Monday, September 24, 2018
Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - September 24, 2018 #jazz
TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
2 - 3 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
3 - 4 - Nils - "Play" - (Baja/TSR Records)
4 - 8 - Brian Simpson - "Something About You" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
5 - 1 - Chris Standring - "Sunlight" - (Ultimate Vibe)
6 - 13 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
7 - 5 - Paul Brown - "Uptown Blues" - (Woodward Avenue)
8 - 7 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
9 - 6 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
10 - 24 - Bob James - "Espresso" - (Evosound)
11 - 11 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
12 - 12 - Kim Waters - "What I Like" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
13 - 10 - Adam Hawley - "Double Vision" - (Kalimba)
14 - 9 - Nick Colionne - "Be Urself - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
15 - 16 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
16 - 19 - Herb Alpert - "Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass" - (Herb Alpert Presents)
17 - 23 - Brian Bromberg - "Thicker Than Water" - (Mack Avenue Records)
18 - 15 - Darryl Williams - "Here To Stay" - (Independent)
19 - 20 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
20 - 26 - Skinny Hightower - "One Way Street" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Skinny Hightower – Retrospect - Released on Trippin 'N' Rhythm #jazz
While we fans of smooth jazz love the music our favorite artists create for our enjoyment, we sometimes don’t stop to think about the pressure they must feel to keep generating those good vibes in ways that don’t simply copycat what they or others have done. This is especially true of artists like composer, producer, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Skinny Hightower, who scored a smash hit right out of the box with his #1 radio smash “Taboo” from his Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm debut Emotions. A musical risk taker by nature with an intense, military service enhanced work ethic, Hightower knew he had to create a follow-up that would not simply match, but surpass the magic of that album.
Hightower’s process of creating the amazingly diverse, dynamically melodic and richly textured 15 tracks of his new album Retrospect shows a fascinating progression from his initial instincts to the soulfully developed urban jazz masterpiece it became. He originally wanted to go way outside his comfort zone and produce a hip-hop/traditional jazz hybrid. Soon realizing that developing his solo career depended on his ability to resonate with listeners, he delved deeply into the work of his heroes (among them Joe Sample, Bill Evans and Quincy Jones). The keyboardist cites the diverse modal qualities Sample trademarked as the chief inspiration driving the vibe on Retrospect – most obviously on the opening track “Sample That,” which features deeply funky Crusadersesque chords and colorful riffs flowing freely throughout the soulful and buoyant tune.
The Sample influence is simply the foundation for an album that has all the pocket urban jazz sensibilities we love – lush, infectious melodies, sprinkles of cheerful improvisation, lighthearted grooves galore – but takes all those out into explorations that defy easy categorization. Driven by his mastery of his Yamaha MX and P115 keyboards, Hightower artfully and playfully builds on his piano and synth foundation with organ, Fender Rhodes and flute textures, explosive horn and string arrangements, bass and deep percussion textures.
The virtual one man ensemble knows the value of brilliant musical friends, however, and invites funkified, Ukranian-born saxophonist Konstantin Klashtorni to the party early on. On “From The Heart,” Hightower swirls his playful riffs and soaring synth textures around an infectious melodic motif, then invites “K” to bounce off him in a spirited call and response pattern. “K” also chimes in with a killer solo that brings emotional texture to the mix. “K” later appears on the sensually romantic, chill flavored “Hold On,” doubling his horn and shooting off Hightower’s key melody to create a fascinating intertwining conversation.
The virtual one man ensemble knows the value of brilliant musical friends, however, and invites funkified, Ukranian-born saxophonist Konstantin Klashtorni to the party early on. On “From The Heart,” Hightower swirls his playful riffs and soaring synth textures around an infectious melodic motif, then invites “K” to bounce off him in a spirited call and response pattern. “K” also chimes in with a killer solo that brings emotional texture to the mix. “K” later appears on the sensually romantic, chill flavored “Hold On,” doubling his horn and shooting off Hightower’s key melody to create a fascinating intertwining conversation.
