NEW JAZZ CHILL FEATURED RELEASES FROM ROY AYERS, AZYMUTH, BILLY PRESTON, JULIE LONDON, MAYSA LEAK, NICK COLIONNE, SANTANA & OTHERS...

Andrew Hill – Time Lines
Anthony Braxton – Sextet
Apollo Nove – Res Inexplicata Volans (includes contributions from Seu Jorge, Cibelle, Ceu and Tia Lama)
Arsen Shomakhov – Dangerous
Azymuth – Pure, The Best of The Far Out Years 1995-2006 (includes tracks done in the last decade for London-based Far Out Recordings)
Barrington Levy – Barrington Levy In Dub – The Lost Mixes From King Tubby’s Studio
Billy Cobham – Drum ‘N’ Voice
Billy Preston – You & I
Bob James – Urban Flamingo
Carlos Barbosa-Lima – Carioca
Chris Montez – Best Of The A&M Years
Dalindeo – Go Ahead Float/Voodoo
Dave Askren – Some Other Things
Dom Salvador & Abolicao – Som, Sangue E Raca
Eddie Palmieri & Cal Tjader – Babboleate
Elton Dean & Mark Hewins – Bar Torque
Ennio Morricone – Mondo Morricone Trilogy (56 tracks ins 3-CD box set)
Gianluca Petrella – Indigo 4
Grant Green – Iron City
Jazztronik – Cannibal Rock
Jimmy Smith – Softly As A Summer Breeze
Joanie Sommers – Softly, The Brazilian Sound
Jon Mayer – My Romance
Julie London – Julie/Love On The Rocks
June Christy – Cool School/Do Re Mi
Jungle Brothers – Straight Out Of The Jungle
Kleer – Winners
Louis Moholo – Bra Lous Bra/Spirits Rejoice
Mary Jane Girls – Mary Jane Girls (their debut album re-released)
Maysa Leak – Sweet Classic Soul (includes covers of 70’s classics by Stevie Wonder, Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Isley Brothers, Chaka Khan, The Stylistics, Roberta Flack and others)
Mike Del Ferro – New Bel Canto
Mimmo Campanale – Of Course!
Monday Michiru - Routes
Nancy Wilson – From Broadway With Love/Tender Loving Care (both from 1966)
Nick Colionne – Keepin’ It Cool
Nicol Willis & The Soul Investigators – Keep Reachin’ Up
Nils Landgren & Joe Sample – Creole Love Call
Paul Winter – Celtic Solstice
Quantic – One Offs, Remixes & B-Sides
Raquel Bitton – Paris Blues
Riccardo Del Fra – Roses & Roots
Rick Haydon & John Pizzarelli – Just Friends
Rosalia De Souza – Brasil Precisa Balancar (features production and guitar from Roberto Menescal)
Roy Ayers – Destination Motherland: The Roy Ayers Anthology (2 CDs of recording from the 1970’s)
Roy Ayers – Virgin Ubiquity Remixed (incudes remixes by Kenny Dope, Osunlade, Platinum Pied Pipers, and others)
Santana – Santana III: Legacy Edition
Soesja Citroen – Don’t Cry Baby
Soft Machine Legacy – Live In Zaandam 0 May 10, 2005
Steve Grossman – The Bible
Steve Khan – The Green Field
Tony Esposito – Viaggio Tribale
Tony Monaco – East To West
Ulf Wakenius – Note From The Heart: The Music Of Keith Jarrett
Uniao Black – Banda Uniao Black
Various UFO Lounge – Compiled by United Future Organization

URSULA 1000 - HERE COMES TOMORROW

New from Ursula 1000 is the single Boop off of his eclectic forthcoming album Here Comes Tomorrow. The A side features Boop, a swingin’ be-bop house monster featuring Italian jazz siren Barbara De Dominicis alongside a spy-film inspired jazz percussion re-work by Skeewiff. The B side us the zany funk groove of Kaboom featuring Japanese chanteuse Izumi Ookawara with a high-octane blaxploitation breakbeat remix by The All Good Funk Alliance. The new album, Here Comes Tomorrow is due March 21. The new CD explores a mind meld of jazz, electro, Latin, swing, ska, bossa nova, hip hop, psychedelia and glam rock. It features guests Los Amigos Invisibles, Christina (Ze Records), Members of the Gentle People, Qyphone, Cabaret Noire, Misty Roses and more.

Ursula 1000 Here Comes Tomorrow DJ Tour Dates:
March 17 @ APT, New York City
March 22 @ Madiba, Miami, FL
March 23 @ Cafeteria, Miami Beach, FL
March 25 @ Poplife at the District, Miami, FL
March 31 @ Bossanova, Los Angeles, CA
April 1 @ Boca, San Francisco, CA
April 6 @ Cezayir, Istanbul, Turjey
April 7 @ Capri Bar, Essen, Germany
April 8 @ Lindenkeller @ Munich (Freising), Germany
April 12 @ Jelly Jazz @ Plymouth, UK
April 13 @ 603 Club, Saarbrucken, Germany
April 14 @ Sugar Factory, Amsterdam, Holland
April 15 @ Vanue Camelot, Santa Pola, Spain
April 16 @ Kraftwerk, Krummenau, Switzerland
April 19 @ A38, Budapest, Hungary
April 20 @ Club Paptrowka, Warsaw, Poland
April 21 @ Ministers Two, Krakow, Poland
April 22 @ La Paloma, Barcelona, Spain
April 29 @ Persona Club, Kiev, Ukraine
May 13 @ Mosaic, Baltimore, MD
June 2 @ Next Door, Honolulu, Hawaii
June 3 @ Hi-Fi Club, Calgary, Canada

ERIC CLAPTON ANNOUNCES SUMMER EUROPEAN TOUR

Tour Kicks-Off in May With Stops in 13 European Countries

On the heels of his latest album, Back Home, Eric Clapton hits the road again launching a just announced world tour beginning in Europe on May 5 and travelling to 13 European countries with an already sold out 7-night run at London's Royal Albert Hall. Additional news of this tour will follow shortly, including announcements of several exciting tour dates featuring venues never-before-played by Clapton and his band. Clapton has assembled an impressive band, including several album collaborators. The 2006 tour band will consist of: Eric Clapton, Guitar, as well as Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks also on Guitar, Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on Keyboards, Willie Weeks on Bass, Steve Jordan on Drums, The Kick Horns: Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer, and Tim Sanders on Brass, and backing vocals by Michelle John and Sharon White.

CURRENT LIST OF EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
FRANCE
May 5 2006 (Fri) Le Cannet La Palestre

UNITED KINGDOM
May 8 2006 (Mon) Glasgow SECC
May 9 2006 (Tues) Manchester MEN Arena
May 11 2006 (Thurs) Birmingham NEC
May 12 2006 (Fri) Sheffield Hallam FM Arena
May 14 2006 (Sun) Nottingham Arena
May 16 2006 (Tues) London Royal Albert Hall
May 17 2006 (Wed) London Royal Albert Hall
May 19 2006 (Fri) London Royal Albert Hall
May 22 2006 (Mon) London Royal Albert Hall
May 23 2006 (Tues) London Royal Albert Hall
May 25 2006 (Thurs) London Royal Albert Hall
May 26 2006 (Fri) London Royal Albert Hall

FRANCE
May 28 2006 (Sun) Paris Bercy

BELGIUM
May 31 2006 (Wed) Antwerp Sports Paleis

NETHERLANDS
June 1 2006 (Thurs) Rotterdam Ahoy

GERMANY
June 3 2006 (Sat) Frankfurt Festhalle
June 4 2006 (Sun) Stuttgart Schleyerhalle
June 6 2006 (Tues) Leipzig Arena
June 7 2006 (Wed) Berlin Wuhlheide

UNITED KINGDOM
June 9 2006 (Fri) Surrey Hampton Court Palace Festival
June 10 2006 (Sat) Surrey Hampton Court Palace Festival

ITALY
July 7 2006 (Fri) Lucca Piazza Napoleone
July 8 2006 (Sat) Perugia Arena Santa Giuliana
July 10 2006 (Mon) Verona Arena

GERMANY
July 13 2006 (Thurs) Cologne Arena
July 14 2006 (Fri) Dortmund Westfalenhalle

AUSTRIA
July 16 2006 (Sun) Vienna Stadthalle

HUNGARY
July 18 2006 (Tues) Budapest

CZECH REPUBLIC
July 20 2006 (Thurs) Prague The Arena

GERMANY
July 22 2006 (Sat) Munich Olympiahalle
July 23 2006 (Sun) Mannheim SAP Arena
July 25 2006 (Tue) Hamburg Colorline Arena

DENMARK
July 26 2006 (Wed) Augustenborg Castle

NORWAY
July 28 2006 (Fri) Oslo Spektrum

SWEDEN
July 29 2006 (Sat) Stockholm Globen

FINLAND
July 31 2006 (Mon) Helsinki Hartwall Arena

ANDRE DELANO'S FULL CIRCLE, ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST - JAZZIZ MAGAZINE

Andre Delano, best known as the saxophonist for R&B artist Maxwell, is preparing to take 2006 by storm with additional releases off his groundbreaking album, Full Circle released by 7th Note Entertainment, Inc. With Andre's diverse mixture of jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and funk combined with his cool personality and sophisticated style, the music industry tastemakers and celebrities alike are definitely taking notice. "Andre Delano is hands down one of the best saxophone players on the planet. His talent and showmanship is equal to that of Kirk Whalum and Dave Koz. The music he creates is edgy, smooth, and funky which goes well with his neo-soul look," said Darren Strothers, president of 7th Note Entertainment. "Andre Delano is The New Face of Smooth Jazz."

Andre's first solo album, Full Circle, reflects an R&B-infused smooth jazz mixture depicting his amazing musical journey. With the success in 2005 of his first two singles, Night Riders and Foot Steps, 7th Note Entertainment is gearing up for a big push of his next single. According to R&B singer Maxwell, "like the full circle itself, Andre Delano takes from his mix of sorrow and sings through a multiple joy. A rare sound of voice, word and saxophone."

