Musician
Featured this week,
Drew Davidsen is a multi-talented composer/guitarist - Drew is a classically trained cellist who studied at the Peabody Conservatory, but he was drawn from the classics by his ever growing interest in rock and jazz. He plays several instruments, but while in the Navy, he returned to the guitar, and that became his instrument of choice. During his career, Drew has been part of nearly 30 high profile projects. He has received high praise for his musical talents from his playing of urban jazz to his gospel music. Drew was named one of the “Ten Hottest New Guitarists” in Guitar Player Magazine’s influential Reader’s Poll. In 2008, Drew self-produced his first solo album, "This Journey". On the heels of the release of "This Journey", he wrote, recorded and released two preview tracks online. “Astro” and “Bounce”, which were both well received, the tracks feature Dan Needham on drums, Gary Lunn on bass and pianist Jay Rowe. In 2009, Drew released "Around Again", which has attracted a lot of attention and good reviews. "We3Stringz" CD was released in 2010 and "Spin Cycle" in 2011. Drew can be seen and heard at venues around the U.S. and numerous festivals.
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 Alicia Keys - As I AM (2007)
"If The Diary of Alicia Keys was a skillfully balanced mix of classic and modern, Keys's third effort, As I Am, finds the singer-songwriter fully embracing bygone R&B. There are no rappers or hype men announcing the arrival of the new Alicia Keys joint. And though the beats are heavy on tracks like the covertly political "Go Ahead," which displays Keys's funky low end, whatever sweat she breaks isn't due to urban club jams but sultry mid-tempo numbers that one can imagine being pumped into hot Harlem nightclubs or humid summer block parties circa 1970.
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~ Terry Keppard - Slant Magazine.
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Rocco Ventrella -
Give Me The Groove (2007)
“Rocco Ventrella hails from Bari, Italy. From 1983 until 2005 Ventrella played in the Big Band "J.S.O." of Bari where he appeared with an impressive list of artists such as: Lee Konitz, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Benny Bailey, Chet Baker, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Tullio De Piscopo, Ernie Wilkins, Art Farmer, Maurizio Giammarco, Gianni Basso, Lee Konitz, Tony Scott, Dizzy Gillespie, G. Gaslini, D. Goykovic, Bob Mintzer and others. His first solo project was Tribute To Grover Washington, Jr. (2005) containing three tracks: Winelight, Let It Flow and Make Me A Memory. In addition, Ventrella has some new recordings featuring his own compositions, including the soulful and haunting I Receive Your Love. The surprising success of this album especially the positive reaction of critics encouraged Rocco to record Give Me The Groove (2007).”
~ HBH - smooth-jazz.de and Discography
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Hiromi - Another Mind (2003)
"'Hiromi is a dazzling, slight, sprite of a lady who, on stage, dominates the instrument with a confidence-exuding, physical swagger in a manner that can only be claimed by those at the highest levels of performance in the world today. In fact, her perfect posture and barrier-free technique are reminiscent of the great Frenchman Jean-Michel Pilc, but in very different context. The music mixes dashes of nuevo samba, funk, odd-time regalia, microtonality and steroid-laced ragtime and Tin Pan Alley into a heady brew of high-energy jazz that is closest in classification to, dare I say, fusion - all of which lends itself incredibly well to the sonic pallette that Hiromi creates on electric and acoustic axes."
~ Phil DiPietro - AllAboutJazz.com
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Gabriela Anders - Wanting (1998)
“Gabriela Anders first CD effort is a little precious gem of musical gentleness coupled with a sensuality that puts it apart from most first attempts by young artists. This is a showcase for the singer, and the musicians blend nicely and quietly into her sensual voice as she delivers well on such numbers as "Fire of Love," "I'll Be Loving You," "The Girl From Ipanema," "Just An Hour," to name a few! Another Brazilian singer with the ease and touch of sensitivity that is evident in all that she sings. A fine first CD. ”
~ Lee Prosser - JazzReview.com Guide, and Discography
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Jamie Broumas - Wild Is Love (2007)
“Well known in the Washington area for her solo appearances and recordings, as well as her association with the innovative ensembles Rare Silk and Mad Romance, Broumas has chops and personality to spare. The notion that a great jazz vocalist doesn't perform a song so much as inhabit it may be a cliche. But it's one worth dusting off when everything clicks on "Wild Is Love," whether Broumas is casting a dreamy spell with "Last Night When We Were Young," igniting a torch on "You Won't Forget Me" or saluting the genius of Antonio Carlos Jobim with a sunny performance of "Outra Vez," rendered in Portuguese.” ~ Mike Joyce - Washington Post
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Saxophonist Bill Evans - Soulgrass (2005)
“Throughout his 20-year career as a solo artist, saxophonist Bill Evans has explored a variety of musical settings that go well beyond the confines of traditional jazz, including hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. Evans steps into more adventurous territory on Soulgrass, blending jazz, funk and bluegrass into a seamless and wholly unique hybrid of quintessentially American styles.”
~ www.brittfest.org (September 6, 2008)
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Cheikh Ndoye~ -
A Child's Tale (2009)
“Cheikh Ndoye’s debut CD is distinctive if just for the number of “name” artists who agreed to work with the young and amazingly technically proficient bassist. With Randy Brecker, Russell Ferrante and Eric Marienthal, among others, on hand to share their talents you know Ndoye must have a garnered a great deal of respect among his fellow jazz musicians. Originally from Senegal, West Africa, Ndoye has been in the United States for about ten years. Self-taught as a youngster, he has become known as a Richard Bona protégé for the work Ndoye has done in studying with the master bassist.”
Thomas R. Erdmann - Jazz Review.com
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Paul Brown & Marc Antoine - Foreign Xchange (2009)
" The Foreign Exchange begins with the seductive blend of both guitars over a laid back, easy swaying groove on the perfectly titled “Feel The Love” before the two amp up for a romp through a thumping funk groove and sweet sensual atmospheres on “Wine Night.” No Antoine project is complete without a nod to the joyful spirit of Rio, and Brown’s crisp electric melody intertwines beautifully with Antoine’s acoustic harmonies on the balmy samba “Flight of the Concords.” Antoine plays bass and drums in addition to his guitar on the happily jangling drive-time vibe of the title track, which features the Brown-Antoine chemistry enhanced by the always sizzling Jerry Hey horns."
Jonathan Widran - JazzMonthly.com
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Tomasz Stanko Quartet -
Soul of Things (2002)
“The Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko has been busy making music for many years. He began his career on the forefront of the European free jazz movement in the ‘60s. While he has made many fine albums since then, most of his notoriety has come in the past few years. Since joining ECM, Stanko has produced many fine albums. Soul of Things is the latest in his string of albums ( Litania, Leosia, and From the Green Hill ) and continues the level of excellency he has established for himself.”
~ Geoff Barber - AllAboutJazz.com
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Tony Bennett - Duets II (2011)
“Tony Bennett’s first album of celebrity duets (2006's Duets: An American Classic) featured an impressive cast of superstars answering the call from the dean of pop vocalists, but the arrangements were overly safe -- virtually all of them ballads with soft strings or brassy finger-snappers. Duets II follows the first by five years and features, surprisingly, a cast just as star-laden, but also arrangements that are much more dynamic, and suitable for each song and its participants. (Marion Evans, a veteran whose career goes back nearly as far as Bennett's, handles the charts for a few of the best here.) Bennett, as ever in splendid voice and impeccable groove, laughs and trades lines with stars half his age (like John Mayer), or in the case of Lady Gaga, six decades younger, and clearly makes them so comfortable in this setting that it would be easy to believe that jazz vocals were their home.”
~ John Bush - AllMusic.com Guide, Discography
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 Ancient Future - World Without Walls (2011)
"Sona Gaia and Narada were two of the more interesting World / New Age labels to erupt as the arts scene began diversifying with a seriousness that arose following the collapse of the 60s/70s ethos. Narada was a sketchy proposition at times, tending to the New Agier side of the house, whereas Sona always held a more serious attitude, and one of their best releases—this one, Ancient Future's World without Walls—was never quite critiqued or marketed as it should have been: as a set of works in the tradition of Mahavishnu Orchestra, Between, Shakti, and other adventurous bands with almost inhuman chops. After all, the entire World gig pretty much rooted in the inestimably superlative Oregon, an ensemble that was and still is eons ahead of its time, talented beyond compare. "
~ Mark S. Tucker - AcousticMusic.com, Website,
Facebook and MySpace
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Eddie Harris "Freedom Jazz Dance"(2009) "The title tune is Eddie Harris’ most famous composition and he wails as only he can, supported by the great drumming of Billy Hart, George Mraz on bass and Jacky Terrasson on piano. Billy Hart is ferocious and drives the quartet to inspired heights... Highly recommended for fans and a great place to start for listeners new to Eddie Harris’ unique contributions to jazz music."
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Rick Bruner - All About Jazz, MySpace, Website and CD Discography.
