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Monday, February 29, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - February 29, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
2 - 5 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
3 - 2 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
4 - 3 - Dave Koz - "Collaborations" - (Concord)
5 - 7 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
6 - 9 - Jazz Funk Soul - (More Serious Business) - (Shanachie)
7 - 15 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
8 - 6 - Pieces Of A Dream - "All In" - (Shanachie)
9 - 8 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Fritzenized" - (Nordic Night Records)
10 - 11 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
11 - 14 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
12 - 4 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
13 - 16 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
14 - 21 - Mark Etheredge - "Connected" - (Vipaka Records)
15 - 12 - Ken Navarro - "Unbreakable Heart" - (Positive Music Records)
16 - 20 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
17 - 10 - Lee Ritenour - (A Twist Of Rit) - (Concord)
18 - 13 - U-Nam - "C'est Le Funk" - (Skytown)
19 - 28 - Chris Standring - "Ten Buy Album" - (Ultimate Vibe Recordings)
20 - 27 - Mikael - "Grooveology" - (MikaelMusix)


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Friday, February 26, 2016

Happily “Connected”: Contemporary jazz keyboardist Mark Etheredge’s new album is released as the title track sits poised to break into the Billboard Top 10. #jazz

Although it took years for keyboardist Mark Etheredge to work through the feelings of isolation and identity issues that inspired the ten songs he wrote on his third album, “Connected,” it took radio programmers no time at all to add the title cut to playlists, swiftly propelling it into the No. 1 spot on this week’s RadioWave chart and No. 11 on the Billboard singles tally. The collection produced by two-time GRAMMY® winner Paul Brown was released by Vipaka Records on Friday. Etheredge will celebrate the occasion on Sunday (February 28) with a live performance at contemporary jazz hot spot Spaghettini south of Los Angeles. A second album launch concert is scheduled for March 19 at Angelicas in the Bay Area near Etheredge’s hometown.
 
Etheredge is clearly in a happy place as evidenced by the plethora of joyous melodies he nimbly deploys throughout the “Connected” album. While tension is apparent on “Lost In The Shuffle,” the song that specifically addresses when he was plagued by bullying as a teenager, the notes and harmonies he utilizes to tell his story go from emotional and vulnerable to empowering and triumphant as his piano and keyboards fend off truculent taunts from Brown’s electric guitar and Greg Vail’s saxophone. With Brown helming the production, the record is plush and polished, augmented by a horn section and the presence of top-notch session players and soloists, including guitarist Chuck Loeb (Fourplay), saxophonist Andy Suzuki and trumpeter/horn arranger Lee Thornburg.        
 
As the public begins to discover the entirety of “Connected,” interest will continue to be fanned by an abundance of airplay and the enthusiastic response from critics. Below are a handful of excerpts from the initial reviews:
 
“You will instantly fall for keyboardist Mark Etheredge…With an approach that’s so hypnotically appealing, Etheredge brings that contemporary jazzy, bluesy, sassy, sauntering jazz along with some great big band horn stylings.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride
 
“Mark Etheredge has thrown down with Connected his musical gauntlet in the competition of the best smooth jazz piano player.” – Smooth Jazz Daily
 
“As easy as the music flows, Etheredge’s playing is far from simpering or simplistic. He knows how to play the deeper grooves.” - AXS
 
“A real winner for smooth jazz fans that were sorry when radio programmers turned the sound into wallpaper, this cat knows his stuff and ain’t afraid to strut it.” – Midwest Record 
 
“Music that celebrates the optimism that comes with positive human connection.” – Soul and Jazz and Funk
 
“This is a CD destined to be one of the best of 2016.” – Smooth Jazz Therapy
 
 
For more information, please visit www.MarkEtheredge.com.

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Hitman Darren Rahn seeks maximum impact with “Sonic Boom” #jazz

 The saxophonist’s fifth album, due March 4, will have an exclusive world premiere on February 27; 
dynamic first single, “D-Luxe,” explodes onto radio playlists.
 
