RAY CHARLES - RARE GENIUS: THE UNDISCOVERED MASTERS

Concord Records is celebrating the 80th birthday of the legendary Ray Charles with a special gift for his legions of fans: Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters. This treasure trove of newly discovered recordings, highlighted by a duet with fellow icon Johnny Cash, will become available at physical and digital retailers October 26, 2010.Culled from four decades worth of demos and other previously unreleased material, Rare Genius showcases the remarkable artistic vision, stylistic range and emotionally rich vocals that crafted Charles enduring legacy. Listening to the ten gems from the '70s, '80s and '90s that comprise this CD, fans will have no trouble envisioning the late singer rocking back and forth at the piano as he effortlessly segues between R&B/soul, pop, country and gospel. “Ray would always get inside the meaning of a lyric and make the listener believe every word, ” says Concord Music Group Chief Creative Officer. John Burk. “His vocals carried incredible emotion and intensity, even on demo tapes. What we have here with Rare Genius is on par with some of his greatest works.” And that’s crystal clear right from the album’s sparkling opener, "Love’s Gonna Bite You Back." The March 1980 session track features an upbeat horn arrangement behind what Rare Genius liner notes author Bill Dahl calls “a Charles vocal that’s a signature mixture of sandpaper grit and heavenly goodness.” Up next is the stunning ballad "It Hurts to Be in Love, " which underscores the album’s main thematic focus and one of Charles’ favorite subjects: the ups and down of romance. Another compelling standout is the gospel-stirred Charles and Cash duet on Kris Kristofferson’s "Why Me, Lord?" Discovered in the Sony vaults, the song was produced by Billy Sherrill in Nashville and recorded in 1981 for an anticipated release on a CBS album. For unknown reasons, that didn’t come to pass. What’s more important, however, is the emotional charge you get listening to these two powerful voices come together in this spirited and inspired pairing. Except for "Lord, " the nine other Rare Genius tracks including the soul-drenched "I Don’t Want No One But You, " a blues-infused cover of songwriter Hank Cochran’s country classic "A Little Bitty Tear" and the joyous "I’m Gonna Keep on Singin'" were found in the vault at Charles’ R.P.M. International studios in Los Angeles. Adding a little sweetening to some of the sparse, stripped-down tracks was a team of top-notch musicians and artists: guitarists Keb' Mo' and George Doering, organist Bobby Sparks, trumpeter Gray Grant, trombonist Alan Kaplan, bassists Trey Henry and Chuck Berghofer, drummers Gregg Field and Ray Brinker and background vocalist Eric Benet.As with its Concord predecessor, 2004’s Grammy-winning Album of the Year Genius Loves Company, Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters is another fitting tribute to Charles, who would have turned 80 on September 23. It’s a fresh, vibrant reaffirmation of the music icon’s unparalleled artistry and legacy.

Rare Genius – The Undiscovered Masters

TRACK LIST:

1. Love’s Gonna Bite You Back (copyright control)

2. It Hurts To Be in Love (Julius Dixon-Rudolph Toombs)

3. Wheel of Fortune (Bennie Benjamin-George David Weiss)

4. I’m Gonna Keep on Singin’ (copyright control)

5. There’ll Be Some Changes Made (William Blackstone-Benton Overstreet)

6. Isn’t It Wonderful (Limuel Taylor-Joel Webster)

7. I Don’t Want No One But You (copyright control)

8. A Little Bitty Tear (Hank Cochran)

9. She’s Gone (copyright control)

10. Why Me, Lord? featuring Johnny Cash (Kris Kristofferson)

TAYLOR EIGSTI - DAYLIGHT AT MIDNIGHT

Concord Jazz has released Daylight at Midnight, the newest album from pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti. This collection includes original Eigsti compositions, as well as other remarkable musical renditions by composers such as Nick Drake, Imogen Heap, Elliot Smith and Rufus Wainwright. The 11-track collection marks Eigsti’s third Concord Jazz release. On Daylight at Midnight, Eigsti continues to challenge the norms of what constitutes jazz today. While Eigsti pays full respect to the jazz tradition, he also exercises his passion for melodies of esteemed songwriters from his generation and explores a variety of music that piques his curiosity. In this collection, he not only finds resonance in the aforementioned top-tier, pop-oriented composers... but also brings to light a doubleheader of personal revelation: 20th-century Catalonian classical pianist Federico Mompou and up-and-coming vocalist/songwriter Becca Stevens, who sings five of the 11 tunes and adds her own flavors of the ukulele and charango. As fitting for an adventurous repertoire, the young pianist augments his unique and lyrical style with the Fender Rhodes, Rhodes PianoBass, Wurlitzer electric piano and Mellotron samples to add color and texture to the tunes.

Daylight at Midnight opens with an inventive instrumental interpretation of Coldplay’s “Daylight,” where Eigsti’s brilliant piano lines and his simpatico rhythm team of bassist Harish Raghavan and world-renowned jazz drummer Eric Harland create beautiful and unpredictable sound waves. The end of the tune affirms Eigsti’s principle, stating, “I can play standards the rest of my life. But I wanted to step away to see what I could do that was different.” The first track is followed by producer Matt Pierson’s selections: Wainwright’s “The Art Teacher,” which is an instrumental piece that showcases the pianist’s adept Fender Rhodes accompaniment, and “ The Water,” which features luminous vocalist Becca Stevens in a sensual, yet confident and concentrated manner. Stevens also stars on Imogen Heap’s “Little Bird,” a whimsical tune that is performed as a duo with Fender Rhodes, and on Elliot Smith’s reflective beauty “Between the Bars” as well as the collaborative originals, “Magnolia" and "Midnight After Noon.” Of the latter piece, Eigsti explains, “I’d been trying to finish this song for some five years…Once the words came, I realized that the loop melody I had written started sticking in my head.” In the middle section of the album, Eigsti strips his band down to a duo with guest guitarist and longtime musical partner, Julian Lage, on Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon.”

Even as important as Daylight at Midnight is to Eigsti's growth as an artist, the pianist is already thinking about his next musical projects. The once prodigious child pianist is unsatisfied staying static. He is always craving for change in a new music project or exploring different sounds. “With Daylight at Midnight, I wanted to tap into the singer-songwriter world, which will hopefully lead to the next compositional phase in my musical development.”

TrackList:
1. Daylight
2. Magnolia
3. The Art Teacher

4. The Water

5. Pink Moon

6. Little Bird

7. Secreto

8. Chaos

9. Between the Bars

10. Speaking Song

11. Midnight after Noon

HEATHER PARK - STAY

Korean R&B/Soul singer Heather Park is back with her highly anticipated second album Stay. A new look, an unleashed sound, and breaking free of all expectations she delivers music that expresses finding comfort in oneself. In 2005, Heather’s debut album, Dream In Pictures on Independent label Stush Music quickly achieved international recognition. With a Play Network licensing deal Dream In Pictures songs were played in major retailers such as the GAP, The Limited and Old Navy from coast to coast. In 2006, her song “Is What It Is” was chosen for licensing by Japan’s Avex Records. Finally, in 2007, power ballad “Leave Me To Dream” was featured on the soundtrack of the feature film “West 32nd”. Heather Park has performed all over the U.S, the UK and in 2009 opened for entertainer/actor/rapper “Common”.Once again partnering with producer Steve Francis, Heather Park has created a collection of intensely intimate songs. Drawing from a range of genres, R&B, hip-hop, soul, folk —she masterfully merges them into a language all her own. The album embodies Heather’s signature style of lush harmonies, refreshing live instruments, and poetic rhetoric. In the album’s title song, “Stay”, the stripped down acoustic track frees Heather’s sultry voice to soar and dominate. Deeply expressive and musically sound, Stay is a musical statement of personal strife wrapped in lyrical complexity and smooth resonance. It’s radiant, tough, tender and unique — just like its creator. Stay was released on September 28, 2010. Heather's current lead single “Trust You” tells a tale of love and lust. Other notable tracks include “Endless Possibilities,” “Just Can't Wait,” and “Stay With Me Til Dawn” a remake of Judie Tzuke’s 1977 version. Heather's angelic like voice on the track is blissfully enticing and clearly undeniable. "This album has been such a personal journey – it’s a musical autobiography of my life over the past years. It’s fiercely personal, deeply honest and very much represents who I am," said Heather Park. The powerful, sultry soul unleashed in “Stay” packs the kind of punch you never see coming. With a new support team behind her, Heather is prepared for a stellar year. Truly at her best when on stage, audiences can experience an intimate look into the soul singer’s life on September 28, 2010 at her album release party. Heather's release party at Crash Mansion will include songs from both “Dream In Pictures” and the new release “Stay”. You’ll will fall in love with Heather's realness intermixed with her enticing raw talent. In addition to preparing for her album release party, Heather has also teamed up with CancerCare for their annual Champagne & Chocolates event October 14, 2010 at Room Service in NYC. CancerCare is non-profit organization that provides free support services to anyone affected by cancer.

