THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER New Releases - Sophie Alour - Shaker; Ray Barretto - Eye Of The Beholder / Can You Feel It; Acid Jazz Mod

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1. New Releases - Sophie Alour - Shaker; Ray Barretto - Eye Of The Beholder / Can You Feel It; Acid Jazz Mod
2. Amazonian songstress Dona Onete releases debut album - Feitiço Caboclo
3. Vocalist Freda Payne Comes Back to Jazz and Big Bands with Come Back To Me Love
4. New Releases - The Brand New Heavies - AllAboutTheFUnk; T-Bone Walker - Super Black Blues; Akira Sakata, Johan Berhtling, Paal Nilssen-Love - Arashi
5. Lineup Announced for the 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, September 19-21, 2014

New Releases - Sophie Alour - Shaker; Ray Barretto - Eye Of The Beholder / Can You Feel It; Acid Jazz Mod Posted: 25 Jul 2014 12:20 PM PDT SOPHIE ALOUR - SHAKER For her fifth record, young French saxophonist Sophie Alour returns with a new formula, a beautiful trio album, with saxophone, organ, and drums. Is it because she played with Rhoda Scott? Or just because she likes the somewhat historical funky sound it carries. With gusto and a hint of mischief, she sheds a new light on some of her own compositions, plus a colourful version of the Sergio Mendes arrangement of 'My Favourite Things'. Tracks include: Joke; In This World; Comptine; Shaker; En Ton Absence; Mystère et Boule de Gomme!; I Wanna Move My Body!'; Nos Cendres; My Favourite Things; and En Ton Absence (alternate take). ~ Amazon UK RAY BARRETTO - EYE OF THE BEHOLDER / CAN YOU FEEL IT Raymond Barretto came from New York and was a drummer, percussionist, bandleader, composer and producer. He was born in 1929 and was a member of Tito Puentes orchestra from 1957 to 1960. He recorded for a number of labels including United Artists and Fania Records and was with Atlantic for the two albums we present here for the first time on CD, Eye Of The Beholder and Can You Feel It. Both these albums come from the heyday of jazz fusion in the late 70s (1977 and 1978 respectively), the first a production collaboration with The Crusaders. With Joe Sample penning Here We Go Away, the music is just one step away from what The Crusaders were making themselves at the time, short of Stix Hooper on drums but in the sturdy hands of Frank Zappas Terry Bozzio doing the beats. Elsewhere on the album the UK's Steve Ferrone, a former member of Average White Band, features prominently on drums with Ray focusing on congas and percussion, as he does across these two sets with Wilton Felders Numero Uno (the albums US 45) highly regarded as a masterpiece of jazz fusion. ~ Amazon UK ACID JAZZ MOD (VARIOUS ARTISTS) While the name of Acid Jazz evokes images of the jazz, soul, funk, disco and hip-hop movements that dominated the British music scene during the Nineties, the label (which many credit with naming the musical genre) quickly proved flexible with regards to the roster and the releases that emanated from it. Many of the names signed in its early days are still rightfully regarded as heavyweights in the acid jazz movement, such as Brand New Heavies, JTQ (James Taylor Quartet, for the uninitiated) and Mother Earth. There aren't many labels that can place the likes of Geno Washington in-between Corduroy and Mother Earth and get away with it, but Acid Jazz is certainly one of those. While 'Mods' might lead you to think that this is an album rooted in the Sixties, the Mod scene is still very much alive and kicking, with many of the tracks that appear here being given an airing or two. The end result is a diverse album, but extremely enjoyable. ~ Amazon UK

Amazonian songstress Dona Onete releases debut album - Feitiço Caboclo Posted: 25 Jul 2014 11:24 AM PDT Phenomenal debut album from the stunning and until now, undiscovered 73-year-old Amazonian songstress Dona Onete - the work of a lifetime on one CD on the great Mais Um Discos Label. A vibrant blend of Paraense folklore,carimbó, boi bumba, Caribbean salsa, brega, samba and even rap, all rooted in the cultures of the Brazilian interior, this phenomenal debut album from Amazonian septuagenarian songstress Dona Onete has been over 60 years in the making and almost never happened… Sat on the banks of the Amazonian river in the small town of Igarapé Miri as an 11 year old, singing sambas, quadrilhas and boi bumbas to the river dolphins, Dona Onete could have scarcely imagined she'd be seeing the worldwide release of her debut album at the age of 73.  