Whether it’s with a devastating jazz-funk workout, nasty R&B groove, bellowing gospel soul call or an emotionally-intense melody, saxman Darren Rahn is hitting and hitting hard on “Sonic Boom,” his fifth album and first for Woodward Avenue Records, which is releasing the recording March 4. Responsible for crafting 25 No. 1 singles, Rahn, who produced and wrote all nine originals on the ten tracker, is virtually guaranteed to add to that total with the combustible new set on which he trades blows with chart-toppers Rick Braun, Jonathan Fritzen and Julian Vaughn as well as Rico Wint (vocals) and Robin Eubanks (trombone). The multiple GRAMMY® nominee’s new offering is already off to a powerful start with radio programmers making the lush, horn-ignited “D-Luxe” the No. 1 most-added single on the Billboard BDS chart.           
 
Undaunted by his successes as a solo artist as well as a producer, songwriter and engineer behind some of the biggest instrumental hits by marquee artists over the past decade, Rahn changed his approach on “Sonic Boom” in an effort to elevate his sound, technique and unique artistic expression.  On previous releases, he orated through tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, but elected to play tenor exclusively on the forthcoming album to define a singular voice. The record plays and is paced like a live show with each song having a cold ending as opposed to a studio fade. Rahn’s production sounds live and warm, aided in part by his decision to use only real drums, another first. His melody-rich material comes straight from the heart sounding grand and luminous, packing a wallop with potent hooks that are passionately performed. The outing also serves as a showcase for Rahn’s proficiency as a multi-instrumentalist - the sax player also plays piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, vocals, EWI and synth programming on “Sonic Boom.” He makes it a family affair by inviting his brother, Jason Rahn, to play trumpet, flugelhorn and guitar and coaxes his wife, Priscilla, to play flute on the lone cover, a rapturous “Rock With You.” Guitarist Allen Hinds and bassist Mel Brown maintain constant presences on the disc while several drummers (Anthony Steele, Tarell Martin and Anthony Jones) pound out the beats. Vaughn fills in admirably for the late bassist Wayman Tisdale on “Losing You,” a moving musical tribute penned by Rahn for his frequent collaborator and departed friend.        
 
“The idea behind ‘Sonic Boom’ is about real music - inspired music - created with real musicians playing real instruments and presented in a way that plays much like a live set. I wanted to condense my personality down to the very core to concisely express the essence of who I am as an artist. Drawing from the assorted musical styles that form my musical personality and saxophone playing - jazz, funk, R&B, soul, pop, rock, gospel and fusion - I wanted ‘Sonic Boom’ to reflect the diversity of my musical influences and history while at the same time flowing and working as a cohesive collection. In an era when music is often created by taking shortcuts, it was my desire to use the finest analog and digital studio equipment and state-of-the-art techniques while gathering as many of the best studio session players as possible. I wanted to create something that would provide the listener with a truly amazing listening experience, sounding full, warm, punchy, luxurious and exciting. My hope is that people will genuinely be impacted by the music, that it will bring joy and encouragement,” said Rahn about “Sonic Boom,” which will premiere in its entirety on Saturday, February 27 at 10am PT/1pm ET on the SmoothJazz.com site.
 
The British Columbia native who calls Denver home issued his solo debut, “Soulful,” in 2004. That same year, Rahn produced Tisdale’s No. 1 signature smash “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” He hit full stride as an artist and producer in 2009 when his “Talk of the Town” reigned supreme at No. 1 on the Billboard chart at about the same time he produced No. 1 hits for Dave Koz, Eric Darius and Tim Bowman. During one particular period of chart domination, he occupied the top three spots and later had four singles in the top 10 simultaneously. Rahn earned GRAMMY® nominations for his work on a pair of Koz albums (“Hello Tomorrow” and “Summer Horns”). His meticulously-constructed sonicscapes have made his deft touch highly sought after, affording him the opportunity to work with Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Toby Keith, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Nick Colionne and Lebron as well as Fritzen and Vaughn. For more information, please visit www.DarrenRahn.com or www.WoodwardAvenueRecords.com.       
 
