This coming Valentine’s Day takes on greater significance for Eric Valentine who will drop his longtime-coming labor of love, “Velvet Groove,” on his namesake day. The collection of soul-soaked urban grooves and sophisticated contemporary jazz stylings is the first release from the drummer-multi-instrumentalist-songwriter-producer’s Velvet Groove (http://velvetgroovemusic.com), a creative community of musicians and recording artists spreading love and positivity through music and collaboration. The disc’s title track is already a Billboard Top 10 single from the set constructed by more than forty musicians, including contributions from an enclave of chart-toppers such as trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot who are featured on the first single.
Valentine is a first-call drummer for many of the brightest stars in smooth/contemporary jazz, which is why so many accomplished players were eager to join the “Velvet Groove” sessions produced by Valentine. He composed nine songs for the offering illuminated by Grammy-winning saxman Kirk Whalum, multiple Grammy-nominated sax player Gerald Albright and solo hit-makers Adam Hawley, Elan Trotman, Brian Simpson and Greg Manning. R&B singer B. Valentine seduces in lead and background vocal roles while pianist Wayne Linsey, guitarists Alex Machacek and Kay-Ta Matsuno, and percussionists Lenny Castro, Munyungo Jackson and Ramon Islas texturize the ten songs plus three reprises.
Valentine sees “Velvet Groove” as the launch of a movement, a reboot of old-school record making where multiple artists are in the studio playing, recording, communicating and collaborating on each other’s albums all at the same time like Motown and Philadelphia International Records, but with a modern touch. The outfit’s mission is to spread “love, joy and happiness” and use their “musical gifts to inspire people to choose kindness and uplift people to a better place.” Valentine anticipates releasing other projects from the collective this year, including a disc from B. Valentine, his wife.
The Washington, DC native and long-time Los Angeles resident released his debut album, “Eric Valentine’s Jazz Impressions,” in 2003. The stickman has recorded with and toured the globe with contemporary jazz A-listers as well as rock fusion guitar gods Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather. Valentine will celebrate the album release with a “Velvet Groove” concert date at SoCal contemporary jazz hot spot Spaghettini on March 25. Have you listened to the CD we mailed you and considered Valentine for a feature, interview, album review or an appropriate roundup piece? Please let me know if you need anything on our end. Thanks for your consideration.
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