil Upchurch or the stirring cover of the great Miles Davis. So I thought of making this compilation. For sure, there will be lots of MJ tribute albums that will come out, but the jazz afficionados and followers of this blog will have first crack on this special collection of jazz tunes based on an artist whose music has touched all of us.

BNH - Essential Instrumental Edition

2009-07-03T10:16:00.001+08:00

Click above image to download compilation. Details: Mediafire/62.7MB rar

Here's my second offering. Can you imagine The Brand New Heavies without the vocals? I mean we were all hooked up with their hits You Are The Universe, Midnight At The Oasis and Never Stop, to name some. Surprisingly, as I went over the songs from their seven albums in my collection which I featured last night in a 3-hour radio special at JUNSJAZZ e-FM, there were non-vocal tunes which still carried the same BNH signature sound - groovy, funky, infectious. I thought I would miss the high-octave vocals of Carleen Anderson or Siedah Garrett or Jay Ella Ruth, but these instrumental cuts were pure BNH that these occasional non-vocal outings are guaranteed to provide total listening pleasure. And I'm sharing with you these dozen tracks which I compiled from 7 BNH albums. Enjoy!

Seawind - The Very Best Of

2009-07-02T14:29:00.000+08:00

Click above image to download compilation. Details: Mediafire/87.5MB rar

Here's giving back to the blogger download community, to the listeners of JUNSJAZZ e-FM internet radio, and the followers and readers of this blog. I usually compile 30 to 40 songs from different albums of a particular artist and feature them in a daily two-hour special at my internet radio, sort of a "Best Of" or "Anthology" of that artist. Since broadcasting everyday starting March this year and airing these radio specials, I have amassed this "Greatest Hits" of the many jazz artists I have so far featured in the radio show. I thought of trimming down the compilation to the "Essentials", upload them to a hosting site for readers to download, and create a presentable cover. Here's the very first for this compilation project - 14 well known tunes of Seawind taken from the albums Seawind (1976), Window Of A Child (1977), Light The Light (1979) and Seawind (1980). For those probably very few who are not familiar with Seawind, this compilation is a great introduction to the band known for its distinctive horns section, and of course the searing vocals of a young Pauline Wilson who, later on in the 90s with her solo album Intuition, would be better known with her hits Stay and Follow Your Road. Enjoy! And watch out for more artist compilations (got so many of them I don't know what to post next)~JJ

Al Jarreau

2009-06-30T09:14:00.001+08:00

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Released in 1981, Al Jarreau's seventh album entitled Breakin' Away found him bringing his scat singing and remarkable ability to imitate various instruments to a wider audience with his novel mixture of jazz and R&B influenced pop songs...Breakin' Away was Al Jarreau’s fourth and most successful album with Warner, both artistically and commercially. The album featured the hit singles We're In This Love Together and Roof Garden and earned Jarreau two Grammy Awards at the 1982 ceremony, for Best Male Pop Vocalist & Best Male Jazz Vocal Performance. Since then Jarreau has gone on to be the only vocalist to ever win in three separate categories, which goes to show the ability and versatility of Al Jarreau as a performer.~From BBC Music Review

Michael Brecker

2009-06-20T08:30:00.000+08:00

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	Michael Brecker - Midnight Voyage

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	Michael Brecker - Song for Bilbao

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For nearly 20 years, fusion jazz superstar and "reedman" Michael Brecker left his mark on thousands of studio recordings and collaborations in jazz, pop, and rock & roll. The tenor saxophonist staked out a solo career beginning in the late 1980s to a welcoming round of applause. Yet even as he recorded on his own, he upheld family ties in 1992, to stand beside his elder sibling, trumpeter Randy Brecker, for a reunion album, Return of the Brecker Brothers,and for a series of live appearances. Michael Brecker, who was influenced largely by John Coltrane and mentored by Horace Silver among others, successfully achieved "crossover" status between fusion, post-bop, and contemporary jazz. For his first solo album he worked with Pat Metheny, Elvin Jones, and Charlie Haden, and as a solo artist and bandleader he toured with McCoy Tyner. Brecker worked with Adam Rogers, Clarence Penn, and Larry Goldings, and played with popular stars from Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon to Steely Dan. In 30 years, Brecker earned an impressive seven Grammy awards from the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.~Musician Guide

