To know the music of Bluey (Jean-Paul Maunick) is to love the music of Bluey! The unique, distinguished gentleman of soul and song is the creator and leader of the UK’s groundbreaking funk/jazz supergroup Incognito! You may also be familiar with his collaborations with Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Maxi Priest, George Benson among other notables. Remarkably LEAP OF FAITH is his first solo recording, purported to be a true labor of love. It’s soulfully addictive… I can’t seem to turn it off in my car or at my desk nor do I see that happening anytime soon! Deep bass lines, inspiring lyrics, with everything there is to love about chill, jazz, groove and funk. Highlights : The Smooth Jazz hit “Take A Chance On Me,” the video track “Got to Let My Feelings Show,” the groovecentric and socially poignant “Ain’t Nobody’s Business” and the title track, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. It was King who said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” The first time out, Bluey releases an essential recording!
PHIL CASAGRANDE Manhattan Vibe Independent
From his home studio in New York, composer and pianist Phil Casagrande has been recording some of the best Smooth Jazz in recent years, which he continues with MANHATTAN VIBE. If you want to relax with chilled-out vibes, Casagrande has delivered for you! Paul Hardcastle fans will particularly enjoy “Under the Moonlight” and “Tropical Breeze,” two languid and delicious numbers backed by bouncy bass notes. Casagrande – who has performed in the studio with the likes of Jessica Cleeves of Parliament-Funkadelic – kicks up the tempo with the title track, “Manhattan Vibe,” a head-bopper with a crowd-pleasing vibraphone lead. Sure to spice up any gathering! Smooth Jazz is played to perfection on “Song for Melody,” a ballad with romantic piano sounds, saxophone and synthesizer accents. Casagrande picks two fantastic Baby Boomer songs to cover: the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere,” which he slows down for a mellow piano-led track, and the Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around,” a sexy remaking with Casagrande gently laying down gorgeous, cascading piano riffs.
DELILAH Sweeter Life Groove United Ent
Born in Budapest, Hungary the talented chanteuse moved with her family to Toronto, Canada in the late 1990’s where she become a professional vocalist by the age of 19… Delilah recently began working with Smooth advocate, rock star, Grammy-Award winner, songwriter and producer Jim. Peterik. According to Jim, “Once in a great while, you find a voice with a certain ethereal quality that speaks to the soul. When I first heard Delilah sing I felt that.” Delilah’s partner and album producer is none other than Groove United Entertainment label visionary and President, smooth chill guitarist Dave Sereny. The two have ventured down a very sexy road here on SWEETER LIFE with positive jams and world-class beats featuring heavy-hitting producers including the Grammy-nominated Vikter Duplaix, as well Marcus Kane & Rane Parish, and Lemoyne Alexander, all extraordinary talents in neo soul and R&B, plus featured artists Nathan Watts and Stanley Randolph (Stevie Wonder rhythm section). You’ll love this SWEETER LIFE – Perfect for the chill or the thrill!
IRRESONANCE Subsonic Express Independent
Sublime… Subdued… SUBSONIC EXPRESS… the cool, new electro jazz-fusion collection from Irresonance featuring music that promises to move your heart, mind and body. Irresonance is the brainchild of California multi-instrumentalist, Sahaji Lamont. The artist is currently traveling abroad, his latest studio project is a culmination of his musical influences and world travels resulting in a deep, melodic audio adventure. SUBSONIC EXPRESS fuses Electronica with Jazz to create a relaxing, yet palpable musical experience. The album’s radio ready tune, “Pretty Lights,” is the perfect sample of the artist’s vision to stir the soul while generating hope with vibrancy. Lamont, who boldly says that he appreciates the therapy of music, beyond the usual pretenses, also artfully expresses his creative process when he says, “All experiences have a song trapped within, and I release my interpretations as a reflection of my discoveries.” Board the Irresonance SUBSONIC EXPRESS for a moving, chilled, jazz excursion to higher consciousness and relaxed bliss.