Only two months into 2006, Andre has been embraced by everyone from mainstream radio with spins in major markets to radio stations among the U.S.college market. Andre recently signed an exclusive booking agreement with the internationally renowned agency, Fabrika International represents numerous notable artists such as Keiko Matsui, Norah Jones (middle east), Julio Iglesias, Jr. (Europe & Asia), Veronica Martell and Bond (East Europe).

TEENA MARIE'S NEW TRACK - OH WEE - IS MOST ADDED AT URBAN RADIO PLAYLISTS

The legendary 'blue-eyed' soulful songstress Teena Marie has the #1 most added song at Urban AC Radio this week. Her sizzling new single Ooh Wee, is the first release from her forthcoming sophomore album Sapphire, on Cash Money Classics a division of Cash Money Records. The album is a follow-up to Teena's critically acclaimed 2004 album, La Dona, which heralded Ms. Marie's return to the music industry after a 13-year absence.

Sapphire, produced by Ms. Marie, is the fifteenth album from the effusive vocalist, who is regarded as one of the most influential R&B female singers of all times. Known for her ability to effortlessly navigate soul/R&B/funk and hip-hop, Teena Marie has also forged many chart-topping collaborations with superstars such as the late Rick James, Common, Gerald Levert and MC Lyte, among others.

A multi-instrumentalist herself, Teena Marie has maintained a production-hand in every one of her albums except her debut Wild And Peaceful (1979). The popular songstress and 3-time Grammy nominee has delivered an arsenal of genre defying albums along the way, including Lady T (1980), Starchild (1984), Naked To The World (1988), which featured the #1 classic Ooh La La, and 1994's independently released Passion Play. Ms. Marie has released 10 compilation albums as well since her stunning national debut on Motown Records in 1979.

Known for her tireless and universally acclaimed live performances, Ms. Marie is currently making plans to showcase selected songs on her upcoming album Sapphire, due in stores Spring 2006.

HIGH DEFINITION (HD) RADIO ALLIANCE NAMES FIRST 28 MARKETS FOR NEW HD2 PROGRAMMING ROLLOUTS

The High Definition (HD) Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, recently announced the initial 28 markets that will begin broadcasting HD2 multicast programming under the Alliance’s format-selection program. Alliance members are readying individual HD2 channel launches in each market, and the first are already broadcasting via HD2 technology.

The rollouts mark the first wide-scale launch of HD2 multicast channels in the country, with each market airing new and unique content. The Alliance’s approach also dramatically increases the diversity of radio programming in every radio market. Through the selection process, each market is guaranteed its own mix of new programming. Collectively, some 264 new HD2 channels will carry a variety of music or talk formats. Member broadcasters are responsible for programming each of their multicast channels and all HD2 formats are initially commercial-free. In addition, all current analog radio signals will also be available as HD digital radio broadcasts (on HD1 channels). No subscription is required to hear HD digital radio broadcasts.
The first 28 markets where HD is available are: New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; Philadelphia, PA; Houston, TX; Washington, DC; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; Seattle, WA; Baltimore, MD; Portland, OR; Cincinnati, OH; San Jose, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Memphis, TN; Hartford, CT; Birmingham, AL; Dayton, OH; McAllen, TX; Tulsa, OK; Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, TX; Springfield, MA; and Wichita, KS.

Some of the totally new formats being introduced in the first wave include: Viva La Voce (Opera), Classical Alternative, Traditional Jazz & Blues, Coffee House, Female Talk, Future Country, Extreme Hip Hop, Deep Cuts Classic Rock, Live Rock, New Alternative, Fusion Hispanic-Anglo Rock, Chick Rock, Indie, New Rock, and In-Depth News.

HD2 Radio technology enables radio broadcasters to segment a single, existing radio frequency so that it can carry multiple, simultaneous, higher-quality AM and FM broadcast streams as well as wireless data. All HD broadcasts are free from the static, hiss, pops and fades that can be associated with analog signals. For listeners, AM-band broadcasts sound like FM, and FM-band broadcasts have digital CD-like quality.

Here are some examples of the markets and their new HD2 channels:
KKSF-FM San Francisco (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Traditional Jazz
WNUA-FM Chicago (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Traditional Jazz
WDAS-FM Philadelphia (Urban Adult Contemporary), HD2 Channel: R&B Love Songs
WJJZ-FM Philadelphia (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: AAA/Adult Alternative
WLVE-FM Miami (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Classical
WSMJ-FM Baltimore (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Traditional Jazz
KRVO-FM Portland (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Traditional Jazz
WENN-FM Birmingham (Black Gospel), HD2 Channel: Smooth Jazz
WDSJ-FM Dayton (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: WLW 2 In-Depth News
KRBB-FM Wichita (Adult Contemporary Mainstream), HD2 Channel: Smooth Jazz
WQCD-FM New York (Smooth Jazz), HD2 Channel: Chill

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: THIEVERY CORPORATION, OM RECORDS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS, DAVID LANZ, SANTANA, PLAYBOY JAZZ FESTIVAL, TONY BENNETT & MORE...

Thievery Corporation have a new album due on May 17 and it’s entitled Versions. It includes 18 dubbed out remixes of songs from The Doors, Sarah McLachlan, Astrud Gilberto, Nouvelle Vague, Wax Poetic feat. Norah Jones, Anoushka Shankar, Transglobal Underground and others. Also included is a new original Thievery Corporation track featuring reggae legend Sister Nancy. The group’s label, ESL Music, has scheduled a listening party on March 16 @ Quilombo in Austin, TX…….…"Whisperings: Solo Piano Radio" comes to Vacaville, CA for a concert event on march 18. This unique concert series features Scott D. Davies (playing music from his just released Rockinfluence album, Narada recording artists David Lanz and pianist David Nevue. Launched in August 2003, "Whispering: Solo Piana Radio" is now the #1 broadcast on Live365.com, the Internet’s largest radio network……….To celebrate 10 years of independent underground music, Om Records presents Om:10 – A Decade of Future Music. This massive 10 year anniversary 3XCD set contains new and never before released tracks from the entire Om roster, along with classics from the first 10 years. Be it Om’s trademark jackin’ funky deep house, soul based hip hop, groovin’ downtempo and everything in between……....Columbia/Legacy releases Santana III: Legacy Edition this week. It’s a 2- CD collection with the first disc consisting of the original classic album plus four bonus tracks from the same session, plus the second disc features a complete concert recorded at the Fillmore West in San Francisco on July 4, 1971…….…The 2006 Playboy Jazz Festival will include performances by Branford Marsalis, Jamie Cullum, McCoy Tyner and Elvis Costello and the Imposters with Allen Toussaint. In addition, Bill Cosby will return as master of ceremonies for the 28th anniversary festival after last year’s hiatus. The Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra will feature vibraharpist Stefon Harris in a tribute to the late Milt Jackson, Eddie Palmieri will bring his Afro-Caribbean Jazz All Stars with special guests Regina Carter and David Sanchez, plus Lesa Terry and the Women’s Jazz Orchestra of Los Angeles will also appear…….…Concord Records is preparing the 20th Anniversay Celebration CD of The Rippingtons due for release on July 25…Columbia Records will release a Tony Bennett duets album to commemorate his 80th birthday. Among the acts who have committed to the project include Barbra Streisand, Elvis Costello, James Taylor, John Legend, Sting, Billy Joel and k.d. Lang. Release is set for Sept. 26……….Rafe Gomez adds the Chakra Restaurant and Lounge to his schedule as he has signed to bring the Groove Boutique’s PM Groove there every Wednesday night beginning March 2…….…It official!, Apple has now sold one billion music downloads on its iTunes Music Store nearly three years after the iTunes Music Store first was launched. In addition, iPods have already crossed the 40 million mark. Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how long it takes apple to hit its second billion.

MARVIN GAYE - THE REAL THING IN PERFORMANCE 1964-1981, FIRST TIME ON DVD 16 VINTAGE MARVIN GAYE PERFORMANCES

Reelin' In The Years Productions and Hip-O Records are proud to announce the April 4, 2006 release of Marvin Gaye - The Real Thing In Performance 1964 - 1981 on DVD. Featured for the first time on DVD are 16 classic full-length performances from American and European television appearances, spanning three decades. The DVD includes more than 70 minutes of performances by Marvin Gaye, one of Motown's greatest stars. Issued with the full cooperation of the Marvin Gaye estate, this is the first official DVD anthology of classic archival television performances by a Motown artist. The DVD includes a wealth of classic performances with re-mastered sound and video plus a host of bonus features.

Marvin Gaye - The Real Thing In Performance 1964 - 1981 begins with Gaye singing one of his earliest hits, Hitch Hike on "American Bandstand" in 1964; the DVD progresses through the artist's entire Motown career including vintage performances of Pride And Joy, Ain't That Peculiar, Can I Get A Witness, Let's Get It On and a host of others. Further treasures include a beautiful 1967 duet performance of Ain't No Mountain High Enough with Tammi Terrell; a staggering live concert performance of What's Going On and What's Happening Brother from 1972, from the long-lost documentary film "Save The Children;" and an amazing live 1969 performance of I Heard It Through The Grapevine from "Hollywood Palace" recorded while the song was still number one on the charts. Interspersed between the songs, Gaye talks about his life and music in interview segments from various TV shows throughout his career.

For Marvin Gaye - The Real Thing In Performance 1964 - 1981 every effort has been made to locate the best possible sound and video; each of the performances, has been re-transferred and re-mastered from the best-quality, original masters (some resting in the television vaults for over 40 years). In the case of lip-sync performances, the original Motown stereo master recordings have been used, replacing the original mono broadcast sound and making for a much more enjoyable viewing and listening experience.

Marvin Gaye - The Real Thing In Performance 1964 - 1981 also includes unique bonus content. For the first time anywhere, an audio only feature of six original a cappella (vocal only) performances of Gaye's classic hits discovered in the Motown vaults. In addition, viewers have the option to watch these performances while listening to only Marvin Gaye's original studio vocal master track. Fans will feel as if they're in the original Motown recording booth with Gaye. The DVD further includes a 24-page booklet with an extensive essay by Grammy Award®-winning writer, Rob Bowman, including rare photographs and memorabilia.

