Truly manifesting the thought-provoking title of his fourth album Do What You Feel, veteran Urban Contemporary Jazz trombone master, Steve Baxter’s stirring blend of soulful, funky and smooth music invokes the classic R&B/jazz vibe of Wayne Henderson and finds him joining the ranks of Trombone Shorty and Brian Culbertson as contemporary jazz cats making Smooth Jazz a wonderland of possibilities for the instrument’s unique lower toned timbre. Steve’s unique stylistic array has its roots in his years sharing stage and studio time with everyone from The Crusaders, Barry Manilow and Gladys Knight & The Pips to Alicia Keys, Babyface and Ziggy Marley. Adding deeper emotional cool to the mix are the very different moods created on several key tracks by guest vocalists Devere Duckette and Lynn Fiddmont. This is a must have for music enthusiasts! ~ www.smoothjazz.com
Years after establishing his career as an MC/DJ during the early days of rap/hip-hop, writer, producer and musical visionary David Williams had ideas of creating the next Incognito or a hip-hop fired James Brown vibe before organically developing the ultra-melodic, silky cool and laid back funk and sizzling brass tinged sonic universe of the perfectly named Funktastic Players. On their exuberant, soulful and freewheeling seventh album Jazz On The Funky Side, the quartet of Williams, saxophonist Marcus Mitchell, guitarist David Prince and keyboardist Kevin Croom ride both smooth and swanky, rhythmically eclectic waves of sassy, romantic, sensual and playful joy to create an exciting fusion that draws from all of Williams’ many musical passions and continues to fulfill his founding funktastic vision! ~ www.smoothjazz.com
Having already made a name for itself as one of Italy’s most distinctive, creative and talented post-bop projects, Blue Moka is now ready to conquer international shores with its second full-length, called Enjoy. Album opener “Enjoy Enjoy” immediately sets the mood with its toe-tapping, easygoing energy. The same energy the band has become famous for live, and that inspired uptempo Hammond burner “Lotus Night”, composed with the declared intent of getting the audience to move. From the driving jazz-funk grooves of “What Happened” to the psych influences of “Fill The Void”, the soulful vibes of “Homeland”, or the 70s jazz-rock inspirations of “Touww”, the band’s original compositions reveal a broad palette of references that have been internalized and reprocessed into something quite unique. This is further proven by the two covers present on the album. Blue Moka pay homage to Massive Attack with their rendition of “Teardrop”, where a haunting sax takes place of the vocals. And the band also makes George Gershwin’s jazz standard “A Foggy Day” its own, with a touch of playfulness and irony. Enjoy is an album that first and foremost wants to express joy. The evident joy the members of Blue Moka feel when playing together, captured on record, and served fresh for the most discerning ears. Emiliano Vernizzi: Sax, Electronics; Michele Bianchi: Guitar; Alberto Gurrisi: Hammond, Keys; Michele Morari: Drums.
The "future" in the title is very well-put – as the album seems to open up a rich new chapter in the music of the legendary vocalist Dwight Trible – a singer who's carried on the spiritual legacy of the 70s well into the 21st Century, and who's always given us some fantastic records in the past! And here, Trible's continuing that legacy, but in a different way – mixing up styles in ways that almost seem to echo the experiments on the London and Chicago scenes of late, and also mixing cosmic elements with more down to earth soul styles – in a core group that's heavier on bass and electric guitar than some of his other groups. The set features guest vocals from Georgia Anne Muldrow on one track, and guest tenor from Kamasi Washington on another – and titles include "Beach Vibes", "Elements", "African Drum", "Black Dance", "Wind", "Derf Reklaw", and "My Stomping Ground". ~ Dusty Groove
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