"Wes Side Story” bodes to be the fourth single from the set to enter the Billboard Top 10.
Guitarist Blake Aaron utilized an unconventional approach when constructing his fifth album, “Soul Stories,” which will be released May 5 by Innervision Records.
To maintain his presence on radio and in the marketplace while juggling
a busy schedule as a first-call session player, featured sideman and
in-demand producer, he issued a variety of singles with three cuts – the
retro funk-disco energizer “Groove-O-Matic,” the urbane romantic duet
with jazz crooner Spencer Day entitled “You’re the One for Me” and the salsa-singed “Encantadora” featuring Najee on flute - entering the Billboard
Top 10. The ten-track “Soul Stories,” Aaron’s first collection that is
entirely self-produced, contains eight original tunes authored by the
artist.
Saluting one of his hallmark influences, Aaron embodies seminal jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery
on the aptly-titled “Wes Side Story,” an evocative selection that will
be serviced to radio stations for playlist adds beginning April 6.
Weaving
engaging narratives told through a triad of guitar voices, Aaron’s
“Soul Stories” unfolds amidst a varied backdrop of contemporary jazz,
R&B, Latin and funk settings. He approaches his compositions as a
storyteller and elects to feature a different guitar – cool jazz
electric, gentle acoustic or emotional nylon string – as the protagonist
of each musical vignette. Often Aaron provides a counterpoint by waging
an expressive discourse using interpretive play between multiple
guitars on the same song. Whether emoting on brisk radio-friendly jaunts
or taking his time to elaborate on expansive improvised jams, Aaron’s
inspired fret work is crisp, clear, lyrical and skillfully performed
with passion and precision.
“As
with my live performances, I like to make all of my records as if they
are movies with all the emotional ups and downs, as if I am taking the
listener through a story or a musical landscape. On ‘Soul Stories,’ I
wanted to try to tell compelling musical stories - some with words, but
most without. Many artists like to focus on one trademark sound, but I
prefer using different modes of expression because that’s really who I
am. It keeps the albums fresh and allows for more spontaneity onstage,”
said Aaron who recently previewed the album at a sold-out gig at Spaghettini south
of Los Angeles. “It’s the most expressive album I’ve ever made as an
artist representing the many different facets of the music I love and
who I am creatively. There’s literally every part of me on this CD – my
heart, blood and sweat. It’s all on this record.”
The musicians who helped Aaron illustrate “Soul Stories” were vocalist Derek Bordeaux, keyboardists Tom Zink, Rob Mullins and Lew Laing; bassists Hussain Jiffry and Melvin Davis; strings arranger and keyboardist Mike Whittaker; strings arranger and label mate Craig Sharmat; percussionist Ronnie Gutierrez, and drummers Ricky Lawson and Winston Butts.
Another creative outlet occupying Aaron’s time is his weekly “Blake Aaron Live with Tina Anderson,” a nationally-syndicated radio show airing in markets including California, New York, Florida, Arizona and on Urban Soul Radio.
Over the years, Aaron has hosted, interviewed and played with a galaxy
of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz, adult contemporary and pop
on the radio program. The Southern California-based recording artist
debuted with 2002’s “With Every Touch” that offers collaborations with David Benoit and Eric Marienthal. Subsequent releases – “Bringin’ It Back,” “Desire” and “A Romantic Christmas”
– garnered airplay and chart action while frequent appearances on the
concert circuit enhanced his national profile. In other media, Aaron
held a 14-year-stint as the guitarist and theme song co-composer for “MAD TV” along with more than a dozen films and television series the likes of which include “The Ben Stiller Show,” “Super Dave Osborne” and “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment.” For more information, please visit www.BlakeAaron.com.
“Soul Stories” is comprised of the following songs:
“Groove-O-Matic”
“Wes Side Story”
“Sol Amor”
“Europa”
“You’re the One for Me”
“Story of the Blues”
“Sara Smile”
“Story of My Life”
“You’re My Miracle”
“Encantadora”
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