MARVIN GAYE - THE REAL THING IN PERFORMANCE 1964 - 1981 DVD (Track List)
1. Hitch Hike (Filmed in 1964)
2. Pride And Joy (Filmed in 1965)
3. Can I Get A Witness (Filmed in 1965)
4. Pretty Little Baby (Filmed in 1965)
5. Ain't That Peculiar (Filmed in 1965)
6. You're A Wonderful One (Filmed in 1965)
7. Ain't No Mountain High Enough (with Tammi Terrell) (Filmed in 1967)
8. I Heard It Through The Grapevine (1969) (Filmed in 1969)
9. What's Going On (Filmed in 1972)
10. What's Happening Brother (Filmed in 1972)
11. Come Get To This (Filmed in 1981)
12. Let's Get It On (Filmed in 1981)
13. Distant Lover (Filmed in 1979)
14. A Funky Space Reincarnation (Filmed in 1979)
15. Ego Tripping Out (Filmed in 1979)
16. Heavy Love Affair (Filmed in 1981)

ANGELA BOFILL SUFFERS STROKE

The "Angel of the Night," singer Angela Bofill is paralyzed on her left side following a stroke suffered on Jan. 10, according to her manager Rich Engel. Bofill is currently convalescing at Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa, CA .Bofill, 51, was released from intensive care on Sunday (Jan. 15) and will require speech and physical therapy, Engel said. A benefit concert has been organized to pay her hospital bills, as Bofill did not carry health insurance. The show, planned by Engel along with CD 101.9 will be held on March 11th at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, N.J. CD101.9 & Friends of Angela Bofill Present "A Helping Hand Concert" a benefit for Angela Bofill Hosted by Sergio Dean Featuring: Pieces of A Dream, Angela Bofill Band, Najee, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry, with appearances by Shawna Bofill, and Narada Michael Walden on Saturday, March 11th 8pm Bergen PAC Englewood N.J. Reservations: Ph: 973-761-6801 or at www.liveatnight.com On-sale now. Email Angela your words of encouragement and wisdom. Support_Angela@cd1019.com

DEAN MARTIN CAPITOL RECORDS CATALOG TO BE REISSUED BY COLLECTOR'S CHOICE MUSIC, MARCH 14

Rat Pack fans rejoice: renowned reissue label Collectors Choice Music will re-release the nine albums Dean Martin recorded for Capitol Records between 1953 and 1962, as well as the compilations of various non-LP singles that Capitol released in the mid ‘60s. Each album will be released separately (with the exception of four compilations the label released on the Tower imprint, which are paired on two CDs). Each single album reissue will include bonus tracks. Martin, whose 10-year partnership with Jerry Lewis, subsequent Rat-Pack years and boozy TV persona all but overshadowed his recording career, produced a long discography that showcases both his warmth and his cool, the swingin’ and the laid-back. Any of these Capitol releases would be the life of any party.In the series, all to be released March 14, 2006:

Martin’s first effort, Dean Martin Sings (1953), which includes That’s Amore along with songs from the Martin & Lewis film The Stooge. Among the bonus tracks is the B-side to That’s Amore, You’re The Right One.

Swingin’ Down Yonder (1955), featuring such Southern-themed tunes as Waiting For The Robert E. Lee, When It’s Sleepy Time Down South and Way Down Yonder In New Orleans.

Pretty Baby (1957), Martin’s first release after his breakup with Jerry Lewis; he may have lost his partner but he found his voice — relaxed and confident — on this third Capitol recording.

This Is Dean Martin! (1958), originally released as part of Capitol’s "Star Line" series of compilations of non-LP singles, includes Volare, Buena Sera and Return To Me.

Sleep Warm (1958), Dino’s first stereo release; another "concept" record, this time with romantic renderings of dreamy tunes such as Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Dream and Hit The Road to Dreamland. Lush orchestration conducted by Frank Sinatra.

A Winter Romance (1959), featuring Christmas classics Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow, White Christmas, Winter Wonderland and even Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, along with ultimate romantic cold-weather tunes I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm and Baby, It’s Cold Outside.

This Time I’m Swingin’ (1960), with orchestra conducted, fittingly, by that swingin’est of arrangers, Nelson Riddle; includes Just In Time, I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me and You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You, plus early, rare singles as bonus tracks.

Dino! Italian Love Songs (1962), Dino’s biggest seller for Capitol, which was released just after he left the label for pal Sinatra’s Reprise; here are Vieni Su, Arrivederci Roma and Take Me in Your Arms (Torna a Surriento).

Cha Cha De Amor (1962), an Afro-Cuban-Latin collection conducted by Nelson Riddle; Dino’s swan song at Capitol. Among the bonus tracks is an earlier version of Vieni Su than the one on Italian Love Songs.

Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine (1964) Capitol capitalized on Martin’s success at Reprise by releasing this combination of hits and B-sides. Includes Memories Are Made of This, Standing On The Corner and Just in Time; bonus tracks highlight duets with the likes of Peggy Lee, Margaret Whiting and, natch, Jerry Lewis.

The Lush Years (1965) / Relaxin’ (1966) (one-CD reissue). With Dino now at Reprise, Capitol released these collections of ‘50s and ‘60s singles and previously unreleased tracks, including Rio Bravo, from the 1959 film by the same name that featured Martin in one of his many acting roles.

Happy in Love (1966) / Dino—Like Never Before (1967) (one-CD reissue) Love is in the title of the singles, EP tracks and unreleased side on Happy In Love. Singles from ’50-’54 are collected on Never Before.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS BITS: RAY BARRETTO, JAZZMASTERS, HARDCASTLE, ELVIS COSTELLO, SMOOTH JAZZ WJZW, GILLES PETERSON, BETH ORTON & JAZZ FESTIVALS & MORE...

Trippin ‘n’ Rhythm presents an all-star line up for the music of The Jazzmasters and Hardcastle live in the U.S.A. For the first time ever there will be two dates announced for the U.S. only. We’ll pass on the information once we receive it. The only downside, though, is that producer Paul Hardcastle will not be in the shows…Smooth jazz pianist Marcus Johnson is now the regular talent at Juste Lounge in Bethesda, Maryland as he appears there every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. We have received information that he is also working on his new album. In stores now is Smooth Jazz WJZW 105.9 Volume 3 compilation CD which includes Johnson, as well as favorites from Paul Hardcastle, Ken Navarro, Chaka Khan, Richard Elliot, Michael McDonald, Pieces Of A Dream, and many others…Jazz festival updates: the 2006 Sea Breeze 106.3 Jazz Festival is set for April 21-23 in Destin Florida; the 2006 St Lucia Jazz Festival will take place on May 4-14 in St. Lucia; and the Cocoa Beach 2006 Jazz Festival will happen April 21-23 in Cocoa Beach, Florida…Check out the free Jazziz Magazine February 2006 disc as it features selections from Lee Ritenour, Rigmor Gustaffson & The Jacky Terrasson Trio, Eric Truffaz, Bobo Stenson/Anders Jormin/Paul Motian, David Pack, Jean-Michel Pilc, Chiara Civello, Lars Danielsson, Chuck Perrin, Tord Gustavsen Trio, Otis Taylor, Guillermo Klein, Warren Hill, and Lalo Shifrin…Elvis Costello’s latest CD My Flame Burns Blue (Deutsche Grammaphon), features one disc recorded live with the Netherlands’ 52 piece Metropole Orkest, and another his 45-minute Il Sogno, the vocalist/pianist/guitarist’s first full-length orchestral work. The Metropole material includes revamped Costello rock hits, plus songs by jazz legends Charles Mingus and Billy Strayhorn….Gilles Peterson Worldwide mix show comes to chill radio station blu 102.9 Sunday nights at 5 p.m. with a rebroadcast at 9 p.m (Santa Fe, New Mexico local time). Those of us stateside can now listen to Gilles Peterson as he brings the same show that he does for BBC1 every week…Legendary percussionist and bandleader Ray Barretto died February 17 in Hackensack N.J., he was 76. Barretto was a virtuoso conguero and a fixture in New York’s Latin jazz scene and his career spawned more than 50 albums. He was a key member of the Fania All Stars and recorded alongside greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt and Tito Puente. He was hospitalized on Jan. 30 with post-surgical complications (the result of a quintuple bypass operation earlier) and pneumonia. His most recent album – Time Was-Time Is, was released in 2005 on the O+Music label…Guitarist Mike Keneally is scheduled for performances in late Feb. and March, 2006 as he performs with the Absolute Ensemble in Germany, and also a performance of his album, The Universe Will Provide, with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra…Bassist Chris Wood (a member of the trio Medeski, Martin & Wood), and his brother, singer and guitarist Oliver Wood (of the blue’s band King Johnson) will reunite at Joe’s Pub in New York City on March 7. The occasion will be the CD release party for the duo’s debut, Ways Not To Lose (Blue Note), produced by John Medeski. Percussionist Kenny Wolleson contributes on several tracks…Beth Orton releases Comfort of Strangers, her first record in nearly four years. With the album, as she shakes off any remaining rave dust from her early collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers. The U.K. singer/songwriter instead enlists eclectic indie icon Jim O'Rourke as producer, and the result is a lovely set of pop-flavored neo-folk…Smooth jazz station WUBU-FM (106.3) in South Bend, IN has brought back The Tom Joyner Show (effective Feb. 6). In addition to bringing back Joyner, WUBU will become known as The New Mix 106 and the format will open up to include artists such as Marvin Gaye, The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass, R. Kelly and Alicia Keys as part of the smooth jazz mix. The station has been broadcasting smooth jazz since 2003 at which time they had dropped the Joyner show, however, fans never forgave the station for yanking the show.

ETTA JAMES, NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL, CAPE TOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL, JAMIROQUAI & MORE...

