Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gore - The Original Hits
Add up the years that Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme spent actively recording and between them you end up at a figure over 110. So how do you boil all that down to a single CD? Well, at Real Gone Music, they know that sometimes you just gotta have the hits. So, that’s what they have done with this 20-track CD; packed it to the gills with their hit-making highlights both solo and together. The result: the single most concentrated dose of Steve and Eydie hit power ever assembled into a single collection! One thing will become very, very certain as you listen to The Original Hits: no matter what the genre, be it pop, Latin, rock and roll or The Great American Songbook, this dynamic duo—who, by the way, were recently the subject of a wonderful TV special from TJ Lubinsky's My Music series on Public Television —display their vocal mastery. Includes such gems as Steve’s “Party Doll,” “Go Away, Little Girl,” “Footsteps,” and “Portrait of My Love,” Eydie’s “You Need Hands,” “Sabor A Mi,” “Blame It on the Bossa Nova,” and “Tonight I’ll Say a Prayer,” and their duets “I Want to Stay Here,” “I Can’t Stop Talking About You,” and “We Can Make It Together” with The Osmonds. Assembled, like their other Steve and Eydie releases, with the assistance of their son David Lawrence, The Original Hits features rare photos and liner notes by Billboard writer Paul Grein. Consider this the tasty appetizer before the multi-course meal they are preparing to serve from the Steve and Eydie catalog in the months to come.
We love the work of saxophonist Willie Morris – one of the freshest talents to hit the Posi-Tone label in recent years, and an artist who really seems to take off with this album! Willie blows tenor throughout, and the set's got this unexpected depth, especially on his original compositions – while also sharing some of the solid swing that we love from the label's other releases – thanks to rhythm work from Jon Davis on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion. There's a mix of fresh ideas, solid soul, and modern currents that almost echoes some of the late 60s work of Jackie McLean – maybe underscored by the excellent alto work of Patrick Cornelius, whose horn is a perfect counterpart for Morris' tenor. Titles include "Delusion Of Understanding", "Terminal Lucidity", "To Worlds Unknown", "Leaving Paradise", and "The Imitation Game". ~ Dusty Groove
Vibraphonist Joel Ross, in his 4th Blue Note album "nublues," brings forth a captivating exploration of ballads and blues. This collection, a testament to the ingenuity of one of the most creative modern jazz groups, features an ensemble of exceptional talent. Immanuel Wilkins on alto saxophone, Jeremy Corren on piano, Kanoa Mendenhall on bass, Jeremy Dutton on drums, and the special guest appearance of flutist Gabrielle Garo collectively infuse a distinctive energy into every note. Ross's compositions, both melodic and soulful, offer a contemporary perspective on the blues genre. The band's seamless navigation through the blues-imbued musical landscape transcends mere homage, creating a sonic journey that resonates with emotional depth. The inclusion of pieces by jazz legends John Coltrane ("Equinox" and "Central Park West") and Thelonious Monk ("Evidence") further enriches the album, paying homage to the trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the jazz landscape. "nublues" stands as a testament to Joel Ross's ability to blend tradition with innovation, creating an immersive experience for jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Fahrenheit 702 ignites a sultry and high-energy party atmosphere with their debut, "GETTING IN THE GAME, Vol. 1!" The album is not only a musical triumph but also marks the triumphant return of producer, bassist, and group founder Greg Radford to the music industry after a nearly decade-long hiatus. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant city of Las Vegas, the album is an embodiment of the lively themes of The Strip, creating the perfect soundtrack for a night filled with fun and success. At the heart of this Smooth Jazz collective are the core members – Greg Radford, the dynamic power vocalist Diane 'Dedae' Patrise' Spann, and the skilled saxophonist Keith Marlo. The ensemble's lineup is further elevated by the Grammy & Emmy Award-winning Singer and Trumpeter Skip Martin, along with the talents of keyboardist Mike Clark, bassist Walter Jones, guitarists Michael Henegan and James 'JD' Davis. Ronnie Foster on organ and John Wedemeyer on guitar inject bluesy excitement into the eclectic blend of urban jazz, Prince-like funk, and Brazilian coolness that defines the album's sonic landscape. "GETTING IN THE GAME, Vol. 1!" promises a musical journey that captures the essence of a jubilant night out, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts of contemporary jazz and beyond.
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