"RIPTIDE" (EP) by Rising Star Jazz Vocalist Lauren Henderson

Lauren Henderson - RiptideVocalist, composer, and arranger Lauren Henderson is having an exceptionally busy year. Besides a full touring schedule, which includes performances in several European countries, she’s releasing two CDs in 2018. Ármame, was released in March and received stellar reviews for both her vocal performance and her original compositions. Riptide, her second recording project of the year, is an EP comprising six of her original tunes that explore a complex and tumultuous relationship.  

She engaged some up-and-coming jazz stars from both New York and Miami to appear on this project. Riptide is Henderson’s fourth CD. Each of her projects stands as a chronicle of her growth as an artist. Her music is strongly inflected with jazz, Latin, soul, and fusion elements, and also reflects her multicultural background. Henderson’s voice is sultry and soulful. Whether she’s singing in English or Spanish, she has a sure sense of swing that doesn’t rely on melisma or pyrotechnics. Her music aims for your heart rather than your head. Lauren Henderson is a rising jazz star. She’s talented, smart, and driven to make interesting, multicultural, multi-textural music. She’s been growing her audiences in jazz clubs and up and down the East Coast and around Europe, and she’ll soon be breaking into the African music market with a tour in South Africa scheduled for early 2019.

featuring

LAUREN HENDERSON  vocals

CHRIS PATTISHALL   piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, synthesizer, Mellotron

ERIC ENGLAND  double bass, electric bass

JOE SAYLOR  drums, percussion

Music & Lyrics by Lauren Henderson

tracks

1. ÁMAME  3:21

2. RIPTIDE  3:01

3. SEPARATE  4:38

4. BAJITO  5:27

5. ENNUI  6:52

6. SLOW CONTROL  4:03

Jazz / Soul: Kenya + Grammy Nominated Gerald Albright "Favorite Things"

Nov 9th, Kenya released her holiday smooth jazz infused single, "Favorite Things" on streaming outlets everywhere. The single was produced by Stu Stapleton and features the jazz great, Gerald Albright. Kenya has opened up for greats like Lalah Hathaway, Alegbra, and Mint Condition. From her performances at the Essence Festival to teaching young musicians how to handle their business affairs, Kenya stays busy giving us this special surprise for the holiday season. Her sultry vocals accompany the sounds of Mr. Albright and is a crowd pleaser. The single will be found on her upcoming EP,  S.H.E. (2019 release).

One of my creative passions is rearranging music. I love to take familiar songs and add a new "twist" to bring a new perspective to the music. I teamed up with Nashville-based producer Stu Stapleton and together we were able to create a very contemporary version of the classic song.  Once we laid down all of the music and created a demo version, we agreed we really wanted to include a jazz saxophonist that would not only bring the song to another level, but someone whose sound compliments my style.  We agreed Gerald Albright would be a perfect fit!  - Kenya

Spotify Link

https://open.spotify.com/track/2N0vgvU4q7R7ir87TX8TN0?si=7RxR-I6iQkyejQgIY-sSvg

Keyboard Legend David Sancious Starts PledgeMusic Campaign For New Album “Eyes Wide Open”

Long regarded as one of the premier musicians in the world, David Sancious was an original member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, toured and recorded with Peter Gabriel, Sting, Seal, Eric Clapton, Jon Anderson and a long list of A-level musicians. He also created groundbreaking music with his band Tone.

David Sancious has begun a new PledgeMusic campaign for his forthcoming album “EyesWide Open”: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidsancious

After a long absence from recording, David has embarked on his 9th recording entitled “Eyes Wide Open,” an 8 song project featuring legendary names such as Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Prince alumni Michael Bland (drums) and Sonny T. (Thomson) (bass). A mix of instrumental and vocal music reminiscent of David's group Tone, “Eyes Wide Open” takes a contemporary stance by addressing today's issues head-on through David's signature sound.

All pledgers receive a digital download of the recording with their pledge (also available in high resolution 96K 24bit). The campaign will also be offering signed and unsigned audiophile 180-gram vinyl and CDs, remastered versions of landmark recordings “True Stories” and “Just as I Thought” (both remastered in 2000), rare photos and posters of David with Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel, as well as behind the scenes videos, T-shirts, interactive updates, gear used by David on tour, and much, much more, all of which will only be available through PledgeMusic!!

