THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEW RELEASES - JAHEIM, MILLIE JACKSON, PINK MARTINI |  |
- NEW RELEASES - JAHEIM, MILLIE JACKSON, PINK MARTINI
- NEW RELEASES - CHUCK LOEB, QUINCY DAVIS, SYLVIA WOODARD THOMPSON
- TETINE - IN LOVELAND WITH YOU
- MARC CAREY FOCUS TRIO - FOUR DIRECTIONS
- INDIA.ARIE, JEFFREY OSBORNE, ANTHONY HAMILTON, EUGE GROOVE, CHARLIE WILSON HEADLINE LAS VEGAS JAZZ FESTIVAL, SEPT 27-29, 2013
- NEW RELEASES - JOSE JAMES, CYRUS CHESTNUT, STEVE KUHN
- NEW RELEASES - JACK FULKS, SHOKAZULU, MARK MASTERS ENSEMBLE
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 01:31 PM PDT
JAHEIM - APPRECIATION DAY
After a long hiatus, the super crooner is back by popular demand. When asked about his return, Jaheim mentioned that he's anxious to get back to his fans, "It's been so long since I've had a chance to create music from my heart for the fans that have loved and supported me from the start. I decided to call the project 'Appreciation Day' because that's exactly what this album is. My show of appreciation to them." The lead single off the albun is "Age Ain't A Factor" and the album featuress smash hits like: "Chase Forever," "Sticks and Stones" and "Morning," a call back to the Shirley Murdock classic. A vocalist in the tradition of such greats as Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, Jaheim has released three albums over five years: his 2001 debut, "Ghetto Love"; 2002's sophomore set, "Still Ghetto" -- both of which reached RIAA platinum status; and 2006's "Ghetto Classics." During that time, he also scored nominations for the BET and Soul Train Music Awards. In 2007, the chart-topping artist returned with his Atlantic Records debut, "The Makings of a Man." No stranger to personal loss and struggle, Jaheim promises to make "Appreciation Day" more than just the name of an album, but an invitation for him and his fans to show those that mean the most to them, how much they care. "It's a feel good album with very special messages hidden in every song. I'm looking forward to this journey with my fans."
MILLIE JACKSON - AN IMITATION OF LOVE (INCLUDES BONUS TRACKS)
Sweet 80s groove from Millie Jackson – a set that's got a very different vibe than her famous southern soul work of the 70s – but one that still has the singer very much at the top of her game! The backgrounds are a bit more electric than before – especially the rhythms – but Jackson's raspy, raw approach to the lyrics really holds fast – and, if anything, helps make the set a new vision in rootsy soul for a more contemporary generation. Some of the "nasty gal" tones of previous years are put on the backburner – and Millie returns to those mellower ballads that were always some of her strongest work – really shining nicely on tracks that include "It's A Thang", "An Imitation Of Love", "Hot Wild Unrestricted Crazy Love", "Wanna Be Your Lover", "Love Is A Dangerous Game", and "I Fell In Love". CD features lots of bonus tracks – including "Hot Wild Unrestricted Crazy Love (7" edit)", "Love Is A Dangerous Game (ext mix)", "Wanna Be Your Lover (7" version)", "It's A Thang (ext mix)", "Hot Wild Unrestricted Crazy Love (inst)", and "Love Is A Dangerous Game (inst)". ~ Dusty Groove
PINK MARTINI - GET HAPPY
Get Happy is the long-awaited studio follow-up to 2009's Splendor in the Grass. The project began back in early 2012 when Thomas Lauderdale and audio engineer Dave Friedlander flew to Los Angeles to visit Thomas's new friend, Phyllis Diller. While there, they recorded Charlie Chaplin's 'Smile', which turned out to be Phyllis Diller's final recording, and became the soundtrack for the many tributes to her when she passed away six months later. Get Happy features a batch of guest artists including exotic cabaret sensation Meow Meow, sunny French eccentric Philippe Katerine, the handsome and brilliant radio superstar Ari Shapiro, warm-hearted wunder-siblings The von Trapps, and a riveting appearance by the exquisite Rufus Wainwright! The album features 16 songs selected and arranged by Lauderdale.