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 Anita Baker - Rapture (1987)
"Rapture, which was released in 1986, is an emotionally rich, subtly restrained suite of songs that merge elements of jazz and soul, with an emphasis on ballads like "Sweet Love," "You Bring Me Joy" and "Been So Long." It is bold in its very conservatism, and it evokes favorable comparisons to the work of some of Baker's idols, such as Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. Baker says she was not concerned about how different Rapture seemed from much of the music out at the time. "It didn't cause me any apprehension," she says with a laugh, "because I didn't think anybody was gonna hear it!"
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~ rollingstone.com.
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The xx - XX (2009)
“Space. Everyone needs it to stay sane. In London, though, it’s hard to find. Coffin-narrow streets are piled with tiny flats, subdivided into even tinier rooms, cramped and claustrophobic. No act of chance, perhaps, that it’s in the capital that the most original music of recent years, dubstep, with its booming, echoing spaces, first developed.
The xx, four kids from the dubstep heartland of south London, have quietly set up an emotional squat in those spaces, with bedsit-delicate love songs. It’s strange that such a traditional
set-up (drums, bass, keys, guitars, voices) has resulted in one of 2009’s most unique debuts. The praise can be laid at the door of the band themselves: synths-and-beats man Jamie Smith produced the album himself and they draw together eclectic materials from avant-garde hip-hop to R&B to pure pop.”
~ Emily Mackay, NME.com
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Sheryl Crow - 100 Miles From Memphis (2010)
“As always, on her seventh studio album the success or failure of Sheryl Crow's recordings is centered on whether or not the listener can truly get caught up in the musical groove. Fortunately, on 100 Miles From Memphis the insistent propulsive energy rarely lets up. Her commercial power in the pop market may have faded somewhat in recent years, but Sheryl Crow remains one of the most consistent of pop and rock soloists. Long-term fans will be pleased by this album, and more casual followers should be impressed by the stylistic commitment here.”
~ By Bill Lamb, About.com Guide
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 Coles Whalen - The Whistle Stop Road Record (2009)
- Live review (excerpt): Coles Whalen @ the Walnut Room (2009): "Quick Coles Whalen catch-up for those of you who haven’t been paying
attention: In 2005, she independently released her self-titled, six-song EP, bought a truck with a camper shell, loaded the bed with boxes of her CDs and hit
the road. Within a year she had played more than 150 venues across the western U.S., and in February she went into the studio to record her first full-length
record, “Gee Baby.” Releasing her third solo effort, “Nothing is Too Much,” in 2007, she came back to Denver and formed her present band. But it wasn’t long
before she parked the camper and left her hometown of Denver, moving to Nashville — though her band remains here, she said."
~ Sean Kennedy - heyrevb.com.
Links: CD Discography, Facebook and Reverbnation
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 Sara Bareilles - Little Voice (2 CD Set) (2008)
"The tone on Little Voice shifts with songs like “Vegas,” a Fiona Apple-esque tune that’s somber and soulful. There’s also “Morningside,” a seductive tune that sounds vaguely familiar, but I can’t quite place it, which is driving me crazy (any help here?!). “Between the Lines” slows things way down and reminds me a lot of Amy Grant, of all people. The soft and sad “City,” which has a beautiful chorus, has echoes of Sarah Harmer, and is about being lonely even in the midst of a crowd. The soulful sound is kicked up a notch with “Many the Miles,” which turns into a jazzy track toward the end. “Gravity” closes the album with a slow and pretty sound (very much like a Sarah McLachlan ballad).
At times sounding like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, or Jamiroquai, and at other times channeling Fiona Apple, Sarah McLachlan or Sarah Harmer, with a dash of Amy Grant, Jason Mraz and/or Maroon 5 in the mix, singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles and her CD, Little Voice, have more to them than meets the eye."
~ Juliet Farmer - BlogCritic.com.
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Patrick Yandall - Laws Of Groovity (2008) "In this time where smooth jazz radio is slowly disappearing, an independent artist has a really tough time. Even when smooth jazz radio was flourishing, independent artists rarely got air play. But that never deterred guitarist Patrick Yandall from putting his music out there for all to enjoy. Laws of Groovity is Patrick’s ninth CD and truly one of his best... Patrick Yandall still remains somewhat under the radar, but hopefully more listeners will appreciate the depth of his abilities whether it’s playing or composing. Laws of Groovity is another terrific offering from this guitarist. Check out CDBaby, and Amazon.com for more information. "
~ Bonnie Schendell - smoothviews.com
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Richard Elliot -
In The Zone (2011)
“Overall, this is a CD not unlike the much earlier material from Elliot (After Hours, Chill Factor, Crush, etc.). Full of sweet grooves, spunk, and slick but not frenzied drive. By now, track 2, “Boom Town,” has climbed impressively up the charts, I’m sure. Not to be outdone, tracks like “Bring It!” and the previously mentioned Marvin Gaye cover provide the phatness we’ve come to expect from this saxman, while the laid-back and seductive coolness of tunes like “Just A Taste” round out the CD well. ”
Ronald Jackson - AllMusic.com.
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Christian McBride - Live at Tonic (2006) “McBride played two consecutive dates at Tonic, Jan. 3 and 4. On both nights, the first set was a standard hit by the Christian McBride Band; the late sets featured some anointed interlopers. Disc two of this release documents the first guest jam—with guitarist Charlie Hunter, violinist Jenny Scheinman and pianist Jason Moran—in raw and uninterrupted form. Disc three offers the same deal with a different crew: DJ Logic, guitarist Eric Krasno, beat-box savant Scratch and trumpeter Rashawn Ross. It should come as no surprise that disc one, a sampling of the strongest CMB performances from both early sets, yields the most coherent music on the album. Straight out of the gate, the group’s collective impact is clear. “Technicolor Nightmare” is an unabashed fusion anthem, and it sounds far fiercer here than on McBride’s last album, 2003’s Vertical Vision (Warner Bros.). This has a lot to do with the hookup between McBride and drummer Terreon Gully, whose whiplash propulsion has probably never had a better showcase. ”
~ Nate Chinen - JazzReviews,
CD Discography, Website, and MySpace Music page.
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 Pat Martino - Undeniable: Live At Blues Alley
"Walk into a guitar shop and mention the name Pat Martino. Clerks and customers will immediately pause to hear whatever you have to say about one of the greatest practitioners to ever pick up the instrument. Martino’s latest release showcases a veteran virtuoso who continues to amaze. This hourlong concert disc was recorded in June 2009 at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. Hearing it makes you wish that you had been there, and it makes you grateful that we now have this terrific CD. "
~ Bobby Reed - downbeat.com (review #5),
CD Discography,
MySpace page and Website.
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 Elaine Elias - Light My Fire (2011)
"In a career that spans around 30 years and over 20 albums, singer and pianist Eliane Elias has come to epitomize a cool, sophisticated jazz sensibility, especially on the bossa nova songs of her native Brazil. On Light My Fire, she set out to extend the range of styles and grooves in her music and, in so doing, mixes Brazilian music with a couple of jazz standards and one or two famous pop and rock songs. "
~ BRUCE LINDSAY - AllAboutJazz.com, Website,
Facebook and MySpace
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Sophie Milman - In The Moonlight (2011)
“Throughout In the Moonlight, Milman’s voice is it‘s great asset, giving the songs a light sexy touch. She has a voice I can listen to all day, but that lets the songs shine. And while it’s nothing you haven’t heard before, it’s one of the better examples of the vocal style. For that, the album is one of the better examples of the slow, romantic jazz style.
If you’re looking for romance, a background as a Prelude to a Kiss, you wouldn’t be going wrong putting on Sophie Milman’s In the Moonlight.”
~ At Home in Hespeler - briangardiner.ca and Discography.
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Terri Lyne Carrington - Moasaic (2011)
“For her fifth album as a leader, Carrington calls on the talents of 20 musical sisters, both instrumentalists and vocalists. From the liner notes: “As with mosaic artwork, the goal for this project is to vibrantly connect colorful pieces together to create something integral, using thoroughly composed song forms, some abstract improvising, and also the human voice – to create sharp shapes, with blurred edges.”
Seldom does a recording meet such a goal so effectively, diversely and beautifully. From Carrington’s arrangements of the Beatles’ “Michelle” and Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful,” to the originals, “Wistful” and “Crayola,” penned by Carrington and Esperanza Spalding, respectively, this set is as good as it gets, giving the listener some straight jazz instrumentals as well charming vocals.”
~ Woodrow Wilkins -Smooth-Jazz.de and Discography.