Whilst not pursuing music as a career when growing up, Onete's heart remained invested in it. Becoming an expert in the rhythms, dances and traditions of the Amazon through her university studies, she'd go on to become Municipal Secretary of Culture of her hometown Igaparé-Miri. Completely enveloped by Amazonian culture and with her latent talents as a singer, Onete began to compose music for herself. Amassing a collection of over 300 original songs throughout her years, it wasn't until she retired that her musical career took off.  Moving to the quiet area of Pedreira in Belém to while away the rest of her days with her husband, Onete inadvertently moved onto a street where popular Brazilian band Coletivo Radio Cipó lived. The band, hearing Dona perform at a local carimbó party, initially thought they were listening to a much younger singer - due to Onete's vivacious and flirtatious flair, along with her penchant for a cheeky lyric or two. But when they caught sight of her, they were astounded. Knowing they'd stumbled upon someone truly special, the band instantly invited her to sing on their forthcoming album.  Onete took some convincing but eventually relented, a decision that would lead to her recording as an artist in her own right and see her audience of river dolphins on the banks of the Amazon transform into the people of the cities of Brazil, and soon the world. her audience of river dolphins on the banks of the Amazon transform into the people of the cities of Brazil, and soon the world. ~ Amazon UK

Vocalist Freda Payne Comes Back to Jazz and Big Bands with Come Back To Me Love Posted: 25 Jul 2014 11:12 AM PDT "She had the Motown sound before Motown was Motown." - NPR As iconic in 2014 for her timeless beauty and sex appeal as she is her artistic versatility as an all around entertainer, Ms. Freda Payne remains among music's and show business' brightest shining star survivors. When she is singing her heartbeat music - jazz - love, awe and yearning only grow stronger. Her latest album, Come Back To Me Love (her first for Artistry Music) marks not only a return to the big band and strings-laden classics from her mid-`60s beginnings with Impulse!, but also marks a return to her hometown of Detroit. That makes this 14-song album featuring Grammy® Award-winning arranger Bill Cunliffe's musical arrangements a beautiful homecoming. "It's a dream come true," Payne enthuses with a smile, "just like in 1968 when I was living in New York seeking my fame and fortune, and ran into Brian Holland of Holland-Dozier-Holland. He told me they had just left Motown and started their own company, Invictus. I flew back to Detroit, signed with them and a year later had a Top 5 record, 'Band of Gold.' So signing to Artistry Music with Gretchen Valade and Tom Robinson today is truly serendipitous - a flashback to something really good happening for me at home in Detroit, my good luck charm." Reflecting on how this opportunity arose, Payne continues, "(Bassist) Ralphe Armstrong and I were on a local big band gig together when he told me about an intimate jazz club in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, with great food, saying, 'You should work there.' I made the contact and that's when I met Gretchen and Tom. Six months later I did a return engagement and they asked me to sing a song for a documentary on Gretchen - When I Have To Smile. Then they asked if I'd like to record an album for their label, Artistry Music. That made me feel very special." That album became Come Back To Me Love, featuring six selections penned by Gretchen and Tom paired with eight selections of golden favorites. When asked who she would like to be her right hand she called upon a more recent associate of hers, Los Angeles-based Bill Cunliffe. She'd first hired him to accompany her in her acclaimed "Ella: The First Lady of Song" engagement at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. "I told them Bill was at the top of my list," Freda insists. "Bill is an excellent musician, easy to get along with and respects my ideas." With her Artistry Music debut, Come Back To Me Love -- on which every instrumental solo sounds like it was played by someone who had a crush on her at one time or another -- Ms. Freda Charcelia Payne won't just be swinging on a star...she'll be clutching that golden Victrola for this, her return to jazz and Detroit. Upcoming Freda Payne Performances: August 9 / BB King Blues Club / New York, NY August 21 / Coral Springs PAC / Ft. Lauderdale, FL August 30 / Detroit Jazz Festival (w/ USAF Airmen of Note Big Band) / Detroit, MI * September 6 / Miller Outdoor Theatre / Houston, TX September 19 - 20 / Catalina's Jazz Club / Los Angeles, CA October 4 / The American Theater / Hampton, VA * indicates an "Ella: First Lady of Song in Concert" performance www.FredaPayne.com