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 12:08 PM PDT
CHUCK LOEB - SILHOUETTE
Chuck Loeb's latest release is Silhouette which features guest appearances by stellar jazz musicians such as Fouplay band mate Nathan East, Will Lee (of David Letterman fame), legendary drummer Steve Gadd (Steely Dan), Eric Marienthal, Andy Snitzer (Rolling Stones), and others. Silhouette lso features vocals from Loeb's wife, Carmen Cuesta, whose sensuous delivery has resulted in her own growing fan base. With over 25 Top 10 Smooth Jazz radio hits to his credit, including an incredible 15 #1 smashes, Chuck Loeb is truly an icon and pioneer of the Smooth Jazz genre. The first single off the album is the title track, Silhouette, which is currently climbing up the smooth jazz radio charts. Other tracks include Silver Lining, Present Sense. Appreciation, JT, Lockdown, Stompin', Esta Tarde Vi Llover, My One And Only Love, and Las Eras. Loeb is also a member and lead guitarist of the super group Fourplay.
QUINCY DAVIS - SONGS IN THE KEY OF Q
This is the debut album by Quincy Davis, who has long been highly regarded as one of the great jazz drummers of his generation. On Songs In The Key Of Q, listeners will enjoy a compelling glimpse into the mind and soul of Davis as a composer. He is joined by a stellar band: Dayna Stephens (tenor sax), Warren Wolf (vibraphone), Xavier Davis (piano), Vicente Archer (bass) and Richie Goods (electric bass, 1 track). Davis' music can be described as very "melodic, sophisticated, introspective, soulful and catchy". His playing can be described as simply "refreshing". While the roots of jazz are deeply embedded throughout this album, you will hear no cliches what-so-ever.
SYLVIA WOODARD THOMPSON - FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ
Sylvia Woodard Thompson's contributions to the jazz music scene have been recognized and praised by listeners and fellow musicians. This second jazz CD, "For the Love of Jazz," is part of her continuing effort to keep traditional vocal jazz front and center for the enjoyment of a new generation of jazz enthusiasts. Her music is rooted in traditions that stem from a jazz-musician father and a music-loving family. Her performances feature smooth vocal jazz, delivering classic love songs from the era when jazz was in its heyday. Together with seasoned jazz instrumentalists, her music brings easy-listening memories to the older set and provides something new for younger audiences.
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 08:20 AM PDT
 In Loveland With You is Tetine's fourth album to be released in the UK and Europe - a follow up to their Tropical Punk album trilogy which included debut album Let Your X's Be Y's on Soul Jazz Records (2008) and both of their self-released records; From A Forest Near You (2010) and Voodoo Dance & Other Stories (2011) out on Slum Dunk Music. But this is in fact their 14th album since the band formed in Sao Paulo, back in 1995. Recorded and produced by Bruno Verner and Eliete Mejorado between 2010 and 2012, In Loveland With You is one of Tetine's most personal records to date. It features 14 tracks heavy on electronic and organic sounds with funky basslines, drum machines, glacial soundscapes and a very distinctive melodic and harmonic sense. It also brings a darker approach to Tetine's music in terms of lyrics, vocal delivery, structure and atmospherics with less of their luminous tropical punk/ baile funk sound of past records & more of their melancholic electronic pop - without ever loosing its directness and simplicity. The album features collaborations with Brazilian psychedelic legend Arnaldo Baptista - formerly of legendary Tropicalia band Os Mutantes - guesting on the opening track 'To Burn', and it is heavily influenced by Brazilian marginal filmmaker Rogerio Sganzerla - to whom this record is entirely dedicated.   |
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 12:09 PM PDT
Marc Cary has spent close to a decade honing a distinctive sound and improvisational approach with his enduring and much acclaimed Focus Trio. Four Directions, the band's first studio recording in eight years, follows on the heels of two powerful interim releases (Focus Trio Live 2008 and Focus Trio Live 2009). Despite a few shifts in the bass chair, and an ever-transforming array of acoustic and electronic instrumentation, the band's original mission, as Cary stated in his liner notes for Focus, the band's 2006 debut, remains the same: "to bring indigenous rhythms together with American jazz to create new palettes of sound."