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Patrick Bradley - Under The Sun (2011)
“Under the Sun is the title of the outstanding contemporary jazz release on Patrick's Song Factory from the masterful keyboardist/composer Patrick Bradley. His initial solo release, Come Rain or Shine, appeared four years ago serving as the artist's formal introduction. On Under the Sun the artist has emancipated all his enormous creative chops to craft a modern tour de force that provides gratifying classy excellence throughout. Bradley states that the idea lying at the root of this record, after reflection of his own life, was the philosophized principal to enjoy life during the brief time we partake of under the sun pursuing ones dreams, hopes and aspirations. ”
Randall Parrish - The Jazz Review
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Gemma Genazzano -
Si Me Quieres/ If You Love Me (2009)
“Unlike much of today's Latin output, Gemma Genazzano's Si Mi Quieres / If You Love Me owes less to contemporary R&B and dance music and more to '70s funk and soul. It's an important distinction to make as, in the hands of the wrong production outfit, Genazzano could have slipped into the slush pile, her sultry, playful voice wasted with cookie-cutter arrangements. But Genazzano avoids the processed cheese completely, instead singing over a classy collection of light funk and ice-cool vocal jazz, much of it enveloped in a Latin context.”
Robert M. Sutton - All About Jazz |
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 Shae Fiol -
Catch A Ride (2009) “The first thing that listeners will notice is that Catch at Ride is an incredibly balanced record. There is a nice mix of mid-tempo tunes such as the aforementioned "Let Down," and the sensual "Embrace." Back to back ballads, pensive "A Woman's Presence" and jazzy "Lonely, Lovely," are followed by the socially relevant up-tempo song "It's Not Easy."
By time the listener gets to the electronica-funk jam "King," it becomes clear that Shae Fiol is not your average singer/songwriter with a guitar. She is an artist who is equally adept at making her listeners lean in close to listen to her pained lyrics on "A Woman's Presence," and have them dancing in their seats while listening to "King." And that is quite a combination.”
Howard Dukes, soultracks.com |
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Jessy J -
Tequila Moon (2008)
“Listening to... Jessy J weave magic with her soprano saxophone as she plays the lyrical “Running Away,” which she co-wrote with Brown, and then opting for a tenor-voiced horn on Leon Russell’s “Song For You,” one must ask the question: If she is already this good, how great can she become? Like Mindi Abair, Jessy J is able to serve up evocative phrases that transcend the jazz and pop genres, and in Jessy J’s case, she add some gentle Latin spices. From the opening track “Tequila Moon,” until the last notes of “Song For You” fade gently into the twilight, Jessy J’s music will charm you and hold you as a willing captive under its enchanting spell. ”
Joe Montague - Jazz Police |
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Melissa Morgan -
Until I Met You (2009)
““For her debut release, Melissa Morgan wanted a gritty, retro vibe evocative of classic jazz
vocal albums of the 1950s and ’60s. She also wanted to pay tribute to such heroines of that era as
Nancy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. On both counts she succeeds admirably,”
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 Harris, Sanchez & Scott - Ninety Miles (2011)
"They're all relative youngsters in a jazz world that still finds nonagenarians like Dave Brubeck hitting the summer festival circuit. Tenor saxophonist David Sánchez may be the elder statesman on the marquis of Ninety Miles, with vibraphonist Stefon Harris in the middle position at 38 and trumpeter Christian Scott still on the shy side of 30, but each of them has already made his mark, making this an all-star in-the-making American/Cuban collaboration on an upward trajectory"... "Without compositional representation, Scott has to rely on his inestimable chops and taste to make his presence felt, but with brash solos like his searing, stratospheric work on "Congo," there's little fear of being ignored. Together with Harris, Sánchez and their Cuban friends, Ninety Miles is music that could bridge the gap if it was ninety light years.
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~ John Kelman - AllAboutJazz.com,
Website, Facebook.
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Thievery Corporation - Radio Retaliation Extras (2008)
"In a recent interview on National Public Radio’s World Cafe, Garza and Hilton discuss many of their influences and play a few examples. They also explain the concept of “outernational,” a word they picked up from the Jamaican Rastafarians. Garza and Hilton refer to it as a way of thinking about the world. Being a world citizen and having a consciousness and appreciation for other cultures...
Overall, Radio Retaliation gives listeners a great dance disc with strong political awareness. The guests add dimension to Garza and Hilton’s compositions. Although the duo has a strong commitment to world music, the collaborators also give the recording an authenticity that makes its message all the more powerful.”
~ Noreen Mulcahy - Suite101.com and
Website |
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 Grant Geissman - Cool Man Cool (2009)
"Guitarist Grant Geissman returns after his stellar comeback disc, Say That! (Futurism, 2006), with an album that capitalizes on its predecessor's strengths while at the same time, recruiting an even larger cast of characters. Cool Man Cool is a west coast mainstream jazz affair, celebrating Cool, but with some twists and turns thrown in to make it an eclectic mix that not only highlights Geissman's undervalued talent, but those of his sidemen as well. And with guests including original employer from the '70s, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione, piano icon Chick Corea, guitarist Jerry Hahn and saxophonist Tom Scott, there's enough star power to draw those sadly unfamiliar with Geissman himself. "
~ John Kelman - All About Jazz.
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 Ben Williams - State of Art (2011)
"With State of Art, Williams deftly demonstrates his musical maturity as a
player, composer and arranger in this varied, yet cohesive collection of tunes.
Joining Ben is a more-than-capable group of peers, including Marcus Stickland on
tenor and soprano sax, Matthew Stevens on guitar, Gerald Clayton on keyboards
and Jamire Williams on drums. Also making appearances on three tracks is alto
and soprano saxophonist Jaleel Shaw... Ben’s choice of bandmates
accentuates the fire and enthusiasm he exudes as an up-and-coming jazz lion.
“I’m always looking for guys who are team players, who are great players, but
know how to elevate the whole band,” Williams says. “They play in a way that
makes everybody else around them sound better, but also bring their own voice to
the music.”
~ Jon Liebman - forbassplayersonly.com
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 Paolo Rustichelli - Mystic Man (1996)
"Paolo Rustichelli is a futuristic visionary whose music is highly distinctive. Miles Davis, when he collaborated with Rustichelli near the end of his life, called the keyboardist's music "Total Music. Carlos Santana, having signed Paolo to his Guts and Grace label, has said: "Paolo Rustichelli's music is hauntingly beautiful...a romantic, mysterious soundtrack for life. Rustichelli recently reached the first position on the Nu Jazz MySpace artist list.
Rustichelli is not a jazz artist in the conventional sense of the term. He believes in making music that does not fit neatly into any one category. His creative objective entails the exploration of various genres in order to conceive something uniquely acroamatic and true to his vision."
~ Katrina-Kasey Wheeler - All About Jazz
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 Lin Rountree - Soul-Tree, The Soul-Jazz Experience (2011)
"His playing has been described as soulful, funky, and sensual. Be it R&B/Soul or Groove Jazz, he has an innate ability to connect his music to his listener’s soul. And his charm, intelligence and wit make him a great entertainer on and off of the bandstand." Soul-Tree, The Soul-Jazz Experience
released Jan 2011, Is written and produced by Lin Rountree with the help of Dana Davis, Jeff Canady, Tony Gordon and Monica Marie Jones.
"All of the songs on Soul-Tree represent a new direction in instrumental soul and will undoubtedly place Lin at the very top of his generation, ushering in this new sound."
~ USNewJazz.com, Discography, Reverbnation,
Facebook and MySpace
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 Carmen Cuesta - Mi Bossa Nova (2010)
""A dawn, Copacabana, a song.
Through it's empty streets I hear the echo of your voice."
Carmen Cuesta's composition titled, "Jobim" begins with those lyrics. We translated them here into English although she doesn't sing in English. This is one of two tracks composed by Cuesta for this album — a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. Seven of the tracks are Jobim pieces and the set also includes two bossa nova classics: "O Barquinho" and "Manha de Carnaval".
Cuesta's story is one of passion, talent, and love. This reviewer speaks neither Spanish nor Portugese and yet I appreciate Mi Bossa Nova as much as I would an aria by Kiri Te Kanawa. The artist delivers the lyrics so passionately with a voice that is soft yet strong, easy flowing yet revealing a depth of character that it affects listeners. We can feel the same emotions she feels. We appreciate her love for the genre and her tribute to Jobim is moving.
~ FC Etier - Technorati, Discography,
Website and MySpace
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 Buena Vista Social Club - At Carnegie Hall (2008) “The first thing that strikes me about At Carnegie Hall is the sound quality. This album sounds amazing, with a power and resonance that blows the studio album away. From the opening applause and the instantly recognizable chords of “Chan Chan” you know you are in for an audiophile’s treat. Live albums always have the potential to go wrong with substandard recording quality, but this album sounds better than the studio album to my ears, a testament to Cooder’s meticulous mixing and mastering. And the performance itself is spectacular. Lead vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer’s voice is raw and emotive; pianist Ruben Gonzalez seems to float effortlessly yet precisely over each key he touches. Standout tracks include “Chan Chan,” “Dos Gardenias,” and “Candela,” but really this whole set is phenomenal.”