ADELE HARLEY - COME INTO MY LIFE

Adele Harley was born and raised in England. She studied music from the age of five playing various instruments including violin, flute, piano and guitar. By the time she was fifteen Adele put together her own band and over the years played numerous gigs including a three year residency At the Leeds Jazz club and played alongside such artistes as Corrine Bailey Rae.Heavily influenced by reggae as a teenager and singing with local reggae artists Adele has also enjoyed touring Europe as a session singer, she has supported many famous acts such as Betty Wright, Desmond Decker and Misty in Roots. Adele has also gained the opportunity to work with influential Reggae producers ‘Pickout’ from ‘Pickout Records’ and to Date has written three tracks with him including ‘It Was You’. Adele has often been compared to such greats as Janet Kay and Marcia Griffiths and to date Adele continues to be a successful artist and has just releases her stunning new album Come Into My Life with highly acclaimed producers ‘Mafia & Fluxy’. Most recently Adele has released a cover of Whitney Houston’s ‘Million Dollar Bill’ with ‘Lee Francis’ from ‘Smart Move Records’ and is working on the latest R&B to Reggae album alongside ‘Mafia & Fluxy’ and has also worked with the duo on previous volumes of R&B to Reggae, strictly vocals album and on the JA to UK album alongside such seasoned artists as Richie Spice, Turbulance and Gyptian. Produced by 'Mafia & Fluxy' this seventeen tracked album is tipped to be the top Female Reggae album of this year and beyond. With seventeen blazing tracks, thirteen of which are original tracks written by Adele Harley and Mafia & Fluxy. Featuring collabs with Glamma Kid and Leroy Mafia, the legendary Dean Fraser on sax, and the multi talented Ms Harley playing strings and flute on two tracks

GEQ ARE ALL ABOUT VERSATILITY

At a time when established jazz “groups” are scarce, GEQ is that rare gem that plays classic jazz, bebop and nu-jazz music of the highest artistic order. GEQ has been respectfully likened to Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers as well as Miles Davis and John Coltrane’s ensembles continuing the rumbling of excellence through their musicianship and professionalism. Composer/Trumpeter, Guymon Ensley originally assembled his band in 2001 and debuted it at the historic "Bakers Keyboard Lounge" in Detroit, Michigan in 2002. In August of 2003, the band had four major tours under their belt, billed with such internationally known artists as Yolanda Adams, Jefferey Osborn, The Isley Brothers, The Whispers and Frankie Beverly. GEQ has worldwide aclaim performing to audiences prestigous venues on numerous islands of Jamaica and aboard luxiurious cruise ships like the Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Guymon has performed with bands of various genres, from Latin Jazz to R&B, big band to chamber ensembles and solo performances with piano accompaniment. Like a magnet, classic jazz and be-bop kept tugging at his creative wellspring.

In 2006, Here Put This On, was released containing songs written and originally performed by such legends as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter and Dizzy Gillespie along with three originals. The CD was re-released in 2009 with two more original ‘bonus’ tracks penned by Ensley. After receiving a nomination by the Detroit Music Awards in 2006 for ‘Outstanding Modern Jazz Group’ and ‘Outstanding Jazz Composer and Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist’ the following year garnered him yet another nomination for ‘Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist/Group. Ensley is the featured artist on The Jazz Network Worldwide the week of August 23-29, 2009 and giving a glimpse of what’s to come to his fans in the jazz community and beyond of his current single “Where Am I Going With You?” from his upcoming release “This Comes With It”. Guymon looks forward to traveling the world with his band and playing all the great music in his catalogue as well as the new music he has up his sleeve.

http://www.geqjazz.com/.

SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA - VIVA LA TRADICON

Concord Picante has announced the release of Viva la Tradicón, the newest album from the Grammy winning 13-piece collective Spanish Harlem Orchestra. The 12-track collection marks the orchestra’s debut album for Concord Picante and overall fourth outing. Viva la Tradicón takes up where its three predecessors left off – stirring the pot of mid-20th century influences and keeping the salsa simmering for current and future generations. Now in its tenth year, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra is one of the most formidable and authentic Latin jazz combos of today. Yet for all of its appeal with contemporary audiences, the group’s success is actually rooted in the past. A lively and energetic affair, Viva la Tradición draws on inspiration from the music’s history and enduring traditions. The collection is comprised largely of original compositions and arrangements of classic salsa tunes by bandleader/founder Oscar Hernandez. Hernández is one of the most respected musicians in Latin & Latin Jazz music. His track record & discography are extensive. On the new CD he enlists the support of veteran composer and arranger Gil Lopez on three of Lopez’s compositions (“Son De Corazon,” “Nuestra Cancion,” and “Regalo De Dios).Viva la Tradicón opens with the exciting “La Salsa Dura,” a song bursting with punching horn lines and spirited vocals that “really captures what we’re about,” says Hernandez. Amid the series of salsa tracks, one of Gil Lopez’s arrangements, “Nuestra Cancion,” acts as an unlikely addition to the high-powered energy of the set. The collective included this ballad as a point to their listeners, in order to communicate, “you need to listen to this, because this how it was done back in those days. It was just beautiful music.” The orchestra finishes with two songs: Hernandez’s “Rumba Urbana,” a percussive and complex tune that shimmers with tight trumpet lines and syncopated rhythms around improvised solos, and “El Negro Tiene Tumbao,” a tune that draws on the bold and artistic delivery by featured guest vocalist Isaac Delgado.Front to back, Viva la Tradición is very much a nod to the countless artists – well known and obscure – who helped usher salsa music into the cultural mainstream several decades ago. “Preserving that legacy and introducing it to new audiences in a new century,” says Hernandez, “is more important than being the musical flavor of the month.”

Track Listing:

La Salsa Dura

Mi Herencia Latina

Son De Corazon

Como Baila Mi Mulata

Si Me Quieres Te Quiero

Baila Latino

La Fiesta Empezo

Nuestra Cancion

Linda

Regalo De Dios

Rumba Urbana

El Negro Tiene Tumabo

STEVE BAXTER - EXTRA SUGAR ON THE BONE

Steve Baxter is a rare combination of talent and humility. He has a reverence for performing and being a creative artist who has a commitment to build on jazz and music pioneers' legacy. His undeniable love for playing and producing music has reached and inspired people around the world. He continues to bring music to another level and contribute to the vision of music destined to inspire generations of artists. After serious study of the Jazz masters, he participated in events such as the Thelonious Monk Memorial Concert series featuring Grady Tate, Charlie Rouse, Wallace Roney; and workshops with musical greats like Lionel Hampton. You can sense all the wonderful influences in Steve’s artistry that is uniquely all his own.

His new CD Extra Sugar On The Bone brings all the 'extra' sweetness out of some very creative moments from his original recording “Sugar On The Bone”. “Seems like you just can’t get enough of his melodies and funky grooves on this CD coupled with the best musicians in the business, its a soulfully rhythmic backdrop to any setting, you can tell they had a ball during this recording” says Jaijai Jackson, Creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide. Some of the musicians included on these unreleased tracks and remixes are Michael Beardon, Everette Harp, Michael Lington, Munyungo Jackson, Welton Felder, Brandon Fields, Sekou Bunch, Randy Crawford, Billy Valentine, Oscar Seaton and parade of notables too long to mention!

Baxter is not a ‘new-comer’ to the music industry, his credits span across the gamet of genres. He’s a dynamic, high energy, multidimensional artist whose skills as a musician, songwriter, and producer has elevated his talent to another level. His repertoire covers everything from R&B to Latin, Salsa to Afro Cuban Jazz and has shared the stage and studio with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including the Ray Charles World Tour (1985), Horace Tapscott, The Crusaders, Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, The O'Jays, The Four Tops, Bobby Matos, Babyface, Eric Benet, 13 Cats, Patti Labelle, Sheila E, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, Beck, and Ziggy Marley, to Joss Stone, Norman Connors, Sergio Mendes, Teena Marie, Elliott Yamin. S.M.V. and Stevie Wonder. You name it, any genre and Steve Baxter’s name is highly regarded as an “A List” musician on call for the best bands in the music industry. He has appeared on ‘American Idol’, ‘Dancing With The Stars’, BET Awards, The GRAMMYs, NAACP Awards and many other shows and films.

http://www.stevebaxtermusic.com/

THIRD ANNUAL 2010 SUNNY ISLES BEACH JAZZ FEST

The Third Annual 2010 Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest is pleased to announce an artist line-up that will bring cool jazz sounds to the beautiful city on the weekend of October 15-17, 2010. The Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest will celebrate the extraordinary sounds of jazz music throughout the event weekend; featuring renowned jazz artists. Headlining the festival is one of the most recorded saxophonists in jazz history, Ed Calle. Calle is known for his extraordinary ability to play bebop, Latin jazz, contemporary jazz, and pop. He appears on such Grammy award-winning albums by Frank Sinatra, Arturo Sandoval and Jon Secada. Ed has also recorded and performed around the world with such artists as Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Michael Bolton and Rihanna. Additional musical guests include successful saxophonist and flautist Jesse Jones, JR. whose amazing talent in playing everything from traditional jazz to Bebop has allowed him to perform with such notable artists as Donald Byrd, Blue Mitchell and Ira Sullivan. Jesse Jones, JR. will be featuring multi- talented vocalist Yvonne Brown, and the performance is sponsored by the Sunshine Jazz Organization. Also, performing will be the always distinctive sounds of the Afro-Cuban Jazz band, Oriente.

The Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest, produced by the City of Sunny Isles Beach in partnership with the Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council, will showcase and highlight the best that the city has to offer including great music, fine dining, exclusive resorts, beautiful beaches and much more! The Jazz Fest’s special nonprofit partners, who will get partial event proceeds, are Joshua’s Heart Foundation (http://www.joshuasheart.org/), which strives to “Stomp out Hunger” by providing necessities such as food and water to individuals in underserved communities and Miami Children’s Hospital (www.mch.com), a world leader in pediatric healthcare.

The weekend Festival kicks off on Friday, October 15th with musical performances at the elegant Jazz Club in the Acqualina Resort & Spa. The festival will continue on Saturday, October 16th, at the spectacular Samson Oceanfront Park with a performance by the headlining artist, Ed Calle and ends on Sunday, October 17th with a sumptuous Sunday Jazz Brunch at the Newport Beachside Resort. Event Corporate sponsors include Miami Dade County, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Around Town Magazine, Barefoot Wine, Polar Beer, Continental Group, Epicure Market, J. Milton & Associates, Newport Beachside Resort and Acqualina Resort. “The Third Annual Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest keeps getting better every year!” adds Ibis Romero, Executive Director of Sunny Isles Beach Tourism and Marketing Council. “We are happy to produce an event that, after three years, continues to attract both local residents and tourists.”

http://www.sunnyislesbeachjazz.com/

THE QUINCY JONES SIGNATURE LINE

HARMAN International Industries has announced the arrival of the Quincy Jones Signature Line by AKG. The premium headphone collection represents a momentous partnership between AKG and one of the most accomplished musicians of the 20th century – Quincy Jones. Musician, artist, humanitarian – Quincy Jones is an American icon. His productions, which include the best-selling album (Thriller) and single (“We Are the World”) of all time, have garnered him an unprecedented 79 GRAMMY® nominations and 27 GRAMMY awards, more than any other living artist. His list of notable achievements is unrivaled in the music industry. The list of legendary and contemporary artists with whom he has worked includes Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Michael Jackson, Ludacris, Paul McCartney, Frank Sinatra and Usher, among many others. “Music is so much more than notes on a sheet of paper,” Jones said. “When it’s created with passion, with soul, we get something that is greater than ourselves – and it can move us deeply. Throughout my entire career, I have trusted only AKG to deliver the highest standard of sound – the same standard I hold myself to when I make my music.”

The Quincy Jones Signature Line includes three models: the Q701 reference-class premium over-ears, the Q460 high-performance portable on-ear mini headphones and the Q350 in-ear headphones that will boast distinctive AKG®-built quality and unrivaled audio engineering in an elegant, portable design, so music lovers everywhere can experience sound the way every artist intended for their music to be heard. Quincy Jones and AKG have shared a long-running passion for quality sound and the infinite power music has to connect people and touch lives,” said Dinesh C. Paliwal, chairman, president and CEO, HARMAN International. “We have partnered to introduce products into the marketplace that shine a light on how important sound quality is when you’re experiencing music in all aspects of your life.”

A share of the proceeds from every set of headphones sold in the Quincy Jones Signature Line by AKG will go toward the Quincy Jones Musiq Consortium, a foundation dedicated to making music education an ongoing part of the lives of American children.

The Q701, Q460 and Q350 headphones will be available in October 2010, in time for the holiday season, at prices ranging from $149.99 to $479.99.

A 27-time GRAMMY Award winner (who has received more of the awards than any other living musician) and the all-time most GRAMMY-nominated artist, with a total of 79 nominations, Quincy Jones’s career has spanned six decades and encompassed the roles of composer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, record producer, record executive, film and television producer, magazine founder, multimedia entrepreneur and humanitarian. As a master inventor of musical hybrids, Quincy Jones has shuffled pop, soul, hip-hop, jazz, gospel, blues, classical, African and Brazilian music into many dazzling fusions, traversing virtually every medium, including records, live performances, movies, television, broadcasting and magazine publishing. Named by Time Magazine as one of the six most influential jazz artists of the 20th century, Jones won the first of his many GRAMMY awards in 1963 for his Count Basie arrangement of “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” His three-year musical association as conductor and arranger with Frank Sinatra in the mid-‘60’s also teamed him with Basie for the classic Sinatra at the Sands, containing the famous arrangement of “Fly Me to the Moon,” the first recording played by astronaut Buzz Aldrin when he landed upon the moon’s surface in 1969. As producer and conductor of the historic “We Are the World” recording (the best-selling single of all time), Michael Jackson’s multiplatinum solo albums Off the Wall, Bad and Thriller (the best-selling album of all time), and the multi-GRAMMY-winning Album of the Year Back on the Block, Quincy Jones stands as one of the most successful and admired creative artist/executives in the entertainment world.

http://www.akg.com/Quincy.

PHIL COLLINS RECREATES THE MOTOWN SOUND ON 'GOING BACK'

Atlantic recording artist Phil Collins has announced the U.S. release of his hugely anticipated new album, Going Back. The legendary artist's first full-length solo work in eight years arrives in stores and at all digital retailers on Tuesday, September 28th. Going Back is described as a deeply personal labor of love that finds the eight-time Grammy winner faithfully recreating the Motown and soul music that played such an influential role in his creative life. The album - Collins' eighth solo studio recording - will be available in a number of digital and physical editions, with exclusive extras including 7 bonus tracks, a 90-minute DVD making-of documentary, and limited edition lyric sheet lithograph. In addition, a very special "Singles Box" comprising 30 tracks across 15 vinyl 7" singles is also on offer. Going Back has quickly proven a worldwide phenomenon, receiving platinum certification in Germany and gold certification in both France and the United Kingdom after little more than one week in release. The album hit #1 in the UK this week as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands. Going Back has seen top 3 sales in Germany, France, Austria, and New Zealand, as well as top 5 successes in Switzerland and Italy. Going Back has received unanimous critical acclaim from all corners of the globe. "So faithfully have Collins and his confreres recreated 'The Sound of Young America' -- shimmering tambourines drowning out drums, bass compressed to a fat, distorted throb -- that it's hard not to be swept along," declared BBC Music, which also named the collection as BBC Radio 2's "Album of the Week." "You have to take your hat off to Phil Collins," hailed England's Daily Express, noting "the 59-year-old singer zips through a selection of mostly-Motown classics like 'Jimmy Mack' and 'Uptight' with the verve, energy, and wit of a man reborn." Closer to home, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer praised Collins for having "a way of personalizing a song, not so much to make it his own but to convince listeners its theirs... He succeeds most in doing so on relative obscurities like the Ronettes' 'Do I Love You?' and the Temptations' 'Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue),' both evoking an air of wistful romance. Another noteworthy highlight is the Stevie Wonder ballad, 'Blame It On the Sun,' which Collins renders with empathy and striking conviction."

Earlier this summer, Collins heralded Going Back with a series of seven intimate, SRO shows - including a 3-night stand at NYC's Roseland Ballroom. One of the shows was filmed for a concert special entitled "Phil Collins 'Going Back' Motown Special Live from Roseland" that is currently airing on Comcast's ON DEMAND network through October 31st. On stage, Phil brought his homage to life with a big band anchored by three members of Motown's legendary Funk Brothers studio team - bassist Bob Babbitt and guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette - who are also featured on the album. The live band also included long-time Collins cohorts Chester Thompson (drums), Daryl Stuermer (guitar), and Brad Cole (keyboards), plus Leslie Smith (percussion). Rounding out the ensemble was a five-member horn section and six backing vocalists. In its review of the New York show, Rolling Stone enthused: "...Collins pulled it off. Backed by a killer 18-piece band, he got most everybody in the Roseland Ballroom dancing to classics by Steve Wonder, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Ronettes... From the moment he took the stage and burst into 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg,' it was clear this music was much closer to his heart than even some of his own hits. Every nuance of the original arrangements was meticulously recreated..." Staged as an "old school" style dance concert, the shows prompted Time Out New York to state, "No fancy stadium gimmickry here, but in Phil-style parlance, a bloody lovely show." "It was when he dug deeper into the archives that the show blossomed," said The Hollywood Reporter. "Collins' talents as a balladeer were showcased in such songs as 'Blame It On The Sun' and 'Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer' (both by Wonder) and especially on the Goffin/King reverie 'Going Back,' the lyrics of which encapsulate the rationale for the whole project." While in the past Collins has paid tribute to his roots by covering some of his favorite songs -- including "You Can't Hurry Love," "A Groovy Kind Of Love," "Tomorrow Never Knows," "True Colours," and others -- this marks the first time in his 30-year solo career that he has devoted an entire project to the work of other songwriters and performers.

