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Jazz, Page 9

Jeanette Harris | Summer Rain

Jeanette Harris Summer Rain CD cover
 
Jeanette Harris | Summer Rain
J&M Records
By Susan Mutharia
 
The talented saxtress of contemporary jazz, Jeanette Harris is back in the spotlight with an alluring fourth album Summer Rain. Harris has displayed her skill as a saxophonist in the past with tunes such as “Saxy” and “All I Do,” a Stevie Wonder cover, both from the album ‘Saxified’. Slowly but surely becoming a force to be reckoned with in the jazz industry, Ms. Harris is no stranger to the game.

Paul Hardcastle | VII

Paul Hardcastle - VII
 
Paul Hardcastle | VII
By Peggy Oliver
 
Paul Hardcastle has unashamedly flown the banner for electronic music since 1984 while encompassing a kaleidoscope of soundscapes from hip-hop, R&B, funk and dance to numerous contemporary jazz recordings under the Jazzmasters, Kiss the Sky and under his own name. One of Hardcastle’s first endeavors was “You’re the One for Me” by underground soul man, D-Train. Pop music culture is most familiar with his early hits such as the techno-thumping, “19,” an emotional tale about the injustices of the Vietnam War.

Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours

Kris Brownlee
 
Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours
Megawave Records
By George Strand
 
Widely acclaimed saxophonist Kris Brownlee sets the bar higher one more time with his new album “Sincerely Yours”. Contemporary grooves meet timeless melodies, creating a unique jazz blend that will blow you away. The album features thirteen tracks that have been described as “purely irresistible”. Perhaps the album’s stronger piece is “Halo”, the first single to come out of Kris’s new musical adventure.

Marion Meadows | Whisper

Marion Meadows - Whisper
 
Marion Meadows | Whisper
Shanachie Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
Once a musician has established their fan base, their confidence is even more solidified as they build a particular signature sound and boost the artistic integrity. Marion Meadows has not only built a solid reputation in the industry alongside Will Downing, Norman Connors and the like, he has become a staunch advocate for the cause of contemporary and smooth jazz
and is unafraid of tooting his own horn (pun somewhat intended).

Elan Trotman | Tropicality

Elan Trotman - Tropicality II
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Elan Trotman | Tropicality
Woodward Avenue Records
by Brent Faulkner
 
Barbadian born and bred saxophonist Elan Trotman returns with sixth
album, 2013’s Tropicality via Woodward Avenue Records. Trotman’s
saxophone playing, influenced by late, pre-eminent contemporary jazz saxist
Grover Washington, Jr., also contains Caribbean/tropical elements and
fresh improvisatory ideas, eliminating predictability. His esteemed
musicianship has allowed him to collaborate with heavyweights including
Roberta Flack, Will Downing, and Rick Braun amongst them.

Jonathan Butler | Grace and Mercy

Jonathan Butler - Grace and Mercy
 
Grace and Mercy
Jonathan Butler
(Rendezvous)
by Darnell Meyers-Johnson
 
Jonathan Butler signed his first recording contract at twelve years old.  By the time he was fifteen, he was already an established recording artist in his native South Africa.  By his own admission, he was also a drug addict whose soul was seeking salvation.  Guidance would come through a friendship with a fan who introduced him to the Christian faith.  That fan would later become his brother in law.

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.

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