Ajay Miranda , AustinVida.com |
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 India Arie - Testimony: Vol. 2, Love and Politics (2009)
"With an earthy, organic demeanor, a honey-coated alto and an insistence on bringing a message with her music, India Arie Simpson took the scene by storm with her 2001 debut, Acoustic Soul. Over the years, thanks to self-esteem-building songs like "Video," "Little Things" and "I Am Not My Hair," the Denver, CO native became known, even celebrated, for her introspection and honesty. While some of her peers are content to create music only from behind carefully constructed facades, Ms. Arie never hesitates to delve into her personal heartaches, expose them to the masses and evolve beyond them in the process. Her fourth CD, a follow-up to 2006's Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, continues to filter life lessons through the healing power of song, but with more texture and perspective.
~ soultracks.com
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 Drew Davidsen - Spin Cycle (2011)
"Without a doubt, “the journey” for guitarist Drew Davidsen from his native Maryland to the contemporary smoothness of his brand of jazz has been a most pleasant one, from the standpoint of this writer. I’ve written about Davidsen on a couple of other occasions, and my opinion is always the same. The guy not only plays with style and class, but he understands the nuances and sweetness of the type of melodies and hooks that reach people. His latest, Spin Cycle, is further proof of that."
~ Ronald Jackson - thesmoothjazzride.com and DC Bebop page.
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 Ragan Whiteside - Class Axe (2007)
"The infrequency with which the flute is heard only adds to its magic as a contemporary jazz instrument. Now, in the skilled hands of the wonderfully soulful Ragan Whiteside, its potential knows no bounds. Her 2007 CD ‘Class Axe’ is an absolute revelation and, given the album features production from both Bob Baldwin and Dennis Johnson, it has all the credentials necessary to provide Whiteside with the mainstream breakthrough that, on the strength of this collection, she so richly deserves.""
~ Smooth Jazz Therapy and DC Bebop page.
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 Les Nubians - Nü Revolution (2011)
"Since 1999, the French/African duo Les Nubians have bewitched listeners with their blend of African music, hip hop, and jazz. Their breakthrough album, Princesses Nubiennes, spawned the hypnotic track, "Makeda"—while sung entirely in French, the heavy beat as well as Helene and Celia Faussart's lovely harmonies held universal appeal. Their latest album, Nü Revolution, continues their musical journey, proving that the duo's initial success was no fluke.
~ Kit O'Toole - Blogcritics Music.
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 Janine Gilbert-Carter - "Inside A Silent Tear" (2009)
One of the many fine singers around the Washington DC area, Janine Gilbert-Carter “lives at the intersection where jazz, blues and gospel all come together,” according to Jeff Gruber, who engineered Janine’s most recording, Inside a Silent Tear. Recorded at the Historic Blair mansion, she is backed by a terrific quartet comprised of Eric Byrd on keyboards, Wes ‘Sugar’ Biles on bass, Jeff Neal on drums and Brian Lee Settles on tenor sax on a set of some well known standards mixed with less familiar items to showcase her soulful singing.
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~ In a Blue Mood - inabluemood.blogspot.com.
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 Janita - Haunted (2010)
"On the heels of her most commercially successful release to date, Janita returns with her highly anticipated new album, Haunted. The latest in an already acclaimed discography, Haunted is helmed by an artist with the courage and determination to evolve—not only out of artistic desire, but personal necessity... At its core, Haunted embodies the journey of an artist focused not on the ghosts of her past, but on the possibilities of her future. One of her own fashioning. One that for the first time now belongs to her. A future of hope and promise, and she invites her listeners to join her."
~ Engine Company Records.
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 Dave Koz - Hello Tomorrow (2010)
Contemporary jazz saxophone icon Dave Koz has recently released his first CD for the Concord Music Group entitled Hello Tomorrow. Two decades of recording and touring extensively (on many occasions billed as "Dave Koz and Friends") has helped lay the requisite groundwork for this superb masterpiece. Superlatively and exactingly produced by the renowned duo of Concord Music Group veteran ace producer John Burk and Grammy winner Marcus Miller, Dave follows the doctrine that he conveys in his liner notes. Said doctrine being: Music has a particular ability to awaken and stir the soul. Dave Koz has assembled a select arsenal of his many awe inspiringly talented musician friends to rally round the maestro and embrace his dream of presenting one powerhouse album that profusely awakens and stirs the soul from commencement to finish."
~ Randall Parrish - jazzreview.com.
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 Bernie Williams - Moving Forward (2009)
Bernie Williams certainly broke the mould in terms of his colourful career. Not only was he a baseball star for the New York Yankees, but he is also a classically trained musician whose interest in his Porto Rican heritage led to him being nominated for a Latin Grammy. More than that, he also signed a publishing deal with McCartney and this CD 'Moving Forward' - his second solo album - has already been nominated for a Latin Grammy."
~ Pete Feenstra - getreadytorock.com.
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 Cindy Blackman - Another Lifetime (2010)
"The 11-track offering is a combination of material associated with Tony Williams’ Lifetime as well as originals that celebrate or pay homage to what Williams accomplished during the Lifetime duration. To reconstruct the Lifetime magic, Blackman pulled together a squad of stellar artists: four different groupings for the eleven pieces. Patrice Rushen, Carlton Holmes (who has previously recorded with Blackman) and Doug Carn, who has extensive credits stretching back to the early ‘70s, take on the roles of Lifetime keyboardists Larry Young or Alan Pasqua. Bassists Benny Rietveld and David Santos echo the contributions of Jack Bruce or Tony Newton. Guitarists Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Mike Stern (Miles Davis, Steps Ahead and others) and Fionn Ó Lochlainn (an English musician with many pop/rock ties) fulfill the positions held by John McLaughlin and Allan Holdsworth. Noted tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano contributes to the album’s only non-Lifetime Williams’ tune, “Love Song.””
~ Doug Simpson - Audiophile Audition.
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Alyssa Graham - Echo (2008)
“Jazz, by its very nature, is evolving in four dimensions. Norah Jones, for example, with a
crack band and a Country and Western sensibility, has reformed the interface between jazz and
popular music. Think of Jones as Josef Haydn, a musical trailblazer inventing a new way to
look at an established genre, one further perfected by Mozart's inevitable invention. Norah
Jones' Mozart is Alyssa Graham.”
~ C. Michael Bailey |
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 Paul Carr Quintet - Straight Ahead Soul (2010)
"Straight Ahead Soul, the new CD by Paul Carr, is the most personal musical statement to date from the tenor saxophonist and educator, who's been a mainstay of the Washington, DC jazz scene for the last 25 years. It's a meditation on Carr's Southern roots and “the influence a Southern upbringing has had on my musical foundation," he says. And it explores his journey from inner-city Houston to the suburbs of Washington, DC, as he pays homage to mentors (and legendary Texas tenor men) Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson."
~ Terri Hinte - All About Jazz.
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 Jay Soto - Mezmerized (2009)
"The smooth jazz stylizing of guitarist Jay Soto blanket listeners in sweet atmospherics that create a personalized paradise made just for them. Soto's latest release Mesmerized is the epitome of cool elegance with a carriage of sophisticated saxophone lines and chutes of simmering grooves beefing up the guitar chords. Produced by Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn and Mario Mendivil, Mesmerized allows the listener to savor the uplifting feel that smooth jazz tubing offers, making every foamy kernel fume with pleasure and partner every sonic strand with a soul mate. Happiness might be in the air, but Soto knows how to lasso it and make it materialize in his music.”
~ Susan Frances - JazzReview.com.
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 Matt Cusson -
Matt Cusson (2010)
"While studying in Boston at Berklee College of Music, Matt Cusson instinctively found his way to Harlem’s Apollo stage. And in the years to follow, as a three-time winner of the venue’s legendary Amateur Night, Cusson would eventually perform alongside some of the music industry’s greatest contemporary voices: Babyface, Christina Aguilera, and Norah Jones, to name a few.
In July 2009, Matt Cusson’s jazz composition, “One of Those Nights,” was announced as the 2008 Maxell Song of the Year. (In previous months, the song was unanimously heralded as the winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest within the “Jazz” category.) Quite fittingly, the grand prize was presented to Cusson by his long-time mentor, Brian McKnight.”
~ Clayton Perry - Blogcritics Music.
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 Paul Brown - Love You Found Me (2010)
"This CD features some heavy hitters as contributors (Richard Elliot, the aforementioned Jessy J and Greg Adam, Euge Groove, Marc Antoine, Al Jarreau, Philippe Saisse, just to name a few), and I guess it’s no surprise, considering the helping hand this great producer/guitarist has extended to probably each of them and then some. There’s lots of great variety here. Cases in point would be Strollin’,” the mid-tempo track with Richard Elliot, the funky, hook-tight “Let Me Love You” with Euge Groove (that Groove sax certainly works well with that Brown guitar to make for a completely hot piece, and the well-placed backing vocals add that “oomph”), the reunion with Marc Antoine and Brown on “Right Back At Ya” has a solid drive and is both sweet and natural. These guys do have that chemistry, as was clearly demonstrated in Foreign Exchange.”
~ Ronald Jackson - The Smooth Jazz Ride.