The songs contained on “Sonic Boom” are:
 
“D-Luxe”
“Sonic Boom”
“Funk Avenue”
“Losing You” (For Wayman)
“Together…Forever…”
“Altered Ego”
“101 One”
“Rock With You”
“Sunday Soul”
“Promises” (For Priscilla)

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Monday, February 22, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - February 22, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
2 - 2 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
3 - 4 - Dave Koz - "Collaborations" - (Concord)
4 - 3 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
5 - 11 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
6 - 5 - Pieces Of A Dream - "All In" - (Shanachie)
7 - 6 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
8 - 7 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Fritzenized" - (Nordic Night Records)
9 - 8 - Jazz Funk Soul - (More Serious Business) - (Shanachie)
10 - 9 - Lee Ritenour - (A Twist Of Rit) - (Concord)
11 - 14 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
12 - 10 - Ken Navarro - "Unbreakable Heart" - (Positive Music Records)
13 - 13 - U-Nam - "C'est Le Funk" - (Skytown)
14 - 19 - Darren Rahn - "Sonic Boom" - (Woodward Avenue Records)
15 - 28 - Philippe Saisse Trio - "And So But Then" - (www.philippesaisse.com)
16 - 20 - Threestyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova - "A Little Longer" - (WeLoveMusicRecords)
17 - 12 - Rick Braun - "Can You Feel It" - (Artistry)
18 - 16 - Lindsey Webster - "You Change" - (Atlanta Records)
19 - 21 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Independent)
20 - 15 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Friday, February 19, 2016

Jazz vocalist Anne Walsh’s “Brand New” set to blossom with the arrival of spring #jazz


Renewal, redemption and relishing beauty inform the new album residing at the intersection of Brazilian jazz and sweeping pop slated for release on March 18.
 
The sultriness inherent in Brazilian jazz rhythms enhances the fresh and vibrant pop melodies on soprano song siren Anne Walsh’s “Brand New,” which bodes to cast a bewitching spell of beauty and romance this spring upon its March 18 release from A To Z Music. The timing is serendipitous for the twelve-tracker - thoughtfully produced and arranged by Walsh and GRAMMY®-nominated arranger-pianist Tom Zink - that has lyrical themes about rebirth, restoration and rejuvenation as well as juxtaposing the splendor of nature and romantic love. The set list is a mix of new songs and standards that offer hope and continues Walsh’s tradition of writing lyrics for a pair of classic instrumentals.    
Sharing a mutual passion for the elegance and sensuality of Brazilian jazz, Walsh and Zink - married both creatively and in real life – showcase their affinity for recordings bolstered by the spontaneity and improvisational spark between first-call musicians. The duo also put considerable care into their meticulous arrangements.    
“There was a time when thoughtful writers dominated the pop world. Were nostalgic for the days when albums were defined by imagination and a musicality that involved the interplay between scores of musicians and complex arrangements. These songs rely heavily on the interaction between first-class jazz and studio players like Brian Bromberg, Chris Wabich, Gary Meek, Gannin Arnold, Tiki Pasillas and Ebinho Cardoso, highly-accomplished musicians who bring their own special personalities to the arrangements,” said Zink, who received a GRAMMY® nomination for his clever arrangements on Walsh’s “Pretty World” (2009). 
Many of the tracks on “Brand New” are enriched by elaborately-orchestrated string, horn and woodwind sections while a few cuts stir a poignant swoon as sparsely-rendered piano and voice sketches. Whether her accompaniment is grandiose or spare, Walsh’s balletic voice is constant throughout, leaping with poise and grace across a lush backdrop of enchanting harmonies.
“Renewal and redemption are the key themes of this project and the common link for all of the music. Even within the structures and orchestration of the songs themselves, the layering and complexity of the arrangements are meant to provide a treasure trove of melodies to discover and re-discover. The draw to classic songs by our favorite composers is an act of renewal for us - taking what is already beautiful and showing a new way of experiencing the familiar,” said Walsh, who will celebrate the album release with a performance at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, Calif. on March 20.
On “Brand New,” Zink and Walsh’s unique approach to recording covers by songwriting giants such as John Lennon & Paul McCartney (“Here, There and Everywhere”), Burt Bacharach & Hal David (“I Say A Little Prayer”), Alan & Marilyn Bergman and Michel Legrand (“Windmills Of Your Mind”) and Sergio Mendes & Lani Hall (“Salt Sea”) means completely dismantling the composition and reimagining its time, arrangement and harmonies while frequently keeping only the melody intact. The lyrics Walsh poetically penned for Dori Caymmi’s “Amazon River” equate nature and amorous beauty while she adopts a storyteller mindset on “The Writings On The Wall” to chronicle the career accomplishments and challenges faced by Astrud Gilberto. She duets with bassist Cardoso in Portuguese on “Coisas Do Amor,” an original number by the proficient bassist who is equally blessed with a satiny voice. Other standouts include a dramatic reading of “Nature Boy,” the starry-eyed “To Sir With Love,” an ethereal treatment of “My Prayer,” and a couple of new Walsh-Zink compositions – the breezy and quixotic title track and a throwback energizer, “Batuque (The Beat).”                
A Worcester, Mass. native who has long resided in Long Beach, Calif., Walsh is a classically-trained vocalist possessing operatic and theatrical qualities although the style she favors on her recordings organically straddles the jazz and pop worlds. “Brand New” is her first release since her 2011’s outing, “Go.” She has cultivated a fan base domestically and abroad through radio play and repeated tour stops in Southern California, Boston, New York City and Brazil, and at the venerable Newport Music Festival in Rhode Island. For more information, please visit www.AnneWalsh.com.
The songs contained on Walsh’s “Brand New” album are:
“Amazon River”
“Brand New”
“Here, There and Everywhere”
“Batuque (The Beat)”
“I Say A Little Prayer”
“Coisas Do Amor”
“My Prayer”
“The Writings On The Wall”
“Windmills Of Your Mind”
“To Sir With Love”
“Salt Sea”
“Nature Boy”

