Jackiem Joyner | Self-Titled Album
by Susan Mutharia
I have often wondered why many artist’ first album is self titled. Is it because they are formally introducing themselves to the world? Is it an industry standard or is it an attempt to strip down the layers that define who they are?
Esperanza Spalding | Chamber Music Society
By Peggy Oliver
In just one decade, Esperanza Spalding has achieved so much in her musical quest and persevered even more along the way to find her own special star. Go figure that this singer/songwriter/musician who survived some challenging circumstances in her childhood would make teachers marvel, thrill audiences and teach elementary school students about the power of jazz.
Mike Phillips | M.P.3.
Hidden Beach Recordings | 2010
By George Strand
Consider the new album from soulful saxophonist Mike Phillips for just one second. Bridging worlds of R&B and contemporary jazz together isn’t a tall order from a gentleman who often engages himself into taking anything to the next level. Would he be considered special? Perhaps.
Brian Culbertson | XII
By Terrill Hanna
For many of you who are well aware of the various capabilities great keyboardist Brian Culbertson is able to conduct, whether it be on a jazz tip, on a smooth jazz tip, or on the trombone tip, Mr. Culbertson’s diverse reach for soul music isn’t much of a big surprise here. In fact, we shouldn’t be too startled to hear most of the R&B connections dished up for serving from the new project, “XII“.
Incognito | Transatlantic RPM
by Peggy Oliver
Happy 30th Anniversary Incognito! Yes; thirty years of old school soul, funk, disco, hip-hop and jazz produced by the U.K. sensation that still sounds as fresh today as when they were first introduced to the world in 1980 with an album appropriately named Jazz Funk. Despite a ten-year absence after their debut, they returned to the recording studio with Inside Life and have never looked back since.
George Duke | Deja Vu By Randy Mahon Keyboard master/songwriter/producer, jazz legend George Duke, returns with his latest project on his own BPM imprint, distributed through Heads Up International (A division of the Concord Music Group), “Deja Vu”. George takes his listeners back to his late ’70’s/’80’s era Funk/Soul sound. …
Change | Change Your Mind
by Marv D.
Change had a good run in 80’s starting with R&B Legend Luther Vandross singing the “The Glow Of Love”, which eventually launched his singing career. And a lot more hits followed. Their last album “Turn On Your Radio,” also had several hits… and that was it. After that, there was no more Change. The careers that came after the recording days allowed them to become major stars now.
Bob Baldwin | Never Can Say Goodbye (A Tribute To Michael Jackson)
by George Strand
A year after the passing of the late, greatest entertainer of the world, Mr. Michael Jackson, pianist Bob Baldwin celebrates his legacy with a compelling tribute. The recording, “Never Can Say Goodbye” from Trippin N Rhythm Records, highlighted many of the biggest singles that had reached maximum chart status on Billboard.
Herbie Hancock | The Imagine Project by Randy Mahon Jazz great, pianist Herbie Hancock, releases another project that will undoubtedly win him another Grammy Award …… this time in the “World Music” category. Released on his own imprint, Hancock Records, “The Imagine Project”, the album takes the tone of the …
Macy Gray | The Sellout By Randy Mahon Macy Gray undoubtedly has one of the most unusual and recognizable voices in music for the past 11 years. Since she burst onto the scene in 1999 with the great “On How Life Is”, fueled by the worldwide smash song, “I Try”, …
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