TONY BENNETT - DUETS II

Legendary performer Tony Bennett celebrates a milestone birthday on August 3rd when he turns 85. But "the best is yet to come" with news that the singer has just completed recording with Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin for his highly anticipated Duets II CD adding to a celebrated list of artists previously announced including Michael Buble, Norah Jones, John Mayer, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Amy Winehouse and many others. Lady Gaga joined Tony for a rendition of the Rogers and Hart song, "The Lady Is A Tramp" and Bennett and Franklin collaborated on the Alan and Marilyn Bergman classic, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing." Both tracks were recorded live in the studio in New York City at the end of last month. A full listing of the artist and song roster is below. Bennett's official 85th birthday celebration will be held on Sunday, September 18th following his debut performance at the Metropolitan Opera House. The elegant invitation only supper will take place directly after the concert and will be hosted by Alec Baldwin with a special performance by Sir Elton John. The event honors Bennett's Exploring the Arts organization which funds and supports arts education in all five boroughs in New York City. In advance of the event, over $1.5M has already been raised. (For more information on the event: TonyBennett85@eventassociates.com) Tony Bennett has had a long-standing commitment to arts education in New York City. Ten years ago with his wife Susan Benedetto, he founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (FSSA) one of the most well regarded and prestigious high schools in the country. It is located in his hometown of Astoria, Queens.

In support of Exploring the Arts, Tiffany & Co. is donating for auction a unique "Breakfast At Tiffany" with Tony Bennett in-store event that also includes tickets to Tony's Metropolitan Opera concert and birthday gala, a personalized Tony Bennett giclee art print, as well as a $10,000 Tiffany private shopping experience and tour of the famed store. This exceptional auction package will be launched exclusively on charitybuzz starting on August 3rd and for more details please go to www.charitybuzz.com/tonybennett. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Exploring the Arts and Tiffany will also be a table sponsor at the September 18 birthday gala. Additionally, Tiffany, the jeweler synonymous with true love recently introduced a new website and iPhone® App, as What Makes Love True, which has quickly become the resource for romantics around the world. Within the "Art of Romance" section, Tiffany features a playlist of Tony's top ten favorite love songs which can be viewed now at www.whatmakeslovetrue.com.

On Bennett's August 3rd birthday, he is scheduled to appear on the "The Today Show" and "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Tony will perform a benefit event hosted by AARP to support their "Drive To End Hunger" initiative at the Staples Center on September 24th. Several national television appearances are slated for Duets II week of release and throughout the fall. Duets II is the follow-up to the multi-platinum CD, Duets, released in conjunction with Tony's 80th birthday in 2006 which won three Grammy Awards and was the singer's best selling CD to date. Phil Ramone produced the original Duets as well as the forthcoming Duets II CD.

Entering his seventh decade as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over. He remains the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label. His 2007 prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," won seven Emmy Awards. A visual artist as well, three of his original paintings are part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian. His humanitarian efforts are renowned and the United Nations honored him with their Humanitarian Award in 2007. He has published three books – his autobiography, "The Good Life" and two books of his paintings, "Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen," and "Tony Bennett In the Studio; A Life of Art and Music." Bennett founded, in association with the Department of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts – a public arts high school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization which supports arts education in NYC public high schools. Exploring the Arts supports seven additional public high schools throughout New York City.

Duets II Artist & Track Listing
ANDREA BOCELLI - STRANGER IN PARADISE
MICHAEL BUBLE - I WANNA BE AROUND
MARIAH CAREY - WHEN DO THE BELLS RING FOR ME?
NATALIE COLE - WATCH WHAT HAPPENS
SHERYL CROW - THE GIRL I LOVE
ARETHA FRANKLIN - HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING?
JOSH GROBAN - THIS IS ALL I ASK
FAITH HILL - THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
NORAH JONES - SPEAK LOW
LADY GAGA - THE LADY IS TRAMP
K.D. LANG -BLUE VELVET

JOHN MAYER - ONE FOR MY BABY (AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD)

WILLIE NELSON - ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET

QUEEN LATIFAH - WHO CAN I TURN TO?

ALEJANDRO SANZ - YESTERDAY I HEARD THE RAIN

AMY WINEHOUSE -BODY AND SOUL

http://www.tonybennett.com/

http://www.exploringthearts.org/

http://www.benedettoarts.com/

WLOQ 103.1FM ORLANDO DROPS SMOOTH JAZZ FORMAT

103.1 FM / WLOQ in Orlando has recently been sold and is in the process of switching formats from Smooth Jazz to an unknown format. At midnight on August 1, WLOQ's smooth jazz format moved exclusively online, and the station began stunting as "Elvis 103.1" until the new format is unveiled. The station initially signed on the air in 1966 as WLOQ-FM and at the time the format was all instrumental “beautiful” music through 1977. The station programmed what became the Smooth Jazz format from 1977 to 2011. In 2011, after CEO John Gross retired for medical reasons, WLOQ was sold to TTB Media Corporation. Here is a message posted online from the CEO of the station:

"What can one say about a family, radio staff, and you... all who have been responsible for creating the iconic format and community that is 103.1 WLOQ? "The first of its kind", "family owned and operated", "the last of the independents" - these and every phrase fall short, when describing what has been life long friendships of the rarest kind. From the Gross family, past and present staff at 103.1 WLOQ, please join us in our final weeks on-air as we bring listeners, past personalities, musical super stars, community builders, and you together for one last celebration of all things 103.1 WLOQ. You won't want to miss it! Once again, on behalf of my family and staff please accept our deepest gratitude and most heartfelt thanks for 34 fantastic years! Our very best wishes to you and yours."

Sincerely,
Jim Gross
Co-CEO
Gross Communications Corporation
Welcome to WLOQ OnLine!

DEE LUCAS - REBIRTH OF THE SMOOTH

Jazz Saxophonist Dee Lucas has launched his digital CD campaign and has released his new CD, Rebirth of the Smooth, on digital delivery sites across the world on July 26, 2011. The physical CD will be released tentatively on August 26, 2011 and will be available in stores across the country. A writer, co-producer, co-arranger and performer, Lucas’ career was birthed by blowing his horn on Atlanta’s jazz circuit and since then his passion with the saxophone has landed him in some of the country’s hottest jazz festivals, corporate gigs, celebrity events and well-recognized spots across the country. Two of the performances that he’s most proud of are at the famous Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City, and the extremely popular Capital Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C. Lucas has played alongside some of the finest contemporary jazz greats such as: Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Boney James, Phil Perry, Chris Botti, Warren Hill, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, Bobbi Humphrey, Ramsey Lewis, Ronny Jordan, Greg Karukas, Peter White, Gerald Albright, and the list goes on. Lucas has also opened for such artists as: Roy Ayers, Michael Franks, The Gap Band, Lalah Hathaway, Hugh Masakela and 5-time Grammy nominee Nneena Freelon. He first came to prominence in 2004 with his debut CD, Remembrance, which is a tribute to legendary saxophonist George Howard. Since his well-received debut, Lucas has been greeted with stunning reviews, garnered extensive airplay and consistently climbed charts and branded his timeless “Soul Jazz” sound in the smooth jazz market. Lucas developed his distinctive style by collaborating urban funk sounds with a smooth melody that is both relaxing and soothing to the ear. In 2007, his sophomore CD, Something to Ride 2 received heavy rotation in many smooth jazz markets which peaked at #10 on the Smoothjazz.com “Top 50 Indie Charts”. His third CD, Standing Room Only was released in 2010 and is receiving international radio promotion, which peaked at #26 also on the Smoothjazz.com "Top 50 Indie Charts". With great songs such as the title track “Standing Room Only”, “Tiffany’s World” and “Keep Knocking”, this nine songs, smooth sounding compilation has received airplay from numerous internet, and satellite radio stations worldwide. A native of Alabama, this soulful sax man puts his heart and soul into his music and he lets his creative juices flow, delivering funky, upbeat, and smooth jazz sounds. His beautiful melodies and sensuous rhythms capture your heart and his recently released CD, Rebirth of the Smooth, is a compilation of Lucas’ top songs from his previously released CDs. With great songs such as the title track “Reconcile”, and other hot tracks such as “Shadow in the Dark”, “Nothing That I Do”, “Dancing in the Sun” and “Keep Knocking”, this 16 songs, soulful and smooth sounding compilation is sure to impress jazz lovers and receive airplay from terrestrial, internet and satellite radio stations worldwide.