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 Nils -
What The Funk? (2010)
"Possessing the uniquely elite gift of deeply “feeling” every note he writes and plays, Nils, the multi-talented Munich born guitarist, has yet again given his followers grounds to rejoice. His new release on TSR/Baja Records, What The Funk?, proves to be an aural delight of the highest order. On three previous and superlative Contemporary Jazz CDs for TSR/Baja, Nils often displayed a clearly identifiable undercurrent of his R&B, Soul and Rock roots. At this moment with What The Funk? Nils has allowed the funk flavor to ascend fully to the surface with magnificent effect. Aiding him on his funky quest are many of the same trusted musicians who have graced his past work with their inspired presence. ”
~ Randall Parrish - Jazz Review.
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 James Cotton -
Giant (2010)
"There are a few rare musicians out there for whom the term Giant is most fitting and certainly James Cotton falls firmly into that category. A blues harp master whom has cultivated his trade for now going on 66 years, starting with Sonny Boy Williamson taking him under his wing at the age of age of 9, after his parents had passed. From then on both history and a legend were being made to the present when James Cotton has long achieved his legendary status as one of the greatest harmonica players of all time. ”
~ John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network).
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 Grant Green Jr -
Jungle Strut (1997)
" -- also a guitarist -- recorded an album for the Japanese market in 1997 that Grant Green, Sr. could very well have made: a fine chitlin-circuit set of soul-jazz populated mostly by tunes from the '60s ("Walk on By," "Green Onions" "When a Man Loves a Woman"). To his credit, Jr. doesn't sound exactly like Sr.; his harder tone, solid R&B-oriented comping, and repeated stabbing riffs place him closer to Joe "Boogaloo" Jones, or George Benson in a funky mood. Green often defers to his flamboyant alternating organists Reuben Wilson and Michael Torsone, and altoman Eddie Pazant delivers a typical (for the genre) mixture of bop and soulful grandstanding. The rhythm section is a tough, kicking combination of Bill Foster (bass) and Ernest Colon (drums), laying down an especially propulsive groove on Gene Ammons' title tune that everyone from the boogalooers to the M-Basers and acid-jazzers would appreciate..”
~ Richard S. Ginell - AllMusic.com.
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 Gaelle -
Transient (2004)
"Over the past ten years, Gaelle Adisson has secured a firm place in the fertile Atlanta music scene. With her debut full-length album "Transient," she showcases her rich talent and creativity, presenting an album of soul music with a strong sense of individuality and self-assurance. There's no question about Gaelle's talent as a singer, songwriter, and producer. With her honest, sensual and haunting style, Gaelle joins the space occupied by young female singers like Kelis and Res. She is unquestionably a soul songtress, but she's got that kind of style that moves her out of the Jill Scott/Angie Stone realm and into her own personal domain."
~ Emmerald - ABOUT.com Dance Music
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 Steve Conte & The Crazy Truth (2009)
"Conte is a musician’s musician. The kind of guy who lives to play and sing. He’s done projects as varied as soundtrack work for anime series such as Wolf’s Rain, Cowboy Be Bop and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG with composer Yoko Kanno, worked with Paul Simon, toured with Billy Squier, played live on stage with flamenco legend Raimundo Amador and Pata Negra, oh yeah… and then there’s the fact he’s also the guitarist in the New York Dolls. The man’s just got it in his blood. (He does, after all, come from a musical family.)
When not touring with the Dolls, Conte still had the itch, the twitch, the need to get the rebel beat out of his soul and into amplified form. Finding like-minded creatures in the forms of bassist, Lee Kostrinsky and drummer Phil Stewart, over the course of two years and many continents they’ve managed to get 11 tracks down onto disc. The slithering blues grooves and vierbal vitriol on tracks like “Busload of Hope” and the gritty, thinly-veiled drug references on tunes like “Gypsy Cab” and “Texas T” stick to your soul like lyrical napalm.”
~ Christine Natanael - crushermagazine.com.
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 Jack Prybylski -
Out Of The Box (2010)
"What do you get when you combine elements of trance, steeped in generous portions of rhythm with a heat-infused saxophone that is masterfully caressed by one very bad cat? You get a pass on a very trippy vibe that some might say is “Out of the Box."
Produced by Four 80 East (one of the hottest bands that has existed to defy all the rules), Out of the Box (Innervision Records) is the third solo release by saxophonist Jack Prybylski. Prybylski initially caught the ear of radio with his sophomore release, Window Shopping, by garnering national praise from critics for his smooth melodic style. “Jacks instantly appealing music and strong sound make Window Shopping one of the best independent releases this year," declared Smooth Jazz News.”
~ CHERYL HUGHEY PROMOTIONS - All About Jazz.
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 George Kahn -
Secrets from the Jazz Ghetto (2010)
"West Coast jazz pianist George Kahn revisits past successes on Secrets From The Jazz Ghetto selecting some of his best compositions from five of his previous six albums for this compilation recording. This seventh outing contains 26 pieces covering a range of styles from contemporary to bebop, and from Bossa Nova to Latin and Cool jazz. Though the main repertoire on this two-disc set album reprises music recorded between 1998 to 2008, there are seven new recordings revealed here as the first of Kahn's secrets. The music is quite varied, accessible and challenging to the core, an obvious conclusion after a sampling of the album—and that's no secret.”
~ Edward Blanco - All About Jazz.
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 Benito Gonzalez -
Circles (2010)
"Circles is the sophomore album by Benito Gonzalez, recently released by
Furthermore Recordings. The Venezuelan-born jazz pianist made his debut as a
leader relatively recently, with 2004's Starting Point. Shortly thereafter he
won the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition. As a sideman Gonzalez has
played with a host of jazz luminaries, most notably touring and recording with
Kenny Garrett. Gonzalez composed eight of the nine pieces on Circles. The lone
non-original is lengthy take of McCoy Tyner's "Blues On the Corner." A generous
leader, Gonzalez allows ample room for his musicians to solo. The Tyner tune
allows the group an opportunity to relax, rare for this album. The interplay on
these tunes is generally quite intense, aided by a trio of saxophone players who
put a distinct stamp on most of them.”
~ By THE OTHER CHAD - BLOGCRITICS.ORG
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 Chuck Loeb -
Listen (1999)
"Chuck Loeb knows the secret to finding enduring success in the genre, even amidst growing competition by more and more up and coming guitarists who approximate his style: keep the listener guessing from tune to tune with unique stylistic and production curveballs. He's so effective at this that it's impossible to resist.." ”
~ Jonathan Widran - AllMusic.com
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 Jonathan Butler -
So Strong (2010)
"So Strong is the essence of what Jonathan Butler is about as an artist, with a mlange of soul, jazz, contemporary gospel, and South African sounds. It's a winning formula that has evolved since he first emerged in 1985 with his debut Introducing Jonathan Butler. Today, he continues to serve as a stylistic bridge and an ongoing inspiration to all who hear him. He's particularly proud of So Strong, adding, “This CD has legs. I believe this music will stand the test of time." ”
~ All About Jazz
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 Mads Tolling -
The Playmaker (2009)
"Tollings' six consecutive originals, almost all dedicated to friends or influences past or present—crosses a wide swatch, from the buoyant title track to the ambling "El Duderino" and higher velocity lobbies in "Starmaker Machinery," appropriately dedicated to guitar legend John McLaughlin and featuring some of vibrant and inspired interplay between Tolling and Abraham.
Virtuosity may be a given on The Playmaker, but what's most impressive is the sound of Tolling's quartet, which drives the majority of the record and, based on the results, must be thrilling live. For those who can, check out Tollings live; for those who can't, The Playmaker is a great place to start.”
~ John Kelman - All About Jazz and DC Bebop page.
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Jean-Luc Ponty - The Acatama Experience (2007)
"Back in January (of 2007) we covered two of JLP's albums from the early eighties at once, to examine a turning point in this French violinist's approach to jazz-rock. This time around, there's a brand new release to examine and twenty-five years later, Ponty is still effectively leveraging much of the same ideas he came up with then, and at other points of his career...the master fusion violinist from Avranches, France gives his fans from downtown Paris to Bombay to Santiago another strong set of tracks"
~ Author: Pico - blogcritics.org
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 Ronny Jordan -
The Antidote (1992)
"'A self-taught guitarist, Jordan first picked up the instrument at the age of four, and was playing live shows at the age of 15. He was exposed to gospel groups like the Soul Stirrers and Andrae Crouch. Jordan's first public performances were with gospel acts in and around London... The outbreak of British funk during the 1980s inspired Jordan to start exploring different types of music beyond his gospel roots. At some point, he developed a fascination with jazz... Although Jordan loved jazz, he was also fond of 1970s funk groups like Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament/Funkadelic, and Tower of Power. "I was split down the middle," he told Guitar Player.
Jordan started experimenting after college and combined his two loves, jazz and funk. When hip hop began to take off, he started incorporating that into the mix as well. Jordan's experiments resulted in the song "After Hours," on which he played all of the instruments. This single was one of the first recordings of the music genre that would come to be known as "acid jazz."”