On Four Directions, Cary once again leads the boundlessly creative Sameer Gupta on drums and percussion with two new recruits: Burniss Travis and Rashaan Carter sharing the bass chair, on some tracks alone and on some together. "Rashaan and I are both from DC," Cary says, "and his father [tenor saxophonist Russell Carter] gave me my first gig. I wanted both him and Burniss to be represented on the record because they've both been playing with the group at different times."
From the precise melodic hits and surging swing of "Ready or Not" to the pervasively unsettled "Outside My Window," Cary devotes Four Directions in part to an acoustic aesthetic - while also exploring a full range between organic and electronic sounds. This multi-dimensional approach has always been a foundational hallmark of Cary's musical identity.
Cary and Gupta are committed students of traditional Indian music but they always bring their own sensibilities to bear. Namaskar, Gupta's 2010 Motéma release (also featuring Carter on bass), was co-produced by Cary and featured a diverse cadre of highly celebrated musicians, combining jazz with North and South Indian ragas and well-known Bollywood themes.
Cary's originals include the ethereal, drone-based "Open Please" (which Cary calls "a prayer to the ancestors - open our minds, our hearts"), and "Waltz Betty Waltz," dedicated to the legendary Betty Carter, one of Cary's pivotal mentors. "She used to swing," Cary marvels. "She used to love waltzes and she used to kill it. I wanted to do something that was tasty and fitting for her."
Of the synth and keyboard-driven numbers, "Todi Blues" stands out for its unique blend of Indian classical concepts and go-go rhythms. Based on the traditional Todi raga, the piece is divided between an alap, or solo introduction, and a rhythmic template for improvisation, or tala. Cary solos on synth and Rhodes, trading between the two in a way that evokes "East meets West," he explains: "The Rhodes is kind of the Western assimilation into raga, and the synth is taking the place of the voice, or voice-like instrument, in Indian classical music."
"Tanktified," a Terreon Gully composition that Cary recorded with Stefon Harris's Blackout group on the GRAMMY® Award-nominated Urbanus, moves between 7/8 and 17/16 and comes under further expansion with Gupta's turbulent drum solo. "Spectrum," by Tony Williams' Lifetime, is straightforward trio with Cary on Rhodes: "Having played it with Cindy Blackman, Will Calhoun and others, I had the opportunity to approach that song in different ways, with added rhythm changes."
In addition to piano, Cary plays the Access Virus TI2 and Novation UltraNova synthesizers, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and organ, creating a sonic environment that reflects his limitless musical interests - from jazz to go-go, hip-hop, electronic music, Indian classical music and more. "There's nothing blocking any music coming out of us," Cary insists. "It's like, melanin is a superconductor, you know? That's how it's coming out of our fingers and our minds."
Cary was born in New York in January 1967, grew up in DC and went on to become an important figure in the city's burgeoning go-go scene. He attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and upon relocating to New York in 1988, began his rise as a jazz piano modernist. In 1994 he began a life-changing 12-year tenure with vocalist, songwriter and jazz icon Abbey Lincoln. (For the Love of Abbey, Cary's spellbinding solo piano tribute to Lincoln, came out in May of 2013 on Motéma.)
In addition to Lincoln, Cary has worked with such masters as Arthur Taylor, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach and Shirley Horn. His talent has elevated the music of everyone from Russell Gunn and Marcus Printup to Q-Tip, Meshell Ndegeocello and Ani DiFranco and as a recording artist his ensemble work has helped earn GRAMMY® Award-nominations for albums by Abbey Lincoln, Betty Carter, Roy Hargrove and Stefon Harris.
Cary debuted on the Arabesque label as a leader in 1995 with Cary On. Then at the turn of the century, his electronica odyssey, Rhodes Ahead (Vol. 1) won him the first annual Billboard/BET "Best New Jazz Artist" award in 2000. Cary debuted his fledgling Focus Trio project on the Motéma label in 2006, with an eponymous release which received major critical and public acclaim that led to increased international touring and a multi-record commitment from Motéma.