To check out his single, “Reconcile”, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqurDuHndFE

SMOOTH JAZZ 92.7 HARRISBURG, PA: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

Smooth Jazz 92.7 in Harrisburg, PA is switching formats and is currently "stunting" as it is known in the industry. Stunting (if you will) is when a station about to switch formats plays with its audience by playing music across a slew of formats for an extended period of time until the new format is lauchned.  This is the approach that Hall Communications “Smooth Jazz 92.7” WSJW Starview/Harrisburg, PA has has taken.  In this particular case the stunt consists of covers of “Stairway To Heaven” interspersed with comedy bits from cartoons such as Space Ghost Coast To Coast.The station’s website features the following farewell message:
The decision to end Smooth Jazz 92.7 was not an easy one to make. Many factors contributed to the change, including the fact that listenership never reached predicted levels and revenues coming in were not enough to support the station and keep it on the air. We thank you for being a loyal listener and for your support of the station. A new format will begin shortly.

Smooth Jazz had been 92.7's format from March 1, 2004. Before that, 92.7 used to be oldies format WHBO. Oldies had been broadcasting since June 29, 2001. WGEK was the previous station that broadcast on the 92.7 frequency- it is surmised that the station was known as "The Eagle" and the format was classic rock, although this has not been confirmed. WGEK were the call letters from February 23, 1996 until 2001. WHTF was the previous station before that, airing the Jammer and Coffey show. WHTF broadcast from August 12, 1983 until February 23, 1996.

KIM KANG WON - GROOVIE NIGHT

Kim Kang Won, Saxplayer extraordinaire from Korea has entered into a world wide distribution agreement with Australian music distributor Wolf Entertainment. Says Wolf Entertainment director Hellmut Wolf: " I am totally delighted to have Kangwon working with us, especially since I am a Sax player myself, I really appreciate how good he is, and how wonderful this new album is produced. Kang Won has an amazing sound, I get the old chicken skin when I listen to his music. I am totally delighted about our new collaboration, and we will do everything we can to put him on the map internationally. Kangwon has great maturity for his young age, he has a clear concept and vision about his music: “I want my music to be a vehicle for change and to transcend boundaries from age to race. I believe my music can make a difference in the world,” states the commanding and strikingly handsome 20-something musician, composer, and performer, known for his dynamic and exhilarating live shows. Kang Wwon’ explosive arrival on the contemporary jazz scene at age 17 caused frenzy. This was not a surprise as the ambitious saxophonist, who has shared the stage with everyone from Kenny G, Chio Yeon Song, Dave Koz, R. Kelly and G. Lee, had just released an auspicious recording debut and several years prior he had already made an appearance at the Jara Jazz Festival in Korea. Contemporary jazz is the genre that has embraced my music, but I see myself as a musician first" "I want to make music my way that best defines me as an artist". Kang Won concludes, “As a young person into jazz, it is important for me that the music stays alive and remains relevant in today’s music scene. I am trying to bridge the gap and create music that appeals to all age demographics, especially the high school and college kids. I am bringing them music that they can relate to. I strive to make music that is always true to myself, and hopefully that will reach people. The greatest joy to me is connecting with people through my music. ” His friend and mentor, Dave Koz, may have summed it up best…”Kang Won’s energy and musicality are undeniable. He’s fusing Jazz with Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, and Rock for a new sound that’s exciting and truly innovative!” The new album with the title Groovie Night will be available from all the download shops around the world.

CHARLES AZNAVOUR - AZNAVOUR TOUJOURS

Charles Aznavour's new studio album, titled Aznavour Toujours, will be released digitally on August 30 by Capitol/EMI. Aznavour forever. Rather than an album title, a self-portrait. He's somewhat prodigious, given both the dizzying heights he reaches and his unswerving loyalty to his fans and his art. Aznavour has been part of our lives forever, for most of those of us who listen to his songs. Forever the Aznavour of sweet nothings and noble sentiments, humble people and great melodies. Forever the Aznavour of great classics and songs we've never heard and which suddenly hit us in the pit of our stomach or yank our heartstrings. Because Charles Aznavour doesn't like to stand still. He's never been one to take a distance, settle down to retirement or dream of going home. No, he's never let up, never stopped writing. So yet again, he has penned a dozen songs, twelve pure Aznavour songs. There's the full breadth and power of the legend, who dares to mix our most intimate secrets with the tidal wave movements of humankind, the most volatile sensuality with looming existential questions. He sets a love story against the backdrop of the May 68 students' revolution in Paris in Ce printemps-la, lingers between the sheets with Que j'aime j'aime ca and untangles the frippery weave of our existence in Les Jours…

In this intermingling of registers, the singer-songwriter fascinates and dazzles, in J'ai connu, a sprightly song that Yvan Cassar dressed up with light-hearted rustling and tiny sparks, while the lyrics take on board humankind's horrors, the genocides of the last century and the lowest of mass injustices– "Ce que l'homme fait a l'homme/L'animal ne le fait pas" (What man does unto man, no animal stoops to). Aznavour is on full throttle, never losing sight of the vast machinery of history even as he sings of two lovers hand in hand, and always distinguishing, behind the fracas of the world, the poor shattered world of anonymous man. Because as ever and forever, he is obsessed with justice, with hitting the nail on the head. Which is why musicians rarely resist the honor of playing for Charles Aznavour. So this album features a slew of big names, whether session musicians or stars of the French scene: pianist Jacky Terrasson on five tracks, bass guitarists Laurent Vernerey and Jean-Claude Ghrenassia, drummer Loic Ponthieux, accordionist Lionel Suarez and guitarist Pedro Xavier Gonzales to name but a few. And Thomas Dutronc, on vocals and guitar for Elle, a vibrant, radiant duo.

