Al Gomez -
Groovesville
Known as one
of the most versatile guitarists in Texas, Al Gomez has brought a little of
everything – Tejano, country, rock and R&B – into his emergence as a
formidable Smooth Jazz artist. Losing his vision in 2016, Al entered a new era
in his life and career now more reliant on sound playing than sight playing, he
turns adversity into triumph on his perfectly titled new EP Groovesville. With
crisp, fluid lines that may remind listeners of Norman Brown or George Benson,
he crafts a tight, melodic, light funk mix of cool ballads and moody mid-tempo
delights. Complementing the originals are imaginative covers of a Little River
Band classic and a beautiful late 70’s Kenny Loggins tune. ~ www.smoothjazz.com
Candace
Bellamy – This Feeling
A fresh,
powerfully soulful presence on the Smooth Jazz scene, physician by day, soul
singer by night Candace Bellamy’s new EP, the gorgeously produced This Feeling,
indeed feels like a heartfelt revelation. In only three tracks, she artfully
portrays the bleakness of heartbreak, the wonderful promise of a lifelong love
and, via a breezy reworking of a Roberta Flack classic, the sensual intensity
of love in full bloom. In 2018, she had the opportunity to portray the
legendary soul singer in a production of “The Voices of Donny Hathaway” in her
adopted hometown of Austin, TX. Broadwayworld.com called her performance “a
stellar turn as Roberta Flack.” Allow yourself to feel This Feeling, and you’ll
feel exactly as we do about Candace! ~ www.smoothjazz.com
Too Slow To
Disco Neo En France (Compilation)
One of the
coolest volumes in this always-great series – and one that's a bit different
than the rest, and not just because the music is all in French! Previous
editions all focused on older music from the glory days of AOR and smooth soul
production – but the tracks here are all contemporary, and really show what a
fantastic amount of great music has been coming out of the French scene in
recent years – music that draws on more than enough 70s and 80s elements to be
included in this series, but which also has this very fresh vibe that's
completely wonderful – making the compilation the kind of spark that should
ignite a whole new fire in your listening landscape. We'll be honest in saying
that although we think we pay attention to contemporary French work, most of
these tracks were new to us – which is wonderful, and really has us loving
tunes that include "L'Amour Tout Nu" by Catastrophe, "J'Essaie"
by Ricky Hollywood, "De La Vitesse A L'Ivresse" by Poom, "Feel
Better Now" by Jean Tonique, "Aionois" by Bleu Toucan,
"Instantane" by Paradis, "La Route De La Trace (Pieuvre
rmx)" by Chassol, "Retiens Mon Desire" by Clea Vincent, and
"Les Choses Qu'On Ne Peut Dire A Personne (DJ Supermarkt & Jack Tennis
romantic slo-disco rmx)" by Bertrand Burgalat. ~ Dusty Groove
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