As soon as you drop this in your CD player your senses will be tantalized and that is exactly what Travis Vega does, tantalize your senses. Travis caught the T.U.M.S. Staff off guard with this electrifying project, “Smooth Urban Night.” And that is exactly what it is — SMOOTH.
Otoe | Crystal Rose
by Marvin Dickey
Candy Dulfer, Pamela Williams, Mindy Adair: BEWARE! There’s a new sax player coming. But due to the fact she’s in Japan, your safe for now. And her latest effort is sure to cause some commotion here in America. Otoe has been on the Japanese music scene for a while now. She has been touring Japan the last few years, and “Crystal Rose” is her first CD as a solo artist.
When Eric Darius was a young buck, he took the jazz community by surprise with his release of “Night on the Town”. Critics’ raved; old and young jazz listeners gave him props. With his awesome talent and unjaded enthusiasm, he has become the undisputed darling of the genre.
Boney James | Christmas Present
Concord Records | 2007
By Terrill Hanna
The Return of Boney James!
Do you have “Funky Christmas”? If so, then you will already know the matter at heart as to when Boney brings the rhythm to the beat. His sax approach carries heavy R&B overtones & often highlight or ‘energizes’ a smooth jazz genre to the respect of contemporary jazz. His “Shine” album was reviewed here on T.U.M.S. & has done well on Billboards Contemporary Jazz chart. As for his “Christmas Present”.…
Lin Rountree | Groovetree
By Terrill Hanna
Released in 2005, I brought back this gem to fully illustrate the need for more trumpet play in the contemporary/urban jazz game. Ladies & Gents, Lin Rountree doesn’t mess around. And I thoroughly enjoyed the compositions, which quenched the thirst for more urban style trumpet music. Contributions from Tim Bowman & vocalist Leslie Nelson sealed the deal. Furthermore, Lin’s music is just delightful & energetic. Strictly appealing to an overall grooveline, funker’s delight!
Stanley Clarke | “The Toys Of Men”.
By Ian Cooke
With the release of “Toys of Men” Stanley Clarke examines the folly of war on
his latest Heads Up International CD available October 16th. One of the most
innovative electric bass players of the past three decades, Clarke utilizes his
talents with this new CD to examine the folly of war.
…..”Never Judge A Book by its
Cover”….
And you know what? She’s right!
From the hoopla (some positive, some negative)
shared about the Beautiful, partial nude Model (Ms. Holly Weber for
those wanting to know…) on the front CD cover. Many should take
the time & attention span to otherwise pick this up SIMPLY for
the great musical pleasures Mr. Standring brought to my Kitchen
table & quite possibly to yours!! If its for the CD
cover….well…..Its on you!
Chris & His Crew got quite Funky on this one
Folks! …
Boney James | Shine
by Terrill Hanna
Sticking to a sound much too particular of his style, Boney James brings a plate of R&B/Soul & contemporary jazz straight to the audience in “Shine,” – those prepared for another heaping of strong, tight grooves, great sax riffs, wonderful solos from his special guests & all around production/arrangements.
Justin Young | On The Way
By Terrill Hanna
This ‘young’ kid is special. No….serious! His wind behind the brass is so mature, I wonder if he is kidding us with his tender age. This project, by all means, displays absolute maturity & grabbed my attention span much longer in the review as then expected. Other than the fact the smooth jazz technician Paul Brown mixed this project!
Najee | Rising Sun
by Ian Cooke
Rhythm and Jazz 80’s and 90’s pioneer, two-time Grammy nominee, saxophonist Najee releases his new Heads Up International “Rising Sun” CD this August.