Friday, March 31, 2023

New Music From: Marie Mørck, Hyson Green, Louis Stewart, Maelan Abran

Marie Mørck - Songs To Comfort

The 2nd album from Danish jazz singer Marie Mørck was released this Friday, 24 March, and the title has already been added to a handful of Spotify playlists, including Spotify editorial playlists "Cozy Jazz" and "Relaxing Vocal Jazz". The two first singles from the album have been in A-rotation on national Danish radio P8 Jazz. Danish upcoming jazz singer Marie Mørck attracted lots of attention on her debut album from 2019. She had lots of airplay on Danish national radio and was nominated for "Best Vocal Jazz Release" at the Danish Music Awards in 2020. During 2019, she toured with her band in China, France and Scandinavia until the pandemic lockdown. In late April, she will perform a live showcase at the big European jazz fair - jazzahead! - as one of three selected jazz artists by the Danish jazz export organisation. "Song to Comfort" shows clearly what a great singer she is. Enjoy this silk smooth voice of hers.. and by the way - she also excels being a natural and playful composer and songwriter. This single was co-written with Marie's boyfriend, Jonathan Strøm. Musicians: Marie Mørck - voc; and Agnes Darelid - Trombone.

Hyson Green - Keep On Dreaming

The follow-up to  the well-received, and much played, The Needle and the Groove (also available on NubMusic Records) Keep On Dreaming continues in the same musical groove as before with songs that hark back to the music of the English and American soul these two love. From Boz Scaggs to Jess Roden, from Delaney and Bonnie to Robert Palmer, from Hall and Oates to Frankie Miller, from Steely Dan to Chic and Chicago house, and so many more.  Their music harks back to a time when songs and music were shaped by experience and the love of good music and of good times. Keep On Dreaming is the sound of today with a twist of London and a hint of California. Think palm trees in the Market Square, sun kissed beaches alongside the Thames and you've got Keep On Dreaming. A contemporary sound for contemporary times...The full digital release of Keep On Dreaming is slated for 21st April 2023.

Louis Stewart - Out On His Own

“Out On His Own” is a fitting title for Louis Stewart as he is perhaps the only Irish jazz musician to attain international front-rank status. This solo record features a mix of lead only and rhythm with lead tracks with a repertoire of Jazz and American Songbook standards, contemporary composers (Chick Corea, Steve Swallow etc.) plus an interpretation of an Irish traditional tune and a self- composed blues. The album was recorded in Bray, just south of Dublin, while Louis was at his peak and alternating between playing with Ronnie Scott’s band in London with the best of visiting musicians, and his frequent trips back to Dublin to play to packed clubs and bars.“Out On His Own” was Livia Record’s first release meeting with excellent press reviews as follows: Sunday Times critic Derek Jewell: “Louis is revealed here as a guitar virtuoso already of considerable maturity. A virtuoso in anyone's language, and … a musician to be spoken of in the same league as Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, or, among contemporary virtuosos, Joe Pass.” Irish Times critic, Ray Comiskey: “a performance of such virtuosity, that very few guitarists of any era could ever hope to match it ...a brilliant combination of melodic inventiveness, harmonic ingenuity, technical virtuosity and sheer joy in playing that seems certain to win for it an outstanding place in the record of Jazz guitar” Ronnie Scott: “Louis is a superbly talented natural musician. In my book he's one of the world's great jazz guitarists”

Maelan Abran - Time is Now

On her stylistically eclectic, highly autobiographical new album Time Is Now, multi-talented Hawaiian vocalist and poetically insightful songwriter Maelan Abran invites us into a unique, sonically dynamic world. She balances exquisite and vulnerable romantic expressions with edgy social consciousness, an impactful feeling of pop/soul/jazz fired hope and thoughtful, heart wrenching and motivating imagery reflecting on her roots growing up on the Big Island. Adding to the epic, sometimes dreamy and atmospheric, other times, swinging and funky vibe is a beautiful piano and orchestra interlude that serves as a sweeping break between the collection’s powerful dramatic narratives. Helping shape the fascinating soundscapes is Abran’s Grammy nominated co-writer and producer Marlin “Hookman” Bonds, best known for his work with pop superstars Jason Derulo, Swizz Beatz, Jay Sean and Chris Brown.   ~ www.smoothjazz.com


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