New Releases - The Brand New Heavies - AllAboutTheFUnk; T-Bone Walker - Super Black Blues; Akira Sakata, Johan Berhtling, Paal Nilssen-Love - Arashi Posted: 25 Jul 2014 07:50 AM PDT THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES - ALL ABOUT THE FUNK Long gone are the heady days of the Acid Jazz explosion led by artists such as JTQ, Corduroy, Jamiroquai and at the centre of it all, the Brand New Heavies. All About the Funk, the band's first album for some time doesn't hanker after days gone by, instead it draws influence from the latter day hip-hop soul scene and fuses it with their own very British sound.  The Brand New Heavies, along with Incognito, have been pioneers of the acid-jazz movement and for more than 25 years have remained a vital force for fans of soulful, jazzy club-oriented funk 'n' groove.  Aside from their great grooves, the band has been known for outstanding female vocalists ranging from N'Dea Davenport and Siedah Garrett to talented newcomer Nicole Russo.  All Abou the Funk finds The Brand New Heavies delivering just what the title implies - a strong set of grooves leaning on the funk-oriented end of their classic sound.  The extremely passionate and fiercely loyal fan base will find this great "lost" Brand New Heavies album (from 2004 and only previously availalable in Japan)  to be a "must have!" Essentially the main line up of the original three remains with former pop-R&B wannabe Nicole Russo taking the mic, a tough act to follow after N'Dea Davenport, Siedah Garrett and briefly Carleen Anderson, but her fresh voice makes the band seem more current, sounding a lot like Fergie from Black Eyed Peas, especially on the catchy "How we Do This". Another such example of adapting to the modern day is "Need Some More", a mid-tempo groove clearly influenced by Ms Dynamite. However, it's not all change; "What Do You Take Me For?", "Surrender" and opener "Boogie" are classic Heavies--bass up, choppy-guitar and keys with light breezy vocals injecting a bit of summertime into the album.  ~ Amazon/Shanachie T-BONE WALKER - SUPER BLACK BLUES A great little set from T-Bone – recorded at the end of the 60s, with a lineup that includes other blues musicians like Joe Turner, Otis Spann, and George Harmonica Smith, plus jazz funk players like Paul Humphrey and Ernie Watts. The vibe is very laidback – and most tracks on the album stretch out in an extended free-form style that's quite unusual compared to T-Bone's other records. As usual, his guitar and vocals are very soulful – and titles include "Paris Blues", "Blues Jam", and "Jot's Blues". features four long titles that include "Arashi", "Ondo No Huna-Uta", "Dora", and "Fukushima No Ima".  ~ Dusty Groove AKIRA SAKATA / JOHAN BERTHLING / PAAL NILSSEN-LOVE - ARASHI Akira Sakata is a player who's never been known to hold back – but he sounds especially powerful here in the company of Paal Nilssen Love on drums and Johan Berthling on bass – two younger players who seem to inspire Sakata to a sort of frenzied height that we haven't heard this strongly in years! Akira's not just mindblowing on alto sax, but also does this incredible vocalization at one point – an almost mystical mode, but extremely powerful and almost frightening too. He also plays clarinet too – at a level that has us wonder how often he's got to be running for new reeds – and the set features four long titles that include "Arashi", "Ondo No Huna-Uta", "Dora", and "Fukushima No Ima". ~ Dusty Groove

Lineup Announced for the 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival, September 19-21, 2014 Posted: 25 Jul 2014 07:19 AM PDT The 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will be held September 19–21 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Arena and Grounds. 2014's GRAMMY Award-winning lineup includes Arena headliners Herbie Hancock, The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Michael Feinstein, Charles Lloyd Quartet, Booker T. Jones, Robert Glasper Experiment, Marcus Miller, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Billy Childs with special guests Shawn Colvin, Lisa Fischer and Becca Stevens, Aaron Diehl Quartet, Jon Batiste & Stay Human, and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. 98 shows and events will take place over 30 hours from Friday night, September 19 through Sunday night, September 21. Drummer Eric Harland serves as the 2014 Artist-In-Residence, performing with the Charles Lloyd Quartet, his own group, Voyager; Sangam with Zakir Hussain and Charles Lloyd; and as a soloist with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. Charles Lloyd Legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd returns to Monterey for the first time since 2006 as the 2014 Showcase Artist, performing with his own Quartet (with Jason Moran, Rueben Rogers and Eric Harland); Sangam with Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland, and in a duo with pianist Gerald Clayton. The 2014 Commission Artist will be pianist Aaron Diehl, who will premiere his tribute to the pianist and MJF Artistic Director for 24 years, John Lewis, Three Streams of Expression.  