ETTA JAMES NEW ALBUM TO INCLUDE SONGS BY MARVIN GAYE, PRINCE, BOBBY WOMACK & FRANK SINATRA
With a new slimmed-down look, are rejuvenated stage show and celebrating an incredible five decades as a recording artist, music legend Etta James will showcase her enduring artistry on an amazing diversity of the eleven songs featured on her new RCA Victor album, All The Way. Due in stores March 14, 2006 and produced by Etta's sons Donto and Sametto and longtime musical associate Josh Sklair, All The Way includes a range of material that would prove challenging for even the most competent vocalists: "This is an album of songs that I've always loved, tunes that I heard and thought, 'wish I could have been the one to do that one first!'" explains the three-time Grammy winner, who has also been the recipient of a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, a Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award and is a W.C.Handy Foundation honoree. "For the first time in my fifty-three years of recording, I really had control over an entire album, start to finish. And that feels really good! I got to make an album that I can listen to and say, "I really like this record!'"

During the month of its release, Etta will also be feted by NABOB (The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters) with the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award at its 22nd Annual Communications Awards Dinner, a staple event held each year in Washington, D.C. Hosted by comedian and radio personality Steve Harvey, the show will be on March 10th and NABOB 2006 honorees will also include Alicia Keys, S. Epatha Merkerson, Maya Angelou, Albertina Walker and Robert L. Johnson with Aretha Franklin providing the evening's entertainment. James, honored with a much-deserved star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame, adds her special vocal magic to songs originally recorded by Prince ("Purple Rain"), Marvin Gaye ("What's Going On"), Bobby Womack ("Stop On By") and Simply Red ("Holding Back The Years") alongside Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere" (from 'West Side Story') and "All The Way," the standard most often associated with Frank Sinatra. For good measure, Etta also included R. Kelly's contemporary classic, "I Believe I Can Fly," James Brown's enduring "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" and John Lennon's "Imagine." Rounding out the musical solid set are "Calling You," (from 'Baghdad Cafe') and "Strung Out," a tune originally cut by R&B legend Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, with whom Etta toured during her teen years after being discovered by bandleader Johnny Otis in 1955.

The release of the 1993 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee's latest project, the follow-up to the 2004 Grammy-winning RCA Victor set Blues To The Bone, comes at a time when Etta is showing off her new look: after losing some 200 pounds in weight, the Los Angeles native grins, "Now I can flaunt my figure wherever I go. I can go shopping and buy those outfits I always wanted to wear!" The loss of weight has also dramatically changed Etta's always-exciting stage performances: "Now I can stand up on the stage again like I used to after five years of sitting down while I sang ... "

OTHER MUSIC NEWS…
Lionel Richie, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Yolanda Adams, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Pete Fountain, Charmaine Neville and Fats Domino have been added to the lineup of the upcoming New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival taking place on April 28-30 and May 5-7…Jamiroquai is performing at the Piazza Castello at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy on Feb. 16. In addition, Jamiroquai will be heading to South America in March and April making the following tour stops: March 22 at Club Cuidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires; March 24 at Credicard Arena, San Paolo; March 25 at Claro Hall, Rio de Janeiro; March 27 at Polidro de Caracas, Caracas; March 29 at Rodzio de la Caro, Bogota; and April 1 at Autodromo, La Guasima, San Jose…Javier Limon has produced the self titled debut release of La Negra. The album is a mix of flamenco, jazz, tango and Brazilian music. Nino Josele and Jerry Gonzalez also collaborated on the project…Nina Pastori’s Maria get a rerelease and included on this version is Ave Maria (Hail Mary), which the cantori from Cadiz performed in front of Pope John Paul II during his last visit to Spain. This edition features a preview from an upcoming album by Nina Pastori – Joyas Prestadas, which will be released internationally later in the year…Rafe Gomez will be spinning his Groove Boutique sounds at The Cellar Bar in The Bryant Park Hotel in New York City between 6 and 10 o.m. on the following Wednesdays: Feb. 22, Mar. 1 and Mar. 8…Patti LaBelle along with Earl Klugh and George Clinton headline the CIAA ‘A Night at the Apollo’ in Charlotte, NC on March 2…The 7th annual Cape Town (South Africa) International Jazz Festival will once again take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on March 31 and April 1. Taking the stage this year will be Manu Dibango & The Soul Makossa Gang, Chucho Valdes Quartetr feat. Mayra Caridad, Charlie Haden Quartet West, Freddy Cole Quartet,Louis Vega & His Elements of Life Live Band feat Anana, Blaze & Luisito Quintero, Nestor Torres, Terence Blanchard, Joe McBride, Gerald Veasley, Kenny Blake, Miriam Makeba, Omar Sosa Quartet feat. Pee Wee Ellis, Jose Feliciano, The Moreira Project, Richard Bona, Tiale Makhene, Spencer Mbadu Sextet, Winston Mankunku Sextet with Robbie Jansen, Thandiswa Mazwai, Kwani Experience, Viktoria Tolstoy, Dan Patlan & The New Orleans All Star Blues Band, The James Schofield Trio feat. Billy Hart & Arno Krijger, Juan Carlos Romero Trio, Johnny Mekoa & His Herd and Mark de Clive-Lowe, among others.

JAZZ CHILL NEWS AND NEW RELEASES FROM GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION, NINA SIMONE, TEDDY PENDERGRASS, SERGIO MENDES, TOTO, SALOME DE BAHIA, LABELLE & MORE...

Releases out now…
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – The Hidden Land; Burt Bacharach – The Definitive Collection; Dee Dee Bridgewater – Dee Dee Bridgewater; Doris Day – The Love Album; Eric Kamen – Native Unit; Graham Central Station – Graham Central Station; Graham Central Station – Release Yourself; Graham Central Station – No ‘Bout-A-Doubt It; Graham Central Station – Now U Wanna Dance; Graham Central Station – Mirror; Graham Central Station – My Radio Sure Sounds Good To Me; Jaheem – Ghetto Classics; Jody Whatley – Looking For A New Love (Remixes); Liza Minnelli – The Definitive Collection; Miles Davis – Out Of Nowhere; Nina Simone – I Put A Spell On You; Nina Simone – Broadway-Blues-Ballads; Nina Simone – Nina Simone In Concert; Nina Simone – Pastel Blues; Nina Simone – High Priestess Of Soul; Nina Simone – Wild Is The Wind; Salome De Bahia – Brasil; Sergio Mendes – Timeless; Slow Train Slow – Illegal Cargo; Stacy Lattislaw – With You; Stacy Lattislaw – Sneakin’ Out; Talking Heads – Speaking In Tongues; Talking Heads – Little Creatures; Talking Heads – True Stories; Talking Heads – Naked; Toto – Falling In Between.

Legacy will release a Teddy Pendergrass live album, entitled Live From LA 2/14 on April 25.


Joseph Williams, Ian Anderson (from Jethro Tull), Lenny Castro, Steve Porcaro, L. Shankar and Roy Hargrove join Toto on their new release – Falling In Between. The new CD is out now and is available on Frontier Records. The final track listing includes Falling In Between, Simple Life, Dying On My Feet, Bottom Of Your Soul, Let It Go, Nowhere In Sight, Spiritual Man, Ain’t Your World, The Reefer Man and Hooked. We wish them lots of luck with plenty of deserved airplay on this project, so get on board radio and open up those playlists!

While we are on the subject of hot music, here are some old and new songs that we’ve heard recently that we like very much. Note that most of these (except for the Vincent Montana tracks) were heard on the highly recommended Internet radio station www.swissgroove.ch -
Alex Cortiz – Barfly; Average White Band – I Wanna Be Loved; Cal Tjader – Lucero; Llorca – I Cry (Alton Miller Remix); Tortured Soul – I Might Do Something Wrong; Vincent Montana Jr. – The Africa Track (Louis Benedetti Remix); and Vincent Montana Jr. – What Love Does (Louis Benedetti Remix).

Grammy award-winner and legendary club diva Jody Whatley revisits her own 1980’s signature song Looking For A New Love with her latest release on the Water Music label. A series of remixes are available here including the lead ROCAsound house mix, a formulaic Circuit-styled Chus & Ceballos Mix, the Deep House vibe on the Craig C. Mix, and the Chris Joss Vocal Mix.



Salome De Bahia’s latest release – Brasil – is filled with modern house and electronic percussion by French DJ and producer Bob Sinclar. Brasil reads like a Brazilian standards songbook by including such familiar melodies as Pais Tropical, Fiesta Para Um Rei Negro and Cada Vez, the latter made popular in the house circuit by Negrocan. There’s nods to tunes north of the border with Bahia’s take on Stevie Wonders Another Star, listed here as Sambala, and on Taj Mahal, there’s the familiar signature riff from another song that told us if we though Rod Stewart was sexy. We should just let him know. And there’s even a cover of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana. Bob Sinclar is widely known for his own productions and remixes, including his collaboration with Cerrone on Cerrone vs. Bob Sinclar.

Eric Kamen’s new album – Native Unit – features flowing melodies to compelling sweeps, and the songs on Native Unit transport the listener into a unified dimension of world, new age and R&B grooves. My Father’s Mandolin is established by a steady hip-hop beat and rhythmic strumming of the bouzouki. Flamenco guitar leads over angelic chimes and rolling percussion on Arenys By The Sea. The track. Mykonos At Midnight was recently selected as Best Instrumental Songs of the Year by The Muse’s Muse in 2005 and offers contagious and melodic guitar music. Recently, the Muses’ Muse named Native Unit the Best Instrumental CD of the Year. "The project will appeal to hardcore hip-hop fans, jazz enthusiasts, and world music lovers alike…" raves The Muse’s Muse. Kweevak Music Magazine praises, "A magical blend…melding the edge of hip-hop with the soul of R&B."