~ Guitar Player, February 1994, p.23 - Answers.com
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 Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscope Heart (2010)
"'Kaleidoscope Heart' is certainly lovable, showcasing the down-to-earth emotional side of the 30-year-old songbird in a set that loosely chronicles a break-up while firmly arguing for the kind of practical self-reliance many young women see as the feminist ideal in this post-liberationist age. Though Bareilles takes a semi-confessional approach, her warm alto and hard-working piano arrangements strongly suggest conversation; she incorporates the stops and starts of casual speech into her singing, and she has a way of deepening simple, almost clichéd language just by changing the weight of a syllable.”
~ Ann Powers - LA Times Blogs
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 John Pondel
- John Pondel (2009)
"Born in Chicago and raised in California, John Pondel began in music playing flute, accordion and clarinet. Later his older brother introduced him to the guitar at the age of 12. By the age of 20 Pondel was the first call guitarist for the Grammy winning Gerald Wilson Orchestra, playing with such legendary musicians as Harold Land, Snooky Young and Marshal Royal. As a studio musician and live jazz performer he has worked with most of the west coast luminaries including Tom Scott, Art Pepper, Al Jarreau, Warne Marsh and many others.
On his new self titled CD. he is playing with Scott Colley on bass, Marivaldo Dos Santos on percussion and David Binney on sax and flute. There is a relax mood all through this album, starting with the first tune "Make it Nice," a slow bossa with nice melodies and chord harmonies. Marivaldo percussion is subtle and perfect for this piece. ”
~ Wilbert Sostre - JazzReview.com
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 Joe Martin
- Not By Chance (2009)
"Bassist/composer Joe Martin has assembled an all-star cast for his second release as a leader, Not By Chance. All of the tunes, with one exception, are written by Martin, and his interplay with pianist Brad Mehldau, saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Marcus Gilmore is masterful. The group explores rhythms through unending variations, creating instant responses with minute details and close attention to structure.”
~ Greg Camphire - All About Jazz
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 Caleb Quaye & The Faculty - OUT OF THE BLUE (2010)
"Caleb Quaye And The Faculty decided to lay down four original tracks with all the musicians playing live in the same room at Hill’s home studio in Pasadena. When those sessions went well, Hill suggested they do more tunes, so Quaye went back to “his cave” and quickly emerged with charts for five additional songs, which the band also cut live; the only overdubs were a few Hammond B-3 parts and synth strings. Of the nine tracks on Out Of The Blue, the guitarist’s personal favorites are the spiritually inspired “Ask And You Shall Receive,” a sensual, hypnotic piece he dubs a “mix of mild be-bop and funk,” and “Just Passing Through,” which features a cool, melodic vibe and relaxed 7/4 time signature. It was inspired by his belief that life is a journey, that where we end up is more important than how we started, and that the earth is not our ultimate home.”
~ mickieszoo.blogspot.com
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Andrew Neu - Try Something Neu (2009)
"is the current smooth contemporary jazz release on NuGroove Records from rising saxophone sensation Andrew Neu. His third solo recording once again finds him surrounded by superbly talented musicians as he delivers delightful performances on tenor, alto, and soprano sax to songs with fresh, clean, and powerful musical arrangements. The coherent production, split almost evenly between Gerald Veasley, Chuck Loeb, and Brian Bromberg, is top-notch. This talented trio also lends their superlative performing artistry, together with other gifted guests, allowing Neu to gleam his brightest glow.”
~ jazzreview.com
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Manu Katché - Third Round (2010)
"World class drummer Manu Katché continues to pursue a second musical career as a bandleader with his third ECM release (and fourth overall) on Third Round. His second ECM Playground was warmly greeted here when it first appeared three years ago, and his label debut was quite good, too, so we were eager to see if Katché could make it three for three.
Third Round isn't an abrupt departure from the spacious, subtle European jazz of Playround or Neighborhood, but it is a marked progression.”
~ Pico - All About Jazz and
Website |
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Tracy Cruz - Feel'osphy (2008)
"From San Jose, California comes singer/songwriter, Tracy Cruz. Blessed with a sultry, soulful and emotive alto, she delivers a debut project which not only captures and reflects years of vocal and artistic development, but puts her on the map of the Bay Area music scene and on industry radar. Her most commercial track, “ Nothing In This World ,” is easily the best and most complete R&B song that I’ve heard this year; complete as in solid music production, vocals/arrangements, and lyrics. Comparisons to Toni Braxton will be both inevitable and inaccurate; Tracy is the better singer, with greater range and vocal agility as evidenced in this masterpiece.”
~ Gian Fiero - CD Review and
Website |
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Terell Stafford - Taking Chances: Live At The Dakota (2005)
"I like nothing better than a live recording that allows you to sit back and enjoy as if right there in the jazz club. When I also know that the applause I hear on record includes my own—even better! In June 2005, the Terell Stafford Quintet recorded over three nights at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis, and I had the good fortune to be there through several sets. Now the best of those sessions has been cleanly engineered by MaxJazz for release as Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota. His second outing for MaxJazz finds Stafford in the very live company of his working band, tenor/soprano saxman Tim Warfield, pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Dana Hall.”
~ Andrea Canter - Jazz Police and
Website Music page - click "Listen Here" link. |
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Sophie Milman - Take Love Easy (2009)
"
April 1, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – Fresh off sold out appearances at The Hollywood Bowl, The Kennedy Center, and The Blue Note, jazz sensation Sophie Milman follows up her 2008 Juno Award winning Make Someone Happy with Take Love Easy—a breathtaking portrait of an artist coming of age while breaking new musical boundaries. With an inimitable instrument that has been described as “drawn butter and warm honey” (Jazz Times), her soulful renditions of modern classics are each executed with the utmost originality, all distinctively Sophie. In the words of the Los Angeles Times, “Not the next Ella or Sarah, but the first Sophie Milman. One of a kind.””
~ Sarah French - Rock the Blues from Canada and
MySpace Music page. |
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Chelsea Barartz - "In Faith" (2009)
"
In Faith Saxophonist Chelsea Baratz takes her listeners into an urban groove setting with music and it is a pleasure hearing this talented young lady's hip musical direction.A musical disciple of Sean Jones and Branford Marsalis, Baratz is also an associate of young stars like trumpeters Corey Wilkes and Maurice "Mobetta" Brown and bassist extraordinaire Richie Goods - all of whom appear at times on her debut In Faith.”
~ Brad Walseth - JazzChicago.Net and
MySpace Music page. |
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Mem Shannon - I'm From Phunkville (2005)
"Recorded in New Orleans and produced by Mem, it has a big-time sound/feel that reminds me somewhat of Solomon Burke’s best album in recent years, (Definition of Soul on Point Blank) and it’s poignant to remember that Mem was driving a cab 10 years ago with a full-time music career just a dream. I like to believe that if an artist has a solid game plan, a serious spiritual/moral foundation, is driven by love of people/music and has a heaping dose of talent, then we get someone like Mem Shannon.”
~ A. Grigg - Real Blues Magazine, Issue #30 (November, 2005) and
MySpace Music page. |
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Kevin Peter Jones - Magnetic Journey (2009)
"One of Washington, D.C.’s most refreshing new talents, Kevin Peter Jones, released his long awaited debut-album, Magnetic Journey on Tuesday September 29, 2009 on Sakestyle Entertainment. It is with good reason that Kevin has been on the rise since the journey to complete this project started in 2005. Known for his ability to blend a variety of musical genres and styles, he has produced an eclectic yet cohesive sonic experience, Kevin Peter Jones meticulously hand selected each song for this album project.”
~ by smoothjazzdaily Link: DC Bebop listing |
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Andreas Öberg - Six String Evolution (2010)
"Perhaps “exemplary” is the word that describes this extraordinary young guitar player from Stockholm, Sweden named Andreas Öberg and his amazing sophomore album titled “Six String Evolution” on Resonance Records... Andreas Öberg’s – “Six String Evolution” is absolutely superb. It’s like this jazz enthusiast, if you love guitar with terrific ensemble play then I’m sure this album will make a great addition to your music collection. On “Evolution,” Öberg infuses his unrivaled dexterity to these eleven attractive compositions that are played and arranged by some of the finest musicians in the industry. Öberg essentially accomplishes his mission with “Six String Evolution” he advances his unlimited voice through the sphere of this intrepid musical excursion. Recommended exclusively for jazz enthusiasts!”
~ Rob Young - The Urban Flux |
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Larry Brown - Peace (2008)
"YOU CAN'T JUDGE a pianist by the tunes he covers . . . or can you? "Peace," the latest CD by the Larry Brown Trio, certainly looks appealing, particularly to fans of jazz piano, as it features pieces by Thelonious Monk, Horace Silver and Bill Evans, among others. The album lives up to its promise, too, thanks to engaging arrangements. Brown isn't interested in mimicking the pianists he admires or deconstructing their tunes. He's a melodist at heart, well-versed in swing and bop traditions and fond of unfussy arrangements.”