Everything But The Girl

2009-06-09T17:49:00.000+08:00

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	Everything But The Girl - Missing

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	Everything but the Girl - Time After Time

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Originating at the turn of the 1980s as a leader of the lite-jazz movement, Everything but the Girl became an unlikely success story more than a decade later, emerging at the vanguard of the fusion between pop and electronica. Founded in 1982 by Hull University students Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt, the duo took their name from a sign placed in the window of a local furniture shop, which claimed "for your bedroom needs, we sell everything but the girl." At the time of their formation, both vocalist Thorn and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Watt were already signed independently to the Cherry Red label; Thorn was a member of the sublime Marine Girls, while Watt had issued several solo singles and also collaborated with Robert Wyatt.~From MOG.com

Angela Bofill

2009-05-22T12:20:00.000+08:00

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	Angela Bofill - People Make The World Go ';Round

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	Angela Bofill - Time To Say Goodbye

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Prior to hip-hop's era of dominance, urban contemporary radio playlists in the 1980s and early 1990s featured vocal music that hovered near the line between jazz and R&B, crossing freely in both directions. One of the stalwarts of vocal jazz and urban music during those years was Angela Bofill, whose athletic voice and three-and-a-half-octave range were marks of her musical training and jazz ambitions. Yet Bofill had a soul singer's down-to-earth passion. "When there is a choice between being emotionally direct or technically polished, she almost inevitably chooses to be emotional," wrote New York Times critic Stephen Holden in 1982, early in the artist's career. Bofill's ten albums on the GRP, Arista, Capitol, Jive, and Shanachie labels together define a realm of sophisticated African-American pop.~From Musician Guide

Alphonse Mouzon

2009-05-20T11:18:00.000+08:00

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My first dozen cassette tapes when I started my jazz collection way back in 1982 include two albums from drummer par excellence Alphonse Mouzon - the classic By All Means and the magnificent Morning Sun, both released in 1981 and both carried the stellar line-up of musicians: Herbie Hancock on keyboards, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Lee Ritenour on guitar, and the famed Seawind Horns section. On Morning Sun, star-studded sidemen were added: Nathan East (bass), Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar), Michael Brecker (tenor sax) and The Waters Sisters (back-up vocals). When smooth jazz was creeping on the onset of the 80's, Billy Cobham was the most prominent among jazz drummers. I may also add Harvey Mason. But Alphonse Mouzon was already on the scene even in the 70s, maybe not notably, serving as sideman for Ron Carter, Gil Evans, Weather Report, Norman Connors and John Klemmer, to name some. He even became full time member to Larry Coryell's fusion band Eleventh House. Since then, this drummer has been busy with 21 albums to his credit and nearly a hundred recordings where he served as session musician. This is aside from managing Tenacious Records which he set up in 1992. Anyway, this fiery but rhythmic drummer is one of my all-time favorite fusionists and smooth jazz pioneers, and his half a dozen albums in my collection I consider as treasured jazz gems.~Junsjazz

Count Basic

2009-05-16T11:07:00.000+08:00

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	Count Basic - Moving In The Right Direction

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	Count Basic - Joy and Pain

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In 1977 Peter Legat, the prospective guitarist, composer and mastermind of Count Basic, moved to Vienna in order to study jazz-guitar at the Conservatory Vienna, commencing in 1980 and completing it with excellence in 1985. During this period Peter Legat had already produced 2 albums with his former band Incognito. When Peter Legat brought his project 'Count Basic' to life in 1993, he instantaneously received a record deal. Encouraged by the huge success of his first single 'All time High' in Austria, he flew to london in order to produce his first album. Ernie McKone invited the cream of the crop of acid jazz musicians to the studio to produce the first album 'Life think it over'. This was when Peter Legat met the New York singer Kelli Sae. She was won over for this first project and has been a consistant component of Count Basic ever since.~From Jazz And Soul

Casiopea

2009-05-13T16:24:00.000+08:00

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Casiopea was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro and bassist Tetsuo Sakurai. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group. The group debuted with the album Casiopea in 1979, featuring Randy Brecker and Michael Brecker as guest musicians. In 1980, Takashi was replaced by Akira Jimbo. Casiopea has released over 30 albums to date in both Japan and the United States.~From All About Jazz