"The '60s were without doubt a pinnacle of the songwriting, producing and performing art," Collins comments in the liner notes to Going Back. "My aim in finally making this record was to see if it was possible for me to recapture the sound and the feelings I got from listening to these songs the first time around. I've always loved covering other people's songs, and this collection is something I've been burning to do." Legendary Motown songwriter and producer Lamont Dozier hailed Going Back: "Recording an album of Motown covers can be tricky, but I have to say this album has exceeded my expectations. Phil Collins has truly given us the real thing vocally, instrumentally, and production-wise... It's spectacular, making it impossible to pick a favorite because they're all masterfully done."

The career of Phil Collins is one that, by any measure, stands among the most creative, prolific, and impressive in the history of modern music. It is a career that really has been many careers -- musician, singer, composer, producer, actor -- from art rock beginnings to pop stardom, from big band leader to film soundtracks and Broadway. It has been an exceptional musical life spanning four decades, some 100 million solo albums sold (250 million if you count his work with Genesis), an extraordinary string of hits, eight Grammy Awards, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, five BRIT Awards, numerous industry accolades, and, above all, an inestimable influence on countless fellow artists and passionate fans around the globe.

http://www.philcollins.com/

SADE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2011!

Following the platinum selling success of Soldier Of Love, Sade has announced her highly anticipated return to the world's stage. The North American leg begins on June 16th, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland at the 1st Mariner Arena. Tickets go on sale in select markets beginning October 16th with additional dates to be announced soon. According to reports, Sade will perform songs from her collection of timeless hits including songs from their critically acclaimed album, Soldier Of Love, which secured the # 1 album spot upon its release in February. Selling over a million copies to-date, Soldier Of Love spent three weeks in the number one spot taking its rightful place among the collection of iconic Sade albums. Sade will perform over 50 concerts in top arenas across North America, in an effort to reach her vast and loyal fan base. Their classic sound set to haunting, unmistakable vocals creates the most intimate of concert experiences in a way that only an unforgettable Sade performance can. Sade performed for more than 1,000,000 fans during her last tour in 2001.

Sade Tour Dates:

6/16 Baltimore, MD - 1st Mariner Arena

6/19 Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Arena

6/21 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum)

6/24 East Rutherford, NJ - Izod Center

6/28 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre

6/30 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre

7/06 Boston, MA - TD Garden

8/05 Chicago, IL - United Center

8/19 Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center

8/30 Anaheim, CA - Honda Center

Additional dates will be announced in the following markets soon: Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Calgary, AB; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Detroit, MI; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Houston, TX; Kansas City, MO; Las Vegas, NV; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; New Orleans, LA; Oakland, CA; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Sacramento, CA; San Diego, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; St Paul, MN; Vancouver, BC.

OCTOBER CONCERT LISTING FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Medeski Martin @ Wood @ Leipzig Festival, Leipzig, Germany, Oct 1

Eric Darius @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 1
Santana @ 02 Arena, London, UK, Oct 1
Pat Metheny @ Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham, AL, Oct 1
Lonnie Liston Smith @ Komedia, Brighton, UK, Oct 1
Ramsey Lewis @ Blue Note, Tokyo, Japan, Oct 1-2
Pat Metheny @ Brown Theatre, Louisville, KY, Oct 2
Santana @ MEN Arena, Manchester, UK, Oct 2
Alex Bugnon @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 2
Johannes Linstead @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 2
Euge Groove @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 2

Norman Brown, Brenda Russell, Phil Perry, Jessy J @
Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Oct 2

Mindi Abair, Brian Bromberg, Sheila E, Boney James, Marcus Miller,
Freda Payne, Patrice Rushen, Kirk Whalum, Deniece Williams @
Jazz On The Grass, Sherman Oaks, CA, Oct 2

Tower Of Power @ South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, Oct 1-3
Pat Metheny @ Carnegie Library Music Hall, Munhall, PA, Oct 3
Tim Weisberg @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 3
Santana @ Newcastle Arena, Newcastle, UK, Oct 3
Gerald Albright @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 3
Jackiem Joyner@ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 3
David Benoit @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 3
Lonnie Liston Smith @ Metropolis, Bristol, UK, Oct 4
B.B. King @ B.B. King’s, Nashville, TN, Oct 4-5
Lonnie Liston Smith @ Band On The Wall, Manchester, UK, Oct 5
Pat Metheny @ Flynn Center, Burlington, VT, Oct 5
Santana @ Gelredome, Arnhem, NL, Oct 5
Santana @ Sportpaleis, Antwerp, Belgium, Oct 6
Pat Metheny @ The Paramount, Peekskill, NY, Oct 6
Acoustic Alchemy @ Selersville Theatre, Sellersville, PA, Oct 6
Acoustic Alchemy @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, Oct 7

Santana @ Konig-Pilsener-Arena, Oberhausen, Germany, Oct 7
Esperanza Spalding @ Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA, Oct 7
Pat Metheny @ McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton, NJ, Oct 7
B.B. King @ Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, Helena, AR, Oct 7
Nick Colionne @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 7
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Center For the Arts, Buffalo, NY, Oct 8
Acoustic Alchemy @ Ramshead Tavern, Annapolis, MD, Oct 8
Bobby Womack @ Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, Oct 8

Esperanza Spalding @ Spanos Theatre, San Luis Obispo, CA, Oct 8
Pat Metheny @ Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ, Oct 8
Greg Adams @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 8

Angela Bofill, Dave Valentin, Maysa @ The Smooth Cruise, Spirit of
New York, NY, Oct 8
Pat Metheny @ Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, NJ, Oct 9
Max Weinberg Big Band @ MIC, Syracuse, NY, Oct 9
Acoustic Alchemy @ High Point Theatre, High Point, NC, Oct 9
Warren Hill @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 9
Santana @ Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland, Oct 9
Marc Antoine, Brian Simpson @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 9
Mindi Abair, Chris Standring @ JazzTrax Catalina Island, Avalon, CA, Oct 9
Teena Marie, Jody Watley, Ledisi @ Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills, CA, Oct 9
Acoustic Alchemy @ Boulton Center, Bayshore, NY, Oct 10
Santana @ Zenith, Dijon, France, Oct 10
Bobby Womack @ Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ, Oct 10
B.B. King @ Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX, Oct 10

Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, Youssour N’Dou, Omara Portuondo @
Carnegie Hall, NY, Nov 10

Esperanza Spalding @ Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA, Oct 10
Peter White, Jessy J @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 10
Lonnie Liston Smith @ Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh, UK, Oct 10
Pat Metheny @ Mahaiwe Theatre, Great Barrington, MA, Oct 10

Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Jackiem Joyner @ Catalina Jazz Festival,
Avalon, CA, Oct 10

The Rippingtons feat Russ Freeman @ Thornton Winery,
Temecula, CA, Oct 10

Joe Cocker @ Zenith Paris, Paris, France, Oct 10

Chic w/Nile Rodgers, Kool & The Gang @
Zenith Paris, Paris, France, Oct 11

Esperanza Spalding @ Kate Buchanan Hall, Humbolt State Univ.,
Arcata, CA, Oct 11

Bobby Womack @ Patriot Center, Washington, DC, Oct 11
Pat Metheny @ Masionneive, Montreal, Canada, Oct 12
Santana @ Bercy, Paris, France, Oct 12
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Whitaker Center, Harrisburg, PA, Oct 12
Pat Metheny @ Theatre Capitole, Quebec City, Canada, Oct 13
Acoustic Alchemy @ Daniel Street, Milford, CT, Oct 13
Santana @ SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Germany, Oct 13
Bobby Womack @ Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI, Oct 13
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Showcase Live, Foxborough, MA, Oct 13
Nick Colionne @ Autumn Jazz Fest, Rehoboth Beach, DE, Oct 14
Max Weinberg Big Band @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, Oct 14
Mindi Abair @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 14
Bobby Womack @ Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON, Oct 14
Acoustic Alchemy @ Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, MA, Oct 14-15
Santana @ 02 Arena, Prague, CZ, Oct 15

Max Weinberg Big Band @ Universal Preservation Hall,
Saratoga Springs, NY, Oct 15

Jeff Beck, Trombone Shorty @ BIC, Bournemouth, UK, Oct 15
Mindi Abair @ Crystal Bay Casino, Crystal Bay, NV, Oct 15
Everette Harp@ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 15
Pat Metheny @ Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA, Oct 15
Lonnie Liston Smith @ Ronnie Scott’s, London, UK, Oct 15-16
Michael Franks @ Yoshi’s, Oakland, CA, Oct 15-17
Pat Metheny @ Univ. of Buffalo Center, Buffalo, NY, Oct 16
Bobby Womack @ UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL, Oct 16

Esperanza Spalding @ Plenary At The National Assembly Of State
Arts Agencies Conference, Austin, TX, Oct 16

Jeff Beck, Trombone Shorty @ Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, Oct 16
Acoustic Alchemy @ Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, VT, Oct 17
Santana @ 02 World, Berlin, Germany, Oct 16
Earl Klugh @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 16
Cindy Bradley @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 16