~ Mike Joyce - Washington Post |
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Vijay Iyer - Historicity (2010)
"Never let it be said that pianist Vijay Iyer is one to shy away from a challenge. And, frankly, when you've got the chops he has, why would you? Not content to simply be regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming jazz pianists of his generation, Iyer's latest recording's mix of audacious covers and originals should mark his group as one of the top piano trios in the game.
Armed with Iyer's dense rearrangements of songs by titans from the world of avant-jazz, pop and R&B -- including Bernstein, Sondheim and Stevie Wonder -- "Historicity" is a sprawling and invigorating listen, one filled with such imagination that it can't help but be heard as something of a mission statement. ”
~ Chris Barton - The L.A. Times music blog |
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Walter Beasley - Free Your Mind (2009)
"One knock on smooth jazz is that it really shouldn't be called jazz because it lacks any hint of improvisation. Another is that artists and producers take musicians out of the equation by employing programmers who replace bass and drums. Occasionally, an artist overcomes these negatives with solid songwriting or exceptional play. Walter Beasley accomplishes both on Free Your Mind. Beasley was a child when his aunt gave him a recording by Grover Washington Jr., a gift that inspired Beasley to learn the saxophone. A graduate from the Berklee College of Music, whose classmates included Branford Marsalis and Rachelle Ferrell, this recording represents Beasley's statement of personal and global reflection. ”
~ Woodrow Wilkins - All About Jazz |
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Oz Noy (2009) - Schizophrenic
"While other fusion guitarists have received wider international acclaim, Israeli-born, US-resident guitarist Oz Noy has been working in the trenches, slowly amassing a discography as impressive for its writing as it is his tastefully virtuosic playing. Schizophrenic, the guitarist's fourth release since his 2005 Magnatude Records debut, Ha!, demonstrates considerable growth in both departments. Straddling the jazz-rock fusion line—sometimes leaning a little more heavily on one than the other—Noy's music has always defined by visceral groove, inventive melody, and an effervescent energy that sometimes simmers, sometimes boils. Noy's growth from Ha! to Schizophrenic is palpable; here's a guitarist who's as good as any of the larger fusion names out there and is, in many cases, a more accomplished writer. Why he's not as well-known is a mystery, but if Schizophrenic is a first-encounter, it's bound to bring the guitarist some new fans, while delivering plenty to keep his existing ones beyond happy.”
~ John Kelman - All About Jazz |
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Bobby Lyle - Hands On (2007)
"With a career spanning 3 decades, pianist Bobby Lyle not only brings a wealth of experience to his Heads Up debut, he brings it Hands On.Twelve contemporary tracks, including 9 originals, celebrate life with the right mix of funk and tradition. Bobby Lyle’s latest is hip, heartfelt and Hands On. Hands On is a modern celebration of life and love. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on it!”
~ D.J. Fazio - Jazz Monthly Reviews |
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Esther Phillips - From a Whisper to a Scream (1972)
"Esther Phillips unquestionably falls into the realm of great singers who never received recognition for what was a lifelong contribution to contemporary music. Born Esther Mae Jones in Galveston, Texas, she began singing in church as a young child. When her parents divorced, she divided time between her father in Houston and her mother in the Watts area of Los Angeles. It was in Los Angeles, in 1949, that her sister entered her in a talent show at a nightclub belonging to blues man Johnny Otis. So impressed was Otis with the 13-year-old that he brought her into the studio for a recording session with Modern Records and added her to his live revue. Billed as Little Esther, she scored her first success when she was teamed with the vocal quartet the Robins (who later evolved into the Coasters) on the hit single “Double Crossin' Blues.” Esther Phillips was the embodiment of a soulful R&B singer; performing was the only endeavor she undertook in life, and she revealed it all in her songs.”
~ All About Jazz |
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XIOMARA LAUGART "Xiomara" (2006)
"Xiomara's passion draws as much from Cuban folk music as the upbeat sound of her former band, Yerba Buena, or Los Van Van, several of whose songs she gives a lovely acoustic treatment to. Recorded with precision and clarity, Laugart's voice sparkles whether singing (always in Spanish) with just an acoustic guitar or rollicking over crisp percussion and a small band. "Xiomara" is a lyrical Latin gem.”
~ MICHAEL PRONKO - The Japan Times |
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Keyshia Cole "Just Like You" (2007)
"Hip-hop has always been like a movie, full of stars and background actors, good guys and villains. There’s the smooth leading man who always gets the girl (Usher), the intimidating mob boss (50 Cent), and the aging boxer who can’t give up the spotlight (Jay-Z). And we can’t forget the gangster’s girlfriend. The woman who helps her man hide his stash from the feds, then finally decides she’s had enough of his cheating, throws a flower vase at his head, and leaves a heartbroken but stronger woman. For years Mary J. Blige played the “married to the mob” part perfectly, watch her with Method Man in You’re All I Need, but Ms. Mary’s getting older. Hip-hop’s been looking for a younger woman to fill the role for years. The search is finally over, Keyshia Cole is here. ”
~ Nathan S. - The DJ Booth |
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Steve Wilson - "Soulful Song" (2003)
"Throughout his session, Wilson's soul-stirring saxophones provide a unique form of communication, connecting with his audience on several levels. We're not expected to turn a deaf ear to musical styles that remain apart from our dear favorites. We should remain forever open to it all. In the same manner that Nat King Cole could bring everyone together, Wilson corrals a variety of specialties here under one umbrella. Along with pianist Barth, bassist Ed Howard, and drummer Adam Cruz, the leader paves a strong, straight-ahead jazz foundation. On the surface, however, he's opened up avenues through which a much larger audience can easily appreciate Steve Wilson's soulful songs.
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~ Jim Santella - allaboutjazz.com |
 Mike Bloomfield/Al Kooper/Steve Stills - Super Session (1968)
"Every once in awhile what seems like a good idea at the time
actually turns out to be a great idea. Such was the case with the
concept behind what would become the Super Session album. The
sixties found Al Kooper backing Bob Dylan on tour plus joining him
in the studio. He provided the keyboards for “Like A Rolling Stone,”
and would go on to play with The Blues Project and form Blood,
Sweat, & Tears which he would leave after one album. In 1968 he came
up with the idea of recording his friend Mike Bloomfield by
gathering some back-up musicians and just jamming. He felt this type
of recording technique would fit the style of Bloomfield well.
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~ David Bowling - BlogCritic.org |
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 Sacha Boutros - Simply Sacha (2008)
"released on May 28, 2008 is proving to be “Simply Marvelous.” Robb 'Jazzbro' Peterson, KTUH FM 90.3 in Honolulu. Half of the album is original and the compositions are a mix of Jazz, Latin Jazz, Bossa Nova and Pop “I am trying to create a sort of Pop-Jazz so that everyone will enjoy my music, and hopefully get more into and appreciate the art of acoustic music itself and the beauty and power of something as simple as a song.””
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 Midnight Star - No Parking on the Dance Floor (1983)
"Putting aside previous Earth, Wind & Fire-style leanings, Midnight Star saw the emergence of the more eclectic, synthesized funk of younger artists like Prince, and, with the Calloway brothers producing, reinvented itself through the release of 1983's No Parking on the Dance Floor. The result, a computerized, infectious brand of dance/funk, took Midnight Star to the top of the R&B charts with the album's first release, "Freak-a-Zoid" as well as the follow-up singles "Wet My Whistle" and the title track. The group also proved it could still pump out a soulful ballad with "Slow Jam," an album cut that became a Quiet Storm staple.”
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 Richard "Groove" Holmes -
Soul Message (1965) "Groove" Holmes "deftly toes the line between serious jazz and soul/pop worlds on this 1965 recording, which seems targeted at a mainstream audience not in the mood for either teaching or preaching. The familiar songs are given a slight face-lift (Holmes' up-tempo treatment of Erroll Garner's "Misty" became a hit single), while a less familiar tune like Clifford Brown's "Dahoud" settles into such an easy, emphatic groove that even a first-time listener could mistake it for a comfortable old slipper. ”
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Kruder And Dorfmeister -
The K&D Sessions (1998)
“After listening to the disc, several things can be ascertained about Kruder and Dorfmeister. The first of these is that their work is super-solid. Even with the varying styles and amount of work that they've included on the two discs, almost every song is very listenable and many of them completely rock the funky beat. Although they have a definite style and tend to favor that bossanova organ with funky beats with a touch of dub, they work all the tracks differently and even the one song that is contained twice sounds completely different on each version. One other cool thing about the music is that all the tracks are mixed together on the individual discs, creating a seamless flow of smooth groove for the listener. If you're not quite into kickin' it full bore and want something to lay back and chill out to, look no further.”