Contact for David Sancious:

John McCracken: john@headstrongmediagroup.com

www.headstrongmediagroup.com

Phone: 615.457.1597

Links:

Pledge: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidsancious

You Tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjJmrZu-lg0  (This is the Pledge Video just available on You Tube.)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/David-Sancious-588604108202763 

 

Resilience Music Alliance Announces Signing of Organ/Piano Prodigy Matthew Whitaker – Label Debut Coming Spring 2019

Resilience Music Alliance is proud to announce the addition of acclaimed 17-year-old pianist and organist Matthew Whitaker to the label’s growing eclectic roster. Having already appeared on the Today Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show as well as receiving praise from Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, Whitaker is quite literally the inspiration that resilience can have on a person’s life. Born in 2001 at 23-weeks premature, Whitaker developed an eye condition during his 3 months in the hospital which caused his blindness due to the life saving oxygen that he required at birth.

Whitaker has created a truly remarkable album combining original compositions and covers of songs that have influenced him throughout his life. The album, titled Now Hear This…, is Whitaker’s label debut, produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Brian Bacchus. Whitaker is joined by keyboardist Marc Cary, bassist Yunior Terry, guitarist Dave Stryker, drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., and percussionist Sammy Figueroa.

“Matthew Whitaker is a rarity. A shining light powered by incredible artistry, boundless energy and curiosity and above everything else humanity,” says Resilience Music Alliance President and co-founder Steven Ruchefsky. “In this time, and at anytime, this beacon shouts for our attention. We are humbled to be but a part of the amazing team that will spread that light. Matthew is Resilience.”

The signing of Matthew Whitaker reinforces the mission of Resilience Music Alliance, a label that transcends genre and focuses on empowering artists exploring our collective elemental condition of resilience while conceptualizing projects that resonate with the human spirit. "I'm so excited about my new recording,” says Whitaker. “It's about a celebration of joy, inspiration and hope! Resilience Music Alliance is the perfect partner to help me share my music and to carry its message around the world."

 

Marlena Shaw's long-lost soul-jazz album The Spice of Life, widely out of print since 1977, is available on vinyl

Marlena Shaw's long-lost soul-jazz album The Spice of Life, widely out of print since 1977, is available on vinyl once again via Verve/UMe ahead of the album's 50th anniversary in 2019. The Richard Evans and Charles Stepney-produced LP, featuring her enduring hit of the Ashford & Simpson classic "California Soul," is pressed on 150-gram black vinyl with a tip-on jacket with a faithful reproduction of the original artwork. Order The Spice of Life now: https://UMe.lnk.to/SpiceOfLifePR

The innovative, heartfelt The Spice of Life, originally issued on the Chess subsidiary Cadet Records in 1969, established Shaw as a fully-fledged artist; drop the needle on any track, and you're liable to hear psych-blues guitar runs ("I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)"), firebrand sloganeering ("Liberation Conversation") and even traditional blues (her takes on "Stormy Monday" and Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Go Away Little Boy"). With a supple alto register and a command of the American songbook, Shaw worked these various styles into an lively patchwork of messages and moods.

  

The Spice of Life is packed with memorable moments; the fuzz solos rattling around "Stormy Monday," the Northern Soul horns on "Looking Through The Eyes of Love," the kalimbas and windchimes sparkling through "Woman of the Ghetto." For all its innovations and explorations, however, The Spice of Life unfairly fell into obscurity for four decades. But it was only the beginning of an unlikely second life.

Her version of the Ashford & Simpson staple, "California Soul," was quickly seized upon by the rare-groove scene. It was prodigiously sampled in electronic music and hip-hop: DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist's "Brainfreeze (Side 2)," Gang Starr's "Check The Technique" and a remix from Diplo all used "California Soul" as a jumping-off point. It even made its way into the commercial sector; "Soul" has been used in commercials for Dockers, KFC and Dodge Ram Trucks, even finding a home on the soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto V.

Shaw's time on Chess Records would be short-lived. After she struggled to fit her eclectic approach into Chess' roster, she recorded for a myriad of labels, including Verve and Blue Note. She still performs in 2018, but her wildly eclectic second album still stands tall. Whether you're a lover of crate-digging classics or plain-and-simple soul power, The Spice of Life has something for everyone.

The Spice of Life Track Listing

Side A

Woman Of The Ghetto

Call It Stormy Monday

Where Can I Go

I'm Satisfied

I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)

Side B

Liberation Conversation

California Soul

Go Away Little Boy

Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love

Anyone Can Move A Mountain

 

New Releases: Lionel Loueke - The Journey; Georgia Anne Muldrow - Overload; Fabio Mignola - Encantado