Warren Hill, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor @ Catalina Jazz Festival,
Avalon, CA, Oct 16

Fourplay, Chris Standring @ Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA, Oct 16
Four80East @ Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Rehoboth Beach,
DE, Oct 16-17

Nick Colionne @ Autumn Jazz Fest, Rehoboth Beach, DE, Oct 16-17
Pat Metheny @ The Wharton Center, East Lansing, MI, Oct 17
Acoustic Alchemy @ Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk, CT, Oct 17
Bobby Womack @ Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, Oct 17
Jeff Lorber @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 17
Jeff Beck, Trombone Shorty @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK, Oct 17
Santana @ Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany, Oct 17
Fourplay @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 17
Eric Marienthal @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 17
Jimmy Haslip @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 17
Steve Oliver @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 17
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Altar, Pittsburgh, PA, Oct 17
Pat Metheny @ Anderson Center for the Arts, Binghamton, NY, Oct 17
Chris Standring @ Catalina Jazz Festival, Avalon, CA, Oct 19
Santana @ Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy, Oct 19
Bobby Womack @ Toyota Center, Houston, TX, Oct 19
Jeff Beck, Trombone Shorty @ Guildhall, Preston, UK, Oct 19
Jeff Beck, Trombone Shorty @ Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, UK, Oct 20
Pat Metheny @ Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD, Oct
Santana @ Rothaus Halle, Friedrichshafen, Germany, Oct 20
Bobby Womack @ Verizon Theater, Dallas, TX, Oct 20
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN, Oct 20
Pat Metheny @ Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA, Oct 21
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Eagles Ballroom, Alton, IL, Oct 21
Pat Metheny @ Tilles Center, Brookville, NY, Oct 22
Bobby Womack @ Frank Erwin Center, Austin, TX, Oct 22
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Englert Theatre, Iowa City, IA, Oct 22
Al Green @ Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, CA, Oct 22
Pat Metheny @ Warner Theatre, Torrington, CT, Oct 23
Max Weinberg Big Band @ The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI, Oct 23
Santana @ 02 World, Hamburg, Germany, Oct 23
Azymuth @ Band On The Wall, Manchester, UK, Oct 23
Nick Colionne @ Jazz Concert Series, Casselberry, FL, Oct 23

Four80East, Marcus Anderson, Stix Bones, Rafe Gomez
@ Houndstooth Pub, New York, Oct 23

Bill Frisell’s 858 Quartet w/ Eyyvind Kang, Hank Roberts, Jenny
Schinman @ Noe Valley Ministry, San Francisco, CA, Oct 23-24

Incognito feat. Maysa, Will Downing, Spyro Gyra, Kirk Whalum,
Brian Culbertson, George Duke, Walter Beasley, Lalah Hathaway,
Phill Perry, Marion Meadows, Leela James, Jeff Lorber, Take 6,
Capital Jazz Super Cruise IV, Miami, FL, Oct 23-30

Max Weinberg Big Band @ The Old Town of South Folk,
Chicago, IL, Oct 24

Esperanza Spalding @ Philharmonie, Luxembourg, LX, Oct 24
Bobby Womack @ Wells Fargo Theatre, Denver, CO, Oct 24

Max Weinberg Big Band @ The Guthrie Theater,
Minneapolis, MN, Oct 25

Azymuth @ Jazz Café, London, UK, Oct 25
Santana @ Arena Fln, Odense, Denmark, Oct 25
Bobby Womack @ Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, Oct 26
Santana @ The Globem Stockholm, Sweden, Oct 27
Bobby Womack @ Gibson Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA, Oct 27
Esperanza Spalding @ Muzikgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland, Oct 27

Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Lalah Hathaway @ Hyatt Regency,
Lake Tahoe, NV, Oct 27

Max Weinberg Big Band @ Northern Lights Theater,
Milwaukee, WI, Oct 27-28

Esperanza Spalding @ Theaterhaus Gessnerallee Zurich,
Winterthur, CH, Oct 28

Bobby Womack @ Viegas Arena, San Diego, CA, Oct 28

Esperanza Spalding @ Stockholm Konzerthus,
Stockholm, Sweden, Oct 29

Santana @ Vestlandshallen, Bergen, Norway, Oct 29
Bobby Womack @ Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA, Oct 30
Santana @ Vikinaskeppen, Hamar, Norway, Oct 30

Max Weinberg Big Band @ Hoyt Sherman Theater,
Kansas City, MO, Oct 31

B.B. King @ Uptown Theatre, Napa, CA, Oct 31
Max Weinberg Big Band @ Jardine’s, Kansas City, MO, Oct 31

CTI RECORDS: THE COOL REVOLUTION

Masterworks Jazz celebrates the 40th anniversary of CTI Records, the beloved jazz label founded in 1970 by producer Creed Taylor, beginning October 5 with the release of 6 classic CTI titles remastered on CD followed by CTI Records: The Cool Revolution, a deluxe 4-CD multi-artist box set retrospective on October 12. Two weeks later on October 26, the double-CD restoration of California Concert: The Hollywood Palladium (1971) will be released with 90 minutes of music rarely heard and never before available. The 40th anniversary commemoration will also include reissues of 6 more classic CTI albums, plus four collectible vinyl LPs in the coming months.

CTI Records: The Cool Revolution will contain four hour-long-plus discs, each presenting a thematic overview of a particular aspect of CTI: Straight Up Jazz, Deep Grooves/Big Hits, The Brazilian Connection, Cool and Classic. The 39 tracks in the box set – as well as all CTI anniversary edition titles – are remastered for the first time from the original analog 1/4-inch tapes. Reissues producer Richard Seidel and engineers Mark Wilder, Maria Triana and Dave Darlington recapture the rich, distinctive sound of the original LPs achieved by Taylor and original engineer Rudy Van Gelder. CTI Records: The Cool Revolution includes a lavishly illustrated 20-page, LP-sized booklet containing rare photos, plus new liner notes by noted jazz critic Dan Ouellette with comments by CTI artists and enthusiasts.

The 2010 edition of California Concert: The Hollywood Palladium is the most complete version of the historic Hollywood Palladium all-star concert recorded July 18, 1971. It doubles the content of the original five-song LP release with five additional tracks - three of them previously unreleased - and restores the original concert sequence for the first time. Creed Taylor hand-picked a dream team of CTI artists for the occasion: Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Johnny Hammond, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham and Airto Moreira. Liner notes are by multi-Grammy winning musician-producer Bob Belden who says California Concert: The Hollywood Palladium "...ranks up there with the greatest jazz concerts of all time..."

There will also be a full slate of classic CTI album reissues packaged in eco-friendly softpack sleeves that replicate the original gatefold LP design and their iconic covers most with photos by Pete Turner. Six titles will arrive on October 5: She Was Too Good To Me by Chet Baker, God Bless the Child by Kenny Burrell, Red Clay by Freddie Hubbard, StoneFlower by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Morning Star by Hubert Laws (first time on CD), and Stanley Turrentine's Sugar. Upcoming January 2011 CD releases include White Rabbit by George Benson, All Blues by Ron Carter (first time on CD outside of Japan), Prelude by Deodato, Pure Desmond by Paul Desmond, Concierto by Jim Hall, and Milt Jackson's Sunflower. October 26 sees 180-gram vinyl LP reissues of 4 classic CTI albums using the original gatefold sleeve designs accompanied with digital download cards: Red Clay by Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine's Sugar, White Rabbit by George Benson and Prelude by Deodato.

In the 1970s, CTI, its music, its style and its discriminating quality transformed contemporary jazz. The roster worked almost like a repertory company, in which great musicians took turns in the spotlight and accompanying each other. The albums they and their colleagues created set new standards in their look as well as their sound. "[Creed Taylor's] plan was ingeniously simple, yet famously maverick: record top-tier musicians, keeping their artistic integrity intact while also making their art palatable to the people. CTI thus achieved that rare balance of jazz and commercialism," writes Dan Ouellette in the liner notes. CTI surpassed the majors and fellow indies to be named the #1 Jazz Label of 1974 by Billboard. The immediate success of CTI's recordings has echoed across the decades in a profound influence on jazz, pop, R&B and hip-hop.

