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Urban Jazz, Page 8

George Duke | DreamWeaver

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

Sly Reimagined CD Cover Art
 
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

BWB - Human Nature 2013
 
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.

George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole

George Benson - Inspiration A Tribute to Nat King Cole
 
George Benson | Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole
Concord Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
I fully appreciate it when recording artists occasionally devote a cover song made famous by one of their favorite artists or better yet an influential figure who has stood the test the time. That stated, the way over abundance and over the top tribute projects, such as anything entitled Smooth Sax Tributes, are frankly opportunities to simply cheapen the legacy of musical icons.

Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story

Anthony Crawford - Urban Jazz  My Story
 
Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story
Hydro 6 Records
by Brent Faulkner
 
Jazz bassist Anthony Crawford hails from a preeminent family of
musicians including his father Hubert, a drummer who’s played for James
Brown and Cyndi Lauper among others, and his uncle, legendary jazz
saxophonist Hank Crawford. Originally a drummer himself, Anthony
Crawford fell in love with the bass, influenced by numerous rock bassists
and bands and later jazz bassists including Victor Wooten, Stanley
Clarke, Marcus Miller, and the legendary Jaco Pastorius.

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.

David P. Stevens | Epiphany

David P Stevens - Epiphany
 
David P. Stevens | Epiphany
Sanctifly Music Group
by Brent Faulkner
 
Philadelphia guitarist, singer, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David P. Stevens released his fourth independent jazz offering, Epiphany via Sanctifly Music Group March 1st, 2013. While ‘jazz’ may be the most appropriate label attached to Stevens’s music, it is not indicative of ‘the complete package’.

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).

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