The website of veteran German keyboardist/composer Michael Quast – now recording as Amandus – says, “Believe in your dreams and they just might come true.” Twenty-five years after penning his first Smooth Jazz song, he manifests this perfectly, following his 2020 debut album SING A SONG with the dynamics-filled, perfectly titled EP Groove Infection. Vibing on several tunes with the fluid, crackling guitar of Uli Brodersen, Amandus brings his inventive synth and piano wizardry to a tight, ultra-soulful set that runs the emotional and rhythmic gamut from moody atmospheres and chill vibes to wildly funky and groove-filled in the pocket adventures. ~ www.smoothhjazz.com
Long before he was amassing an impressive catalog of urban jazz gems, opening for Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle, recording with Najee and performing with the likes of Ramsey Lewis and Jonathan Butler, guitarist/composer Michael Ross was staff guitarist for a touring company of “The Wiz.” The yellow brick road journey is the perfect metaphor for his blessed and eclectic musical road that leads now to the release of Four Seasons TO Cross, his first album in eight years that alternates between lighthearted, spirited breeziness, whimsical exotica, seductive funk balladry and contemplative cool that reflects a multi-faceted, polyrhythmic journey through the seasons. From a snappy trip to Rio to a silky seductive tune about winter approaching, Ross invites listeners on a magnificent and inspiring adventure. ~ www.smoothjazz.com
With an E Street-inspired saxophone lead and an arrangement straight out of Quincy Jones' playbook, "Cooler" is The Graduating Class leaning into the nostalgia of the 80s. The track features punchy drums, cascading synths, crisp rhythm guitar, and the aforementioned blazing sax line. "Cooler" also marks the Graduating Class' first foray into production, as the band recorded the song themselves in the basement of a shuttered music venue. Lyrically, "Cooler" tells an all-too-universal story about working up the courage to ask someone out; the song's setting is reminiscent of a scene from a John Hughes movie. According to songwriter/producer John Queant: "'Cooler' is about the inner monologue in a person's head as they're trying to ask someone out. I imagined a scene from a cheesy movie, where a total bombshell walks into the club, everyone's jaws hit the floor, and the record skips a beat. The song's narrator is just trying to work up the courage to ask them to dance."
Sydney, Australia’s Black Bird Hum lay down a heavy two-chord jam for their second Color Red release “World Keeps Spinning.” The spellbinding rhythmic foundation puts listeners in a trance to recognize the reality that the world keeps spinning no matter how life gets—every day is both a grind and an opportunity to get up and hop on board for the ride. Stylistically, the track is equally influenced by the rousing roots rhythm expression of Steel Pulse and the creative liberties of Fat Freddy’s Drop as demonstrated by bewitching flute parts courtesy of Amy Nelson. Like their debut Color Red release “My Side,” the track is complemented by a “b-side” dub, aptly titled "World Keeps Dubbing," produced by longtime friend and mixing engineer Ryan Gambrell.
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