CTI Records: The Cool Revolution
Disc 1
1. Sugar – Stanley Turrentine
2. Moment’s Notice – Hubert Laws
3. So What – Ron Carter
4. Autumn Leaves – Chet Baker
5. Speed Ball – Milt Jackson & Stanley Turrentine
6. Intrepid Fox – Freddie Hubbard
7. Ifrane – Randy Weston
8. Free As A Bird – Don Sebesky
9. So What? – George Benson

Disc 2:
1. Red Clay – Freddie Hubbard
2. It’s Too Late – Johnny Hammond
3. Home Is Where The Hatred Is – Esther Phillips
4. We’ve Got A Good Thing Going – Hank Crawford
5. White Rabbit – George Benson

6. Fire And Rain – Hubert Laws

7. What A Difference A Day Makes – Esther Phillips

8. Follow Your Heart – Joe Farrell

9. Also Sprach Zarathrustra – Deodato

10. Mister Magic – Grover Washington Jr.

Disc 3:

1. Stone Flower – Antonio Carlos Jobim

2. Ponteio – Astrud Gilberto & Stanley Turrentine

3. First Light – Freddie Hubbard

4. Salt Song – Stanley Turrentine

5. Pensativa – Hubert Laws

6. Tombo In 7/4 – Airto Moreira

7. Sunflower – Milt Jackson

8. Return To Forever – Airto Moreira

9. Wave – Paul Desmond

10. Carly & Carole – Deodato

11. Brazil (Alternative Take) – Antonio Carlos Jobim

Disc 4:

1. My Funny Valentine (Live) – Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan

2. All Blues – Ron Carter

3. Song To A Seagull – Paul Desmond

4. Pavane – Hubert Laws

5. What I’ll Do – Chet Baker

6. Westchester Lady – Bob James

7. A Child Is Born – Kenny Burrell

8. Take Five – George Benson

9. Concerto De Aranjuez – Jim Hall

GREEN BAY'S WAUN SWITCHES FORMATS TO SMOOTH AC

Green Bay Wisconsin’s Smooth Jazz station WAUN has shifted to a new Smooth AC (Adult Contemporary) format. The new format is being delivered from Broadcast Architecture and features smooth AC music from Mchael Buble, Leona Lewis, John Mayer, Colbie Caillet, Alicia Keys, Kenny G, Beyonce, Norah Jones, Sade, Jason Mraz, Dave Koz and Mariah Carey, as well as favorites from Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Luther Vandross, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, Simply Red, George Benson, and other. "We're pleased to have SMOOTH AC on Smooth Bay's WAUN," Program Director Denny Heier said. "It fills a need in the Green Bay market for Soft AC that’s smooth and relaxing." "We are very excited to assist DAVE and his team on bringing this exciting new radio format to the Green Bay area," Broadcast Architecture President Allen Kepler states. "With typical AC stations moving away from the softer approach we know that there are many adults looking for a companion to help them relax and enjoy their day. The music mix offers a variety of styles, genres and eras of music not found on other stations and we see this to be a solid opportunity to deliver strong 25-54 ratings wherever Smooth AC in on the air." The music will be 75 percent vocals and 25 percent instumentals. Prior to adopting the current smooth jazz format, WAUN aired a satellite-fed classic hits format from Jones Radio, branded as "U-Rock.", prior to that it FM Talk, and during much of the 80s and 90s it aired various country formats, including Hot Country and Polka known as "Moo 92".


http://www.smoothbays.com/

DREW DAVIDSON – WE 3 STRINGZ

Drew Davidsen’s new Christmas CD features prformances setting the backdrop for a wonderful holiday season, evoking rich textures and new reveries in these brilliant, classic melodies. We 3 Stringz, features guitarists Chuck Loeb, Paul Jackson, Jr. and a host of wonderful Nashville session players, released just in time for the upcoming holiday season. In a day where some smooth jazz is programmed, a distinctive of Drew's music is a commitment to capturing the essence of jazz, 'having live musicians in a room together.' This new offering confirms there’s always room for those with talent to rise to the top. He is exceptionally grateful for his collaboration with producer Eric Copeland of Creative Soul Jazz www.creativesouljazz.com and says that his fourth CD project will show a ‘deeper side’ to his playing slated to be released in January of 2011.

Being a forward thinker, Drew has paired up with innovator Mark Payung, and is the # 1 endorsing artist for the unique new GlassTones guitars. Unlike traditional guitars, everything the strings touch is essentially made of glass, a significant innovation in guitar manufacturing since Les Paul made them electric. The pure tones that result made this guitar the perfect choice for "O Holy Night." Drew also enjoys playing his custom Brubaker guitar and his custom Ibanez archtop. He is very thankful to Martin for his new Artist Series instrument and is excited to explore the world of acoustic guitar.

Davidsen came relatively late to the electric guitar, he dabbled in guitar as a youngster, but studied cello and went on to play bass in high school. At the age of twenty-one, is when he started taking the electric guitar seriously, his musical direction was due in part to jazz guitar icon George Benson. “What an incredible player,” says Davidsen, who was inspired to scat while listening to Benson. He soon drew crowds that turned out regularly at his live shows, which have included the prestigious Catalina Island Jazz Trax Festival in Southern California and the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, Florida.

http://www.drewdavidsennetwork.com/

THE MAX WEINBERG BIG BAND TOUR

Max Weinberg builds upon his celebrated career with The Max Weinberg Big Band tour in October and early November of 2010. Bruce Springsteen's long-time E Street Band drummer and the leader for 17 years of what Tom Shales of the Washington Post has called "...the best band in late night television," leads a muscular, swinging 15-piece big band that continues the traditions established by Max's musical heroes including Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Doc Severinsen, and Maynard Ferguson. The band is comprised of a three-piece rhythm section — piano, bass and drums — and a horn section consisting of five saxophones, four trumpets and three trombones. Recent concerts this summer include performances at Count Basie Theater and the Newport Beach Summer Jazz Series.

An intuitive drummer with powerful yet controlled playing, Weinberg has showcased his talent with Springsteen and the E Street Band for 36 years. In addition, he has performed with Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, B.B. King, Sting, Tom Jones, Ringo Starr (on Ringo's drums!), Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard – and even Isaac Hayes in a rousing version of "Shaft." He is a past winner of Playboy's Pop and Jazz Music Poll as Best Drummer, as well as Rolling Stone Magazine's Critics Poll as Best Drummer. Complementing his legendary musical career, he authored "The Big Beat: Conversations with Rock's Great Drummers," making an important contribution to rock literature. The book is a compilation of a series of interviews he conducted over two years with his favorite drummers from different eras including Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, Levon Helm, and Elvis' original, longtime drummer D.J. Fontana.

Following is The Max Weinberg Big Band tour schedule:
• 10/8 Buffalo, NY – Center for the Arts
• 10/9 Syracuse, NY - MIC
• 10/12 Harrisburg, PA – The Whitaker Center
• 10/13 Foxborough, MA – Showcase Live
• 10/14 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
• 10/15 Saratoga Springs, NY – Universal Preservation Hall
• 10/17 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar
• 10/20 Indianapolis, IN – Jazz Kitchen (2 shows)
• 10/21 Alton, IL - Eagles Ballroom
• 10/22 Iowa City, IA – Englert Theater
• 10/23 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
• 10/24 Chicago, IL – The Old Town School of Folk
• 10/25 Minneapolis, MN – The Guthrie Theater
• 10/27 Milwaukee, WI – Northern Lights Theater
• 10/28 Milwaukee, WI – Northern Lights Theater
• 10/29 Des Moines, IA - Hoyt Sherman Theater
• 10/31 Kansas City, MO – Jardine's (2 shows)
• 11/2 Nashville, TN – The Belcourt Theater
• 11/4 Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
• 11/6 South Orange, NJ – South Orange Performing Arts Center

http://www.maxweinberg.com/

WSJT 98.7FM SWITCHES FORMATS

CBS has pulled the plug on Tampa Bay's Smooth Jazz radio station WSJT 98.7FM. CBS Radio changed the format of the longtime jazz station earlier in the month to Adult Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) called "Play 98.7." Smooth jazz lovers will have to be content to listen to the station's high-definition (HD) frequency, 98.8HD2 - but you'll need an HD radio for this. The handwriting was on the wall last year when WSJT was shifted from it's longtime dial position 94.1 to the lower-powered 98.7 to make way for WLLD, which plays rap and dance music. We thought we would share some comments from irate smooth jazz lovers from the Tampa Bay area...

"I hate this I loved Smooth Jazz and miss Alicia Kay this really is awful"

"I agree with all the comments. Who needs one more station like this in the area. I don't have HD, but will certainly not be listening to this station any longer. Guess it will be CD's in the car."

"This new format is AWFUL!! Why did Tampa Bay need another Pop station?! Now 98.7 is playing exactly the same music that Mix 100.7 plays. That's 1 too many....if I wanted to listen to that kind of music, I'd tune into 100.7.....please bring back the old "Smooth Jazz" music!! My husband & I have been fans of this station for several years now and really enjoyed the variety of music/artists they played. We became fans of local artist, Eric Darius, because of hearing his music on this station & enjoyed a wonderful outdoor concert w/Eric a few months ago. (I even got his autograph & a picture w/him!) CBS has done the Tampa Bay area a terrible disservice making the decision to change the format. I will no longer continue to support this station.....bring back the wonderfully different SMOOTH JAZZ/ADULT COMTEMPORARY music we've grown to love & discontinue the repetitive CRAP you're now playing!!!"

"The new format will have listeners (tone deaf) but it will not include me . And I will not be playing this station in my office. Sorry guys.....you might be playing today's "music" without the rap but as for me listening to your station...well, "it's a wrap" for me!"

"This is terrible. We do not need another radio station like this "play" we NEED a great jazz station like we had. I will NOT listen to this - they need to bring back Smooth Jazz."

"So sorry to see that Smooth Jazz is gone. This station was on my car & home radio and not ever changed. Not all of us have or can afford to get an HD radio."