Jeff Golub

2009-05-13T15:52:00.000+08:00

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In the '90s, guitarist Jeff Golub's blend of jazz, R&B, and pop earned him a reputation for being one of the edgier, more tasteful players in the crossover jazz/NAC/smooth jazz field. Although some of Golub's recordings were played on smooth jazz stations extensively, he was quoted as saying that he refuses to play outright elevator music, and to be sure, Golub's solos give the impression that he is essentially a soul-jazz improviser at heart. The Ohio native (whose influences have included Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Lee Ritenour, and Larry Carlton, among others) is quite capable of playing straight-ahead bop; he certainly has the chops for it. However, Golub chose to focus on more commercial music and has a long résumé as a rock, pop, and R&B session player. He appreciates being compared to artists like David Sanborn, the Crusaders, Ronnie Laws, Joe Sample, and the late Grover Washington, Jr., that is, instrumentalists who can be commercial and groove-oriented but still have a jazz improviser's mentality.~From Yahoo Music

Deborah Henson-Conant

2009-05-12T20:49:00.000+08:00

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	Henson Conant, Deborah - Nightingale, The

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	Henson Conant, Deborah - 13 996 IA

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Doc Severinson calls her the "wild woman" of the harp, and she's changing the way the world sees this ancient instrument. To describe Deborah Henson-Conant is nearly impossible, but she calls her music "cross-genre": jazz-pop-comedy-folk-blues-flamenco-celtic, and she is as much an entertainer as a musician...She performs in symphony halls as a soloist with major orchestras, and she plays intimate shows in jazz clubs and theaters nationwide. She has toured with the Boston Pops, opened for Ray Charles at Tanglewood, played backstage duets with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, starred in the PBS special, "Celtic Harpestry," played at the SuperBowl (harp, that is), has been featured on NBC, CBS, CNN, NPR, and hosted TV shows for BET and BBC affiliates.~From HarpGigs.com

Ronnie Foster

2009-05-09T16:15:00.000+08:00

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	Ronnie Foster - On The Avenue

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	Ronnie Foster - Mystic Brew

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Organist Ronnie Foster was frequently dismissed by jazz purists during the peak of his career in the first half of the '70's. He was a talented mainstream funk and soul-jazz keyboardist who managed to cultivate a successful career as a sideman (working frequently with George Benson, in particular) and producer during the late '70's,'80's and '90's. Furthermore, his '70's records for Blue Note became cult items among a new generation of listeners raised on acid-jazz. Even if he rarely led a session after 1979, Foster wound up playing a some sort of a role in mainstream and funk-jazz during the '80's and '90's.~From Soul Walking

Eddie Daniels

2009-05-06T11:31:00.000+08:00

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	Eddie Daniels - Blackwood

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	Eddie Daniels - Three In One

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Eddie Daniels is that rarest of rare musicians who is not only equally at home in both jazz and classical music, but excels at both with breathtaking virtuosity...Expert testimony from the jazz world comes from the eminent jazz critic Leonard Feather, who said of Eddie, “It is a rare event in jazz where one man can all but reinvent an instrument bringing it to a new stage of revolution.”~From All About Jazz

Norman Brown

2009-04-27T07:31:00.000+08:00

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	Norman Brown - Let's Take A Ride

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	Norman Brown - Rain

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Modern jazz guitarist Norman Brown revealed in his art the soul of a dedicated musician. In concert and on records, Brown's music generated adult appeal as he presented a delicate style that he successfully optimized through production and performance of his own compositions. Brown's career evolved from a boyhood affinity for guitar music--ignited by the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, and rekindled through the music of George Benson. Brown's family recognized his ability early and encouraged and assisted him in carving a niche among his contemporaries. He honed his talent at the Musician's Institute of Hollywood and remained with that organization in a teaching capacity for a decade, composing works and nurturing other musicians along the way. Through his recorded performances, released throughout the 1990s, Brown came to the attention of a diverse audience, including rhythm & blues, pop, and jazz fans. His understated personal style and cultivated jazz rhythms brought him worldwide recognition as a polished adult artist.~From Musician Guide

Kirk Whalum

2009-04-22T11:17:00.000+08:00

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	Kirk Whalum - In All The Earth