In addition to his long-standing Focus Trio, Cary also has toured and recorded regularly with his band Indigenous People since 1999. Cary's 'Indigenous' project specifically mines the rich musical history of indigenous cultures around the world with a special focus on music of the African diaspora - from African folk melodies, Brazilian and Caribbean grooves to jazz, funk and go-go rhythms. Indigenous People has documented its sound on the albums Captured Live in Brazil (1999), Unite (2001) and N.G.G.R. Please (2003). Cary has now rebilled the group as "Cosmic Indigenous" and has a forthcoming Motéma release in the works. Meanwhile, he continues to work steadily as a producer and collaborator on recorded and live projects in the jazz, hip-hop, R&B and dance arenas.
"The things that have kept the Focus Trio concentrated are basic principles of openness and intent to play like it is our last chance, every time," notes Cary. "And we keep having these incredible discoveries, which happen mostly on the bandstand. There's a great understanding of our love for the music and what we're seeking."
Marcy Carey will soon be appearing: August 25 / Westminster Church / Washington, DC // August 29 / Scullers Jazz Club (For the Love of Abbey, solo) / Boston, MA // September 21 / Monterey Jazz Festival (Focus Trio) / Monterey, CA // October 16 - 17 / Monk at 96 / Los Angeles, CA
Four Directions (release date Oct. 8, 2013) - Track Listing
1. Todi Blues
2. Waltz Betty Waltz
3. He Who Hops Around
4. Open Baby
5. Tanktified
6. Boom
7. Ready or Not
8. Spectrum
9. Indigenous
10. Outside my Window
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 07:54 AM PDT
 "Part of the magic of our jazz festivals is when guests come and totally immerse themselves in the music and lifestyle experience for the entire weekend. One of the reasons we produce our events at first-class resorts like the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa is to foster that feeling of community that takes place when concert goers spend the weekend enjoying the live music along with the plush accommodations and top-notch facilities. In addition to the extraordinary shows we go to great length to produce, our festivals are an opportunity for people to getaway, relax, socialize, network and form relationships. These aren't just concerts; they are fun mini-vacations and our guests fly in from all over the country to join the party," said BTWconcerts.com's Brad Laughlin, whose company also produces the Arizona Jazz Festival and the San Diego Jazz Festival. www.lvjazzfestival.com   |
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 12:09 PM PDT
JOSE JAMES - COME TO MY DOOR EP
Jose James has released a 5-song EP entitled Come To My Door, this after releasing his Blue Note debut, No Beginning No End, to wide acclaim. The 5-song Come To My Door EP, features the album's second single "Come To My Door," which was written by Emily King. The EP also includes remixes of the album's tracks by José's frequent collaborator Taylor McFerrin, as well as FaltyDL,Oddisee, and Flako. No Beginning No End is a seamless musical experience that moves between different styles with remarkable fluidity, bound together by James' transcendent voice. Conceived, recorded and produced independently, the album is James' most personal statement yet. José James is scheduled to perform at Giant Step's Central Park SummerStage event in NYC with Shuggie Otis and Hiatus Kaiyote this Sunday, August 11th, as part of his greater US tour. ~ giantstep.net
CYRUS CHESTNUT - SOUL BROTHER COOL
This one is a really hard-hitting set from pianist Cyrus Chestnut – wrapped up here in a cover that's an homage to Max Roach in the 60s, and served up with a groove that definitely evokes the best jazz of that decade too! The group's a very sharp quartet – with Chestnut handling piano, plus Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Dezron Douglas on bass, and Willie Jones II on drums – and also acting here as producer, given that the set's issued on his own label! The team of Douglas and Jones is mighty deft – and really adds a bristle to the rhythms right from the start – providing a perfect place for Hendrix to show off his tight skills on trumpet, while Chestnut mixes things up with lyrical moments and some harder punch on his piano. All tunes are originals by Cyrus, which furthers the fresh feeling of the record – and titles include "The Rav~ Dusty Groove
STEVE KUHN - STEVE KUHN