"Im mad, we have already 4 other stations in tampa bay that play sissy chick music all day so we need to add a 5th come ON!"

"SUCKS!!!! totally absolutely positively sucks!! and what sucks even worse is there are NO jazz type stations anywhere on the FM dial!!! it's back to 88.5 but their jazz is sporadic and never did fill the bill. i am heartsick over this. i went to sleep with 94.1/98.7, woke up to that station, drove to work, listened at work, etc. it was THE ONLY station as far as i was concerned. this is just terrible!!!!"

"This is bullshit! First they start to ruin 98.7 by reducing the number of actually jazz songs they played an that made me mad but now they completely get rid of it. Screw CBS and screw Orlando and crappy ass Wild 94.1!"

"I am deeply saddened.. I agree with others that their are more than enough of these types of channels available.. I really liked Smooth Jazz.. I too had noticed the format changing and playing less jazz in the past months and was about to email asking why the change.. but now it's too late.. My heart is broken!!! :o("

"I can't believe this!!! The only station I was listening to - is gone ?? WTF I don't have HD, wher do I find some jazz now?"

"I don't believe this!!! I am extremely disappointed! Needless to say, I WILL NOT be listening to the new 98.7. I guess I'll just listen to CDs in my car and stream WSJT.com from my computer at work!!! This really sucks!!! A new raido station that plays "today's best hits" is the last thing we need... I hope CBS realizes they made a horrible mistake!!!!"

"Smooth Jazz 94.1/98.7 was the best station in tampa ,I was listening to songs before my time and I loved it, others thought I had an old soul because I listened to this station; but what they didnt know was it protected me from horrible times,it took me to another world and made me very happy; Its very sad it had to end likes this, now I have no more smooth jazz to listen to, which will get me depressed all over again, TOO BAD!!!!!!!!"

"This really STINKS!!!!! I hope you enjoy your new fan base because it will NOT include me!!!! What do all of us fans do if we don't have HD radio???????? How do we find our favorite station????!!! You guys are a bunch of JERKS to take our station OFF without at least moving it to another location where we can access it!! We want great JAZZZ, not this JUNK stuff you call music!!!"

"I AM TRULY SADDENED BY THE ABRUPT CHANGE IN THE MUSIC FORMAT. THIS REALLY IS ABOUT THE ONLY STATION I TRULY ENJOYED. WOULD CBS HAVE ASKED ITS LISTENERS WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT A CHANGE, THEY MAY HAVE FOUND ITS LISTENERS WERE CONTENT. I WILL NOT BE LISTENING TO THIS STATION."

"This is not only an lack of knowing what your listeners want in the Tampa Bay area but how out of touch CBS is in general."

"Main stream radio had only ONE decent station - SMOOTH JAZZ. CBS obviously has one concern - MONEY. I agree with comment above, CBS is out of touch. This is a real loss for those of us who love smooth jazz."

"Wow...I miss living in a city where one can truly indulge in listening to creative music. I suppose that's just reflective of the American nation...we're followers of rubbish as opposed to being creative leaders. Perhaps I'll begin BANGING out some noise to become famous!!!"

"One more thing...my radio was set to Maxima FM and Smooth Jazz; however, now it's back to my CDs since both stations have compromised for the lesser cultured listeners."

"I am very mad about this move bring our jazz station back NOW."

"The Jazz station format was the best format I have ever heard. CBS you really Screwed-up. I am calling for everyone to boycott anything to do with CBS. We want our SMOOTH JAZZ staion back. The people who made this decision are complete "IDIOTS".

"I agree with most other posts too. I will not listen to the new format. I'll have to pop cd's in now, and that will somewhat limit the variety that WSJT provided. I'm tired of most of the music formats in the bay area... Such a shame that the station owners (CBS) didn't let listeners know so we could have voiced our opinion BEFORE this happened.... No more CBS for me.. PERIOD."

"Ya know what really cracks me up is that CBS is so stupid. DO THEY NOT REALIZE TAMPA BAY HAS THE JAZZ FESTIVAL WHERE THEY ( all the musician Kenny g Mindi Abair etc...) come and play at Coachman park."

"THIS WAS THE ONLY REAL RADIO STATION AND NOW IT IS GONE. EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR VIEWERS WANT. WELL WE WANT OUR SMOOTH JAZZ BACK. THIS NEW RADIO STATION IS JUST AS BAD AS ALL THE OTHERS. I WILL NOT LISTEN TO MORE HEADACHE CAUSING GARBAGE! WE WANT AND NEED THE CLASS AND SOPHISTICATION THAT IS MISSING FROM TODAY'S MUSIC. SHAME ON YOU CBS FOR SUCH AN ABRUPT MOVE!!!"

"I cannot believe this I have been a loyal listener for the last 8 years since I moved to the area - I will not be listening to the new format - CHANGE IT BACK - NOW - WHAT WHERE YOU THINKING."

"Will not listen to this station any more, I think you have made a terrible mistake with that change. There is no jazz station in the bay area, almost make me want to move back to the real bay area on the west coast."

"I wonder how this will affect the jazz festival. WSJT seemed to play a large part in their marketing and providing their on air staff to host and introduce acts."

"CBS is totally out of touch with the market and the spin they are putting on it is absurd. HD radio is pathetic and does not work unless you are in the right location and hardly anyone has receivers. In fact there is a class action suit coming against Ibiquity-the creator of HD radio. The plan here for 98.7 is to try and cut the listener shares on Clear Channel's 93.3 and 100.7. It is sader yet becasue CBS has some of the best Urban adult stations in the US and Smooth was a major part of the community culture. The loss of ratings was directly proportionate to the loss of signal when it was moved to 98.7. At the least they could put the Smooth format on 1010-the 50,000 watt AM station that they own and don't care about. I think it is in the seriously bottom end of the Arbitron ratings if it shows at all..I would rather hear Smooth on AM than nowhere and that way the folks in Polk and Highlands and a bunch of other places would get Smooth again since they lost it when 94.1 went HipHop. Makes one wonder if CBS is going to flip KTWV, Los Angeles from smooth anytime soon."

"I think CBS seriously made a mistake by taking the only jazz station off the air. I like many others listened to this station it kept me calm and peaceful on the long rides home from work and throughout the day. Obviously they were only thinking of themselves and didn't bother to get the publics opinion about the station. Well you won't have to worry about me listening to this new mess to many stations out there like it same old crap. Hope you are happy CBS."

"Give me a break top 40 without the rap. I have gone away from this jazz station and went almost entirely to WDUV 105.5 better music and also sports talk radio."

"What are smooth jazz listeners going to do now? We seem left out in the cold for our genre of music. WSJT was the only radio station that satisfied my culturally diversified office. The music played agreed with everyone's musical taste. We are severely handicapped with trying to find a station that provides easy listening and is comfortable to listen to at work."

"I also agree with most of the prior comments. I am very upset, that the Jazz station has disappeared. and I will not listen to the current station. There is definitely a huge fan base for Jazz music and taking it away is doing a huge disservice to the Tampa Bay area. It was great listening music at any time, whether going to or from work or a lazy Sunday afternoon.

"Bring it back!"

"Totally agree with the other comments. We only had the ONE jazz station and CBS took it away just to add yet another station that plays the same stupid songs over and over. CBS SUCKS."

"BIG mistake!"

"Years ago we had The Wave which was a Smooth Jazz channel ahead of it's time,we lost it for years and then the time was right and WSJT was born and life was good again......... Now this?? Sorry but go to any other large metro area and there is a Jazz channel, this is all about the $$$ as usual! Public out cry or boycott is the only way to deal with this kind of BS!"

"That sucks!! I'm from Orlando where we have the best jazz station around I used to look foward to listening to wsjt when in town. What a dissappointment!!"

SANTANA: GUITAR HEAVEN: THE GREATEST GUITAR CLASSICS OF ALL TIME

Santana’s upcoming new album, entitled Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time is due September 21 and it will feature some of the greatest guitar classics of all time. The album features all-time guitar-centric rock songs chosen by Carlos Santana and Clive Davis, with special guest vocalists on every track – Chris Cornell “Whole Lotta Love”; Pat Monahan “Dance The Night Away”; Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek “Riders On The Storm”; Rob Thomas “Sunshine Of Your Life”; Scott Weiland “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’”; Chris Daughtry “Photograph”; Gavin Rossdale “Bang A Gong”; Nas and Jonelle Monae “Back In Black”; Joe Cocker “Little Wing”; Jonny Lang “I Ain’t Superstitious”; and the first single “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” featuring India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma, plus more. The Deluxe Editon of Guitar Heaven will feature two extra songs and “The Making Of Guitar Heaven” DVD with behind the scenes, in the studio performance footage and interviews with guest vocalists and producers. Guitar Heaven follows the trilogy of award –winning album collaborations by Carlos Santana and Clive Davis – Supernatural (1999), Shamen (2002), and All That I Am (2005). The album is scheduled for release on September 21 and will be available as a 12-track standard edition and a 14-track deluxe edition.

Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics Of All Time tracklisting:

1. Whole Lotta Love (featuring Chris Cornell)

2. Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (featuring Scott Weiland)

3. Sunshine Of Your Love (featuring Rob Thomas)

4. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (featuring India.Arie and Yo-Yo Ma)

5. Dance The Night Away (featuring Pat Monahan)

6. Back In Black (featuring Nas and Janelle Monae)

7. Riders On The Storm (featuring Chester Bennington and Ray Manzarek)

8. Smoke In The Water (featuring Jacoby Shaddix)

9. Photograph (featuring Chris Daughtry)

10. Bang A Gong (featuring Gavin Rossdale)

11. Little Wing (featuring Joe Cocker)

12. I Ain’t Superstitious (featuring Jonny Lang)

13. Fortunate Son (featuring Scott Stapp)*

14. Under The Bridge (featuring Andy Vargas)*

*Deluxe Edition only.

BILL FRISELL - BEAUTIFUL DREAMERS

Grammy-winning guitarist and composer Bill Frisell returns with a new project and a new ensemble, Beautiful Dreamers, a trio consisting of Frisell on guitar, Eyyvind Kang on viola and Rudy Royston on drums.Beautiful Dreamers — a stunning recording of original compositions and striking reinterpretations was released August 31st and will be the first of many new releases by the guitarist on Savoy Jazz. To commemorate the release, Frisell made a special appearance August 30th at Barnes & Noble in New York City (Lincoln Triangle store, 1972 Broadway, NYC 10023) for a solo performance and signing @ 5pm. Bill Frisell will perform and tour throughout the year and into 2011 with the Beautiful Dreamers trio as well as his other ensembles.

Confirmed upcoming performances:
September24 - Caramoor International Music Festival, New York - Bill Frisell Trio w/ Rudy Royston & Tony Scherr

October 23-24 - Noe Valley Ministry, San Francisco, CA - Frisell's 858 Quartet w/ Eyyvind Kang, Hank Roberts & Jenny Scheinman

November 2 - Silver Platters, Seattle, WA - Bill Frisell solo in-store performance
November 3 - Triple Door, Seattle, WA Fretboard Journal 5 Year Anniversary -Beautiful Dreamers
November 5 - University of Alabama - Beautiful Dreamers
November 6 - Dan's Silverleaf, Denton, TX - Beautiful Dreamers
November 7 - One World Theater,Austin, TX - Beautiful Dreamers
November 18 -Purdue University,IN - Disfarmer Project
November 19 - Space, Evanston, IL - Disfarmer Project
November 20 - Society for Ethical Culture, NY - Disfarmer Project
February 11, 2011 - Mondavi Center, Davis, CA - Beautiful Dreamers
February 12, 2011 - Lobero Theatre, Santa Barbara, CA - Beautiful Dreamers

http://www.songtone.com/
http://www.savoyjazz.com/

ISAAC DELGADO - L-O-V-E

Sony Masterworks has released L-O-V-E by Cuban superstar Issac Delgado. On L-O-V-E, Delgado recreates 12 sultry and sexy Spanish recordings originally sung by crooner Nat King Cole. He does so with the help of a number of outstanding musicians including a special contribution by Nat King Cole's brother, Freddy Cole. This is the first time that Freddy Cole has participated in a tribute album for his brother. Nat King Cole's relationship with the Spanish language is interesting and relatively unknown. Between 1958 and 1962, Nat King Cole released his three albums in Spanish. Recorded in Cuba, Brazil and Mexico, they included hits 'Perfidia', 'Quizas, quizas, quizas', 'Ay cosita linda', 'Piel canela', 'Aquellos ojos verdes' and 'Yo vendo unos ojos negros'. His Spanish albums created a new awareness for Latin-American music globally. Among Nat King Cole's fans was Cuban vocalist Issac Delgado who grew up listening to Cole's Spanish recordings which he felt combined Cuban bolero music with the sounds of classic American romantic ballads.

Eight of the twelve songs on L-O-V-E can be found on Nat King Cole's three Latin albums and the remaining four, are Cole classics that Delgado reinterprets in Spanish by infusing his own personal style and Latin Jazz elements into each one. A charismatic musician, Delgado transforms these 20th century classics into 21st century masterpieces while staying true and authentic to his Cuban roots. Of the recordings Freddy Cole says, "A good song can become the shortest way between two hearts, especially when the best singers and performers hold our hands to take us there. Issac Delgado belongs to this generation of stars. He successfully and newly versioned, for a new generation of listeners, the essence and the spirit of the classic albums my brother recorded from the late fifties. It's been a great honor and a true pleasure to be part of this recording. This is the kind of music that always fills our hearts."

The album features a long list of guest musicians including music director and pianist John di Martino, contrabassist Charles Flores, drummer Dafnis Prieto, percussionist Pedro Martinez, guitarist Romero Lubambo, clarinet and saxophone player Ken Peplowski, trombonist Conrad Herwig and trumpeter Brian Lynch. The stellar array of musicians also includes the great Cuban singer Xiomara Laugart "La Negra", and Issac Delgado Jr. as backing vocalist. L-O-V-E was produced by Nat Chediak, Delgado and Fernado Trueba. L-O-V-E is a Calle 54 Records production released by Sony Masterworks in the U.S.

Often referred to as the "Frank Sinatra of salsa" Delgado started studying music formally at the age of 10 when he attended the Amadeo Roldan and Ignacio Cervantes music conservatories. At 18, he debuted with the Gonzalo Rubalcaba's Grupo Proyecto, to later start playing with the Pacho Alonso Orchestra and NG La Banda. This latter contribution helped him to become one of the most important representatives of timba, a new style created from Afro-Cuban music. In 1991, he debuted as a solo artist and has since recorded a dozen albums and traveled around the world as "El Chevere de la Salsa".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE_Ts2KaTpA&feature=related

L-O-V-E Tracklisting:
1. Perfidia
2. Quizas, quizas, quizas (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps)
3. Tiernamente (Tenderly)
4. Ay Cosita Linda
5. Suas Maos
6. A Su Mirar Me Acostumbre (I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face)
7. Piel Canela
8. Aquellos Ojos Verdes (Green Eyes)
9. L-O-V-E
10. Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros
11. Hojas Muertas (Les Feuille Mortes)
12. No Tengo Lagrimas (Nao Tenho Lagrimas)

KEM - INTIMACY

Universal Motown Records singer-songwriter-producer KEMs third album, Intimacy, is now available in stores and at all online digital retailers. The album’s first single is a soulful ballad called “Why Would You Stay,” which was produced by Rex Rideout (Luther Vandross, Angie Stone). Featuring a string arrangement by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra string section that was arranged by the late Motown legend David J. Van dePitte - who famously produced Marvin Gaye’s 1971 masterpiece, What’s Going On —“Why Would You Stay” is currently No. 19 on Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B Songs chart and was the No. 1 Greatest Gainer on both the BDS and Mediabase Urban AC Published Charts. Named “New and Noteworthy” by iTunes, Intimacy was inspired by KEM’s deeply personal lessons on intimacy and it will allow fans to experience him unlike ever before musically, lyrically, and visually. For the first time in his career, KEM will lay all of his cards on the table and grant fans the opportunity to get up close and personal while delivering a 10-song collection of timeless music for the grown and sexy.

Intimacy features vocal and production collaborations with the likes of Grammy-winning soul diva Jill Scott, who delivers enchanting verses of spoken word in “Golden Days.” Los Angeles producer Rex Rideout (Luther Vandross, Angie Stone) also joined KEM in the studio to help round out the Intimacy listening experience. The result is a richer sound buttressed by classical instruments and a greater range of musical styles that will certainly expand KEM’s audience by garnering success across multiple formats, including pop, R&B, and urban adult contemporary. Smooth grooves, powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and just plain feel-good music best describe KEM’s instantly recognizable sound. In 2002, the self-taught musician wrote and produced his critically acclaimed debut solo album, Kemistry, which spawned the hit single “Love Calls.” The classic track went on to break records for longevity on the Urban A/C chart while the disc achieved gold-plus status and solidified KEM’s position as a leading man in the world of R&B music. The success of his gold certified follow-up CD, 2005’s KEM Album II — which debuted at an impressive No. 5 on Billboard’s all-important Top 200 Chart —proved KEM’s staying power in the very competitive world of R&B.

Now with the release of Intimacy, KEM is opening up to reveal the elusive man behind the voice. In fact, working on this project not only led KEM, a proud father of two daughters who self-produced his first two albums, to a deeper understanding of the true meaning of intimacy, but it also helped him achieve a greater appreciation for the significance of intimacy in all aspects of his life beyond romantic relationships. “I’ve spent the past five years working on this project in the midst of many personal trials, which caused me to pause and take a more introspective look at myself, my family relationships, my walk with God, and even how I relate to my music,” said KEM. “What I found was that giving each more time and attention is essential.”

http://www.musicbykem.com/
www.facebook.com/kemofficial
www.myspace.com/kemofficial
twitter.com/kem_intimacy
www.youtube.com/kemtv