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	Kirk Whalum - Exhale

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Best known for his saxophone solo on Whitney Houston's hit "I Will Always Love You," contemporary jazz musician Kirk Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz. His best-selling 1998 contemporary jazz album, For You, included instrumental versions of the pop hits "My All" and "That's the Way Love Goes," as well as the Motown classic "I Want You." The son of a minister, Whalum also turned to spiritual themes for the 1998 release The Gospel According to Jazz and the 2001 releases Hymns in the Garden and The Christmas Message. "With each project, I make sure that I am honest to who I am as [much as] possible, and I always tell the truth, presenting a unique snapshot of where my life and faith are at that time," Whalum remarked to Smooth Jazz News online in a May of 2001 interview. "My basic process of writing is going down in my basement and praying, thanking God for everything and then asking Him for melodies that would help glorify Him. That's why few of my recordings revolve around concepts. I just like to let things flow naturally."~From Musician Guide

Chaka Khan

2009-03-24T22:25:00.000+08:00

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	Chaka Khan - A Night In Tunisia

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	Chaka Khan - Stormy Weather

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Say the name "Chaka" and most folks in the know instantly think of a woman who has made an indelible and lasting impression on the music scene of the past three decades. First, as the lead singer of the massively successful R&B, funk and pop band Rufus, then as a solo artist in her own right who has influenced an entire generation of female vocalists (think Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Ledisi, Maysa among others). Like Aretha, like Joni, like Tina, a first name will do. For there's only one Chaka, woman of fire, possessed of a powerhouse, unforgettably distinctive trademark vocal style who sings with unrelenting passion, honest emotion and authenticity; no matter what the song, you can count on Chaka to deliver with realness, every time.~Chaka Khan MySpace

Maysa

2009-01-29T13:05:00.000+08:00

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	Maysa - I Need A Man

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	Maysa - Can We Change The World?

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"Metamorphosis" is the seventh solo CD from singing sensation Maysa Leak. As the title explains, she intends to mark a change in her discography. After her previous "Sweet Classic Soul" and "Feeel the Fire" which were not received too enthusiastically, this time Maysa presents a more polished performance on a selection of Soul tunes that has a warm and breezy vibe throughout...The album is stuffed full of songs that have a jazz as well as that Nu Soul bend to them. She sings with sheer emotion about true love and all the feelings that go along with it. Her timbre has a smart sensuality to it, and the instrumentation brings each song to a capstone either musically or lyrically.~By Grover from Amazon.com

Steve Tyrell

2009-01-11T22:03:00.000+08:00

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	Steve Tyrell - The Way You Look Tonight

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	Steve Tyrell - Cheek To Cheek

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This collection of songs has to be one of the best collection of renditions I have ever heard. Steve Tyrell's voice is very distinct. Sometimes playful, other times a true crooner. But he really does justice to the choice of music here.'Give Me The Simple Life', 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street' and 'The Way You Look Tonight' (An all-time favorite of mine) are done to perfection. All tracks are done straight with a great orchestra and arrangements, no doubt. Hearing this cd I thought to myself that he would be a better 'sinatra-esque' than a few others out there. The reason being his voice. I can't say much more than that. I promise if you like standards, you will really really really like this cd. Give it a shot.~By Kevin Stanton "stanke36" from Amazon.com

Herbie Mann

2009-01-05T15:33:00.000+08:00

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	Herbie Mann - Do It Again

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	Herbie Mann - Chain Of Fools

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Not many musicians can claim to have single-handedly created the style of music for which they are famous. Among the select group who legitimately can is Herbie Mann, a seminal figure in the American jazz scene of the 1960s and '70s. Largely on the strength of his talent for improvisation and willingness to experiment, Mann formulated a jazz style for the flute, raising to the rank of lead an instrument which prior to his arrival had been limited to a minor role in the jazz pantheon. In the process, he was to garner a reputation as one of the most eclectic figures in the music world, readily mixing a wide range of styles from African to Brazilian, from Charlie Parker to disco, to create music that crossed boundaries in every sense of the word. Although his experiments did not always endear him to jazz critics, the result was a musical style that was indisputably his own.~jimnewsom.com

Lee Ritenour

2009-01-05T00:29:00.000+08:00

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Visit Lee Ritenour at VerveMusic.com