For the arrangements, Aznavour called on Eumir Deodato (500 albums for Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Astrud Gilberto, Bjork and Christophe to name but a few) and Yvan Cassar (Mylene Farmer, Johnny Hallyday, Claude Nougaro and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) and the album travels to Brazil and Paris, with an occasional little trip to Broadway and even Spain for Flamenca, flamenco, in which he sings of an "Enfant type d'Andalousie/Mele d'Islam et de Chrétien/Entre priere et poesie/Dont les accents tissent les liens" (Olive-skin kid in Andalusia/mixing Islam and Christendom/between prayer and poetry/in accents that forge ties"). Aznavour Toujours travels because Aznavour has always travelled, – in space and through memories and sensitive, surging spirits. He knows all the weakness and faults of humankind, yet he is forever celebrating hope, love, pleasure and sharing. He sees life as a combat, in Des coups de poing, a superb reverie on life in which he has the courage and class, when evoking injuries sustained, to admit to blows dealt. But he also sees life as "le tresor dont le destin/Nous fait l'offrande" (a treasure that destiny/offers up to us) in La vie est faite de hasards (Life is a series of accidents). They're songs, of course. But they're much more. Lessons in life, for example, like Va (Go), the elegance of which any woman would appreciate with the fading of passion. And heart-stopping celebrations of the happiness people can give one another, like Viens m'emporter… We soon realise why Karl Lagerfeld so enjoyed taking his album cover photograph: he met an artist, but also a myth. One of the last myths left, a myth that helped forge and free us, helped us grow. Aznavour, forever.

Charles Aznavour: Aznavour Toujours
1. Viens m'emporter

2. La vie est faite de hasards

3. L'instinct du chasseur

4. Les jours

5. Que j'aime ca

6. Ce printemps-la

7. Des coups de poing

8. Flamenco Flamenca

9. J'ai connu

10. Je pense à toi

11. Elle (duet with Thomas Dutronc)

12. Tu ne m'aimes plus

13. Va

BILL FRISELL - ALL WE ARE SAYING

Consummate guitarist, composer and musical interpreter Bill Frisell has assembled a trusted ensemble consisting of Jenny Scheinman (violin), Tony Scherr (bass), Greg Leisz (guitars) and Kenny Wollesen (drums) to record his definitive take on the classic songs of John Lennon. Titled All We Are Saying, the project has long been in the works—one could go as far back as the first time he heard the Beatles at the age of 13. Fast forward a few decades and Frisell is asked to put together an impromptu set in honor of John Lennon as part of a special event in Paris. The preparation, performances and reception to these compositions was an inspiration nurtured to fruition with this project. Recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley and produced by Lee Townsend, All We Are Saying will be released on Savoy Jazz on September 27. Described by the Wall Street Journal as "the most innovative and influential jazz guitarist of the past 25 years," Frisell's artistry has earned across the board praise for his instinctual musicianship—working both within and beyond the parameters of jazz music as he effortlessly incorporates elements of Americana, world, blues, classical, creating a rich and unique aural tapestry. Says Frisell: "John Lennon's music has been with me, the band, everybody, the world...seems like forever. The songs are part of us. In our blood. There was nothing we really needed to do to prepare for this. We've been preparing our whole lives. The songs are there. All we had to do was play them. Everyone involved with this has their own personal, deep, long, relationship to John Lennon's music. It connects us all and brings us together. I feel blessed having the chance to play this music with these people."

All We Are Saying songs include:
Across the Universe

Revolution

Nowhere Man

Imagine

Please Please Me

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Hold On

In My Life

Come Together

Julia

Woman

# 9 Dream

Love

Beautiful Boy

Mother

Give Peace a Chance

 http://www.savoyjazz.com/

STING: 25 YEARS

Cherrytree/A&M Records/Universal Music Group has announced the release of Sting: 25 Years, the definitive box set collection slated for release on September 27, 2011. Featuring three CDs comprised of 45 remastered tracks personally curated by Sting, a previously unreleased live concert DVD and a comprehensive hardcover book, this retrospective captures for the first time both the highlights and rarities of Sting's enduring solo career. This consummate collection contains selections spanning his entire solo catalog, from his 1985 debut album, The Dream Of The Blue Turtles, to his latest release, Live in Berlin. Highlights include all of Sting's top 40 hits as well as Grammy® winners "Brand New Day," "The Soul Cages," "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," and "Whenever I Say Your Name" featuring Mary J. Blige (full track listing included below). Sting: 25 Years was produced by Rob Mathes and Executive Produced by Sting's longtime manager, Kathryn Schenker. The box set also contains nine songs remixed by Robert Orton and Steve Fitzmaurice exclusively for this collection. Rough, Raw & Unreleased: Live At Irving Plaza, the previously unreleased live concert DVD, features 10 tracks culled from newly unearthed raw performance footage filmed in New York City on the final night of Sting's U.S. "Broken Music" tour in 2005. The discs are housed in a beautiful, lavish hardcover book containing intimate and rare photos from world renowned photographers, complete lyrics, personal commentary and a newly written introduction by Sting. Richly diverse in musical content and visually captivating, Sting: 25 Years is a compelling tribute to the restless spirit of an artist who continues to evolve and explore new musical territory.

Sting: 25 Years Track List
Disc One:
1.If You Love Somebody Set Them Free
2.Love Is The Seventh Wave
3.Consider Me Gone

4.Moon Over Bourbon Street

5.Fortress Around Your Heart

6.Bring On The Night (Live)

7.Driven To Tears (Live)

8.I Burn For You (Live)

9.Be Still My Beating Heart

10.They Dance Alone

11.Englishman In New York

12.Fragile

13.We'll Be Together

14.Sister Moon

15.Secret Marriage

Disc Two:

1.All This Time

2.Mad About You

3.Why Should I Cry For You?

4.The Soul Cages

5.When The Angels Fall

6.If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

7.Fields Of Gold

8.Seven Days

9.It's Probably Me

10.Shape Of My Het

11.When We Dance

12.I Hung My Head

13.I Was Brought To My Senses

14.You Still Touch Me

15.I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying

Disc Three:

1.A Thousand Years

2.Desert Rose

3.Ghost Story

4.Brand New Day

5.Send Your Love

6.Whenever I Say Your Name

7.Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)

8.Soul Cake

9.The Hounds Of Winter

10.Next To You

11.We Work The Black Seam

12.The Pirate's Bride

13.Never Coming Home

14.Russians (Live)

15.The End Of The Game (Live)

Disc Four: Rough, Raw & Unreleased: Live at Irving Plaza

1.Message In A Bottle

2.Demolition Man
3.Synchronicity II
4.Driven To Tears
5.Heavy Cloud, No Rain
6.A Day In The Life
7.Voices Inside My Head/When The World Is Running Down
8.Roxanne
9.Next To You
10.Lithium Sunset

JOSS STONE - LP1

Joss Stone has been obsessed with soul music since she was a little girl. By the time she was in her early teens she had begun to intuitively hone her now trademark gravely-but-lustrous vocals by singing along to Aretha's Franklin's greatest hits. She began pursuing a singing career at thirteen, when she auditioned for UK talent show Star For a Night. This eventually led to a record deal and the release of Stone's star-making debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003. Her second record, 2004's Mind Body & Soul capitalized on The Soul Sessions' commercial momentum and critical adoration and earned Stone three Grammy nominations, including one for Best New Artist. But it was really her third album, 2007's Introducing Joss Stone, a more independent, less packaged effort, on which Joss showcased her songwriting chops, that revealed the singer had truly been embraced by the American audience; it marked the highest debut ever for a female British solo artist on the Billboard charts. Joss' first three albums have sold over 11 million albums worldwide.

Stone recently established her own label, Stone'd Records, hence the title of the first album to come out on the label, LP1, which is released in partnership with Surfdog. LP1 is the first album Joss has recorded with total creative freedom. She co-wrote and co-produced it with super-producer and Eurythmics co-founder, Dave Stewart. Together they immersed themselves into a rock n' soul musical odyssey in Nashville, Tennessee.