The other prominent featured performer on Retrospect is electric guitarist Almon Johnson, who adds a rock intensity that brings Hightower’s productions to the level of classic jazz fusion, He jams on the high octane, piano pounding romp “California Dreams,” the old school soul-jazz propelled “One Way Street” (which starts out wistfully cool, then becomes increasingly edgy) and “Time Marches On,” which is one of the tunes that finds Hightower taking us back to church, with his bright organ swirls in a tight urban jazz pocket. Drummer Nate Smith holds down the groove on “Sample That,” “California Dreams,” the fiery and furious, blues flavored title track “Retrospect” (featuring more of Hightower’s stellar organ excitement), the trippy and exotic, soundscape colored “Stand Alone” and the alternately elegant and edgy, old school horn fired party tune “Bongo’s Groove.” The only other track featuring a guest is “Next To You,” an easy flowing retro-soul ballad with a tight bass groove (generated by Hightower) and the lush, ethereal lead vocals of Bebe Merrills.
The handful of other tracks are perfect, self-contained representations of the multi-textured, hard grooving magic that Hightower and his keyboards are capable of. Retrospect wraps with three of these, alternating moods between the bold and unbridled (“Optimistic”), ambient elegance and introspection (“Joyful Memories”) and cheerfully jubilant on the pop, rock and jazz hybrid throwback “Poppa J.” Two of Hightower’s most fascinating and unexpected moments along the way are the brief classically influenced “Retrospect Sonata Interlude” and a trippy, hypnotic re-imagining of Thom Bell’s “People Make The World Go Round” featuring the keyboardist carrying the shimmering melody on vibraphone (which he played in his high school band) and a bit of flute sweetening.
In line with its title theme of looking back while looking forward, Retrospect is a timeless work of art that can be appreciated on a multitude of levels. If smooth jazz needs inspiration for a unique and meaningful future, its artists need look no further than Skinny Hightower – an extraordinary artist who defies the norm by following his own muse and drawing on his limitless creative potential rather than simply following the hit making patterns of the past.
Jonathan Widran Smooth Jazz Daily > https://smoothjazzdaily.wordpress.com/
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Tuesday, September 18, 2018
GRAMMY® Award-winning Yellowjackets Return with New Album & Collaboration with Vocalist Luciana Souza on Raising Our Voice #jazz
The Yellowjackets have consistently forged ahead in their evolving artistic statements. The band has recorded close to 30 albums, been nominated for 17 GRAMMY® Awards, and has adventurously amplified the eclectic, electro-acoustic soundscape, creating a unique jazz sound since its fusion beginnings.
"The band keeps moving forward," says saxophonist Bob Mintzerwho joined the group in 1990. "It's one of the few partnership bands in the last four decades. It's democratic, laissez-faire and accommodating to everyone in the band to contribute. We're constantly reinventing ourselves as a reflection of what's happening in the world."
For their fourth Mack Avenue Records album, Raising Our Voice, the Yellowjackets once again ups the ante with bold new strides by inviting vocalist extraordinaire Luciana Souza to collaborate with the group for seven of its thirteen tunes as well as subtly taking a resistant stand against the status quo of the cultural and political undercurrent of our times. As a relative outsider, Souza contributes wordless vocals as well as songs sung in Portuguese and English. She was quickly won over by the band.
"They're killers," she says. "They're so serious yet also so much fun. We laughed a lot during the sessions. Their curiosity is alive, and their joy is to make great music. I was originally going to just do three songs, but it ended up that I'm on over half the record."
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Monday, September 17, 2018
Singer-Saxophonist Danny Bacher - A New Voice in Jazz Steps Out #jazz
It’s evident from the get-go that Danny Bacher is an ascendant star. His humor, his delivery, his talent, his joie de vivre appear instantly and plentifully on his new album Still Happy, a rather odd title, considering he’s just arrived on the scene and that he’s, well, pretty happy already, it seems.
Bacher honed his chops in the New York City jazz world, and he brings with him the confidence of someone who’s weathered the storm and is now better for it. His performance on the new album is seasoned and all-pro, a mix of youthful vigor and finger-popping vet. He bounces from oldies and goodies to classic takes on the Great American Songbook, all the while infusing them with dazzle and style.
Produced by Jeff Levenson, the session features top talent, including Allen Farnham on piano, Dean Johnson on bass, Alvester Garnett on drums, Rolando Morales-Matos on percussion, and horn players Charles Caranicas and Harry Allen. Surrounded by quality, Bacher’s voice and soprano sax truly rise to the occasion, especially on the predominantly upbeat material, like “Laughing at Life,” Bernstein’s “Lucky to Be Me,” “Hooray for Hollywood” and the title track. Bacher is always at home on the stage and presents his case with elegance and class, not to mention a little laughter.