In other news…Legendary band, Earth, Wind & Fire, have joined the lineup to perform at the 2005 Essence Music Festival. The festival is set for July 1,2 and 3, and will take place in its new interim home, state-of-the-art Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. Earth, Wind & Fire are joining previously announced artists: Frankie Beverly and Toni Braxton. Additional talent will be announced in the coming weeks…The Fujitsu Jazz Festival will present The Magic Of Toots on March 16, starring Toots Thielemans with a cast of renowned artists, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Eliane Elias, Paquito D’Rivera, Oscar Castro-Neves, Joe Lovano and some special surprise guests who will celebrate Toots and his music. The Magic Of Toots concert event will speak of the beauty, warmth, virtuosity and soul of a one-of-a-kind artist who – at 83 – still stands at the ‘top of his game’. Music Director, Kenny Werner, Toots’ longtime duo partner – the ‘Maestro’ as he calls him – will take you on a journey, weaving in and out with Toots and his star-studded program…Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash are in the process of planning a reunion album as LaBelle, set for release in 2007. The trio have already recorded two songs thus far – Preaching To The Choir and Dear Rosa. Both songs appear in the film Preaching To The Choir starring Patti LaBelle. Nona Hendryx is also hard at work on her first album in 10 years with a release date later in the year… Aezra recording artist, Billy Miles, has been honored with an NAACP nomination in the Outstanding Jazz Artist category. Her debut CD, Billy Miles, is a stylish brew of jazz, pop, soul and trip-hop. The lead single of the CD, Sunshine, was an iTunes Song Of The Week, a #6 R&B track and it has charted on HOT AC, AAA and Smooth Jazz radio…Barry Manilow will follow-up his chart-topping success The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties with an album featuring songs from the sixties. His hit CD debuted last week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with sales of 156,000 copies in the U.S.according to Nielsen SoundScan.

MICHAEL FRANKS - RENDEZVOUS IN RIO & UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Michael Franks has has just finished mixing his new release, Rendezvous In Rio, set for release sometime this summer. It includes some wonderful arranging, producing, and musicianship from many of his longtime friends and co-conspirators: Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, Scott Petito, Jimmy Haslip, and Charles Blenzig, with whom he wrote the title tune. In the meantime, you can catch Michael on tour on the following dates:

March 11 - Colorado Spring, CO - Broadmoor Resort
March 17 - Chandler, AZ - Chandler Center for the Arts
April 7-9 - Las Vegas, NV - Sun Coast Casino
August 20 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Bowl - JVC Jazzfest

CHRIS BOTTI & DAVID SANBORN UNITE FOR TOUR

Best-selling jazz trumpeter Chris Botti- whose What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life? has just won a Grammy Award, will join forces with the legendary multiple Grammy-winning jazz fusion saxophonist David Sanborn for a run of very special tour dates beginning February 15 at the Civic Center in Des Moines, Iowa (see itinerary following). Botti and Sanborn will be accompanied by a powerhouse backing band featuring fellow Grammy-winners Billy Childs on piano and drummer Billy Kilson. Bassist James Genus will perform on the ensemble's February dates with Kenny Davis coming on-board to play bass during the March leg of the tour. Billy Childs won two Grammys this past week: Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), along with Gil Goldstein and Hector Pereira, for his work on What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life? from Chris Botti's #1 Jazz album, To Love Again and Best Instrumental Composition for Into The Light from the Billy Childs Ensemble album, Lyric. Drummer Billy Kilson, who first worked with Botti on 2004's best-selling When I Fall In Love album, may be heard drumming on the Dave Holland Big Band's Overtime, which won this year's Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album Grammy.

Botti won his first Grammy recognition for his role as producer on the 1994 Brecker Brothers release, Out of the Loop, which picked up that year's Top Contemporary Jazz Albums award. The versatile David Sanborn has won a total of six Grammy Awards – in categories including Jazz, Pop, and R&B -- over the course of his remarkably diverse musical career. During the course of the tour, Chris Botti will be dropping by PBS affiliates across the country to promote his Pledge Drive Special, "Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests," set to premiere during the March Pledge Week (check your local listings). "Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests," shot December 1 and 2, 2005, over a Thursday-Friday run at LA's fabled Wilshire Theatre, inspired the Los Angeles Times Don Heckman to write, "It was apparent, from the first notes Chris Botti played at the Wilshire Theatre on Friday, that the sold-out house was in for a special evening ... Botti's latest album, To Love Again – as well as the previously released When I Fall In Love – features extraordinary lineups of vocal guest artists. Six showed up for the concert - Sting, Jill Scott, Paula Cole, Renee Olstead, Paul Buchanan, Gladys Knight and Burt Bacharach . A full concert version of "Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests" is slated for DVD release in late March.

Chris Botti February - March Tour Dates:
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 Des Moines IA Civic Center w/David Sanborn
Thursday, February 16, 2006 Omaha NE Orpheum Theatre w/David Sanborn
Friday, February 17, 2006 Dallas TX "SAVOR DALLAS" FEST w/David Sanborn
Saturday, February 18, 2006 Kansas MO Beaumont Club w/David Sanborn
Sunday, February 19, 2006 Muncie IN Emens Auditorium w/David Sanborn
Monday, February 20, 2006 Harrisburg PA Whitaker Theatre w/David Sanborn
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 Harrisburg PA Whitaker Theatre w/David Sanborn
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Cleveland OH Playhouse on the Square w/David Sanborn
Thursday, February 23, 2006 Washington DC Warner Theatre w/David Sanborn
Friday, February 24, 2006 Glenside PA Keswick Theatre w/David Sanborn
Saturday, February 25, 2006 Baltimore MD Lyric Opera House w/David Sanborn
Sunday, February 26, 2006 Waterbury CT Palace Theatre w/David Sanborn
Monday, February 27, 2006 Decatur AL Princess Theatre
Friday, March 03, 2006 St. Louis MO Touhill PAC
Wednesday, March 08, 2006 Beaver Creek CO The Vilar Center
Thursday, March 09, 2006 Colorado Springs CO Pike's Peak Center
Friday, March 10, 2006 Sioux Falls SD Washington Pavilion
Saturday, March 11, 2006 Minneapolis MN State Theatre
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Redding CA Redding Convention Center w/David Sanborn
Thursday, March 23, 2006 Sacramento CA Radisson Hotel Ballroom w/David Sanborn
Friday, March 24, 2006 San Francisco CA Masonic Hall w/David Sanborn
Saturday, March 25, 2006 Fresno CA Saroyan Theatre w/David Sanborn
Sunday, March 26, 2006 San Diego CA Spreckles Theatre w/David Sanborn
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 Sahuarita AZ Desert Diamond Casino w/David Sanborn
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Palm Desert CA McCallum Theatre

CHICK COREA TO PERFORM FREE WORLD JAZZ CONCERT

Multiple Grammy Award winner and National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master Chick Corea will perform a free concert with his band Touchstone and Spanish flamenco dancer, Auxi Fernandez, in a special pre-Valentine's day event on Sunday, February 12th at 2:30 pm at the Hollywood Virgin Megastore located in the Hollywood and Highland Complex. An autograph session will immediately follow the performance.

The free concert will include selections from Corea's newly released album, The Ultimate Adventure (Concord Records, 2006), an exotic blend of Spanish, North African and Middle Eastern melodies inspired by the fantasy novel of the same name written by best-selling author L. Ron Hubbard. "The Ultimate Adventure" book is being co-released in a retro-stylized paperback version of the novel that recreates the original pulp magazine cover design and story illustrations (Galaxy Press, 2006). This is set to be the first in a line of over 100 pulp fiction books to be released by Galaxy Press at a rate of four per month starting in March.

This is Corea's second successfully realized concept album based on a work by L. Ron Hubbard. In 2004, Chick reunited his early 1980s Elektric Band for a trip "To the Stars." "While I was in the performance stage of 'To the Stars,' I started looking for some more of Hubbard's books to work with, and found this wonderful story that has a southern Spain, Northern African, Arabian background to it. And as I began reading the book again... because I had read it before... I realized how neatly the Touchstone band would be able to realize the music," Corea said.

Other master musicians who appear with Corea on the CD include, legendary jazz flutist Hubert Laws, Grammy-winning world percussionist Airto Moerira, Flamenco bassist Carlos Benavent, Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy, saxophonist Tim Garland, percussionist Rubem Dantas, drummer Tom Brechtlein, sax/flute player Jorge Pardo, guitarist Frank Gambale, and drummers Steve Gadd, and Vinnie Calaiuta.

BERKS JAZZ FESTIVAL, ALFONZO BLACKWELL, THE OASIS - SMOOTH JAZZ, MAGIC 106.7 SMOOTH JAZZ

The 16th annual FirstEnergy Berks Jazz Fest this year will feature the City Rhythm Orchestra presenting the music of Frank Sinatra,a Michelle & Brian Culbertson collaboration, keyboardist Joe McBride, sax player Kenny Blake and vocalist Liz Longley, plus Dianne Reeves, Joe Sample, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Ramsey Lewis, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Candy Dulfer, Gerald Veasley, Kurt Elling and the Robert Cray Band. In addition, three spectacular ensemble shows - The Music of Marvin Gaye & and Motown; Ivan Lins & Friends; and a Tribute to Wes Montgomery - top the lineup. The event runs from March 17-26 at multiple venues throughout Berks County.


ALFONZO BLACKWELL - SOULFULSMOOTHJAZZ.COM & SOULFULCLASSICS.COM
Alfonzo Blackwell is an incredible force in the internet radio industry. He has begun this year in classic style that is surely a stunning and rare commodity. Blackwell has forged ahead of the pack in the internet radio-smooth jazz/chill and classic soul and RnB formats to deliver stellar musical content and much more. Through his superb musical direction and great leadership at SoulfulSmoothJazz.com Radio and SoulfulClassics.com Radio, he has garnered considerable praise and accolades for fostering a refreshing new platform for artists of today as well as for legendary artists. With Blackwell’s close attention to detail and hard work, our favorite smooth jazz artists such as Dave Coz, Brian Culbertson, Acoustic Alchemy and many others have supported SoulfulSmoothJazz.com Radio and participated in exclusive interviews with the fastest growing station of its kind. Visit the illustrious websites to tune-in to the smooth and soulful blends of music and you will come away with so much more than you ever imagined. Kudos to the SoulfulSmoothJazz.com Radio Team, SoulfulClassics.com Radio Team and their musical director-Alfonzo Blackwell. Visit: www.soulfulsmoothjazz.com and www.soulfulclassics.com

THE PLANET'S #1 SMOOTH JAZZ - THE OASIS
With the lack of a smooth-jazz station on commercial radio in St. Louis, MO after the former WSSM (106.5 FM) went off the air last April, former WSSM employees Terry Fox and Jason Church have launched "The Oasis," a.k.a. "The Planet's #1 Smooth Jazz." The station, available on the internet only at www.foxmusicmachine.com, offers two high-quality streams (one dial-up, the other broadband) and a playlist that boasts "three or four hundred" artists. Aside from smooth-jazz mainstays like Kenny G, Sade, Dave Koz, Chris Botti, George Benson, Steely Dan and Michael Bublé, the station also includes tracks by John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Grover Washington Jr. — musicians, in other words, who commercial smooth-jazz stations might not necessarily program.