BONEY JAMES The Beat Concord Music Group
THE BEAT marks a return to Concord Records for the dynamic, three-time Grammy nominee and soulful saxophonist. The genre-blind Boney James has always helped push the edges Smooth Jazz and for that we are very grateful. This gorgeous new release celebrates the artist’s passion for Latin and R&B music and is a delicious mash-up of the two. The original inspiration, the Sergio Mendes classic, “Batucada (The Beat),” has been cleverly re-imagined with funkatude and reunites Boney with trumpeter Rick Braun. Additional guests include R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn, featured on the sexy “Maker of Love,” and spoken word phenom, The Floacist, on the chilled “The Midas (This Is Why).” The project begins with a fresh spin on Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” and concludes on the same positive note with an original, “You Can Count On Me.” There’s a natural ebb and flow here that presents the collection in waves that build and recede. Boney considers this one of the best records he’s ever done, we agree, and that’s not easy given the exceptional releases he has delivered over the last two decades… the beat goes on, Boney!
DUNCAN MILLAR Fresh Air Warmday Records
It’s been too long since we’ve heard the infectious grooves and melodic keys playing of Duncan Millar, who released two well-received Smooth Jazz CDs more than a decade ago on legendary Instinct Records. But the U.K. native and MOBO nominee is officially back and better than ever with the aptly titled FRESH AIR! Add the skills of one the U.K.’s top talents along with a musical mix of influences including Samba, funk and even waltz, and you have a well-rounded project perfect for repeated listening. The first single, the title track “Fresh Air,” is upbeat and oh-so-catchy, with backing sax from Jacko Peake. Mostly, though, the CD explores sensual and laid-back grooves, from the eye-closing sweetness of “Ilhabela,” the after-hours vibe of “Belmondo” and the smooth, jazz-club feel of “Subcontinental.” Millar varies his acoustic playing with electric piano, as well as Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer organ runs. It all adds up to a remarkable Smooth Jazz CD from someone who’s been gone too long. Welcome back, Duncan!
MOTOWN MOE Rhodes To Cool Places Motown Moe Inc.
Detroit keyboardist Motown Moe (aka Kevin Dingle) has collaborates with musicians all over the world. He says he makes music for people to enjoy after a hard day's work. The silky-cool, "RHODES TO COOL PLACES" lives up to this description... it will take you down many wonderful roads with musical moods for chillin’ like a villain. The title reflects his love for and his use of the Rhodes keyboards. The effects are super cool, and never overdone. You can actually feel the wind blow through your hair as while groovin’ to "Passion Connection,” the "Nice And Easy LA Style" will have you feeling like you're catching the sunset at Malibu Beach! You can't listen to "Big Chill in the City" without bopping your head to the beat. If you're looking for the perfect marriage of Smooth Jazz and chill out music, don’t travel any farther than Motown Moe's RHODES TO COOL PLACES, you’re there!
PROFESSOR RJ ROSS To Be With You Again ASL Music Media & Promotion
After big-time success with his debut soul-jazz release, FACE TO FACE Professor RJ Ross follows up with his hot new single, “To Be With You Again,” as sensual a blue-eyed soul excursion as I’ve heard in a long time. It’s lush, its lyrics about longing excitedly for a lover are compelling as well, and radio worldwide loves it! With support from bassist Freddie Washington, guitarist/producer Jerry Stucker, drummer Ricky Lawson, percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo, plus backing vocalists Claytoven Richardson and Crystal Monee Hall, this one is not only a surefire hit now, but also a future classic for sure. Listen and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!
PAOLO RUSTICHELLI Vagabond Next Age Music
Critically-acclaimed, eclectic music composer, plug-in and piano virtuoso, the extraordinary Paolo Rustichelli, blends contemporary jazz and Reggae on his latest single, “Vagabond,” from his soon-to-be released SOUL ITALIANO. This cool, electro-chill tune is Paolo at his best! Stylish, fashionable and right on the leading edge of what today's Smooth Jazz should sound like! Son of 3-time Oscar nominee and movie soundtrack composer, Carlo Rustichelli, Paolo started his career at 16. He’s become one of the most influential composers in instrumental and chill out music in the world! His first radio hit "Paisa" started a new trend in Smooth Jazz, with its electric and vibrant grooves, which was quickly adopted by many artists in the genre. Paolo is globally renown for his pioneer work in fusing rock and jazz and producing for and recording with Santana, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Andy Summers and many others. Carlos Santana said in Billboard, "Paolo Rustichelli's music is a soundtrack for life!” Miles, who worked with Paolo on several songs, considered him an eclectic genius! Listen for yourself... it won't take you long to discover why!