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Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - September 17, 2018 #jazz
TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Chris Standring - "Sunlight" - (Ultimate Vibe)
2 - 3 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
3 - 2 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
4 - 4 - Nils - "Play" - (Baja/TSR Records)
5 - 6 - Paul Brown - "Uptown Blues" - (Woodward Avenue)
6 - 5 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
7 - 14 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
8 - 8 - Brian Simpson - "Something About You" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
9 - 7 - Nick Colionne - "Be Urself - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
10 - 9 - Adam Hawley - "Double Vision" - (Kalimba)
11 - 10 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
12 - 21 - Kim Waters - "What I Like" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
13 - 12 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
14 - 11 - Euge Groove - "Groove On" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
15 - 29 - Darryl Williams - "Here To Stay" - (Independent)
16 - 20 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
17 - 13 - Gerald Albright - "30" -(Bright)
18 - 16 - Steve Oliver - "Illuminate" - (SOM)
19 - 23 - Herb Alpert - "Music Volume 3: Herb Alpert Reimagines The Tijuana Brass" - (Herb Alpert Presents)
20 - 18 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
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Saturday, September 15, 2018
Taking A Stroll Down Abbey Road, While Enjoying A Guiness Book Moment #jazz
In 1988, his debut release I’ve got A Long Way To Go on Malaco Jazz announced to the world that he would continue to be a mainstay in the Contemporary/Smooth Jazz format. He now has over 25 discs released as a solo artist, having recorded some of them on 5 continents, including the countries of Brazil, the U.K., Dubai, and South Africa. His recent acquisitions of product from Shanachie includes Cool Breeze and The American Spirit, both of which are owned by his label, City Sketches Records, which launched in 1997.
“I anticipate that there was going to be some seismic shifts in the music business, so I anticipated what those changes would be”, says the native Mt. Vernonite. “When iTunes came to the party in the mid 2000’s, the message was to own your material, and that’s what I’ve been striving for since 2000. A lot of my peers didn’t answer the call, and now, most of them are playing catch-up. People are stealing the music, downloading less and streaming more…and most labels aren’t sharing all the revenues…less than 15% of industry revenues trickle down to the artists, while the labels clean up. I’m happy to say that I’m both the artist and the label, which is a huge advantage”. That Nostradamus-like prediction has enabled Baldwin to flood the market with music in 2018 without label interference.
So what way to further celebrate 30 years in the music business? By releasing even more music. His soon to be released Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road the Beatles featuring House groove singer CeCe Peniston, Smooth saxman Euge Groove, Flutist Ragan Whiteside and Washington DC vocalist Lori Williams. His creatively arranged arrangements of classic tracks by Lennon, McCartney and the rest of the Abbey Road gang has been on the back burner for several years, but Baldwin had to time it perfectly to record and release the project in 2018.
A GUINNESS MOMENT:
Additionally, Baldwin has been working on a track that has evolved in history measures. His project by The Groove Pact featuring Marion Meadows and himself, entitled “Club Life” features a record ten soloists on one single 4:16 track, with solo appearances by Walter Beasley, Joey Sommerville, Ragan Whiteside, Oli Silk, U-Nam, Nils, Tom Browne and the aforementioned Baldwin and Meadows. The project has some proceeds to benefit the How Big Is Your Dream Foundation, which encourages young students to learn about music through performance seminars, based in the Atlanta, GA market.
Three re-mix projects with some new material are already in the works, beginning with the most popular disc, “Never Can Say Goodbye a Tribute to Michael Jackson (Remixed and Re-Mastered)”. The out-of-print recording which now sells on Amazon starting at an eye-popping $55.00 will now be re-released to ward off all rogue record retailers, released as a normally-priced disc.
A Mount Vernon, New York native who has become a longtime resident of Atlanta, Baldwin debuted in 1988 with “I’ve Got A Long Way to Go” and his 25 albums – eight of which climbed into the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Top 20 – are jazz, R&B and gospel outings. Over the years, he’s worked as a producer, songwriter and performer alongside George Benson, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Will Downing, Phil Perry, Pieces of a Dream, Paul Taylor, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Chuck Loeb. Since 2008, he has hosted the nationally syndicated radio program “The NewUrbanJazz Lounge,” which attracts nearly 500,000 listeners weekly. His City Sketches, Inc. is the umbrella entity that houses a production and event planning company, the radio network and NewUrbanJazz Hats. Baldwin is also the author of a book about the music industry, “You Better Ask Somebody / Staying On Top of Your Career in the ‘Friggin’ Music Business.”
