THE ALLURE K*I*S*S SmoothLounge Ent

K*I*S*S, the debut release from The Allure, is a soulful blend of vocal perfection and instrumental excitement swirled together with persuasive lyrics. The engaging collaborative features critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Laura Chandler and nu jazz, lounge and chill composer Waldino (Walter Liskiewicz). The two were introduced by Internet Radio pioneer and producer Sandy Shore (SmoothJazz.com + SmoothLounge.com). Shore says, “I’ve worked with Laura for many years, we’re very close and I have a deep connection with her music. After developing a solid relationship with Waldino and producing several of his solo releases he and I starting talking about expanding the depth of his music vocally and lyrically and I knew exactly who to call.” K*I*S*S is the result of that phone call… a storm of song files and jotted notions in email began to fly between Chandler’s San Francisco, CA studio and Waldino’s Jackson, MI studio. The prolific Liskiewicz met his musical match in the adept chanteuse, who cleverly spins a colorful lyric covering the full spectrum of life, love and healing and delivers the words with sensual profundity over soulful rhythms that are at times vibey and loungey. Laura’s voice is sweet and articulate… think Weekend Players, Everything But The Girl and Zero 7. K*I*S*S delivers 12 sumptuous tracks that will leave you wanting more. ~Bridgette Vespa

THE G... The Sweetness The G... Productions

We’re excited to welcome the smooth, multi-instrumentalist back to the Listening Loft with his soulful, sophomore release THE SWEETNESS… a delicious new recording featuring elements of Smooth Jazz, lounge, downtempo and electronica. The Greensboro, North Carolina resident goes by Gerald Little when he’s not masterminding in his recording studio and The G when he’s creating his swirling, captivating musical mélange. THE SWEETNESS offers up twelve tasty new compositions that will appeal to his fans all over the world and attract an abundance of new ones. Listen for the sophisticated, sultry track “Seduction” and the uplifting and soulful vocal “A Love Like This” featuring Arlene Little (Gerald’s talented wife) on vocals on SmoothJazz.com Radio while the rhythmic “Imagination” and the exotic “Jasmine” will be spinning in the SmoothLounge. THE SWEETNESS is The G’s follow up to his debut release SOUNDS OF THE G and is certainly proof positive that this artist is a prolific songwriter. According to The G, THE SWEETNESS is an opportunity for his listeners to really get inside his creative process as this album continues to further showcase a delightful variety of musical notions and ideas. We anticipate a wealth of musical offerings from The G in the years ahead as he is tapped into a unique audio vibe that is so appealing to the modern nu music enthusiast. ~SANDY SHORE

DON IMMEL Long Way Home Elemental Music

You might think parades, comic relief and big band… but you probably don’t think of sexy when you consider a trombone. That’s about to change… Don Immel is single handedly bring sexy back to the trombone! Quite honestly, I’ve never been more impressed with a recording where trombone is the lead and in fact, let me just say that LONG WAY HOME is one of the most impressive works I’ve heard in 2008 thus far. Immel’s style is rich and sophisticated… as well as uber hip to the point where his trombone sounds more like a robust flugelhorn if you will, offering a creative texture to the artist’s inspired ideas and melodies. Don has played with artists as diverse as Chris Botti and Elvis Costello which may have influenced the smooth alternative blend on LONG WAY HOME. The former University of Washington (Seattle) professor now makes Europe home as he plays and tours extensively in Denmark. He promises to relocate to SmoothJazz.com country on the Monterey Peninsula when he explodes internationally, but I don’t think he realizes, that may be sooner than later. Songs on this collection are ideal for film soundtracks… Don’s take on Led Zeplin’s “Whole Lotta” literally left me speechless the first time I heard it… featuring a killer vocal from Chandry Moore. Incorporating elements of jazz, chill, pop and neo-classical LONG WAY HOME is phenomenal and proof positive that Smooth Jazz is flourishing with spirit and ingenuity. ~SANDY SHORE

DWAYNE KERR Higher Calling Dmanns Music Group

Where shall I start as I share my enthusiasm for this sophomore release from one of the most talented flutists in Smooth Jazz today? I think I’ll begin by saying that Dwayne Kerr has been playing flute in Erykah Badu’s band since 1998. Ms. Badu says this: “As I watch my friend in amazement, the high tones and trills become part of me, helping me to grow onstage. I don’t know which is sweeter, his tone or his soul.” After listening to this album and researching Dwayne’s background and temperament, I can appreciate her dilemma. HIGHER CALLING (Biblically inspired) is absolutely captivating, by design. Mr. Kerr’s created a project that’s mostly mid to up tempo, with feel-good vibes and catchy melodies that, as he puts it, “you would whistle or hum to yourself.” Highlights include the first radio hit, a fresh and stunning read on Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” with Erykah guesting on wordless vocals. Then there’s the rich and captivating “Being with You,” featuring beautiful interplay between his flute and his friend Kirk Whalum’s tenor sax; and “Chillin’,” featuring the virtuoso guitar work of Matt Marshak. I also really like both the full and unplugged versions of the John Mayer hit “Daughters.” There are those rare occasions when all the elements of an album project come together so beautifully that the finished ‘whole’ is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Such is absolutely the case with Dwayne Kerr’s HIGHER CALLING. I give it my highest recommendation! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

LAWSON ROLLINS Infinita Infinita Records / Baja TSR

INFINITA is calling my name… I think it’s calling yours too. A warm, sun washed, Spanish-infused guitar collection of tunes complemented by an all-star ensemble of internationally renowned musicians. It’s impossible to resist the ethnically diverse grooves that drive Lawson Rollins’ new multi-cultural solo debut (available May 20th). You may know the virtuoso guitarist from his acclaimed work with the Latin group Young & Rollins. INFINITA features musicians from the Middle East, South America, Europe and the United States, including the legendary Brazilian singer Flora Purim, Persian-American producer/musician Shahin Shahida (Shahin & Sepehr), multi-platinum selling producer Dominic Camardella (Ottmar Liebert) and Grammy winning violinist Charlie Bisharat among others. This outstanding album is a richly decorated tapestry of jazz and World Music. Honestly, this project sneaks around the walls of both genres, pushing the boundaries even further. There’s such great depth to all eleven tracks, don’t be surprised if INFINITA takes up permanent residence in your car CD player or dominates the Most Played list on your iPod. From the loungey, “Café Jobim” featuring Purim, to the rich groove of “In Motion,” to the cinematic, Middle Eastern-influenced “New World Raga,” Lawson Rollins carves out his solo place in the eclectic world of nu music. ~SANDY SHORE

 All music is carefully reviewed and considered for radio play. To submit music to SmoothLounge.com please mail full CD and bio info to:

Smoothjazz.com | attn: Lounge | P.O. Box 982 | Pacific Grove | CA | 93950 | USA