MAGIC 106.7 SMOOTH JAZZ
Greater Media Announces Multicasts In their Boston MarketGreater Media has announced the details of its digital multicast channels for the Boston and as a result Smooth Jazz returns to the Boston airwaves after a six-year hiatus with the debut of MAGIC 106.7’s Smooth Jazz Channel. The side channel will be a blend of traditional and contemporary jazz, fusion, and new adult contemporary music. Listeners will also have the opportunity to tune in online at www.magic1067.com and click on the Smooth Jazz Channel icon.

VAN HUNT - ON THE JUNGLE FLOOR

On April 4th, Capitol Records will release Van Hunt's On The Jungle Floor, the follow-up to his self-titled debut album. Hunt, who is currently nominated for a Grammy award for "Best Urban / Alternative Performance," perform at the Grammy's with an all-star group that included Maroon 5, Will.I.Am of The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend and Joss Stone in the Grammy(R) Awards' tribute to Sly And The Family Stone. The 48th Annual Grammy(R) Awards will aired on CBS, Wednesday, February 8th.

Where 2004's Van Hunt introduced the Dayton-born singer/songwriter's organic brew of rock-laced R&B, On The Jungle Floor adds funkier, freakier flavors that recall influences as disparate as the Isley Brothers, the Smiths, Rick James and the Stooges. (Hunt, in fact, includes a blistering, blues-drenched cover of the Stooges No Sense of Crime on the album.) Bill Bottrell (Madonna, Michael Jackson) co-produced On The Jungle Floor with Hunt, who once again wrote, arranged and performed most of the songs himself. Van Hunt's first album was one of the most acclaimed pop debuts in recent years. The New York Times described it as "the perfect soundtrack for any seduction" while Rolling Stone simply stated that with the release of Van Hunt, "the bar has been raised." Artists including Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Joss Stone and Adam Clayton of U2 sang his praises and Hunt performed on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Tavis Smiley Show" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Touring both as a headliner and opening for such artists as Coldplay, Kanye West and Seal, he earned a reputation as a master performer. In advance of his forthcoming tour, Hunt recently previewed material from the new album at the Sundance Film Festival.

In a world of overproduced, overstylized R&B and pop records, Hunt has learned the merits of keeping his music raw and direct. "All you can do is try to find the best representation of a song," he says. "I want to maintain the spontaneity, and make sure that the spark that was there at the outset is still shining." With On The Jungle Floor, Van Hunt sets those sparks
flying.

Track Listing - Van Hunt's On The Jungle Floor
1. If I Take You Home
2. Hot Stage Lights
3. Daredevil, baby
4. Ride, Ride, Ride
5. Being A Girl
6. Suspicion
7. Mean Sleep
8. Priest or Police
9. Character
10. No Sense of Crime
11. At The End of A Slow Dance
12. The Thrill of This Love
13. Hole in My Heart
14. The Night Is Young

2 NEW ALBUMS FROM ROY HARGROVE & A DJ-MIXED ARTIST SET FROM CARL COX

NEW FROM VERVE - 2 NEW ROY HARGROVE CDs
On Tuesday, May 2, 2006, Verve Records will release Distractions and Nothing Serious, two new recordings from Roy Hargrove. Distraction features vocalist Renee Neifville (formerly of the R&B duo Zhane), D’Angelo, and The RH Factor – his neo-soul/jazz fusion outfit which made it’s debut with 2003’s groundbreaking record, the internationall successful Hard Groove. The RH Factor consists of drummers Willie Jones and Jason "JT" Thomas, bass players Lenny Stalworth and Reggie Washington, guitarist Todd Parsnow, keyboard players Charlie McCambell, Bobby Sparks and Renee Neufville, and sax players Keith Anderson and David "Fathead" Newman.

On Nothing Serious, you’ll find Hargrove doing his straight jazz thing. For this album, The Roy Hargrove Quintet consists of Hargrove on trumpet, Ronnie Matthews on piano, Dwanyne Burno on bass, Willie Jones III on drums, and Justin Robinson on alto sax and flute.

Hargrove will continue to perform and tour with both groups following the dual release of Distractions and Nothing Serious.

DJ CARL COX TO RELEASE SECOND SIGN ON APRIL 4, 2006
KOCH Records has announced the release of Second Sign, the new DJ-mixed artist album by DJ Carl Cox, on April 4th, 2006. Second Sign contains 15 original Carl Cox tracks produced in conjunction with heavyweight electronic producers like Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook, Josh Wink, Roni Size, Mistress Barbara and others. Cox has mixed up styles one would never think of putting together - house, soul, punk, techno and drum and bass.

Known as one of the best DJs in the world, Carl Cox has been part of Britain's dance scene from the heady days of disco through to the global clubland of the '90s, with temporary pit-stops covering hip hop, the rare-groove movement and the immense rave revolution of the late '80s.
Cox has plans to host his own stage at 2006's "Ultra Music Festival" in Miami, Florida, and will returns to DJ in Ibiza in the summer. Cox will also be performing at the Coachella festival on April 30th, 2006.

The track listing for Second Sign is:
1. That's the Bass (Cox's Rock Drums Mix) feat. Norman Cook)
2. Space Calling
3. Give Me Your Love feat. Hannah Robinson
4. Feel The Real w/Light of the World
5. Room 713
6. If I Fall (Would You Let Me?) Phats and Small Mix feat. Onallee
7. On Fire feat. Mistress Barbara
8. Ain't It Funky Now
9. Dirty Bass feat. Christian Smith
10. It's the Machines feat. Josh Wink
11. Vibes of Energy feat. Kevin Saunderson
12. Give Me Your Love (Valentino Kanzyani EarresistAble Mix)
13. Open Book feat. Roni Size and Onallee
14. Got What You Paid 4! Feat. Saffron
15. If I Fall (Would You Let Me?) (Drum and Latin version) feat. Onallee

BEBEL GILBERTO, CANADIAN SMOOTH JAZZ AWARDS, ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL, JUSTIN GUARINI, NEW JAZZ AND CHILL RELEASES, LENNY WILLIAMS & STEPHANIE MILLS

BEBEL GILBERTO AT SUPPERCLUB SAN FRANCISCO
Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto will perform a limited engagement of two intimate evenings at San Francisco’s Supperclub in the South of Market area. Shows are slated for Feb. 12 and 14. Supperclub of San Francisco is an innovative multi-sensory fine dining experience rooted in excellent food, creativity and experimentation. While the primary focus is on food, Supperclub also serves as a blank canvas for artists of all kinds including sculptors, fashion designers, performers, dancers, DJ and more. San Francisco is the first U.S. city for the Supperclub brand, which began with Supperclub Amsterdam, then expanded to Rome, a cruise ship and a catering company.

ALEXANDER ZONJIC TO HOST THE CANADIAN SMOOTH JAZZ AWARDS
Jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic will host the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, scheduled for April 7 in Mississauga, Ontario. Zonjic has been nominated for two awards, and keyboardist Bob James will be honored with the George Benson Lifetime Achiever Award. Other nominees include Chris Botti, Feist and Michael Buble. This year’s ceremony will feature performances by Warren Hill, Steve Oliver, Paul Brown, Carol Weisman, Brian Hughes and Dave Sereny. Alexander Zonjic also hosts a morning show on Detroit’s smooth jazz station, 98.7 WVMV-FM.

SEAL AND NANCY WILSON TO HEADLINE ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The 15th edition of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival is slated for May 5-14, 2006, with headliners Seal, Babyface, Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, and Al Green. Since its establishment in 1992, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival has grown in magnitude and stature to become one of the pre-eminent Jazz festivals in the world, and attracting world famous artists from the entertainment world. This years’ event will be staged by the St. Lucia Tourist Board and produced by BET Event Productions, a division of Viacom subsidiary Black Entertainment Television (BET).

JUSTIN GUARINI RELEASES A SMOOTH JAZZ ALBUM
Justin Guarini (of American Idol fame) has released a smooth jazz album. The new self-produced, independent CD, Stranger Things Have Happened, includes a smooth jazz version of My Funny Valentine. Other songs include I’ll Take Romance, I Didn’t Know What Time It Was, Just Squeeze, Night And Day, Stranger Things Have Happened To Me, Young And Foolish, Sing and All Of You.

