The world jazz collective’s “All Stars” dropped Friday with the first radio single,
“Hanky Panky Boys,” poised for a chart debut.
Chieli Minucci is seeing stars. In fact, the guitarist has been seeing stars for a few years. A stellar array of accomplished musicians has become part of the rotating ensemble that make up his GRAMMY® nominated band, Special EFX. Inspired creatively by the unique qualities and artistry each player brings to the stage while touring together the last several years, Minucci composed fourteen new songs for Special EFX’s 21st album, “All Stars,” tailored to each individual collaborator. The Minucci-produced project dropped Valentine’s Day on the Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm label.
The album release gives Special EFX the opportunity to continue mixing it up live on the road. Minucci and a revolving touring lineup launched a US concert tour in support of “All Stars” Thursday night at the famed Yoshi’s jazz club in Oakland and have a busy concert calendar leading up to the April 11 album release concert in New York City at The Cutting Room. Later this month, they’ll be recording a performance at SiriusXM’s Washington, DC studio for national radio broadcast.
Special EFX’s expansive playground is contemporary jazz with world music and fusion influences. They even delve into swinging blues on the disc’s frisky first single, “Hanky Panky Boys,” which is in position to debut on the Billboard singles chart. The collection contains a global aural tapestry that spans Africana, Aboriginal, Brazilian and Asian Pacific nuances. Minucci’s lyrical guitarwork weaves the thread that binds the diverse chapters into one cohesive and colorful storybook despite the enormity of the terrain covered.
Nearly two dozen musicians are part of the “All Stars” galaxy (https://bit.ly/3bvIFsN) and each is given the freedom to shine brightly. In fact, Minucci insisted upon it, encouraging and empowering each player to make their own artistic statement on the recordings. With Minucci playing a variety of electric, acoustic and nylon-string guitars, keyboards, organ, beats and backing vocals, the tracks are filled by a fluid “orchestra” composed of award-winning soul-jazz vocalist Maysa Leak, bassists Jerry Brooks, Gerald Veasley and Fernando Saunders; a horn and flute section constituted of Eric Marienthal, David Mann, Nelson Rangell, Lin Rountree, Tatum Greenblatt and Mike Davis; violinists Regina Carter and Antoine Silverman; piano, organ and keyboardists Lao Tizer and Jay Rowe; drummers Lionel Cordew and Joel Rosenblatt; percussionist Mino Cinélu and Steve Adelson on Chapman Stick. Together, this luminous ensemble creates lavish layers of astute rhythms, majestic harmonies, evocative melodies and transcendent soundscapes piloted by the prodigious guitarist’s intricate fretwork.
Below is a snippet from some of the early “All Stars” album reviews:
“…a masterpiece because of the perfect mixture of the guitar, the sax and the vocals…simply heavenly.” – The Pulse of Entertainment and EUR Web
“A grandiose project and piece of contemporary jazz history.” – Smooth Jazz Daily
“The gloriously well rounded 14-track album is already an Album of the Year contender… Listening to his sumptuous new album and it is clearly evident that Special EFX now is a true collective, with varying elements and artists coming together to execute and build powerfully upon Minucci’s expansive musical vision.” – Exclusive Magazine
“Snappy fun stuff that moves from world jazz to solid adult party music…Dazzling fun fusion throughout.” – Midwest Record
For more information and the complete concert itinerary, please visit http://www.specialefxmusic.com and https://chielimusic.com.
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