New Music Releases: Johnny Mathis, Roachford, Brian Scanlon

Johnny Mathis - The Island

Johnny Mathis has recorded many romantic albums over the past seven decades, but none quite like The Island. Recorded in 1989 but unreleased for decades, The Island transported listeners to Brazil, with all of its mystique and magic. Producer Sergio Mendes of Brasil ’66 fame and arranger-guitarist Dori Caymmi joined Mathis to subtly modernize the classic sounds of bossa nova and samba. He delivered some of his most sensual vocals ever for ten smoldering songs by Caymmi, Mendes, Ivan Lins, Brenda Russell, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and others. Featuring a small rhythm section including talents like Robbie Buchanan, Paulinho da Costa, and Toto’s Jeff Porcaro, The Island is one of Mathis’ most beautiful, intimate recordings. Among its many highlights, Johnny brought his singular style to shimmering interpretations of the Brasil ’66 classics “So Many Stars” and “Like a Lover.” His longtime friend (and fellow Brazil enthusiast) Dionne Warwick added her own sultry vocals to “Who’s Counting Heartaches.” Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records are proud to present the first-ever standalone CD release of The Island, in a deluxe edition featuring rare photographs and period design. And, as the case with all our Mathis reissues, Johnny sat down for a fresh interview with The Second Disc’s Joe Marchese for the liner notes. Mike Piacentini remasters at Sony’s Battery Studios. With this “lost album” lost no more, it’s time to get off on The Island!.

Roachford - Twice In A Lifetime

Since his break out single ‘Cuddly Toy’ (a mainstay of radio airplay for over three decades now) reached number four in the charts back in 1988 Roachford has carved out a career for himself as one of the most compelling, and consistent, rock and soul artists the UK has produced. He has released 10 studio albums and several greatest hits collections, been sought-after as a songwriter by the likes of Michael Jackson, Joss Stone and Chaka Khan, and consistently toured on his own and with contemporaries including Terence Trent D’Arby and The Christians. For the past nine years, he has been part of Mike + the Mechanics, recording with Mike Rutherford’s post-Genesis band, playing live with them across the world. Roachford’s new album ‘Twice In A Lifetime’ will be released on April 3rd on BMG.  Produced by Jimmy Hogarth, who has previously worked with Paolo Nutini, Duffy and Amy Winehouse, the album features several members of Winehouse’s band as well as a duet with Beverley Knight. ‘Love Remedy’, the first single from the album is currently playlisted on BBC Radio 2. Roachford will also be performing on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on February 7th.  His UK tour started in Norwich on March 26th, running to Glasgow on April 11th.

Brian Scanlon - Brain Scan

After a long and storied career, saxophonist Brian Scanlon is releasing his debut CD, Brain Scan. Scanlon is a first-call studio musician. Over the past 32 years, he has worked on dozens of movies and television shows.  He’s also busy working as a sideman on recording projects for some of the top names in jazz.  But he is perhaps best known for his work with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, for which he holds the first tenor sax chair. Scanlon has been a member of the band for 17 years, and his playing was featured on the band’s CD Life in the Bubble, which won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. His solo on Goodwin’s iconic, “The Jazz Police,” is well known by many fans. Brain Scan is an auspicious “debut” recording that comprises eight original tunes by Scanlon plus the 1938 jazz standard “Harlem Nocturne.” The CD also features some of the top musicians on the jazz scene today. Scanlon’s writing is stylistically diverse. His taste is broad, but he’s particularly drawn to Latin and funk grooves. A versatile musician who is a master on just about all saxes and woodwinds, Scanlon is adept at playing in any setting, from big bands to small combos. Already well-known among jazz afficionados, now, with the release of Brain Scan, his many fans can appreciate his inspired, complex, and endlessly creative compositional skills as well.