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY JAZZ AND CHILL RELEASES…
Stanley Turrentine – Inflation; Steve ‘The Scotsman’ Harvey & Others – Everyday People Project Vol. 1; Samba Jazz Trio – Agora Sim!; Timo Lassey – African Rumble/High At Noon; Rosalia De Souza – Brasil Precisa Balancar; Freda Payne – Stares And Whispers; Peggy Lee – Peggy Lee Sings Leiber And Stoller; Amana Melome – Indigo Red; Haroldo Mauro Jr. – Bossa Na Pressao; Mike Theodore Orchestra – Cosmic Wind/High On Mad Mountain; Jon Lucien – I Am Now/Mind’s Eye/Rashida; Poussez – Poussez; The Persuaders – Made To Be Loved; Brass Construction – Got To Be Loved (remixes by Kenny Dope); Marlena Shaw – Out Of Different Bags; Erica & Chiquinho Timoteo Et Les Show Rio – Brazil 77; Coco Lagos – Descargas/Ritmo Caliente; Michel Legrand – Legrand Nougaro; Sambasonics – Jorge Ben Beat; Pharoah Sanders – Pharoah Sanders Anthology: You’ve Got To Have Freedom; Roy Ayers – Vibrations; Luiz Macedo – Bossa Electromagnetica; Sadao Watanabe & Charlie Mariano – Iberian Waltz; Edu Luke – Cosmo Bamba; Alzo – Alzo; Geraldo Pino – Heavy Heavy Heavy/Let’s Have A Party/Afro Soco Soul Live; Starpoint – All Night Long; Barbara McNair – Livin’ End; Chet Baker – Complete Original Chet Baker Sings Sessions; Cecilia Stalin – Straight Up; Bridget St. john – Thank You For; Rick Smith – We Should Be Lovers; Gruppo Jazz Marza – Communicazione Sonoroa; Debbie Jacobs – High On Your Love; Kleer – License To Dream; Jafrosax – New Standard Of The Future; Invisible Session – To The Powerful; Blue Magic – Magic Of The Blue; Yvon ‘Kapi’ Andre – The Afro Caribbean Project; Chick Corea – The Ultimate Adventure; Jason Miles – What’s Going On? Songs Of Marvin Gaye; Beth Orton – Comfort Of Strangers; Gino Vannelli – These Are The Days; and Roberta Flack – The Very Best Of Roberta Flack;

LENNY WILLIAMS & STEPHANIE MILLS
Both Lenny Williams and Stephanie Mills have recently released new albums. Lenny Williams, known for one of the greatest love songs ever recorded, Cause I Love You, has a new CD entitled My Way. Stephanie Mills, who had more than her share of successes many years ago is back with Born For This. Both CDs are out now.

STEVEN OLIVER, AMILCAR, VAN MORRISON, RICK ARROYO, KENNY G & THE GRAMMYS

STEVE OLIVER TO RELEASE HIS 4TH ALBUM – RADIANT ON MARCH 21, 2006
Radiant contains a collection of spiritually uplifting songs that celebrate life and music. While showcasing Steve Oliver's fascinating mix of virtuoso guitar work, driving grooves and soulful singing, the album also exposes the artist's seemingly extraterrestrial ability to vocally create a virtual orchestra of instrumental sounds. While his previous recordings included numerous tracks featuring fairly lavish production, this time Oliver committed the project's design to a slightly scaled back approach placing much more of an emphasis on his guitar and voice.
The album's opener Feeling Good is an absolute expression of its title and will leave you in that exact frame of mind. Once set up for fun, you've gained passage to an Oliver trademarked musical voyage, so climb aboard and enjoy. As if asked to now hoist life's anchor and cast off all lines, the second cut, Tradewind, beckons our submission in a gentle breezy mode. Yet once underway the sails of this composition become full and the winds whistle a jam that funks up the decks and tricks out the rigging. After catching your breath, the artist's interpretation of Buffalo Springfield's classic For What it's Worth will leave you leaning against the mast, singing along, recalling the course of that day and pondering the current relevance of its manuscript. Next up is Good To Go, a track which joyfully transports us further toward the equator and into a sea of Latin/World Music. Schools of sizzling guitar passages and white caps laced with trippy vocal percussion are at every turn of the helm in this chart.

Moving into calmer waters, the moody atmospheric gem Shadow of The Moon seemingly drifts in from the horizon and subtly gains our attention by featuring seductive soundings from Stevie Wonder's longtime trumpet player and studio confidant Steve Madeo. Cool is next on the log and brings aboard sax hero and former Al Jarreau first mate Michael Paulo. Teaming up with Captain Oliver, Mr. Paulo passionately assists in bringing us back to cruising speed while heading toward deeper waters. The infectious vocal and pop arrangement of Bend or Break follows and deeper waters it is. If ever there were a doubt as to Oliver's ability to circumnavigate the musical globe, this song will dispel any such yarn. The acoustic pleasures of Across the Water, the buoyant and flowing Reach the Sky, and Shine, a track ably enhanced by the adventurous rhythmic patterns of Christian Poezach, all follow in splendid succession.

Pulling into port, Oliver bids us retrospective farewell by delivering Radiant Dreams, a poignantly poetic reflection on life's overall voyage and its sometimes elusive treasures.
Steve Oliver averages between 150-200 live gigs a year. Frequently billed at major music festivals as the "Special Guest Artist," Oliver has recently achieved "Headlining" status at many. Perhaps most notable would be his being selected to headline the 2005 Playboy Jazz Festival's Memorial Day presentation at the world famous Pasadena Rose Bowl.

This artist is also receiving a good deal of international recognition these days. One such example is his being nominated, alongside genre superstars Chris Botti, Richard Elliot and superproducer/guitarist Paul Brown, as "Best International Artist" by the 2006 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards committee. The event will be held in on April 7th in Toronto and Oliver has accepted an invitation to perform at the ceremony.


AMILCAR TOPS THE NEW AGE/AMBIENT/WORLD RADIO MUSIC CHARTS
New Vibes Music announced today that its artist Amilcar was among the top 100 New Age/Ambient/World Radio Charts with his album Vacuuming the Forest during 2005, according to New Age Reporter (NAR) figures.The New Age Reporter (NAR) is a major resource for new age, ambient, world radio /Internet airwaves chart. The top 100 charts are compiled from radio playlists submitted each month during 2005 by over 100 broadcasters around the world that report to the NAR network. Amilcar’s can be heard on radio stations throughout the US including NPR, as well as Canada, Europe and Asia. His CD is available in stores, Amazon.com, Cdbaby.com and individual tracks can also be downloaded from iTunes, MSN, MusicMatch, Rhapsody, and many other digital sites.

VAN MORRISON 2006 TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
Van Morrison has announced five dates in support of his new Lost Highway Records release Pay The Devil. Dates are March 3 at the Masonic Hall (San Francisco, CA); March 4 at the Waltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA); March 6 at the Nokia Theatre (Dallas, TX); March 7 at the Ryman Theatre (Nashville, TN); and March 8 at the Opera House Boston, MA).

RICK ARROYO – ON FIRE IN THE DESERT
Pianist, drummer, percussionist, arranger, and composer, Rick Arroyo will be talking about his musical journey and playing music from his new CD release - On Fire In The Desert, on the Vince Priester Radio show. Don't miss it at xradio.biz/lasvegas Tuesday February 14 at 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Rick has recorded and or played with Luis Conte, Bill Laster, Karen Briggs, Dick Mitchell, Dan St. Marsais, Tata Palau, Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez, Luis Miranda, Bobby Matos, Johnny Polanco, Eddie Resto and David Romero. He has shared the stage with The Yellow Jackets, Fatburger, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, Carl Fontana, Everrett Harp, Gilberto Santa Rosa Cubanismo, Nils and many others, and has opened for Tito Puente, Willie Chirino, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jesus Alemany, David Benoit, Richard Elliott, Michael McDonald, Donna Summer, The Beach Boys, Sammy Hagar and many others.

KENNY G RELEASES THE ESSENTIAL KENNY G 2-DISC CD
With his warm and wondrous tone and texture, Kenny G is the Gentleman of Jazz. His saxophone takes us to places that quicken our senses and delight our imagination. As a teenaged member of Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra, Kenny learned about sensuality and seduction from a master, and over the course of his spectacular career he's applied those lessons to make smooth and sophisticated odes to romance, passions and spirituality. In the process he's become the world's best-selling instrumental and jazz musician. His latest is The Essential Kenny G, and it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of Duotones, his 5x-platinum breakthrough album of 1986, the 2-CD Essential Kenny G pays tribute to the biggest-selling instrumental musician and the biggest-selling jazz musician of the modern era with the most extensive collection of his career.

CD101.9 GRAMMY AWARD SHOWCASE
CD101.9's Deborah Rath will talk to Grammy-nominated artists including Stevie Wonder, Jeff Lorber, George Duke, Dave Samuels, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Chris Botti from the comfort of their homes, recording studios and tour buses as they prepare for the 48 th Annual Grammy Awards February 8th. The special Grammy showcase will feature music and insight from behind the scenes on the eve of the award show Tuesday February 7th 9pm – 10pm only on Smooth Jazz CD101.9 in New York.

THE TOP 100 SMOOTH JAZZ SONGS OF 2005

Here's a listing of the Top 100 Smooth Jazz songs of 2005 as compiled by trade publication Radio & Records. The rankings are based on U.S. radio station airplay.