The Festival features 500 artists, nearly 100 performances and events on 8 stages and more, for 30 hours of live music over two days and three nights, accompanied by an array of international cuisine, shopping, art exhibits, educational events, seminars and conversations with iconic and emerging jazz artists on the oak-studded 20-acres of the Monterey County Fairgrounds & Event Center. Booker T. Jones 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival Highlights and Artist Listing •Return of jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Charles Lloyd, Marcus Miller •MJF debut of crossover artists The Roots, Gary Clark Jr., Michael Feinstein, Booker T. Jones, The Philadelphia Experiment •World Premiere of 2014 Commission by the Aaron Diehl Quartet, Three Streams of Expression and special performance of Billy Childs' new project, Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro, with special guests Shawn Colvin, Lisa Fischer, and Becca Stevens •Musical tribute to Mulgrew Miller & James Williams with Harold Mabern, Donald Brown, and Geoff Keezer trios •Coffee House Gallery Exhibits: Blue Note Records:  75 Years of Excellence and Earl Newman: 50 Years of Monterey Jazz Festival Posters 57th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival September 19 - 21, 2014 Artist-In-Residence: Eric Harland Showcase Artist: Charles Lloyd Commission Artist: Aaron Diehl Herbie Hancock  ARENA ARTISTS ● Friday, September 19 Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper Experiment with special guest Jason Moran, Cecile McLorin Salvant ARENA ARTISTS ● Saturday, September 20 The Roots, Billy Childs with special guests Shawn Colvin, Lisa Fischer and Becca Stevens; Aaron Diehl Quartet; Gary Clark Jr., Booker T. Jones; Davina & The Vagabonds ARENA ARTISTS ● Sunday, September 21 Michael Feinstein with special guests Russell Malone & Harry Allen and the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra; Charles Lloyd Quartet with Jason Moran, Rueben Rogers, & Eric Harland; Marcus Miller; Jon Batiste & Stay Human; Next Generation Jazz Orchestra Marcus Miller GROUNDS ARTISTS ● Friday, September 19 Dizzy's Den: Sangam with Charles Lloyd, Zakir Hussain and Eric Harland; Red Baraat Night Club: Cecile McLorin Salvant, Christian McBride Trio; Claudia Villela & Harvey Wainapel Garden Stage Presented by Alaska Airlines: Sarah McKenzie Quartet, Melissa Aldana Crash Trio, SambaDa Coffee House: Harold Mabern Trio (3 sets) GROUNDS ARTISTS ● Saturday, September 20 Dizzy's Den: Billy Childs Quartet; Charles Lloyd-Gerald Clayton Duo, The Philadelphia Experiment with Christian McBride, ?uestlove, Uri Caine and special guest Booker T. Jones; Blue Note Records 75th Anniversary Band with Ambrose Akinmusire, Kendrick Scott, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge & Lionel Loueke; Becca Stevens, John Hanrahan Quartet, Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival Night Club: Aaron Diehl Quartet, Eric Harland Voyager, Habaneros, USAF Commanders Jazz Ensemble, Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival Garden Stage Presented by Alaska Airlines: Pete Escovedo Orchestra with Peter Michael & Juan Escovedo; Jason Moran, Ana Popovic, Davina & The Vagabonds, Red Baraat Coffee House: Donald Brown Trio (3 sets); Sarah McKenzie Quartet; Conversation about Mulgrew Miller & James Williams; Conversation about Blue Note Records West Lawn: Sourmash Hug Band (2 sets) Jon Batiste & Stay Human GROUNDS ARTISTS ● Sunday, September 21 Dizzy's Den: Eric Harland Voyager, Tony Monaco, Pamela Rose & Wayne De La Cruz; Daniel Rosenboom Quintet; Conversation with Michael Feinstein, DownBeat Blindfold Test Night Club: Delfeayo & Ellis Marsalis; Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival Garden Stage Presented by Alaska Airlines: Harold Lopez-Nussa, Ben Flocks & Battle Mountain; Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band; Youn Sun Nah & Ulf Wakenius; Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival Coffee House: Geoffrey Keezer Trio (2 sets); Top bands from the Next Generation Jazz Festival; Bari Koral West Lawn: Minor Thirds Trio (2 sets) ALL WEEKEND Jazz on Film: Legends of the Tenor Saxophone: Charles Lloyd: Arrows Into Infinity; Jeremy Siskind & Friends on the Yamaha AvantGrand; Arena Simulcasts in The Jazz Theater; Coffee House Gallery Exhibits: Blue Note Records:  75 Years of Excellence; Earl Newman: 50 Years of Monterey Jazz Festival Posters