	Lee Ritenour - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

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	Lee Ritenour - Ooh-Yeah

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It's been a long road since the seventies, when Ritenour's legendary Tuesday night appearances at the famed Baked Potato, with a band including Dave Grusin, Patrice Rushen, Harvey Mason and Ernie Watts became part of the musical landscape for five years. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Joe Sample, and even Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell could be seen in the audiences that would pack the house till the wee hours of the morning. From rock to blues to jazz, his diverse music became the foundation of over 3,000 sessions as a young guitarist with a broad spectrum of artists such as Pink Floyd (The Wall), Steely Dan (Aja), Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, B.B. King, Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand. Not to forget the dazzling array of talent appearing on his solo works and collaborations, notably-- Phil Collins, Brazilian greats Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso, Djavan and Jao Bosco, George Benson, Chaka Kahn, Herbie Hancock, Michael McDonald and opera great Renee Fleming.~LeeRitenour.com

Marcus Johnson

2008-12-11T11:21:00.000+08:00

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A smooth jazz keyboardist, Marcus Johnson incorporates the rhythms of rap with the soul of R&B. Johnson grew up listening to a broad variety of music: his mother played classical piano and his first memorable concert experience was seeing an Earth, Wind & Fire show with his father. His interest in jazz first showed itself when he began tinkling the keys at age 13 (his step-father won Maryland's "Pick-3 Lottery" and used the winnings to buy Johnson's first keyboard) and he found himself studying both traditional and contemporary jazz musicians (Joe Sample and Thelonious Monk are two names he frequently cites). Johnson also established Marimelj Entertainment Group, Inc., a production company and music publisher that prides itself on blending a mixture of contemporary jazz, alternative, and R&B to create what the company calls "the Urban Groove."~Zac Johnson, All Music Guide

Take 6

2008-12-02T20:53:00.000+08:00

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Quincy Jones once described Take 6 as "the baddest vocal cats on the planet."~From BNET

Richard Smith

2008-11-19T15:54:00.000+08:00

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Richard Smith is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar department at the renowned Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. He started the first Doctoral program in Contemporary Guitar performance in the world, and was responsible for Quincy Jones recently receiving an honorary USC degree...In the jazz world Smith has built a strong reputation as a sideman and session guitarist with Richard Elliot (six #1 albums on the Bluenote label), and with Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, Mark Antoine, Dan Siegel, Freddie Ravel and Warren Hill. His own records have established him as a veteran of the contemporary jazz world - with strong chart action and critical success on every one of his seven solo releases. His albums have garnished praise such as "Best Contemporary Jazz Guitar Album" (Tune Up Magazine), a nomination for "Record of the Year" (Ad Lib Magazine, Tokyo), and "Best New Artist" (Radio & Records Magazine).~From CD Baby

Jimmy Sommers

2008-11-19T14:30:00.000+08:00

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Jimmy Sommers was first smitten with the saxophone when he was still a grade school student in his native area of Chicago. "The sax just seemed so cool" says Sommers recollecting on those days. His affinity and aptitude for the sax progressed to a point where he has become one of the hottest names on the world's smooth jazz circuit. His new album "Sunset Collective" continues Sommers' path of bringing a little hipness and edge to the smooth jazz world. As with his previous albums (James Cafe, 360 Urban Groove, Lovelife) he collaborates with some of the most reknown artists around. "Sunset Collective" finds Jimmy playing with other artists such as Paul Oakenfold, Paul Brown, Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix, Brian Culbertson, Angela Johnson and DJ Spinna. The album crosses into Jazz, soul and electronica arenas. It has already entered the top chart of Radio and Records Smooth Jazz Survey.~Jimmy Sommers MySpace