He now has recorded some of them on 5 continents, including the countries of Brazil, the U.K., Dubai, and South Africa.
Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road” contains the following songs:
01. Come Together (Can’t We All Just Get Along)
02. (Mellow) Yellow Submarine
03. And I Love Her (Real Talk)
04. (Don’t Wanna Be) The Fool on the Hill – f/ CeCe Peniston
05. Imagine (Living as One)
06. Michelle (My Girl) – f/ Ragan Whiteside
07. Something (In the Way She Moves)
08. My Love – f/ Lori Williams
09. Abbey Road – f/ Lori Williams
10. Yesterday
11. Eleanor Rigby
12. Never Can Say Goodbye (Remixed and Re-Mastered)
13. Something (In the Way She Moves)
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“I anticipate that there was going to be some seismic shifts in the music business, so I anticipated what those changes would be”, says the native Mt. Vernonite. “When iTunes came to the party in the mid 2000’s, the message was to own your material, and that’s what I’ve been striving for since 2000. A lot of my peers didn’t answer the call, and now, most of them are playing catch-up. People are stealing the music, downloading less and streaming more…and most labels aren’t sharing all the revenues…less than 15% of industry revenues trickle down to the artists, while the labels clean up. I’m happy to say that I’m both the artist and the label, which is a huge advantage”. That Nostradamus-like prediction has enabled Baldwin to flood the market with music in 2018 without label interference.
So what way to further celebrate 30 years in the music business? By releasing even more music. His soon to be released Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road the Beatles featuring House groove singer CeCe Peniston, Smooth saxman Euge Groove, Flutist Ragan Whiteside and Washington DC vocalist Lori Williams. His creatively arranged arrangements of classic tracks by Lennon, McCartney and the rest of the Abbey Road gang has been on the back burner for several years, but Baldwin had to time it perfectly to record and release the project in 2018.
A GUINNESS MOMENT:
Additionally, Baldwin has been working on a track that has evolved in history measures. His project by The Groove Pact featuring Marion Meadows and himself, entitled “Club Life” features a record ten soloists on one single 4:16 track, with solo appearances by Walter Beasley, Joey Sommerville, Ragan Whiteside, Oli Silk, U-Nam, Nils, Tom Browne and the aforementioned Baldwin and Meadows. The project has some proceeds to benefit the How Big Is Your Dream Foundation, which encourages young students to learn about music through performance seminars, based in the Atlanta, GA market.
Three re-mix projects with some new material are already in the works, beginning with the most popular disc, “Never Can Say Goodbye a Tribute to Michael Jackson (Remixed and Re-Mastered)”. The out-of-print recording which now sells on Amazon starting at an eye-popping $55.00 will now be re-released to ward off all rogue record retailers, released as a normally-priced disc.
A Mount Vernon, New York native who has become a longtime resident of Atlanta, Baldwin debuted in 1988 with “I’ve Got A Long Way to Go” and his 25 albums – eight of which climbed into the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Top 20 – are jazz, R&B and gospel outings. Over the years, he’s worked as a producer, songwriter and performer alongside George Benson, Gerald Albright, Euge Groove, Will Downing, Phil Perry, Pieces of a Dream, Paul Taylor, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum and Chuck Loeb. Since 2008, he has hosted the nationally syndicated radio program “The NewUrbanJazz Lounge,” which attracts nearly 500,000 listeners weekly. His City Sketches, Inc. is the umbrella entity that houses a production and event planning company, the radio network and NewUrbanJazz Hats. Baldwin is also the author of a book about the music industry, “You Better Ask Somebody / Staying On Top of Your Career in the ‘Friggin’ Music Business.”
He now has recorded some of them on 5 continents, including the countries of Brazil, the U.K., Dubai, and South Africa.