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Oskar Cartaya -
My Music, My Friends, My Time (2004)
“ Bassist extraordinaire/bandleader Oskar Cartaya released this long-awaited solo debut recording with a little help from his friends. After a fruitful career working with the likes of Spyro Gyra, Herb Albert, Celia Cruz, Dave Valentín, Rubén Blades, Steve Winwood and Robbie Robertson, Cartaya has acted as musical director for Willie Colón, Tania Maria, Jennifer López, end more recently, for Obie Bermúdez. This disc reflects all his obvious influences from R&B, jazz, rock and pop to Latin and beyond, plus his compositional skills, arrangements and production savvy, all fused into one. Backed by a cast of luminaries, from coast to coast and from his beloved Puerto Rice, the ensemble perpetuates Latin jazz in its richest form throughout 13 original compositions from the pen of Cartaya.”
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Lao Tizer -
Diversity (2007)
“The highs and lows of Diversify take listeners on a sojourn through varying degrees of influences. Tracks such as
"A Night in the City" and the title track are spontaneous and rhythmic, while a few of the album's songs flow in a more subtle direction. Other tracks on the CD provide an introspective look at Lao's creative input as he intuitively includes Latin, R&B and neo soul dynamics as a part of his overall intent. As one examines the specified flavor of Diversify, Tizer is not single minded in the manner he has chosen to highlight himself as a composer and musician.”
By Sheldon T. Nunn - JazzReview.com |
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Jessica Medina -
Azul (2007)
“ with influences from six different countries, Jessica Medina is not only well travelled but also a captivating performer who is dedicated to the art of jazz.
Being able to speak Spanish, English, Italian, French, Portuguese, and German, Medina learnt the roots of music of the different cultures and includes them in her compositions... The sultry singer fell in love with jazz by coincidence and has pursued the genre ever since... Medina has been working with different musicians for the past few years before she actually had the opportunity to sit down and work on her album. ”
By DEBBIE CHAN - TheStar online |
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Leela James -
Let's Do It Again (2009)
“Anyway ... after almost 4 years of silence, Leela returns with an album on Shanachie Records, filled with cover tracks that in one way or another, carry a special place in her heart.
Now, the reviews on Let's do it Again are a bit mixed. From 'highly recommended' to 'good effort', from 'surpassing the original' to 'blunder'. I will be straight forward here, Let's do it Again is a fantastic album according to me.
Indeed, there are some 'obvious' covers on this disk as no one will be surprised that Leela is doing Betty Wright's Clean up Woman, Angela Bofill's I Try or James Brown's It's a man's man's man's World. It also ain't the question if these covers match the original ... what's most important to me is the way Leela James turns and models the tracks into personalized, 'labeled LJ' tunes. And there's no way around ... she does this perfectly.”
JazzandSoul.com |
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Ledisi -
Turn Me Loose (2009)
“ Stand back. Ledisi is ready to knock down the microphone.
Turn Me Loose, the New Orleans native's successor to 2007's Grammy-nominated breakthrough Lost & Found, sounds like a fierce, soul-fire manifesto that firmly establishes this passionate singer-songwriter as a contemporary force.
In just under an hour, Ledisi Young's talents will draw comparisons to Chaka
Khan with her incendiary mix of R&B, rock, hip-hop, blues and funk. ”
By MARIO TARRADELL - Music Critic - dallasnews.com |
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Torcuato Mariano -
So Far From Home (2009)
“by guitarist Torcuato Mariano is as surprising as it is delightful. Given his South American heritage one might have expected Mariano to use this release as his homage to the music of bossa nova that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Instead, as if from no-where and under the good guidance of nuGroove Records, he has delivered ten original smooth jazz stunners that look likely to instantly catapult him into the upper echelons of the genre.”
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 Bobby Ricketts -
Skin To Skin (2008) “The musical integrity, artistry, heart and soul of saxophonist Bobby Ricketts can now be heard on the album Skin To Skin – his first solo recording in a number of years. “I’ve always been so busy fulfilling commitments to play or produce for other artists or clients, and it never entered my mind to record a solo album. I’ve always felt that I was expressing myself and being true to my heart musically, even in projects I’ve done for commercial situations. I’ve been quite privileged in that way. But over the past few years, the desire to express myself entirely within my own personal musical universe has inflamed into a burning passion…””
HBH, Smooth Jazz Blog |
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 Carol Welsman -
Carol Welsman (2001) “The dynamic, multi-talented Carol Welsman may be less well-known to jazz and pop fans as her fellow Canadians Diana Krall and Michael Buble, but over the course of six genre-busting albums in the past 12 years, she’s found a fascinating niche as a true global citizen of the world. Some interesting accolades should do the trick as far as introduction to her powerful impact as a recording artist and live performer. She won “Pianist/Keyboardist of the Year” at the 2006 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, and was a nominee for “Best Female Vocalist”, “Album of the Year”, and “Best Pianist/Keyboardist” in 2007. Four of her previous CDs have earned Juno Award nominations, the Canadian equivalent to the Grammy Award. Pierre Cossette, renownedproducer of the Grammy Awards, produced Carol’s last project, a CD/DVD “What’cha Got Cookin’, released in Japan, and Canada in 2006. It garnered a nomination for “Album of the Year.””
Jonathan Widran, jazzmonthly.com® |
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 Idris Muhammad - Power of Soul (1974) “This album marked Idris Muhammad's debut as a leader and is described in the liner notes as " an album that should have received warmer accolades and become a classic." I would whole-heartedly agree with this summation and add that it will certainly be one of my favourite re-releases this year.
The players on this disc might be termed a "super" band. Most of the musicians heard here were on the way to becoming stars in their own spheres. Muhammad himself had played for such Broadway shows as "Hair" and had, by this time, become the house drummer for the Prestige record label. Subsequently he worked with the likes of Roberta Flack, Pharoah Sanders, George Coleman and David Murray and has become one of the most respected and in demand drummers in the business.”
Dick Stafford, musicweb-international.com |
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Matthew Montfort -
Seven Serenades (2008) “Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar is best described as world fusion; Indian music is an influence, but it isn't the disc's only influence -- and Montfort also draws on everything from Spanish flamenco to blues to folk-rock. Celtic music is an influence on "Celtic Raga," which successfully combines Irish-Celtic and Indian elements. Through it all, Montfort demonstrates that even though he has considerable chops and technical prowess, he is much more interested in feeling and expression than technique. ”
Alex Henderson, All Music Guide |
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Euge Groove -
Born 2 Groove (2007) “Euge’s idea was to take his music to church. It’s not a jazz gospel album per se, but the sound is funky, transcendent and spiritual. And instead of working like everyone else with the usual smoothie sidemen, he invested a great deal of time and effort to find musicians who could convey the uplifting spiritual vibe he was after.”
Jonathan Widran - JazzMonthly.com |
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Marvin Gaye -
What's Going On (1971)
“After hearing a preliminary mix of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, with its unabashedly passive advocacy for peace and love, Motown head Berry Gordy refused to release the record. Gordy wasn't offended by Gaye's embrace of countercultural politics—Stevie Wonder had already released a few decidedly bleeding-heart singles such as "Heaven Help Us All" and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind." No, what really offended his sensibilities (and caused him to infamously dub the LP "the worst record I've ever heard") was its absolute cohesiveness as an album. With What's Going On, Gaye presented to Gordy, who ran Motown as if it lived and died by the hit single, what might be considered the studio's first concept album. (At the very least, it was a groundbreaking experiment in collating a pseudo-classical suite of free-flowing songs.) ”
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Althea Rene~ -
No Restrictions (2008)
“is an instantly likeable, melodically catchy and groovingly in the pocket delight from start to finish. The opening title track sets the tone by perfectly balancing easy, seductive grooves and a catchy hook with colorful and imaginative improvisations. Besides the presence of Dulfer, Rene on “Ladies Night Out” is complemented by a subtle old school keyboard vibe. She eases along pretty effortlessly on the dreamy and soulful “Come My Way” then goes a little more progressive on the trippy, dramatic and edgy hypnosis of “Do Ya Like Dat?” which swirls her whimsical flute with hip-hop grooves and a mix of male and female rap-sing vocals. ”
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Jimmy Salvemini -
Self Expression (2008)
“Jimmy was initially pushed into the music industry by his brother and then manager Larry Salvemini when he heard that his little brother (at 12 years) was at a Barbara Mandrell concert with a sign saying, "I'm 12 years old, please fulfill my dreams to sing a duet with you." Barbara called him on stage and what started as a duet ended as a solo performance. ”
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Lynne Fiddmont -
FLOW (2007)
“During the 2008 Smooth Jazz Cruise stars emerged in the most unexpected of places. Indeed this is exactly what happened in the M/S Westerdam’s Ocean Bar when session singer extraordinaire Lynne Fiddmont took the stage. Of course Fiddmont is far from simply being a backing musician. Her 2006 solo release ‘Flow’ was an absolute revelation”
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 Blake Aaron - Desire (2007) “Smooth jazz guitarist Blake Aaron is back with his third CD Desire and for anyone familiar with his music, it was well worth the wait. This collection of mostly original music captivates the senses from the first note and never lets go. Aaron�s love for jazz is apparent in everything he does and Desire is no exception... Desire is unquestionably one of the standout smooth jazz CD's of the year, three years in the making.”
Susan Lozinak, jazzreview.com® |
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