Boy Katindig

2008-11-11T21:51:00.000+08:00

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Jazz Pianist and International Recording Artist Boy Katindig, comes from a well-known clan of musicians who pioneered Latin jazz in Manila. His father is Philippines' jazz legend, Romy Katindig. In 1978, Boy signed up with A&W Records International and recorded several albums under the Horizon label. " Midnight Lady", his first album was awarded "Best Instrumental Composition" by the Himig Awards and Gold for the single which preceded it "Don't Ask My Neighbor". The album was released in the U.S. by PAUSA, who had contemporary jazz pioneers Tom Grant & Alphonse Mouzon in its artist roster. "Aftermidnight" followed and then "Love Fusion", which Boy describes "Horizon Record's signature jazz project", the album garnered awards for "Best Jazz Instrumental" &" Best Performance in a Jazz Composition" for "Its Still September" from the Cecil Music Awards Foundation. His vocal composition, "Capture The Changes" featured in a single by Horizon was awarded "Best Vocal Jazz Composition". The "Boy Katindig Band" which spawned out of the 'Midnight Lady" release, was also voted Best Jazz Group by the Aliw Awards Foundation consecutively for three years.~From All About Jazz

Rebecca Martin

2008-11-11T21:32:00.000+08:00

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Martin shapes her unique world vision with her debut on MAXJAZZ, People Behave Like Ballads (August 31, 2004), named for a collection of poems by Robert P. Tristram Coffin, a fellow native of Maine. Written entirely by Martin, the sixteen songs are memorable, honest and moving. She sings of love, loss, hope, wisdom, loneliness and searches – along with her listeners – for understanding of the human condition through her music. Throughout the recording, her clear and strong voice appears to have no range limits. Much like Joni Mitchell in her early career, to whom Martin has been compared by the NEW YORK TIMES, Martin shadows her voice or allows it to soar or to gracefully settle inside the notes. Listening to her sing is like watching the tides roll in and out or a bird fly above. There is continual motion, seamless sound and an unbroken line of thought.~CD Liner Notes

Zuco 103

2008-11-09T05:28:00.000+08:00

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Along with Suba and a host of other acts on the Brasil 2mil compilation, Zuco 103 are one of the contemporary Brazilian acts that Six Degrees Records have brought to the world stage via their Travel series. Zuco 103 blend jazzy electronic pop, trip-hop, and lightweight drum & bass with the joyful sounds of Brazilian samba, bossa nova, and tropicalia. Although vocalist Lillian Vieira is Brazilian, her two bandmates are Dutch and German, lending a distinct blend of European and South American musical styles to the music. The result is a refreshingly light, airy sound that can swing from groovy, chirpy electropop ("Brazilectro") that sounds like a South American Stereolab to campy modern exotica ("No Bar do Samba") and funky hip-hop lite ("Auga Mineral") with a few stops at the drum & bass shop in between.~CD Liner Notes

Tim Bowman

2008-11-05T11:34:00.000+08:00

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It’s been four years since smooth jazz guitarist Tim Bowman’s last CD "Smile" was winning rave magazine reviews and garnering ubiquitous smooth jazz radio airplay. Now, Bowman is back on the scene with a new CD that demonstrates that he still has his ear pressed firmly to the radio. The new project, "This is What I Hear"; Bowman’s first for Liquid 8 Records is full of the breezy, cool hooks that have defined his personal jazz style over the last decade and kept him competitive with the Russ Freemans and George Bensons of the music world. When asked how he arrived at the title for the new CD, Bowman says, "I like smooth jazz and I like gospel music. So, instead of my music being one or the other, this is what I hear. I hear jazz and I hear gospel."~From Jazz Live Series

The New Mastersounds

2008-10-28T11:54:00.000+08:00

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The New Mastersounds have crafted another mind-blowing trip into the land of funky jazz. It swings and rocks. The ingredients for "102%" include a heavy helping of soul and funk with a sprinkling of psychedelia. As with the rest of the band's discography, much of the music sounds like it was recorded sometime in the sixties and seventies, drawing on likes of the Meters and Howard Roberts. The production is partly responsible for the great vintage sound. The disc blends dazzling arrangements with jaw dropping solos. The melodies are catchy and toe tapping. At times, Eddie Roberts guitar work echoes Mike Bloomfield's playing with the Butterfield Blues Band. As usual, Bob Birch rips things up on his organ. 'Witness' is a mind bending trip into the land of psychedelia.~By The Delite Rancher