Here are 2 early 70s gems from pianist Steve Kuhn – back to back on one CD! First up is his amazing self-titled set for Buddah from 1971 – an incredibly inventive album that takes his earlier modern style, and fuses it with a warmer sort mode for the 70s! The approach is quite unique – in that Kuhn's core trio style is augmented both by additional percussion from Airto, plus occasional string quartet backing – for a sound that's fresh and different on each new tune! Some tracks feature Fender Rhodes, but most are acoustic – and Steve even sings a bit at one point, showing his newly discovered talent for penning a creative lyric. Favorites are the groovers "The Baby (aka Saharan)" and "Time To Go (aka Tomorrow's Son)" – and the album also features a great version of "Pearlie's Swine (aka The Zoo)". Other tracks include "The Drinking Song", "The Meaning Of Love", and "Silver". Added to that set is another equally brilliant set – one that features all Fender Rhodes throughout, with a combo that includes Steve Swallow on electric bass, Bruce Ditmas on drums, and Sue Evans on percussion – a lineup that's almost similar to Kuhn's Trance album for ECM, as is the sound of this set! The groove's a bit more open and flowing than Trance, though – with more of those wonderfully rolling numbers that were fast earning Kuhn a name at the time – tracks that are a bit modal, but also have their own unique sense of flow, and a sound that's never nearly as outside as Steve's work from a few years before. Titles include "Day Dreaming", "A Change Of Face", "Remembering Tomorrow (aka Ulla)", "Last Tango In Paris", "Life's Backward Glance", and "Trance". ~ Dusty Groove
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Posted: 09 Aug 2013 06:50 AM PDT
JACK FULKS - FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
An excellent set from reedman Jack Fulks – a player who's hardly ever recorded as a leader, but who we remember well from his spiritual jazz work in LA's Creative Arts Ensemble! This gem of a set has Jack playing in territory that's right back with his older roots – often stretching out on tenor next to the alto sax of Rene Pineda – in a warmly soaring style that reminds us of the 70s Muse sessions by the great Earl & Carl Grubbs! Rhythms on the set are mostly modal – given a nice sense of balance in the piano of David Edelstein – but it's definitely Fulks' talents that make the whole thing come together – his beautiful songs, soulful work on flute and tenor, and the warmth and energy that drives the whole session. Titles include "Liberation", "Panama", "Nautical Times", "Congo Rio", "Bandoleros", "Reflections", and "Pastels". ~ Dusty Groove
SHOKAZULU - SHOKAZULU
Here's a brilliant bit of business from the 4 Hero side of the musical universe – some very cosmic grooves from Kaidi Tatham – filled with complex rhythms and soaring keyboards that mix together equal parts jazz, funk, and London broken beat! The tunes are stripped-down, but never spare at all – given the fierceness of the instrumentation, which often has live percussion interacting with programmed rhythms – in a way that's very layered and dense, yet still forward-moving and very progressive – in the best 4 Hero style! The keyboards are spare and often follow the rhythms strongly – but in a way that seems to set two sorts of fires at the same time – really burning strongly to lift the music to the heavens. Titles include "Sammy Sebastian", "Sour Grapes", "Pie", "Lightning Strike", "Hips Don't Fail Me Now", and "Ditzy Blue Jacket". ~ Dusty Groove
MARK MASTERS ENSEMBLE - EVERYTHING YOU DID: THE MUSIC OF WALTER BECKER & DONALD FAGEN
A tremendous take on the music of Steely Dan – one that doesn't just serve up instrumental versions of these classics, but instead creates whole new themes and sounds based on the originals! All tracks here are penned by the legendary team of Donald Fagan and Walter Becker – but Mark Masters' arrangements really take them to rich new places – almost working like mini-soundtracks for each number – using these complex horn passages and bold tones to transform the songs, almost with a narrative-like power! Of course, it also helps that the group features some excellent players – including Billy Harper on tenor, Tim Hagans on trumpet, Oliver Lake on alto, and Sonny Simmons on English horn – all of whom help shape things strongly. Anna Mjoll sings a bit on the record, but the overall feel is really instrumental – and titles include "Boshisattva", "Show Biz Kids", "Charlie Freak", "Black Cow", "Aja", "Fire In The Hole", "Josie", and "Chain Lightning". ~ Dusty Groove
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