01. Come Together (Can’t We All Just Get Along)
02. (Mellow) Yellow Submarine
03. And I Love Her (Real Talk)
04. (Don’t Wanna Be) The Fool on the Hill – f/ CeCe Peniston
05. Imagine (Living as One)
06. Michelle (My Girl) – f/ Ragan Whiteside
07. Something (In the Way She Moves)
08. My Love – f/ Lori Williams
09. Abbey Road – f/ Lori Williams
10. Yesterday
11. Eleanor Rigby
12. Never Can Say Goodbye (Remixed and Re-Mastered)
13. Something (In the Way She Moves)
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Tuesday, September 11, 2018
A "Cherry Sweet" offering for mom from Reggie Codrington #jazz
A “Cherry Sweet” offering for mom
Urban-jazz saxophonist Reggie Codrington returns the favor with the first single from “Against The Odds”
Afflicted with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy that required nine major surgeries before he hit his teens, Reggie Codrington has a mother, Joyce Codrington, who used to exercise him four times a day. Now she is the one in pain and when her son learned that the antioxidants in cherries can help reduce pain and inflammation, he brought her some. It worked. She began to feel better and her discomfort eased. That’s the inspiration behind “Cherry Sweet,” the joyous first single from the urban-jazz saxophonist’s “Against The Odds” album from M.A.N.D.A.T.E. Records. “My mother has done so much for me to help me become the person I am today. She always encouraged me and believed that I could live a full and productive life, achieving my dreams. My prayer is that this song will inspire people, that they can overcome setbacks and disabilities, and go onto achieve their goals in life when nurtured by love and encouragement,” said Codrington, about the single being shipped to radio stations and going for adds on October 8.
Known for commingling contemporary jazz, old-school soul and dancefloor funk, Codrington wrote “Cherry Sweet” for his eleventh album, which was produced by Robert “Bullet” Harris. The candied melody bungees off the springy electronic beats. Flittering like a butterfly, Codrington’s free-form soprano sax improvs zip around gleefully, exploring the inner and outer edges of the rhythmic loop spiced up with a soulful vocal refrain from Harris and singer Pauline Harris.
The least common type of the disorder, Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is a chronic condition that affects movement and muscle coordination with common symptoms that include tremors and difficulty walking. The son of trumpeter Ray Codrington, who accompanied Little Richard, Gladys Knight and Jackie Wilson, Reggie Codrington learned to read music when he was five, but ACP initially prevented him from playing sax. The surgeries involved muscles being cut and transferred from his elbow, wrist and triceps to improve the dexterity of his fingers. Muscles were sliced from his leg to enhance mobility, making it easier to walk. The gift of a curved soprano sax when he was 18 proved life altering, giving him a comfortable way to play his beloved horn. Codrington sought refuge from his disability in music, finding solace as well as a sense of belonging.
“Something magical happened and I knew that I had found my niche. I fell in love,” he recalled.
Codrington studied music at Howard University and later debuted as a solo artist in 1990 with “Never Let You Go.” He’s opened for Ramsey Lewis, Charlie Wilson, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Peabo Bryson, Kenny Latimore, Kim Waters and Kevin Toney, and has recorded with renowned musicians Jeff Lorber, Nils, Paul Jackson Jr., the late Ricky Lawson and Toney. A highlight came when he was invited to perform at President Barak Obama’s second inaugural ball and the Black Caucus Ball. Another was when he dueted with his father on the saxman’s “Always in Motion” album (2015). The Fayetteville, North Carolina native is a regular on the concert and jazz festival circuits. Titling his latest offering “Against The Odds” is a nod to the unlikely career that’s been made possible by overcoming his disability. For more information, please visit https://www.ReggieCodrington.com.
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Monday, September 10, 2018
Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - September 10, 2018 #jazz
TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Chris Standring - "Sunlight" - (Ultimate Vibe)
2 - 2 - Dave Koz & Friends - "Summer Horns II: From A to Z - (Concord)
3 - 3 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
4 - 6 - Nils - "Play" - (Baja/TSR Records)
5 - 5 - Lindsey Webster - "Love Inside" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
6 - 7 - Paul Brown - "Uptown Blues" - (Woodward Avenue)
7 - 4 - Nick Colionne - "Be Urself - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
8 - 8 - Brian Simpson - "Something About You" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
9 - 15 - Adam Hawley - "Double Vision" - (Kalimba)
10 - 16 - Jeff Ryan - "Up And Up" - (Woodward Avenue)
11 - 10 - Euge Groove - "Groove On" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
12 - 9 - Vincent Ingala - "Personal Touch" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
13 - 11 - Gerald Albright - "30" -(Bright)
14 - 22 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Impact" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
15 - 12 - Jessy J - "Live ?At Yoshi's" - (Changi Records LLC)
16 - 17 - Steve Oliver - "Illuminate" - (SOM)
17 - 13 - Eric Darius - "Breakin' Thru" - (SagDarius Music)
18 - 23 - Blake Aaron - "Color And Passion" - (Innervision)
19 - 24 - Walter Beasley - "The Best Of Walter Beasley" - (Affable0
20 - 44 - Jazz Holdouts - "Summer Nights" - (Palm Beach Jazz)
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