"This is the most fun I've ever had making a record with Crazy Dave Stewart at the helm, and yes the players in Nashville are unbelievable!!!" says Stone. "This album captures a specific moment in time that was spontaneous and full of creativity."

"Joss can sing with the ferocity of a lioness and dynamically switch to the most delicate whisper in the same phrase," says Stewart. "She is always honest and full of real emotion. It is an honor to work alongside a true artist who understands so much at such a young age."

LP 1 Track List:
1. Newborn
2. Karma
3. Don’t Start Lying To Me Now
4. Last One To Know
5. Drive All Night
6. Cry Myself to Sleep
7. Somehow
8. Landlord
9. Boat Yard
10. Take Good Care

STEFON HARRIS / DAVID SANCHEZ / CHRISTIAN SCOTT – NINETY MILES

Musicians – especially jazz musicians, whose craft is in many ways an improvised form of communication – understand this principle inherently, perhaps better than any politician or diplomat could ever hope to. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sánchez and trumpeter Christian Scott cross that divide in their new recording, Ninety Miles. Recorded entirely in Havana, Cuba, with the help of some highly talented Cuban players – pianists Rember Duharte and Harold López-Nussa, each leading their own quartets – the nine-song set is an experiment that examines the fascinating chemical reaction that takes place when musicians from different cultures come together and converse in a common language that transcends mere words. The set also includes a DVD that is a sneak peek of the forthcoming documentary of the same name that chronicles the recording process of the album in Cuba. It will also include two bonus live performances of “City Sunrise” and “La Fiesta Va.”

“This record is about the power of music to communicate, and break down some of the barriers that result from language and politics and culture,” says John Burk, Chief Creative Officer of Concord Music Group and producer of the album. He developed the idea for the project after hearing a number of Cuba's extraordinary young jazz pianists. "Cuba seems to have an amazing amount of incredible musicians, and I was particularly impressed with Harold and Rember," recalls Burk. "I found it really interesting that these musicians had studied and embraced the jazz genre (an American art form) and taken it to such a high level. Their circumstances, a very solid music educational system with Afro-Cuban roots, coupled with the isolation of the embargo throughout their lifetimes, had created something unique and special in their music." It took about year to get permission from the U.S. Government, and then Burk, along with co-producer Chris Dunn, booked Harris, Sánchez and Scott to perform in Havana in May 2010 with quartets lead by Harold and Rember. Ninety Miles is a snapshot of the rehearsals just prior to the 2010 performance. Despite the logistical hurdles, “once we got down there and got into the music, everything worked,” says Burk. “And what we witnessed was a very high level of musicianship, a very high level of communication, and a very sophisticated conversation.”

Harris, a four- time Grammy® nominated vibist-percussionist, is no stranger to adventurous collaborative projects. A native of Albany, New York, his earliest work included session gigs with Steve Turre and Charlie Hunter in the 1990s before he recorded his solo debut in 1998 on Blue Note (A Cloud of Red Dust). He’s cut seven albums since then, including his Grammy® nominated Concord Jazz debut Urbanus. Harris contributes three tracks to Ninety Miles. New arrangements of “Black Action Figure” and “This Too Shall Pass” and “Brown Belle Blues” written especially for this project. “Before I wrote it, I listened to a bunch of recordings by Rember and his rhythm section as a way to capture some of their energy in the song,” he says. “On top of that, I put a real soulful, bluesy, almost gospel-like melody on top of it as a way to bring all of our influences together.”

Sánchez brings plenty of his own cross-cultural sensibilities to the project. A native of Puerto Rico, he moved to New York City at 18 and studied at Rutgers University under Kenny Barron while gigging with numerous Latin jazz specialists, including Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi and Dizzy Gillespie. In a body of recorded work that stretches back to the mid-1990s, Sánchez has crafted a signature sound that seamlessly merges elements of Afro-Cuban rhythm with bebop. Sánchez’s “City Sunrise” was inspired by music from Cameroon. “I had planned to record it on one of my own projects, but it made perfect sense to use it here,” he says. “It not only has a Cuban sound, but there are other elements there as well that give it a world groove.” His second contribution, “The Forgotten Ones” – written for the people of post-Katrina New Orleans – is a quieter, more subtle piece that provides a contrast to some of the more energized tracks in the set. Both of Sanchez’s offerings are propelled by López-Nussa and his rhythm section, which provides a counterbalance to Duharte and his crew elsewhere in the set. Each of the two pianists contributes two tracks of his own, which further thickens the album’s cultural mix. “Harold and Rember are from the same generation, and yet they have two completely different approaches,” says Sánchez. “Rember is more rooted in the African sound, and he’s a little more raw in some ways. But Harold is completely different. You hear the Cuban influences in his music, and perhaps more of the western European classical piano.”

Born and raised in New Orleans, Grammy® nominated trumpeter Christian Scott has been blending elements of Alt Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Classical since his 2006 debut recording, Rewind That. On Ninety Miles, he taps into the Cuban roots that are not only a part of his home but his family history as well. “New Orleans is in many ways an extension of the Caribbean,” Scott explains. “There are a lot of Cuban people in New Orleans as well as Dominican’s and Haitian’s. They come to the city and become very much a part of the culture there. My great-grandmother was born in Cuba, and when I was growing up, she would sing Cuban songs to me. I grew up around that music. So while I don’t particularly think of myself as Cuban, it doesn’t necessarily mean that I was not able to pick up on and appreciate certain aspects of the culture.”

The brilliance and innovation of Ninety Miles is only part of the story. The recording is also a clear statement about the power of music to unite in ways that politics and diplomacy can’t. “The arts can lead the way, because they are the universal language,” says Burk. “And music is certainly one of the most powerful forces within the arts. You can change someone’s life in five minutes with the right piece of music. I don’t know of any other art form that can do that. This record does illustrate a way – or at least the ability – for people to work together despite differences.”

Ninety Miles Track List:
1. Nengueleru 5:04
2. E'cha 4:17
3. City Sunrise 6:47
4. The Forgotten Ones 3:53
5. Black Action Figure 6:21
6. Congo 6:30
7. And This Too Shall Pass 9:28
8. Brown Belle Blues 5:00
9. La Fiesta Va 5:46

NEW RELEASES FROM CINDY BRADLEY, DOWN TO THE BONE, PAT METHENY, RAHSAAN PATTERSON & OTHERS...