1. NILS - Pacific Coast Highway (Baja/TSR)
2. SOUL BALLET - Cream (215)
3. TIM BOWMAN - Summer Groove (Liquid 8)
4. KENNY G - Pick Up The Pieces (Arista/RMG)
5. MICHAEL LINGTON - Two Of A Kind (Rendezvous)
6. DAVE KOZ - Let It Free (Capitol)
7. BONEY JAMES/JOE SAMPLE - Stone Groove (Warner Bros.)
8. STEVE COLE - Thursday (Narada Jazz/EMI)
9. PAUL TAYLOR - Nightlife (Peak)
10. EUGE GROOVE - XXL (Narada Jazz/EMI)
11. RICHARD ELLIOT - People Make The World Go Round (Artizen)
12. CHUCK LOEB - Tropical (Shanachie)
13. MINDI ABAIR - Come As You Are (GRP/VMG)
14. NORMAN BROWN - Up 'N' At 'Em (Warner Bros.)
15. MARION MEADOWS - Sweet Grapes (Heads Up)
16. KENNY G/EARTH, WIND & FIRE - The Way You Move (Arista/RMG)
17. PAUL BROWN - Moment By Moment (GRP/VMG)
18. RICHARD ELLIOT - Your Secret Love (GRP/VMG)
19. PAUL HARDCASTLE - Serene (Trippin' 'N' Rhythm)
20. WAYMAN TISDALE - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (Rendezvous)
21. GERALD ALBRIGHT - To The Max (GRP/VMG)
22. CHRIS BOTTI - Back Into My Heart (Columbia)
23. PAUL JACKSON, JR. - Never Too Much (GRP/VMG)
24. DAVE KOZ - Love Changes Everything (Capitol)
25 . NORMAN BROWN - West Coast Coolin' (Warner Bros.)
26. KEN NAVARRO - You Are Everything (Positive)
27. BRIAN CULBERTSON - Hookin' Up (GRP/VMG)
28. GEORGE BENSON - Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise (GRP/VMG)
29. JEFF LORBER - Ooh La La (Narada Jazz/EMI)
30. PAUL JACKSON, JR.- Walkin' (Blue Note/EMC)
31. FOURPLAY - Fields Of Gold (RCA Victor/RMG)
32. VANESSA WILLIAMS - You Are Everything (Lava)
33. ANITA BAKER - How Does It Feel (Blue Note/Virgin/EMC)
34. CHRIS BOTTI - No Ordinary Love (Columbia)
35. QUEEN LATIFAH - California Dreamin' (Vector)
36. 3RD FORCE - Believe In Me (Higher Octave/EMI)
37. EUGE GROOVE - Get Em Goin' (Narada Jazz/EMI)
38. WALTER BEASLEY - Coolness (Heads Up)
39. RAY CHARLES/DIANA KRALL - You Don't Know Me (Concord)
40. DAVID SANBORN - Tin Tin Deo (GRP/VMG)
41. PIECES OF A DREAM - It's Go Time (Heads Up)
42. HALL & OATES - I'll Be Around (U-Watch)
43. SEAL - Walk On By (Warner Bros.)
44. KIM WATERS - In Deep (Shanachie)
45. ANITA BAKER - You're My Everything (Blue Note/Virgin/EMC)
46. BONEY JAMES - Here She Comes (Warner Bros.)
47. ALICIA KEYS - If I Ain't Got You (J/RMG)
48. JONATHAN BUTLER - Fire & Rain (Rendezvous)
49. AVERAGE WHITE BAND - Work To Do (Liquid 8)
50. PETER WHITE - How Does It Feel (Columbia)
51. MINDI ABAIR - Make A Wish (GRP/VMG)
52. DAVID PACK - You're The Only Woman (Peak)
53. DONNY OSMOND - Breeze On By (Decca)
54. WAYMAN TISDALE - Ready To Hang (Rendezvous)
55. PAUL BROWN - Cosmic Monkey (GRP/VMG)
56. MARION MEADOWS - Suede (Heads Up)
57. JOYCE COOLING - Camelback (Narada Jazz/EMI)
58. PAMELA WILLIAMS - Fly Away With Me (Shanachie)
59. MICHAEL MCDONALD - Tracks Of My Tears (Motown)
60. KEM - I Can't Stop Loving You (Motown/Universal)
61. JEFF GOLUB - Simple Pleasures (Narada Jazz/EMI)
62. NELSON RANGELL - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Koch)
63. MARC ANTOINE - Madrid (GRP/VMG)
64. ALEXANDER ZONJIC - Leave It With Me (Heads Up)
65. CHIELI MINUCCI - The Juice (Shanachie)
66. GREG ADAMS - Firefly (215)
67. BRIAN SIMPSON - It's All Good (Rendezvous)
68. BOZ SCAGGS - Lowdown (Unplugged) (Virgin)
69. RICK BRAUN - Shining Star (Artizen)
70. MARIAH CAREY - We Belong Together (Island/IDJMG)
71. BONEY JAMES - 2:01 AM (Warner Bros.)
72. WARREN HILL - Still In Love (Popjazz/Native Language)
73. ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY - Say Yeah (Higher Octave/EMI)
74. MICHAEL MCDONALD - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Motown)
75. MATT BIANCO/BASIA - Ordinary Day (Decca/Universal)
76. ADANI & WOLF w/ERNEST RANGLIN - Daylight (Rendezvous)
77. KIM WATERS - Steppin' Out (Shanachie)
78. DEF JAZZ/GERALD ALBRIGHT - Hey Young World (GRP/VMG)
79. DIDO - White Flag (Arista/RMG)
80. CAMIEL - I'm Ready (Rendezvous)
81. JOYCE COOLING - Daddy-O (GRP/VMG)
82. PETER WHITE - Dreamwalk (Columbia)
83. MICHAEL BUBLE - Home (143/Reprise)
84. PIECES OF A DREAM - Night Vision (Heads Up)
85. RUSS FREEMAN - East River Drive (Q/Atlantic)
86. STEVE OLIVER - Chips & Salsa (Koch)
87. SOUL BALLET - She Rides (215)
88. CHUCK LOEB - Pocket Change (Shanachie)
89. PETER WHITE - Turn It Out (Columbia)
90. MARCUS MILLER/ERIC CLAPTON - Silver Rain (Koch)
91. THA' HOT CLUB - I'm Gonna Love You Just ... (Shanachie)
92. RENEE OLSTEAD - A Love That Will Last (143/Reprise)
93. RICHARD SMITH - What'z Up? (A440)
94. ERIC MARIENTHAL - Lefty's Lounge (Peak)
95. HERBIE HANCOCK/JOHN MAYER - Stitched Up (Hear Music/Vector)
96. GREGG KARUKAS - Riverside Drive (N-Coded)
97. EVERETTE HARP - Can You Hear Me (A440)
98. KIRK WHALUM - Any Love (GRP/VMG)
99. NILS - Summer Nights (Baja/TSR)
100. NAJEE - 2nd 2 None (Heads Up International)

MOTOWN ARTISTS REUNITE, HEATHER HEADLEY, TOM TALLITSCH, BIRD YORK, SIMPLY RED, WASHINGTON DC/MARYLAND CONCERTS & VINCENT MONTANA JR.

MOTOWN ARTSTS REUNITE
Legendary Motown artists - including The Four Tops, The Miracles, The Contours, The Dramatics, The Former Ladies of the Supremes, Freda Payne, Brenda Holloway, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Velvelettes, plus Paul Hill and John Legend are set to take part at the Motown Music Fest, Saturday, February 4, Super Bowl eve at the Detroit Masonic Temple. The artists will be backed musically by the legendary Funk Brothers considered by many to be the true sound of Motown.

HEATHER HEADLEY – IN MY MIND
Her debut album, This Is Who I Am in 2002, achieved gold status and earned Heather Headley two Soul Train Awards, for Best R&B Soul Album of The Year and Best Solo R&B/Soul New Artist. On this release, Headley is joined by some of music's most compelling producers, as she returns to the music limelight with her sophomore effort In My Mind. A superb mix of soul, dancehall, exquisite balladry and fire breathing gospel, In My Mind proves the agile Heather can not only wrap herself around a song, but also throw her arms around the entire recording process. Whether it's the sultry title cut, the playful/pampering Me Time, or the gospel-laced showstopper Change, In My Mind is the kind of soulful, sonically charged diary where lessons-learned meet musical purpose accomplished, grabbing the listener at its mesmerizing center of gravity, which just happens to be the one and only Heather Headley herself.

TOM TALLITSCH - DUALITY
Saxman Tom Tallitsch has released an inviting contemporary instrumental jazz CD titled Duality. Tallitsch offers his own compositions and standards on Duality. He puts himself in good company covering standout tracks such as Visions by Stevie Wonder and Wayne Shorter’s Infant Eyes. While going through his own personal jazz ‘rights of passage’ by covering standards, Tallitsch makes his own history with full bodied tracks like Propellerhead, which clocks in at over eight minutes and exceptional runs of instrumental pleasure titled Mablestates. Duality allows the judicious jazz connoisseur a simple yet colorful listen provided by the guitar of Dave Manley, and the relaxing earthy sax of Tallistch. The two instruments unify their sound with gentle and prolific interplay, making it evident that they were the only two instruments needed for this recording to flesh out the album and perpetuate a perfect sync between the two musicians.


BIRD YORK - WICKED LITTLE HIGH
Singer, Bird York, whose mesmerizing and haunting tune, In the Deep from the movie, Crash is nominated for an Academy Award. Her CD Wicked Little High is set for release on February 21. York’s music has been heard on TV shows such as House, Family Law, Nip/Tuck, Curb Your Enthusiasm, O.C., and recently the cancelled The West Wing.

SIMPLY RED ADDS NEW TOUR DATES
7 Simply Red summer UK shows have been added to their tour and the dates are: Friday 30th June Cardiff - Coopers Field, Cardiff Castle; Sunday 2nd July Leeds - Harewood House; Friday 7th July Maidstone (Kent) - Leeds Castle; Friday 14th July Bath - The Rec; Saturday 15th July Petworth (West Sussex) - Petworth House; Sunday 16th July Warwick - Warwick Castle; and Friday 21st July Nr Norwich - Blickling Hall. There are 11 other European summer shows already scheduled and more dates will be added soon so keep checking here for our news and tour updates.

GERALD VEASLEY, DAVID SANBORN, VANESSA RUBIN & OTHERS SCHEDULED FOR WASHINGTON DC/MARYLAND AREA CONCERTS
Upcoming February concerts for the Washington, DC and Maryland areas… Bleu Orleans at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on Feb. 4; Gerald Veasley and Kirk Whalum at the Birchmere on Feb. 6 and at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis on Feb. 7; Eric Reed at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater on Feb. 11; Sharon Clark at Twins on Feb. 14; East Coast Jazz Festival featuring Frank Morgan, David "Fathead" Newman, Rebecca Parris, Vanessa Rubin, Giacomo Gates and Russell Malone at the Doubletree Hotel in Rockville on Feb. 16-19; David Sanborn and Chris Botti at the Warner Theatre on Feb. 23; Steve Turre at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre on Feb. 26-26; John Abercrombie and Marc Copeland at Blues Alley on Feb. 26; and James Blood Ulmer at Blues Alley on Feb. 27.

VINCENT MONTANA JR. – THE AFRICAN TRACK
Vincent Montana Jr. releases yet another hidden gem right out of the vaults!. Montana has just unveiled an unreleased track recorded back in 1979 entitled, The African Track, on the Philly Sound Works label. The release features 3 mixes reworked by Louis Benedetti (DJ Mix, Beats and Bonus Beats), plus the original version by Vincent Montana Jr. Louis Benedetti, by the way, has been confirmed to appear at the Southport Weekender 38 on May 5, 6 and 7.