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’.
Dessy Di Lauro | This Is Neo-Ragtime
by Brent Faulkner
Montreal vocalist Dessy Di Lauro is ‘one of a kind’. Touting an impressive resumé (Patti LaBelle, The Neville Brothers, Cirque du Soleil, etc.) as well as a rich musical education, Di Lauro is nothing short of accomplished. Presenting original music described as “Feathered Fro-hawk Futuristic Art Deco-Centric Harlem Renaissance Hep Music,” Di Lauro fuses elements of ragtime, stride, and early jazz with the urban contemporary sounds of the present on 2013’s This Is Neo-Ragtime.
Charlie Wilson | Love, Charlie
(RCA Records)
by Brent Faulkner
R&B/Soul veteran Charlie Wilson returns with 2013 anticipated sixth solo album, Love, Charlie. Wilson continues an illustrious solo career following his tenure in the legendary The Gap Band, which spawned numerous hits in the late 70’s and 80’s. Love, Charlie interestingly, is the fourth consecutive album to feature the name ‘Charlie’ in its title, following Charlie, Last Name Wilson (2005), Uncle Charlie (2008), and Just Charlie (2010).
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.
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.
Teri Tobin
So Good to Me
(Sol to Kep Ent.)
By Peggy Oliver
Despite one’s musical training throughout childhood and college, one earmark of a credible artist is digging into their lifelong experiences and translating those special stories to effectively communicate with their audiences. Those persistent and driven talents refuse to be weighed down by musical trends or record sales in dictating their artistry and achievements. This certainly works in favor of independent artists who are simply doing it for the love of their craft.
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.
Anita Wilson | Worship Soul
(EMI Gospel)
By Peggy Oliver
On most live gospel recordings, it is customary for the church’s pastor or gospel music luminary to introduce the artist to the congregation. During the introduction for Worship Soul by Anita Wilson, her mentor Donald Lawrence pays this worship leader and singer/songwriter a significant compliment: “With a style all her own and a tone all her own.”
Ruben Studdard
Letters from Birmingham
(Shanachie)
By Peggy Oliver
Who might have thought that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s passionate open “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” would have generated a title for an R&B-fueled concept album? While Ruben Studdard was planning his next recording project, a thought dawned on him during a trip to Atlanta as he observed a display of King, Jr.
Kirk Whalum | Romance Language
By Peggy Oliver
One of jazz’s unlikely pairs, depending on who you might speak with, stirred some magic in the early sixties. John Coltrane was undeniably a groundbreaking modern saxophone player who leaned more towards the avant-gardism school of thinking. After choosing crooner Johnny Hartman for an Impulse! recording project of romantic ballads came to fruition in 1963, Coltrane immediately connected with Hartman’s melodic and sensitive phrasing, which was the self-titled project’s driving force.
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