Amina Alaoui – Arco Iris
Ayce Gencer – But Beautiful
Band Black Rio – Super Nova Samba Funk
Ben Webster -Ballads
Bongolion – Bongos For Beatniks
Botto Fau & Elevated Soul – Coffee House Swinger
Bugge Wesseltoft & Henrik Schwarz – Wesseltoft Schwarze Duo
Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White – Forever
Chilly Gonzales – Unspeakable Chilly Gonzales
Cindy Bradley – Unscripted
Coleman Hawkins – Today & Now & Desafinando Remastered
Dinner At The Thompsons – Off The Grid
Down To The Bone – Main Ingredients
Eliane Elias – Light My Fire
Federico Palmozella – Keep On Groovin”
Funk Ark – From The Rooftops
Global Noize – A Pray For The Planet
Havana – Entervention
Hiromi- Voice
Ikebe Showdown – Ikebe Showdown
Lorenzo Tucci - Tranety
Mario Biondi – Change Of Scenes
Marilyn Mazur – Celestial Circle
Nicola Conte – Love And Revolutions
Neamen – So Free
Nikki Jean – Pennies In A Bar
Ocote Soul Sounds – Taurus
Pat Metheny – What It’s All About
Patti Austin – Sound Advice
Patty Aschur – Bossa, Nazz ‘n’ Samba
Pauline London – Under The Rainbow
Polyrhythmics - Labrador
Rahsaan Patterson - Bleuphoria
Raphael Saadiq – Stone Rollin
Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers – Mi Watusi
Robin Guthrie - Emeralds
Sean Khan – Slow Burner
Soulstice – Into The Light
Steve Arrington – Goin’ Hard
Tom Harnell – Time Of The Sun
Walter Robinson – Cause I Wanna
Warren Haynes – Man In Motion
Wendell Harrison – It’s About Time
Wendy Lands - Mumble
Winston Warrior – Lifeology 1010

AMY WINEHOUSE R.I.P. 1983-2011

Amy Winehouse, the English singer-songwriter, known for her powerful contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of various musical genres including R&B, soul, and jazz was found dead on Saturday by police. She received extensive publicity over her substance abuse and mental health issues.Winehouse was aged 27 and police have described the cause of her death as "unexplained". Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her 2006 follow-up album, Back to Black, led to six Grammy Award nominations and five wins, tying the record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night, and made Winehouse the first British singer to win five Grammys, including three of the "Big Four": Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. On 14 February 2007, she won a BRIT Award for Best British Female Artist; she had also been nominated for Best British Album. She won the Ivor Novello Award three times, one in 2004 for Best Contemporary Song (musically and lyrically) for "Stronger Than Me", one in 2007 for Best Contemporary Song for "Rehab", and one in 2008 for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Love Is a Losing Game", among other prestigious distinctions. The album was the third biggest seller of the 2000s in the United Kingdom. Before her death, Winehouse had agreed to form a group with The Roots drummer ?uestlove. Winehouse has been credited as being an influence in the rise in popularity of female musicians and soul music, and also revitalising British music. Winehouse's distinctive style has been the muse for fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld. The singer's problems with drug and alcohol abuse, as well as self-destructive behaviour, were regular tabloid news from 2007 until her death.

MILES DAVIS QUINTET - LIVE IN EUROPE 1967: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 1

The explosive transformation of Miles Davis’ “second great Quintet” with Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Tony Williams (drums) is laid bare on Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1. Culled from original state-owned television and radio sources in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, the program spans five northern European festival performances over the course of nine days in October-November 1967. The audio shows consist entirely of previously unreleased or previously only bootlegged material. The 3-CD + DVD package, an 8-panel digipak with 28-page booklet, will be available everywhere starting September 20th through the Columbia/Legacy label. On the same date, a single-disc overview of the box set will be released. Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 1 will feature nine tracks from the box set.

Miles’ Quintet lineup of 1965 to ’68 is acknowledged as one of the high reference points in 20th century jazz, and its influence continues to reverberate in small group jazz today. Their Columbia recordings represent a litany of jazz at its best – E.S.P. (1965), Miles Smiles (1966), Sorcerer (1967), Nefertiti (1967), Miles In the Sky (1968), and Filles De Kilimanjaro (1968). But it was the quintet’s live performances, as they evolved into Miles’ ideal of a “leaderless” jamming ensemble, that truly immortalized them. The European tour dates brought the Quintet to Antwerp, Belgium (October 28th); Stockholm, Sweden (October 31st); Copenhagen, Denmark (November 2nd); Paris, France (November 6th); and Karlsruhe, Germany (November 7th). The tour was organized and promoted by Newport Jazz Festival impresario George Wein and also starred Sarah Vaughan, the Archie Shepp Quintet (with Roswell Rudd, Grachan Moncur III, Jimmy Garrison, and Beaver Harris), the Thelonious Monk Quartet (with Charlie Rouse), the Gary Burton Quartet (with Larry Coryell, Steve Swallow, and Bobby Moses), and Wein’s own Newport All-Stars with Buddy Tate.

The paradox of Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 is the fact that all five concerts were recorded by state-owned radio and television outlets – a case of European bureaucracies preserving our American jazz heritage. Of the audio performances on CD, Belgium (an hour-plus set), Denmark and France are all full-length concert sets that are now seeing their first authorized release(s). Denmark is the rarest of the three, never released commercially (not even as a bootleg) so it is a particularly valuable 50 minutes of music. The Paris concert is the longest of the shows in this collection, running 90 minutes across CD Two and CD Three. It includes the very rare versions of “Agitation” and “Footprints” which are not found on the unauthorized bootlegs that have circulated up until now.

The DVD contained in Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 presents two concert sets by the Quintet, one from Stockholm on October 31st, and one from Karlsruhe, Germany on November 7th (although they are sequenced in reverse chronological order). This is the only known video documentation of the “second great Quintet” from the 1965 to ’68 period. The only previous authorized release of this video was as a bonus disc on the commemorative 70-CD + DVD Complete Miles Davis Columbia Album Collection, released in 2009 on Columbia/Legacy.

The enthusiastic reception for the Miles Davis Quintet is partly credited to George Wein’s belief that Europe could support a wide-ranging program of jazz festivals. Since the inception of Newport in 1954, Wein worked towards that goal in Europe, which took the better part of a decade to organize. These October-November 1967 festival dates were only the second or third season of Wein’s European programs. (Sidebar: This was also the tour in which director Charlotte Zwerin shot the black-and-white footage of Monk that is seen in the documentary film completed 20 years later, Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser. The Monk composition “’Round Midnight” – heard on all four discs of Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol.  – was a Miles Davis performance staple since the early 1950s.)

Putting Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1 1 into historical perspective are the illuminating liner notes by Ashley Kahn, author of Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece (DaCapo Press, 2000). In addition to serving as a contributor to National Public Radio and teaching music history and journalism at New York University, Kahn is also the author of A Love Supreme: The Making of John Coltrane's Masterpiece (Viking, 2002), and The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records (Norton, 2007).

In preparing his liner notes for Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1, Kahn’s extensive research included articles that ran during the concert tour, and multiple interviews, including various surviving Quintet members; indefatigable concert promoter George Wein and his long-time co-producer and tour manager Bob Jones; and tour mates Archie Shepp, Roswell Rudd, and Gary Burton. They all provide eyewitness commentary, musical insights, and priceless anecdotes. As Kahn’s liner notes point out, the end of 1967 was a landmark moment for Miles Davis, as he was preparing to say goodbye to this Quintet lineup. They had started out three years before, playing the standards that Miles enjoyed, and many of those chestnuts could still be heard, such as “On Green Dolphin Street,” “I Fall In Love Too Easily,” “’Round Midnight” and “Walkin’.”

But as the sound structures of the Quintet opened up and were pulled apart, the musical forms were reinventing themselves on stage every night. This was reflected in the original compositions from their recent albums, which framed their sets, among them Miles’ “Agitation” (from E.S.P.), Wayne’s “Footprints” (from Miles Smiles) and “Masquelero” (from Sorcerer), and Herbie’s “Riot” (from Nefertiti). This was also the period (starting in 1967) when Miles began to play his sets as one long jam with very little beyond opening melodic statements separating one tune from the next. This lay the groundwork for the revolutionary and scene-changing music that he would produce over the next decade, until his retreat in 1975.

