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Contemporary Jazz, Page 9

U-Nam & Friends: Weekend in L.A.: A Tribute to George Benson

UNAM - Weekend in LA
 
U-Nam & Friends:
Weekend in L.A.: A Tribute to George Benson
By Peggy Oliver
 
It has become a ritual for the musical community to produce tribute projects and many paying homage to influential artists. However, only a few of those aforementioned are of exceptional caliber. Whether it’s their distinctive approach, performance excellence or a special connection with that artist, their tributes pay an even higher compliment towards the one being honored. Two releases in 2012 come to mind; one being the enthralling tribute to Etta James from Etta’s soul sister Leela James and the other belonging to guitarist U-Nam’s perspective of contemporary jazz great, George Benson.

Marcus Miller | Renaissance

MarcusMiller_Renaissance_Cover
 
Marcus Miller
Renaissance
(PRA)
By A. Scott Galloway
 
Since the release of his third solo album The Sun Don’t Lie in 1993, Marcus Miller has etched out a slammin’ formula for record making: outstanding showcases for bass taking its rightful place next to sax, trumpet and guitar as a foreground instrument, instrumental compositions that send one’s imagination on a journey, stellar guest vocal turns, and passionate arrangements of others’ hits done with bold singularity and respect. All of that remains intact for Renaissance, Miller’s eighth official studio album of new material as a leader.

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample | Live

Randy Crawford & Joe Sample LIVE
 
Randy Crawford & Joe Sample
Live
(PRA)
By A. Scott Galloway
 
This concert CD by the venerable duo of old friends, singer Randy Crawford and pianist Joe Sample, really should have been billed as “Randy Crawford with The Joe Sample Trio.” Sample’s presence throughout the disc can best be summed up as understated. He truly defers focus to Crawford who is always a delight as her style is so distinctive no matter what she sings.

Wil Key | But A Woman

Wil Key - But A Woman
 
Wil Key
But A Woman
(Larimar)
 
Record Review by A. Scott Galloway
 
When was the last time you purchased a CD – with 15 songs/no interludes no less – and dug it enough to let it play through without skipping one tune? L.A. based singer/songwriter Wil Key has delivered such a worthy disc thanks to the thoughtful, sensitive and sensual nature of his lyrics, the quality and sheen of the independent production, and a striking balance between live instrumentation (rhythm, horns and support vocals) and tastefully synthesized tracks.

3 Brave Souls | John Beasley / Daryl Jones / Ndugu Chancler

3 Brave Sould - John Beasley
 
3 Brave Souls
John Beasley / Daryl Jones / Ndugu Chancler
(BFM Jazz)
by Peggy Oliver
 
Occasionally, I ponder about what truly inspires bands or vocal groups in choosing their names and what their thought process was behind it. For instance, the name 3 Brave Souls sparked immense curiosity. After checking their musical background, I particularly noted that John Beasley, Daryl Jones and Leon ‘Ngudu’ Chancler had one major common bond. These veteran musicians represented three generations who played behind modern jazz trumpet pioneer Miles Davis.

Kenny G & Rahul Sharma | Namaste India

Kenny G - Namaste II
 
Kenny G & Rahul Sharma
Namaste India
(Concord)
By Peggy Oliver
 
Since the mid-eighties, Kenny G’s distinct aesthetic soprano saxophone has been a strong force in the smooth jazz community. G (which stands for his last name Gorelick) initially paid major dues with jazz fusion giant Jeff Lorber. Like many superstars in waiting, the Seattle, WA native’s solo triumph was not immediately realized when he released his debut in 1982. Album sales were more respectable on his second and third releases but the breakthrough arrived in 1986 with his fourth disc, Duotones, and the smash jazz/R&B single “Songbird,” which sealed Kenny G’s longevity in the industry.

Gerald Albright & Norman Brown | 24/7

Gerald Albright - Norman Brown 247
 
Gerald Albright & Norman Brown – 24/7
Concord Music Group
By Peggy Oliver
 
If one is seeking the perfect summer smooth jazz breeze, or better yet, a super sweet jazz treat for all seasons, there is one special project that is a must hear headlining two of the contemporary jazz’s most respected musicians. Multi-instrumentalist Gerald Albright, who has backed superstars from Phil Collins to The Temptations, and guitarist Norman Brown (compared frequently to George Benson) who began with Motown’s custom label Mo Jazz in 1992, finally connect for a retro jazz/R&B anchored ride entitled 24/7.

Bob Baldwin Presents “Betcha By Golly Wow – The Songs Of Thom Bell”

Bob Baldwin - Betcha By Golly Wow
 
Bob Baldwin Speaks On “The Spark of Magic” of Thom Bell
by A. Scott Galloway
 
Once upon a time, a ubiquitous Bell tolled throughout the land.  It was the sound of music at its creamy dreamiest, crooned hearts-on-sleeves by groups with mystical monikers like Stylistics, Delfonics and Spinners.  T’was a time when real men feared not to sing of love and romance in phrases like “You Are Everything” and “You’re as Right as Rain.”  Their inescapable signals were carried on the wind by the multitudes, massaging the magic in their own inimitable ways. In this time of soul-warming enchantment circa `70, hearts throbbed to the pulses of true love and romance…the symphonic soul soundscapes of Maestro Thomas Randolf Bell.

Carmen Lundy | Changes

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Carmen Lundy
Changes
(Afrasia)
 
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Singer/Songwriter Carmen Lundy’s twelfth album, Changes, is the kind of jazz vocal album that does more than entertain. It enhances your very existence. This is music that soothes your being, uplifts your spirit and quiets your mind – music you can use. It has a very strong Afrocentric foundation and an overflowing of warm musical sunshine to light your way. Ms. Lundy composed 8 of the 9 numbers herself, making for an album truly classifiable as “one from the heart.”

Greg Adams | East Bay Soul 2.0

Greg Adams - East Bay Soul 2.0
 
Greg Adams | East Bay Soul 2.0
(Greg Adams Music)
By George Strand
 
While much of today’s contemporary/smooth jazz music is dominated by certain brass and wind instruments [sax, flute, trombone (Shorty), etc.], we as aficionados in appreciation of the art should never squeeze out the space still made available for the grace of the trumpet – a very powerful horn in the brass family. Perhaps a good dose of the sound of the trumpet and Flugelhorn from Greg Adams, founding/long-time member of hit R&B band Tower of Power might do the trick.

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