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Thursday, July 08, 2004

Jeff Lorber's 'Shades of Soul'

Ten years ago, Jeff Lorber started recording a CD by a group he called Shades of Soul. It was never released. But the group's time has come, and now it has Chris Botti.

Almost 10 years after recording began, an album by a group called Shades of Soul with Jeff Lorber will finally see the light of day. It was back in 1995 that pianist and composer Lorber got together with guitarist Marion McClain and bassist Nathaniel Phillips, who both briefly played with the Dazz Band of "Whip It" fame, and began work on an album. Guests included saxophonist Art Porter, who drowned in November 1996, vocalist Terry Stanton from the popular Hidden Beach label compilations and saxophonist Patrick Lamb.

In 2000, Lorber recruited trumpet player Chris Botti to play on several tracks, as well. Lorber says he received several offers to release the 11-song CD, a mix of old-school funk and smooth jazz that includes a cover of Evelyn "Champagne" King's "Love Come Down", but didn't feel the time was right until now. For Porter fans, the album gives them a chance to hear the saxophonist play on songs that have never been released. Shades of Soul's debut, self-titled CD will be released August 24th on the Narada Jazz label. The first single is called "Gazpacho."

Shades of Soul

1. All Night Long
2. Then and Now
3. Enjoy Yourself
4. Gazpacho
5. Love Come Down
6. We Got To Live Together
7. Get Wid' It
8. San Vicente
9. Shades of Soul
10. Gangsta Jam
11. Hey Uh
--smoothjazzvibes.com

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