Everything was driven by the aggressive, iconoclastic style of drummer Tony Williams, probably the one most responsible for opening up Miles to the possibilities that lay beyond traditional jazz. It was a way of thinking that was also being explored at the time by John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and others. One thing is certain: the “second great Quintet” was the best and most satisfying band since the great Quintet lineup of the ’50s.

This box set was co-produced by Grammy Award®-winning producers Richard Seidel and Michael Cuscuna. Cuscuna and Seidel also co-produced last year's award-winning Miles Davis: Bitches Brew 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition and Cuscuna has produced all of the Columbia/Legacy Miles Davis boxed sets since 1995. Seidel produced the 2009 Grammy Award®-nominated RCA/Legacy boxed set To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story and the 2010 award-winning Ella Fitzgerald: Twelve Nights In Hollywood (Verve) box set.

Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series Vol. 1
CD One – Selections:
1. Agitation
2. Footprints
3. ’Round Midnight
4. No Blues
5. Riot
6. On Green Dolphin Street
7. Masqualero
8. Gingerbread Boy
9. Theme. (Recorded on October 28, 1967 at the Konigin Elizabethzaal, Antwerp, Belgium by Belgian Radio and Television [BRT].)

CD Two – Selections:
1. Agitation
2. Footprints
3. ’Round Midnight
4. No Blues
5. Masqualero
6. Agitation
7. Footprints. (Tracks 1-5 recorded on November 2, 1967 at the Tivoli Konsertsal, Copenhagen, Denmark by Danish Radio; tracks 6 & 7 recorded and broadcast on November 6, 1967 at the Paris Jazz Festival, Salle Pleyel, Paris, France on France Inter [ORTF]. Radio Program Producer: André Francis.)

CD Three – Selections:
1. ’Round Midnight
2. No Blues
3. Masqualero
4. I Fall In Love Too Easily
5. Riot
6. Walkin’
7. On Green Dolphin Street
8. The Theme. (Recorded and broadcast on November 6, 1967 at the Paris Jazz Festival, Salle Pleyel, Paris, France on France Inter [ORTF]. Radio Program Producer: André Francis.)

DVD – Selections:
1. Agitation
2. Footprints
3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
4. Gingerbread Boy
5. The Theme
6. Agitation
7. Footprints
8. ’Round Midnight
9. Gingerbread Boy
10. The Theme. (Tracks 1-6 recorded on November 7, 1967 at the Stadthalle, Karlsruhe, Germany by Südwestfunk TV; tracks 7-11 recorded on October 31, 1967 at the Konserthuset, Stockholm, Sweden by Sveriges Radio TV.)

Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Best Of The Bootleg Series Vol. 1
Selections:

1. Agitation [A]

2. On Green Dolphin Street [A]

3. ‘Round Midnight [B]

4. No Blues [B]

5. Masqualero [C]

6. Gingerbread Boy [A]

7. The Theme [C]

[A]: October 28, 1967 at the Konigin Elizabethzaal, Antwerp, Belgium

[B]: November 2, 1967 at the Tivoli Konsertsal, Copenhagen, Denmark

[C]: November 6, 1967 at the Paris Jazz Festival, Salle Pleyel, Paris, France

U-NAM – WEEKEND IN L.A (A GEORGE BENSON TRIBUTE)

Chart topping jazz artist U-Nam (best known for his #1 hit “Street Life") has been in the studio recording and producing his next project. Paying tribute to his hero and favorite artist George Benson, U-Nam will be releasing the album Weekend In L.A. (A George Benson Tribute ) as U-Nam & Friends sometime in the fall. The album includes a mega all-star line up of artists and musicians including but not limited to Patrice Rushen, Tim Owens, Mike White, Ricky Lawson, Matt Rohde, Jeff Lacey, Franck Sitbon, Denis Benarrosh, Darryl Williams, Andreas Oberg , Marva King, Najee, Stokley ( Mint Condition ) and many more artists who will be revealed later, and according to U-Nam, there are many surprises to be expected. U-Nam, with this new project, one can, “Expect the Unexpected!!!" He also added that, “Before I even started to record any music on this project, my first thought was to call George [Benson], let him know about the project and ask for his blessing. I got more than I expected when he told me this, ‘Man, for sure you have my blessing and anyway whatever you’re gonna do it’s gonna sounds fantastic.’ After that I felt relieved and incredibly motivated to do a great hommage to GB!" The album is going to follow in the footsteps of George Benson; a mix of Jazz, R’n’B, Pop, Soul and full of innovation. The full album is due to be released in the fall of 2011. The first single released is “Weekend in L.A.” and it is available now at all digital outlets.

What’s interesting about this new recording is that artists nowadays (including U-Nam), are now reaching out to their fans to raise money for their recording sessions. According to U-Nam, “Record labels can’t dictate my artist integrity any longer – even after the opportunity to have a #1 Billboard chart position in the US in 2007 with “Street Life” and 3 solo albums with a major label, and touring the world. Now, my only goal in these ever-changing days is to do GREAT MUSIC, passionately and with all my heart and share it directly with you , the fans . That’s why I’m paying tribute to my hero, mentor and friend George Benson! It’s also the first ever tribute album to George Benson that includes already famous guests such as George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Najee, Phil Perry, Mike White, Tim Owens and many more to be confirmed (artists that you might help me convince)!!!” He goes on to say…”And here is the best part… the maestro himself is going to write the liner notes!!! Right now, you and I together need to raise more money to complete the project, so I’m counting on you and you George Benson fans to help me to reach that goal!!! I will keep you informed and will update as soon as I can throughout the creative and recording process with news such as sneak peaks, revealing new guests, uploading pictures, etc…”

If you’re interested in contributing check out http://www.atributetogeorgebenson.com/ and http://www.unamprod.com/ for more information

KASSAV' AT TERMINAL 5 IN NEW YORK CITY

Kassav', the Zouk band par excellence credited with inventing zouk music was formed in 1979 by Pierre-Edouard Décimus (a long-time professional musician who had worked with Freddy Marshall) and Paris studio musician Jacob F. Desvarieux. Together and under the influence of well-known Guadeloupean combo Experience 7, they decided to make Guadeloupean carnival music and record it in a more fully-orchestrated yet modern and polished style. In the 1980’s they took Caribbean music to another level by recording in the new digital format. Kassav' was the leading band to emerge from the formative years of zouk; most authors credit Décimus, his brother Georges, the band's bassist and Desvarieux as its inventors. The music evolved from kadans, and the cadence-lypso of Dominica, as popularized by Grammacks and Exile One. They gave the style a pan-Caribbean sound by taking elements from Haitian compas, Jamaican reggae, Nuevo Rican salsa, and Republic of Cameroon's rhythm Makossa, and the result became world-famous. Their first album, Love And Ka Dance (1980), established the new sound of zouk, a Parisian concoction unlike anything else, island-based or otherwise to come onto the global scene. The band gained popularity in their much-heralded live performances in Paris's Club Zenith and toured widely. For a band ostensibly operating in a "narrowly focused" Caribbean dance-based 'recently arrived' new genre, their success and influence on other artists was remarkable, although they were most influenced by a veritable 'cornucopia' of other styles as noted above.