JIM SAMUEL Smooth Covers, Smooth Dance Independent
Two of my favorite music styles are Smooth Jazz and dance grooves… it’s like a dream come true to have them both together as one concept on a very exciting musical adventure from pianist/composer Jim Samuel on his hottest album to date, SMOOTH COVERS, SMOOTH DANCE! High energy, Latin rhythms, great melodies turns favorites from Fourplay, David Benoit, Toto and more into bust-a-move grooves that will guarantee soulful movement that you’ll feel in your body ah. The project breathes new life into Smooth Jazz and features top notch performers collaborating with Jim to create an entire album of invigorating rhythms and fascinating harmonies offering a dance club vibe. Songs like “Bali Run,” “Rejoyce,” “Georgy Porgy” and “Twilight March” will keep your mood lifted, your soul stirred and your feet moving. Turn bland into blend and grab a copy of Jim’s SMOOTH COVERS, SMOOTH DANCE, it’ll turn everyday into a Saturday!
DWIGHT SIRLS Paradigm Shift Independent
New from engineer, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist Dwight Sirls comes a cool, funky, futuristic new project with bass oriented tunes on a subject Dwight has been involved with for decades, life forms from other dimensions, realities, or planetary systems. According to the artist, in order to go beyond the skeptical programming of our reality, and intelligently view this subject, “you must open your mind and who knows, you may have a PARADIGM SHIFT.” While the instrumental project may be inspired by X File type consideration, these instrumentals are soulful and jazzy, blending Chill Out with Nu Jazz and my favorite, swirling bass grooves! Dwight knows how to deliver these grooves as he plays fretless, upright and six, five, four string bases as well as electric and classical guitars, Native-American flute, keyboards and more! PARADIGM SHIFT is perfect for chilling, driving, unwinding and maybe even going a little deeper into your own realities. Great to have another new album from this innovative composer!
THREESTYLE Feel The Vibe Welovemusic Records
We’re pleased to share with you a SmoothJazz.com discovery… Europe’s Threestyle, founded by German guitarist Robert Fertl and his partner the Czech Republic’s Magdalena Chovancova who plays saxophone and flute for the ensemble. The project, currently based in Germany, features Magdelena’s twin sister, Gabriela Chovancova on drums, along with an assortment of European A-Listers! Threestyle truly personifies Smooth Jazz with killer originals and a sophisticated, modern spin with their blend of smooth, nu, funk, soul and chill jazz! The band continues to tour the world on a regular basis, from the U.S. to South Africa, to the Caribbean and extensively throughout Europe! Their latest release FEEL THE VIBE is available on Fertl’s welovemusic recording label featuring the first single, the cool and sophisticated “Chilling Mr. Benson,” along with previously released Threestyle recordings and Magdalena’s debut solo album MOVING UP QUICKLY. The prolific collaboration keeps an ambitious recording schedule and releases new music every month!
DAVID VALENTINO Wonderland Independent
Sometimes you just gotta move! If you’re ready for an infectious brew of grooves, dance music and ambient, sexy sounds, you’re ready for David Valentino! On WONDERLAND, Valentino lays down some spicy guitar lines on songs that call to mind such distinctive influences as Weather Report, Steely Dan, Santana and Groove Armada. Ready for a hit single? Check out “Carla’s Song,” a romantic romp with sexy sax stylings. Ready to dance? Listen to “Wonderland,” an enchanting and dreamy number that would sound awesome in hip clubs. Care for some upbeat electronic vibes with vocals and a jamming guitar solo? There’s “Under the Influence.” There’s more, like the disco-like guitar strums and slamming bass lines of “Mercury.” And are you ready for some wine and candles? “Bliss,” with its Chris Botti-like trumpet dreamscape, is the perfect antidote to a stressful day. A fusion of jazz, dance and ambient music, WONDERLAND signals the arrival of a major talent.
WALDINO At The Oasis LoveGypsies.com
One of my favorite recording artists on the planet, Walter Liskiewicz aka Waldino has a brand new album out and it’s one of his most enthralling to date! AT THE OASIS is the perfect follow up to his last project, WALDINO GOES LATINO, with a continuation of Spanish flavored chill-out vibes. OASIS also delivers jazz-infused jams such as displayed on “Just Be Cool,” as well as international espionage drama on the very sexy “Waldino 007 Bond Remix,” timed perfectly for the latest James Bond installment, Skyfall. Be on the look out for deliciously seductive rhythms as well, they’re running deep throughout this hydrating musical offering from the doctor of soulful swagger. AT THE OASIS is a direct reflection of the bold richness and character that is found at the heart of its composer and indeed a refreshing respite in what can be a rather arid musical climate.