Michal Urbaniak

2008-10-20T10:12:00.000+08:00

Visit Michal Urbaniak's Official Website

"As a boy prodigy violinist, I played many recitals and concerts with philharmonic orchestras. I took part in competitions for adults and was awarded a scholarship to study in Moscow with the famous David Ojstrach. At the same time I fell in love with American Jazz along with it's culture and a passion for this other musical life began to emerge. One might say that after I began to play Jazz I felt as though a second musical identity came to being. Dr. Jekyll was the straight A student in music school practicing intensely everyday until the afternoon. After which Mr. Hyde would appear experimenting with the new sound of Jazz at local clubs and bars. I dreamed of a time in my life when these two musical identities of mine could be combined somehow.~From Urbaniak's Official Biography

Stacey Kent

2008-10-10T05:26:00.001+08:00

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The story of Stacey Kent's rise to international fame reads like a Hollywood script. An American language student visits Europe to study French, Italian and German for a Masters degree in comparative literature. Her life takes an unexpected twist that sees Stacey Kent become one of the world's foremost jazz singers. Stacey, a recent addition to the Blue Note roster of recording artists, now boasts seven best-selling albums including Breakfast on the Morning Tram (2007) and The Boy Next Door (2003) both of which achieved Gold status, a string of awards, including the 2001 British Jazz Award and 2002 BBC Jazz Award for 'Best Vocalist,' the 2004 Backstage Bistro Award for best live performance and the 2006 "Album of the Year" for Jim Tomlinson's album, 'The Lyric' on which she was the featured vocalist, as well as a fan base that enables her to sell out concert halls around the world.~From stacykent.com

Bradley Leighton

2008-10-08T22:52:00.000+08:00

Visit Bradley Leighton's Official Website

To hear a flutist take lead on this project brings back fond memories of Dave Valentin, Yusef Lateef, Bobbi Humphrey, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, Alexander Zonjic, Frank Wess and others back in the day. Bradley engineers a refreshing blend of old school and new school contemporary (funk) jazz.~By Sherman L. Dantzler

Joyce Cooling

2008-09-28T05:21:00.000+08:00

Visit Joyce Cooling's Official Website

A few short years ago, guitarist and songwriter Joyce Cooling took a good, hard look at her life. Glued to the TV like the rest of us, Cooling remembers the days after 9/11 and found her perspective on life jolted. "I asked myself," she recalls, "Is what I'm doing as a musician meaningful?" After lengthy, ardent talks with her long-time collaborator and partner Jay Wagner about a potential life without a career in music, Cooling proclaimed, "I don't know about you, but this girl's got to play."~From Cooling's Site Bio

Antonio Forcione

2008-09-28T05:18:00.001+08:00

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Antonio's unique exploration of the guitar and his seemingly endless stream of ideas make him one of the most exhilarating composers and performers on the music scene today. Dedicato shows him at his very best, drawing on his many influences from Jazz to African, Classical to Brazilian moods, all weaving with ease throughout this fine collection.~CD Liner Notes

Roger Smith

2008-09-20T16:06:00.000+08:00

Visit Roger Smith's Official Website

As Mozart said ..just the right number of notes..not too many, not too few...and just at the right time. I was 'hooked' the first time I heard Off the Hook on the smooth jazz station. Can't sit still and listen to that one! When I got the CD, I was astonished to discover that the entire CD is one large work of art, colored by talented musicians playing a variety of tunes, tempos, rhythms, instrumentals, vocals. It takes me through a range of emotions. Overall 'classy' jazz. Great mixing and arranging. And...I can't get enough of Roger Smith's piano! Thanks.~From Amazon.com

Joe McBride

2008-09-11T10:07:00.000+08:00

Visit Joe McBride's Official Page

Born and raised in Fulton, MO, keyboardist/singer Joe McBride began playing the piano at age four. His uncle Bake McBride was an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians. His earliest influences were gospel music, bebop, straight-ahead jazz, Motown, and '70s R&B and funk. As a teenager, he began singing and playing at jazz clubs. Around this time, McBride was stricken with a degenerative eye disease that eventually claimed his sight, but his passion for music didn't diminish. He continued his musical studies at the Missouri School for the Blind and Webster University in suburban St. Louis, where he majored in jazz performance.~From Vh1

Rocco Ventrella

2008-09-05T18:27:00.000+08:00

Visit Rocco Ventrella's Official Website

Rocco is already receiving some well-deserved attention for his debut CD in the form of national radio play. He has a unique sound, a wonderful melodic sense and a great ability to communicate on his instrument. I am looking forward to hearing where he goes in the future... it looks bright to me!~Dave Koz, Capitol Records Smooth Jazz Artist