Kassav' continued to gain popularity both as a group and by several members' solo recordings, eventually peaking in 1985 with Yélélé, which featured the international hit "Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni" (meaning "Zouk is the only medicine we have" in French Antillean Creole). With this hit song, zouk rapidly became a widespread dance craze in Latin America and the Caribbean, and was popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Zouk performers became known for wildly theatrical concerts featuring special effects, stage spectacles and colorful costumes. One important contribution of Kassav' in concert was the appearance of featured dancers on stage with the band; these dancers were in many ways as much a part of the band as any musician. Kassav' has been noted by its acolytes and aficionados as a dance band par excellence. Among Kassav' strengths that helped lead to its success were and are its members' superior musicianship, songwriting and production skills, and worldwide audiences eager for lively dance music more sophisticated than the sort of disco/techno-based styles that otherwise dominated dance music charts in that era. The especially-gravely singing voice of Desvarieux, Décimus's driving bass, Naimro's and Joseph's inventive keyboards and superior drum-machine-based and Vamur's solid jazz-inflected live percussion, along with dance party-inspiring simple French-creole lyrics are among unique Kassav' 'trademarks'. During his tenure with Kassav', St. Eloi's soaring vocals were another unique ingredient, and the romantic vocals of Marthely and Naimro's as well as Béroard's very strong vocals, a plethora of fun songs, and significant guest appearances including Stevie Wonder and others are important parts of the Kassav' mix. Kassav performs at Terminal 5 in New York City on July 30 along with co-headliners T-Vice.

NEWSBITS FROM BOB BALDWIN, NICK COLIONNE, MELBA MOORE, CHUCK LOEB, SLY STONE, THIEVERY CORPORATION, CARMEN CUESTA & MORE…

Singer-songwriter Priscilla Ahn has returned with her follow-up to her debut A Good Day, which featured the sleeper hit "Dream." Her new album When You Grow Up was produced by Ethan Johns (Ray LaMontagne, Laura Marling) and features songwriting collaborations with Sia Furler, Inara George, Eleni Mandell, Jake Blanton and Charlie Wadhams, as well as a cover of Benji Hughes' frolicsome love call "Vibe So Hot." Growth emerges as the central theme, with the songs threading a loose storyline through life's ups and downs with Ahn's angelic voice narrating experiences beginning with childhood, progressing through cycles of romance and heartbreak, and concluding with the wise, reflective "Torch Song."

Melba Moore is an amazing and versatile singer who has been a success on record, on stage and just about everywhere else.  Last year she recorded an album of duets with Phil Perry. And she is getting ready to release a new solo album that has her fans talking.  Her new single to look out for is entitled “Lovs Is.”

After winning a Grammy Award in 2011 and backing the Tony Award winning broadway show “Fela!” with their respective bands Grupo Fantasma and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna return to their sun-soaked Latin-psychedelia project Ocote Soul Sounds with their fourth studio album, Taurus. Like its bullish namesake, their latest album smashes through sonic barriers with a heavy and dynamic mix of pan-Latin flavor, conscious political attitude, afrobeat and hip-hop rhythms.  Taurus was produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation at the Washington DC based ESL Music Studios and features vocal collaborations with fellow ESL Music regulars Natalia Clavier, Sitali, Verny Varela and Chico Mann. With soaring vocal anthems like “Primavera,” bass-bin rattling groovers like “En El Temblor,” red-hot Latin jams like “Contigo Jamas,” and even pensive Italian folk excursions like “Nessuno”, Taurus is Ocote Soul Sounds’ most expansive and complete album to date!

ESL Music has announced the release of the debut album from DC's own, The Funk Ark. Recorded at ESL Music Studios in Washington DC by Thievery Corporation’s sound engineer Christopher “Stone” Garrett, From the Rooftops is the funk-tastic debut album from ESL Music’s newest artist signing The Funk Ark!  Fronted by keyboard savant and long-time ESL Music session player Will Rast, the album delivers a healthy dose of vintage afrobeat, Latin, and funk stylings.  Recalling the best of Afrika 70, the JB’s and the Fania Allstars all at once, rooftops!   

Bob Baldwin fans will rejoice at the arrival of this his finest work to date and the early buzz on the streets indicates that this NewUrbanJazz.com 2/ Re-Vibe will re-invigorate not only his massive following but continue to build upon it. Over more than two decades and 16 records, Bob Baldwin has carved out and more than solidified his place as one of the chief progenitors of true urban jazz. When you listen to Baldwin’s cuts, more than just hearing, you feel them as he has long had a way of digging deep into your soul and touching that inner sweet spot. New Urban Jazz.com 2/ Re-Vibe showcases Baldwin in the thick of his element fusing funky contemporary jazz with gospel, hip-hop and Brazilian all with a strong dose of heavy urban flavoring. 2 carries the torch where the first edition left off, featuring Baldwin’s urban jazz influences, where strains of Stevie Wonder co-exist nicely with rich lush full bodied vibes reminiscent of a Quincy Jones.

Nick Colionne’s Feel The Heat is his latest offering and first for Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records that contains all of the elements that have come to make Nick's stage performances so dynamic and in demand - funky R&B infused jazz, blues, smooth vocals and his sense of humor. No “One Size Fits All” here as Feel The Heat reflects the multiplicity of different styles and flavors that have come to define this feel good artist with a natural flair and charisma that has endeared him to multitudes worldwide.

Chuck Loeb’s new CD Plain 'n' Simple will be released on July 26th is a mix of soulful swing, funky grooves, and Brazilian beats. It’s his first release on Tweety Records and the CD features his Fourplay band-mate Harvey Mason on drums, and rising star Pat Bianchi on organ. The guests include some familiar friends and new faces: Eric Marienthal on sax, Till Brönner and Nathan Eklund on trumpet, David Charles and Mauricio Zottarelli on percussion.

Thievery Corporation returns with their sixth original studio album Culture of Fear! Following up their incendiary and bombastic call to arms Radio Retaliation from 2008, this time around Eric Hilton and Rob Garza craft a simmering and hazy collection of atmospheric gems that recalls their early production work but reflects a thoroughly contemporary zeitgeist of socio-political angst and unease. Utilizing a team of skilled session players from their acclaimed live show and beyond, Culture of Fear finds the duo easing into expansive multipart space-jams like “Tower Seven” and jazzy instrumental b-boy breaks like “Light Flares.” Not only are usual suspects like multilingual chanteuse Lou Lou and dancehall toaster Sleepy Wonder back to lend their haunting vocals, but several new contributors also join the Corporation.

Carmen Cuesta’s latest CD Mi Bossa Nova has been out f#or several months and has been receiving some glowing reviews and wonderful response from her fans. Several weeks ago she was interviewed on National Public Radio's "Weekend Edition" by Scott Simon - and just a few hours after it was aired her CD jumped right up to the #1 spot on the iTunes and Amazon.com's Jazz Chart, and moved right up to the top 50 overall on Amazon. After several weeks the CD is still hanging tough at #6 on Amazon.com's Jazz chart.

After a great deal of time, Jazz master Paul Hardcastle has finally gained the approval for his latest release which is gaining lots of airplay round the globe. Just released is the 6th project from the critically acclaimed jazz artist and his endeavor "The Jazzmasters" appropriately titled, VI. And on this new deal comes a special track for the ages: a mix entitled, "Rainforest/What's Going On" featuring soul music legend Marvin Gaye. You must check this one out.