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Monday, February 08, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - February 8, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
2 - 3 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
3 - 2 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
4 - 6 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Fritzenized" - (Nordic Night Records)
5 - 4 - Dave Koz - "Collaborations" - (Concord)
6 - 5 - Pieces Of A Dream - "All In" - (Shanachie)
7 - 14 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
8 - 11 - Lee Ritenour - (A Twist Of Rit) - (Concord)
9 - 10 - Jazz Funk Soul - (More Serious Business) - (Shanachie)
10 - 7 - Ken Navarro - "Unbreakable Heart" - (Positive Music Records)
11 - 8 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
12 - 13 - Rick Braun - "Can You Feel It" - (Artistry)
13 - 12 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Step It Up" - (Heads Up)
14 - 9 - U-Nam - "C'est Le Funk" - (Skytown)
15 - 15 - Julian Vaughn - "Limitless" - (julianvaughn.com)
16 - 16 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Independent)
17 - 18 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
18 - 19 - Maysa - "Back 2 Love" - (Shanachie)
19 - 17 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
20 - 20 - Lindsey Webster - "You Change" - (Atlanta Records)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Tuesday, February 02, 2016

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - February 1, 2016 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Fourplay - "Silver - (Concord Music Group)
2 - 2 - Vincent Ingala - "Coast To Coast" - (Independent)
3 - 4 - 3rd Force - "Glocal Force" - (Baja/TSR)
4 - 3 - Dave Koz - "Collaborations" - (Concord)
5 - 5 - Pieces Of A Dream - "All In" - (Shanachie)
6 - 6 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Fritzenized" - (Nordic Night Records)
7 - 8 - Ken Navarro - "Unbreakable Heart" - (Positive Music Records)
8 - 7 - Nils - "Alley Cat" - (Baja/TSR)
9 - 12 - U-Nam - "C'est Le Funk" - (Skytown)
10 - 29 - Jazz Funk Soul - (More Serious Business) - (Shanachie)
11 - 21 - Lee Ritenour - (A Twist Of Rit) - (Concord)
12 - 9 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Step It Up" - (Heads Up)
13 - 11 - Rick Braun - "Can You Feel It" - (Artistry)
14 - 15 - Lawson Rollins - "Infinite Chill" - (Infinita Records/Baja TSR)
15 - 13 - Julian Vaughn - "Limitless" - (julianvaughn.com)
16 - 14 - Andy Snitzer - "American Beauty" - (Independent)
17- 17 - Boney James - "Futuresoul" - (Concord)
18 - 16 - Bill McGee - "Still Bill" - (804Jazz)
19 - 10 - Maysa - "Back 2 Love" - (Shanachie)
20 - 20 - Lindsey Webster - "You Change" - (Atlanta Records)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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