Martin Taylor

2008-08-27T21:47:00.000+08:00

Visit Martin Taylor's Official Website

Award winning guitarist MARTIN TAYLOR has established a unique musical career as an internationally acclaimed musician, and his inimitable style has seen him recognised as the world's foremost exponent of solo jazz guitar playing. Although completely self taught, he has enjoyed a remarkable musical career spanning across four decades, and during that time has invented and developed a way of playing the guitar that is admired, and often imitated, by guitarists all over the world. As well as being a true guitar innovator, he is also a master concert performer, dazzling audiences with his solo shows, which combine virtuosity, emotion, humour, and a strong stage presence.~Martin Taylor MySpace

Steve Khan

2008-08-26T20:54:00.000+08:00

Visit Steve Khan's Official Website

In a special issue of Japan's "JAZZ LIFE" magazine, they selected the 22 All-Time Greatest Jazz Guitarists. Of course, legends like Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and Jim Hall were included alongside more recent giants George Benson, Pat Martino, Larry Coryell, and John McLaughlin. But right there amongst contemporaries John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Mike Stern and Bill Frisell was Steve Khan!~Official Bio

New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble

2008-08-26T20:29:00.000+08:00

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Quincy Jones

2008-08-09T21:20:00.000+08:00

Visit Quincy Jone's MySpace

featuring Ray Charles and Chaka Khan

featuring Siedah Garrett and El Debarge

Looking back at the almost super-human recording career of Quincy Delight Jones most music lover's would convienently seperate his lengthy back catalogue into two completely seperate (but not totally distinctive! ) styles. The first obviously being his younger days playing, composing and producing, what many consider to be, true jazz....with giants such as Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn and the formidable Frank Sinatra. Writing film scores such " In The Heat Of The Night " and even Bossa Nova standards such as " Big Band Bossa Nova " ( a classic in my house! ) and you may have some small idea as to the incredible ease that Mr. Jones tackled, and ultimately succeeded, in composing and producing, a vastly dizzying array of musical styles.~By Douglas Barton

The Jeff Lorber Fusion

2008-07-31T22:59:00.000+08:00

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Visit The Jeff Lorber Fusion's MySpace

With a smooth sound bringing together elements of funk, RB, rock and electric jazz, keyboardist Jeff Lorber helped pioneer a genre of fusion later formatted under such names as NAC and Contemporary Jazz. Born in Philadelphia on November 4, 1952, he began playing the piano at the age of four, and as a teen performed with a variety of local RB bands. Lorber's infatuation with jazz began during his stay at the Berklee College of Music, and after forming the Jeff Lorber Fusion he issued the group's selftitled debut in 1979. During the first half of the following decade, the band became one of the most popular jazz acts of the period...~Jeff Lorber Biography

Melody Diachun

2008-07-26T21:40:00.000+08:00

Visit Melody Diachun's Official Website

...Melody Diachun has been hailed as “one of the world’s finest young jazz composers and vocalists” (Gerry Young, BRAVO!TV). Her first two independent releases, Lullaby of the Leaves and Dreams and Places presented her as one of Canada’s emerging jazz stars, both as a gifted songwriter and a versatile, understated singer. On her third album, EQ, the Montreal–born artist takes a substantial leap forward with her quintet, transcending genre distinctions to deliver a vibrant, highly original milestone.~Entertainment Management

Curtis Haywood

2008-07-26T21:28:00.000+08:00

Visit Curtis Haywood's Official Website

A child prodigy, Curtis Haywood moved from trumpet to saxophone at an early age, studied at New York's High School for the Performing Arts and Boston's Berklee College, and went on to perform with New York jazz fusion group Joshua for several years before completing this self-titled debut solo in 2007. His skillful performances bring new life to the soulful interpretations of R&B favorites and contemporary jazz originals. Joined by sidemen Mel Holder, Jeff Mironoff, John Smith, Willie Brown, Fred Lamour, Paul Griffith, Nyles Webster, Johnny Mercer, Loris Holland, and Artie Reynolds, the voice and passion of Curtis Haywood is clearly heard throughout each track on his new album.~CD Liner Notes