Lionel Loueke - The Journey

Lionel Loueke, standing nicely on the borders of his styles – playing jazzily, to be sure – but also opening up with plenty of global elements too – in a lineup that includes the musician on a bit of percussion, alongside other percussion from Cyro Baptista and Christi Joza Orisha - plus some other surprise guests too! Loueke also vocalizes a bit – in this wordless style that reminds us of the coolest modes that Nana Vasconcelos would use many years back – echoes of Brazilian jazz, but a more individual style overall. Titles include "Bawo", "Molika", "Bouriyan", "Gbe", "Hope", "Vivi", "Dark Lightning", "Guira", and "The Healing".  ~ Dusty Groove

Georgia Anne Muldrow - Overload

No overload here from Georgia Anne Muldrow – as the singer feels fresher and more vibrant than ever – maybe in part to the Brainfeeder setting of the album! More than a decade back, it seemed like Muldrow was giving us greatness at nearly every turn through the record racks – then she faltered a bit, and maybe disappeared a bit too – but she's definitely back, and maybe sounding even better than ever! For years, Georgia was something of an underground secret – then maybe too relegated to that space when she could have burst big – and it definitely feels as if she might finally do that here, as she approaches the greatness of her music with the confidence of a 21st Century soul giant – maybe partly to reclaim territory that others have wrongfully taken from her. The se features guest appearances by Shana Jenson and Dudley Perkins – the last of whom also produced, along with Aloe Blacc and Flying Lotus – on titles that include "Play It Up", "Aerosol", "You Can Always Count On Me", "These Are The Things I Really Like About You", "Bobbie's Dittie", "Ciao", "Vital Transformation", "Blam", and "Overload". ~ Dusty Groove

Fabio Mignola - Encantado 

A rich blend of smooth jazz with Brazilian flavours and rhythms is what we are presented with on this new album performed by soulful virtuoso guitarist Fabio Mignola. In 1999, Mignola released Chitarra ticinese, featuring solo guitar arrangements of folk songs.  Swiss Ticinonline praised, "Chitarra ticinese is one of those CDs that everybody should hold in his own recordings library . . . the musical essentialism given by the presence of a solo guitar raises the fourteen melodies to touching small musical jewels." Winning the praise of critics for his "virtuosistic arpeggio", Mignola release Flor de luna in 2000, a collection of solo recordings that celebrated the beauty of evergreens. The collaborations with famed Swiss songstress Nella Martinetti (CD Così il tempo va) and with the ukrainian singer Elena Martynova (album Turn to Your Soul / Povernys' Do Dushi) would further endear Mignola as a beloved international guitarist, arranger and producer. However, it was the 2003 contemporary jazz release of Flyin' Away that would tantalize American airwaves.  Smooth Jazz and More declared, "Mignola gives the listener a style much like Peter White and Acoustic Alchemy. It's very cheerful and at the same time, very relaxing." Entranced by Brazilian jazz, Mignola often performs as solo guitarist in a light mix of sambas and bossa nova stylings.  Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of his homeland with Neapolitan jazz, Mignola released Luna rossa in 2005 with tenor Mauro Bonomi.

New Christmas Music: CeCe Winans – Something’s Happening!; Nils – Christmas Everyday; Engelbert Humperdinck - Warmest Christmas Wishes

CeCe Winans – Something’s Happening!

Once again, CeCe Winans teams up with son Alvin Love III to present Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album. The mother-son team walked away with two Grammy awards for their 2017 collaboration on Let Them Fall In Love. Love is known for seamlessly meshing Motown, pop, and doo-wop to create a fresh retro musical experience and CeCe's pristine vocals are surrounded by lush orchestral arrangements on the five original and five standard songs. When asked what she would like the message of this project to be, CeCe says, “My desire is that when the world hears this project that they are reminded of the true reason and spirit of Christmas."

Nils – Christmas Everyday

Nils has gift wrapped 12 Christmas tunes that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Christmas Everyday features six original and six classic interpretations of seasonal hits ranging in musical styles from R&B, Pop and Jazz. The all-star lineup of musicians and featured vocalists that Nils has assembled for this holiday album is a who’s who of talent. Including Johnny Britt, Ken Stacey, Erin Stevenson, Harold Payne, Eddie Brown, Jeff Ryan, Clydene Jackson, Diana Tash, Daryl Williams, Kathryn Bostic, Tony Moore. Gordon Campbell and Dov.

Engelbert Humperdinck - Warmest Christmas Wishes

Iconic pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck is launching the next chapter of his illustrious career by surprising his fans with a brand-new Christmas album – his first in almost forty years. Coming hot on the heels of his first album of original material in over a decade, the acclaimed The Man I Want To Be, Engelbert is excited to bring yuletide gladness to families everywhere. Much like its predecessor, Warmest Christmas Wishes is a combination of classic, new and unexpected songs – including two brand new originals written for this album. Warmest Christmas Wishes truly has something for everyone this holiday season.