MRI Records has released Live In Stockholm DVD featuring Rickie Lee Jones.

Omnivore Recordings have penciled in Live In Japan featuring Leon Russell, scheduled on CD for August 9.

Mobile Fidelity have the 1994 debut Keb’ Mo’ album originally released by Epic Records, on tap for re-emergence as an SACD, planned for August 16.

Warner Brothers will re-release MoodSwing (1994) by the Joshua Redman Quartet on August 16.

Nonesuch Records will re-release Still Life (Talking), a 1987 Pat Metheny Group album on August 16. Several other low-cost Nonesuch re-releases include Blue Dreams (2001) by Bill Frisell, Largo (2002) from Brad Mehldau, and Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (1989) featuring Dawn Upshaw, and the collected effort Music From the Films of Francois Truffaut featuring Georges Delerue.  All share the same August 16 CD release date.

I’m Back! Family & Friends is an interesting set of re-recorded classics from Sly Stone set for release on August 16.  The album revisits treasured tracks with guests.  Here’s a look at the track-listing:
1. Dance to the Music featuring Ray Manzarek
2. Everyday People featuring Ann Wilson
3. Family Affair
4. Stand! featuring Carmine Appice and Ernie Watts
5. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) featuring Johnny Winter
6. (I Want To Take You) Higher featuring Jeff Beck
7. Hot Fun In The Summertime featuring Bootsy Collins
8. Dance To The Music
8. Plain Jane
10. His Eye Is On The Sparrow
11. Get Away
Bonus CD Only includes
12. Dance To The Music (Club Mix)
13. Family Affair (Dubstep Mix)
14. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Electro Club Mix)

Eagle Rock will release Live At Montreux featuring Average White Band on August 23.

Heads Up Records will release Hot Sauce, the new album from Jessy J scheduled for September 6.

Fantasy Records plan the re-release of Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (1972) by The Dramatics on September 13.

Amherst Records plan to release the latest Spyro Gyra album on September 13.  The new album will be called A Foreign Affair.

Verve Records have Movin’: The Complete Verve Studio Recordings featuring the albums of Wes Montgomery, planned for September 27 in both CD and DD configurations.

Concord Records have Essential Albums CD packages scheduled for October 4 of John Coltrane titles that include Lush Life/Soultrane/Stardust/Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane, and Miles Davis titles that include Cookin’/Relaxin’/Workin’/Steamin’.


Concord Records will release an Essential Albums package for Isaac Hayes on October 4 that will gather Hot Buttered Soul / Black Moses / Shaft.

Future releases to look out for: Joss Stone - LP 1 (July 28); Rick Braun - Sings with Strings (August 2); Steve Cropper - Dedicated (August 9); and Joe - The Good, the Bad and the Sexy (August 23).

ADELE'S RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES

Adele's record breaking sophomore album 21 is the fastest digital selling album in the U.S. to surpass 1 million units. Released slightly over four months ago, Adele's 21 has already sold 2.5 million units in the U.S. Adele's single "Rolling In The Deep" was recently certified quadruple platinum for digital sales in excess of 4 million tracks. Adele's 21 has sold over 9 million albums around the world and has spent more time at #1 than any other female artist in UK chart history. Adele recently rescheduled tour dates in the U.S. over the months of August and October. The new tour will include stops in 6 additional cities including Las Vegas, NV, Atlantic City, NJ, Durham, NC, Orlando, FL, Miami, FL and Spring, TX. The first round of rescheduled dates kicks off on August 9 in Vancouver, BC and runs through August 24 in Saint Paul, MN. The second round of dates kicks off on October 7 in Atlantic City, NJ and runs through October 21 in Grand Prairie, TX (see below for full itinerary and ticket information).

August 9 - Vancouver, BC, Orpheum Theatre*
August 11 - Troutdale, OR, Edgefield**
August 12 - Seattle, WA, Paramount Theatre*

August 14 - Berkeley, CA, The Greek Theatre*

August 15 - Los Angeles, CA, The Greek Theatre*

August 17 - Los Angeles, CA, The Palladium*

August 18 - San Diego, CA, Open Air Theater***

August 20 - Las Vegas, NV, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas****

August 21 - Salt Lake City, UT, Gallivan Center**

August 24 - Saint Paul, MN, Theater at Xcel Energy Center**

October 7 - Atlantic City, NJ, Borgata Spa & Resort****

October 8 - Durham, NC, Durham Performing Arts Center****

October 10 - Nashville, TN, Ryman Auditorium*

October 11 - Asheville, NC, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium*

October 13 - Orlando, FL, Hard Rock Live****

October 14 - Miami, FL, Waterfront Theater at American Airlines Arena****

October 16 - Atlanta, GA, Fox Theatre***

October 18 - Spring, TX, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion****

October 19 - Austin, TX, Frank Erwin Center***

October 21 - Grand Prairie, TX, Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie**

*All original tickets honored

**Venue change, original tickets honored

***Venue change, check with point of purchase for ticket information

****Newly added show

TERRI LYNN CARRINGTON - THE MOSAIC PROJECT

For more than two decades, drummer, producer and vocalist Terri Lyne Carrington has crafted an eclectic brand of jazz that incorporates elements of bebop, soul, funk and much more. Since her debut in 1989, the Grammy-nominated artist has established a reputation for assembling artists of varying styles and perspectives to create music that adheres to the traditions of jazz yet speaks to a much broader and more diverse audience. Carrington brings this same diverse sensibility to her new recording The Mosaic Project, an album that once again gathers a myriad of voices and crystallizes them into a multi-faceted whole that far outweighs the sum of its parts. "Everything about this recording is about making a larger picture out of many various elements," says Carrington, who produced the 14-song set. "I assembled several friends - most of whom I've performed with in the past, and all of whom bring their own individual story - to help me create the big picture. For as talented as each of them are as individuals, when I put them all together, I have a much greater musical story - one that can be told in an interesting and compelling way." Included on that list of friends are some of the most prominent female jazz artists of the last few decades: Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sheila E., Nona Hendryx, Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen and several others. Carrington says the emergence of so many great female jazz artists is what finally makes an album like The Mosaic Project possible, more so now than in decades past. "If I had tried to do something like this in the past - like when I started playing 25 years ago - I might have felt limited by the pool of available musicians," she says. "But now there are so many talented women whom I've been playing with anyway - not just because they're women but because I love the way they play. So it has become easier to do a special project that celebrates the artistry and the musicality of these women." Clearly, Carrington's picture is never quite what it seems. With so many individual voices and perspectives in the mix, the results are often eye-opening and ear-opening. "There's one part of me that's kind of a jazz head who likes complex, thought provoking melodies and harmonies," she says. "And then there's another part of me that really likes funk and pop and things that are accessible. This record is another chance for me to assemble all of these great musicians to help me combine those different aspects of myself - those different pieces - and create something special in the process.

The Mosaic Project Track List
1. Transformation 5:33
2. I Got Lost In His Arms 4:58
3. Michelle 6:52
4. Magic And Music 3:45
5. Echo 7:14
6. Simply Beautiful 4:30
7. Unconditional Love 5:56
8. Wistful 4:48

9. Crayola 4:29

10. Soul Talk 5:56

11. Mosaic Triad 5:59

12. Insomniac 5:13
13. Show Me A Sign 2:24
14. Sisters On The Rise (A Transformation) 3:59

Source: Concord Music Group