Monday, February 02, 2015

NEW RELEASES: ANTONIO JACKSON – STEPPIN’ OUT; MICHELLE WALKER – SLOW DOWN; INNERVISION RADIO GOLD VOLUME 1

ANTONIO JACKSON – STEPPIN’ OUT

Hope you like a little thump in your jazz. This self-produced album by saxophonist, Antonio Jackson has saxophone written all over it. Antonio steps into the cutting edge of production by turning funky tidbits and suggestions into big original compositions to give the listener a collection of funky but jazzy grooves and melodies. It's bass heavy with an inspirational and spiritual perspective. Known for his engaging live performances, this saxophonist makes it a point to capture that same feel on the melodies and improvisation by using the first recording take on most of the tunes in order to stay true to the initial energy of the songs. Antonio is at first a jazz musician, but keeps it simple and in the pocket in order to drive the groove. While the album is heavily produced, the recording is raw, uncut and sincere. If you like that 'live album' feel then you will appreciate this one. ~ CD Universe

MICHELLE WALKER – SLOW DOWN

Her arrangements of straight-ahead standards and contemporary pop tunes blend genres effortlessly and with a fresh level of originality that is solidifying her own distinctive sound. Dave Nathan at AllAboutJazz.com says, Walker demonstrates an extraordinary degree of musicality. Michelle is often compared to Cassandra Wilson, Nina Simone and Betty Carter in style and tone. Based in New York City, Michelle Walker is a versatile singer blessed with a beautifully distinctive voice. This charismatic jazz vocalist uses an artful blend of blues, bebop, swing and soul that provides a musical playground for her and her band mates. With playful rhythmic expressiveness, Walker brings a level of sophisticated musicality to her lyrical phrasing that reveals her appreciation for mentor Mark Murphy. Yet, it is in her live performances where you hear the influences of Carter, Simone and Wilson. All seem to have provided her with a musical foundation but her study of them does not seem to have skewed her journey to find a singular voice. ~ Amazon

INNERVISION RADIO GOLD VOLUME 1 (VARIOUS ARTISTS)

Innervision Records has packaged together a specially priced sampler of previously released radio chart hits from the Innervision catalog including tracks by Will Donato - Funkability; Blake Aaron - Bumpin' On The Wes Side; Bona Fide - Mitch Mitch; Jack Prybylski - Down To It; Craig Sharmat - A Day In Paris; Patrick Yandall - My Lady; JJ Sansaverino - Gravy Train; Dee Brown - Natural Love; Phillip "Doc" Martin, Chip Shearin - Truth Be Told;  and Aysha - Stay With Me.








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