Category: Contemporary Jazz | Page 7 | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

Al Jarreau | My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke

Al Jarreau – My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke
(Concord Records)
Album reflection by A. Scott Galloway

Al Jarreau’s tribute to George Duke, his longtime friend and one-time partner on the jazz club stages of San Francisco, has been one of 2014’s most anticipated CDs. The eclectic project – with three sets of producers – works best when Cousin Al is pushing his creative envelope or indisputably touched with pure raw sentimentality.

Sly5thAve | Sly5thAve Presents: Akuma

Sly5thAve | Sly5thAve Presents: Akuma
Truth Revolution Records
by Brent Faulkner

Sly5thAve is no household name – yet that is. After listening to the jazz saxophonist’s debut album, Sly5thAve Presents: Akuma, Sly5thAve’s underrated status is on pace to change. An independent release courtesy of Truth Revolution Records, Sly5thAve recorded Akuma beginning in 2012, completing it in 2013. Not only did Sly5thAve (born Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II) compose the 12 songs comprising Akuma, but he also funded the effort entirely – impressive.

Brian Culbertson | Another Long Night Out

Brian Culbertson | Another Long Night Out
BCM Entertainment, Inc.
by Brent Faulkner

In 1994 – then a 21 year-old DePaul student – Brian Culbertson recorded his smooth-jazz debut album, Long Night Out. A talented multi-instrumentalist and composer, Long Night Out would mark the beginning of an incredible career for Culbertson. Now twenty years later, rather than recording a completely new album, Culbertson returns with Another Long Night Out, a re-recording of Long Night Out that finds the seasoned musician adding a “lil somethin’ somethin’” extra.

Jazz Vocal Magic Under The Stars in The Dominican Republic

Jazz Singer Anthony Jefferson and Friends Treat Fans to Presidential CD Release Concert Under The Stars in Sosua (Dominican Republic)

Event Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
Concert Photographs by Will Alfredo

With an album titled after the luscious vocal standard “But Beautiful” and his home base/fan base being the breathtaking ocean side town of Sosua, Dominican Republic, dashing vocal gentleman Anthony Jefferson made clear his musical mission as sharing romance and style in abundance with the people that have grown to adore him over the last seven years. The night was a miraculously rain-free Saturday in typically drenched October, the audience Sosua’s wealthy and well-heeled, and the event the locally long-anticipated CD release for Jefferson’s new project, But Beautiful – a first class soiree of music wine, canapés and cigars coordinated by Linda Love, and additionally showcasing singer Tracy Hamlin, trumpeter Mark Rapp and singer/guitarist Peter Novelli.

Najee | The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey

Najee | The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey
Shanachie Records
by Susan Mutharia

If the achievements, accolades and millions of fans fail to give one enough insight into Najee’s musical journey, then the new album by this 3x Grammy- Nominee will set you straight. Get your passport ready and prepare to depart on Najee’s The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey.

Jonathan Butler | Merry Christmas To You

Jonathan Butler | Merry Christmas To You
Artistry Music
By Peggy Oliver

Just like the department stores who prepare in advance to entice shoppers
for Christmas, so do the music marketers who are just as attuned to
sharing good cheer for the year end fanfare. That season of Christmas
offers one of its first major releases with Jonathan Butler, the latest
to join others with their inspirations centered around the most
celebrated commercial time of the year.

Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit

Gregory Porter | Liquid Spirit
Blue Note Records
By Peggy Oliver

In recent years, Motema Music emerged into a respected independent label
with a solid commitment to their artists’ improvisational gifts and
musical diversity. From Caribbean-born pianist Monty Alexander to former
Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun, the New York-based company has
drawn comparisons to jazz giant Blue Note Records in its heyday, swiftly
integrating soul, blues, gospel and avant garde flavors into its be-bop
jazz mix.

George Duke | DreamWeaver

George Duke | DreamWeaver
Concord Records
by Peggy Oliver

Those who make a living creating off the cuff are entitled with an occasional moment of writer’s block. And in their strong devotion to the art, they usually find their way back to fill up their creative cup. Jazz icon George Duke recently faced that dreaded drought. In 2012, his compositional well temporarily ran dry as he was experiencing deep grief from the loss of his wife, Corine. The death was undoubtedly bittersweet, but in an almost blink of an eye, Duke returned to his musical refuge that he has embraced since childhood.

Global Noize | Sly Reimagined

Global Noize | Sly Reimagined
Zoho Roots
Album review by Brent Faulkner

Describing Sly and the Family Stone music as simply as ‘one of a kind’
would be an understatement. Like many musicians during the tumultuous
60s and 70s, the group’s music reflected the social, cultural, and
political issues and changes that shaped life. Sly managed to capture
the ‘sentiments’ masterfully through his signature brand of funk, which
is near impossible to duplicate.

B.W.B. | Human Nature

B.W.B. | Human Nature
Heads Up International via Concord Music Group
Written by Brent Faulkner

What happens when three jazz heavyweights, loaded with credentials,
recognitions, and upmost musicianship come together as ‘one’? The answer
is B.W.B.! Rick Braun (trumpet and flugelhorn), Kirk Whalum
(saxophone), and Norman Brown (guitar) reunite as a group after an
11-year hiatus. Assisted by a talented supporting cast in John
Stoddard, Braylon Lacey, Khari Parker, Lenny Castro, and Ralph Lofton,
B.W.B. don’t return with any original material.

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