New Music Releases: Vibes Alive, Bluenotes ft. Sugarbear, Raphaël Pannier / Miguel Zenón

Vibes Alive - Vibrasonic 

The winds have brought change to life as we knew it. “New” and “different” have taken over virtually every aspect of daily living and that extends to music as well. Leading with vibraphone and guitar as instrumental voices, Vibes Alive’s (http://vibesalivemusic.com) recently released “Vibrasonic” sounds different. The pairing creates a “different” soundscape than what is typically heard in contemporary jazz, yet the album is being received by radio programmers and record reviewers as a welcome bit of “new.”  “Vibrasonic” is the third album from the duo consisting of vibraphonist Dirk Richter and guitarist Randall Crissman (an Emmy nominated composer), who wrote and produced the collection. As on their previous recordings, they are joined by GRAMMY-winning fusion keyboardist Jeff Lorber who brought in an A-list rhythm section (drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Jimmy Johnson and percussionist Luis Conte) to construct the tracks. 

Bluenotes ft. Sugarbear - Never Too Late 

Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were one of the dynamic groups that came out of Gamble and Huff’s Sound of Philadelphia and went on to become one of the most popular acts of the 1970s. Through the inspiration of longtime member Larry Brown and the mutual verbal agreement with Trudy Melvin and Oliva Melvin, talented vocalists Arthur Aiken, Frank E. Lee, Sonny King and Roger Banks carried on the longstanding tradition of excellence. “The Legendary Bluenotes” now consist of Sugarbear Aikens, Addison King, Darrell R. Bentley and the aforementioned Mr. Lee. The Legendary Bluenotes have teamed up with the iconic Philly soul music producer Butch Ingram in support of the Black Lives Matter movement to release the inspiring single "Never Too Late," to amplify the voices of the righteous protesters in the streets and to stand with them in solidarity - and all others around the world fighting for racial justice and a better world. It's never too late to stand up and be heard. 

Raphaël Pannier / Miguel Zenón - Faune 

With musical direction by one of Pannier’s key mentors, MacArthur recipient and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón, Faune presents a sequence of the drummer’s vibrant originals along with unique interpretations of French classical works and American jazz standards. Zenón has long been recognized for his work bridging his Puerto Rican roots with modern jazz, and his phenomenal balancing of tradition and modernity. Like his mentor, Pannier also links two traditions, French classical and American jazz, in startlingly innovative ways. “This album really does bring together my two worlds: my European upbringing and early classical studies with my American life and jazz education,” Pannier says. “In this, it has been such an honor to work with Miguel Zenón, a real hero of mine for the way he has melded his Puerto Rican roots and Latin traditions with socially conscious modern jazz.”