World music guitarist Lawson Rollins muses time on “3 Minutes to Midnight”

The exotic and sensual first radio single, “Sway,” previews the January 20 album release that conveys the urgency of the moment.

 

Three minutes to midnight. Time is lapsing. What would you do with the final moments of your day? Award-winning world beat guitarist Lawson Rollins pondered that question as he entered the recording studio to craft his seventh album, “3 Minutes to Midnight,” which will be released on January 20 via the Infinita Records label. Focusing on “the urgency of the moment, the exhilaration of the speed of sound, the poignancy of the remains of the day and the mystical power of the number three,” Rollins wrote a dozen multicultural compositions - all in the three minute range and illuminated by his prodigious fingerstyle guitar play. The recording is stripped down, punchy and concise, a radical departure for the Billboard chart-topping artist known for creating lavishly produced and elaborately-constructed tracks that are at least twice as long.

“I really made an effort to pare down my musical flights of fancy and focus on the essentials instead of diverging into various plots and subplots within the song structure. The songs have an urgent, succinct quality and are unencumbered by elaborate instrumentation. This is the first time I came up with the title and overall concept early on in the process. I don’t know if it’s a reaction to the times we live in, with our shrinking bandwidth for complexity and desire for clarity, or if I just wanted to be as impactful and expressive as I could across a range of emotions - from exciting, passionate and bursting with energy to sad, contemplative and meditative,” said Rollins, who will introduce the new material when the sultry first single, “Sway,” is serviced to radio programmers for airplay ahead of the album’s release date.

Like his previous discs, Rollins produced “3 Minutes to Midnight” with multi-platinum producer Dominic Camardella utilizing the same core group of musicians. Grammy-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat, bassist Randy Tico and drummer/percussionist Dave Bryant joined Rollins (guitar, keyboards, drum programming) and Camardella (piano, Rhodes piano, Hammond organ) along with newcomers to the fold Stephen Duros (drum programming) and Forrest Marquisse (pedal steel). Since fans have marveled at videos of his dazzling and dexterous classical guitar technique that have generated a whopping 8 million YouTube views, Rollins welcomed cameras into the Santa Barbara Sound Design studio to capture the recording of his guitar parts for three videos – including one lensed during the tracking of “Sway” – that are now posted on YouTube and Rollins’ website (www.LawsonRollins.com). 

Rollins has landed on Billboard’s Top 10 World Music Albums chart and four of his collections placed singles on the Billboard Top 30 contemporary jazz radio chart. Recently he collected three major awards from the Akademia Music Awards (Best Jazz Song), the USA Songwriting Competition (1st place, Instrumental) and the Global Music Awards (triple gold medal winner). Why does the number three continue to come up for the long-time San Francisco resident?

“Three is a significant number that resonates in the human psyche and has a mystical power in our culture. Three is significant not only in world religions, but also in simple human terms with our body, mind and spirit triad. With songs, we have a beginning, middle and end. We even sync up with others on the count of three. Ready, set, go!,” noted Rollins, who released the albums “Traveler” and “Infinite Chill (The Remix Sessions)” last year, spawning the radio hits “Berlin Bossa” and “Café Paris (chill remix).” 

The “3 Minutes to Midnight” album, which was mastered at New York City’s Sterling Sound, contains the following songs:

“3 Minutes to Midnight”

“Light the Way”

“Sway”

“Island Time”

“Driving Force”

“Southbound”

“Stringdance”

“Time Shift”

“Reveal”

“Split Second”

“Eternal”

“Mary’s Rock”

NEW RELEASES: BOBBY HEBB & OTHERS – 50TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION OF SUNNY; SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2016; EVAN PARKER / MARK NAUSEEF / TOMA GOUBAND – AS THE WIND

BOBBY HEBB  & OTHERS – 50^TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION OF SUNNY

A cool compilation that pays fitting tribute to one of the greatest songs of the 60s! When Bobby Hebb first recorded "Sunny" way back in 1966 – he probably had little idea that it would rocket him to the top of the charts, nor that it would go onto become one of the most popular songs of its time, getting covered in a variety of musical styles, by a huge amount of artists over the next few years. This package brings together 15 versions of the amazing track "Sunny" – including the original by Bobby Hebb, plus covers of the tune by Booker T & The MGs, Dusty Springfield, Wilson Pickett, Shirley Bassey, Robert Mitchum, Herbie Mann & Tamiko Jones, Jose Feliciano, Ella Fitzgerald, Georgie Fame, The Head Shop, John Schroeder Orchestra, Cher, and an especially nice one by James Brown and The Dee Felice Trio with Marva Whitney!  ~ Dusty Groove

SOUL TOGETHERNESS 2016

A wickedly sharp entry in the Soul Togetherness series – and one that maybe features a bit more contemporary material than before! There's a few older tracks from the modern soul years of the late 70s – but most of the work here is contemporary soul from the global underground – brought together in a collection that's especially important, given that the scene has moved so strongly to digital releases and one-off singles! These tracks are partly from that hinterland, and partly from the well-chosen range of cuts that we've come to expect from Expansion Records and DJ Richard Searling – a talent who's been running the Soul Togetherness empire for 30 years, and really knows his way around a track. Titles include "Don't Quit" by Deiphuis & Eastar with Jocelyn Brown, "Sunshine" by Los Charly's Orchestra, "I Got To Party" by SouLutions, "Just Talk To Me (boogie back rmx)" by Tracy Hamlin, "No Limit (ext mix)" by Breakwater, "Stranger (back to the future mix)" by Farina Miss, "Adieu" by Trina Broussard, "I Can Feel It (Soulshy mix)" by Beat Rivals, "Never Loved Nobody" by Puff Johnson, "Lotta Love (ext orig version)" by Nicolette Larson, "What I Done Wrong" by Big Lee Dowell & The Cannonballas, "Just Whatcha Like" by Zo with Joi, "All In The Name Of Love" by Seest, and "You & I (spider edit)" by Ronnie Jones. ~ Dusty Groove

EVAN PARKER / MARK NAUSEEF / TOMA GOUBAND – AS THE WIND

One of the most unusual albums we've ever heard from saxophonist Evan Parker – and one that, in the notes, he also refers to as one of his best! The group features a striking lineup – Parker on soprano sax, Mark Nauseef on percussion, and Toma Gouband on lithophones – which are instruments that create sound by the striking of rocks! With two percussive-styled forces at play, the structure is a bit different than some of Parker's more reed-oriented records – although both of the percussionists also find a way to create very spare, almost breathy sounds with their instruments – which Evan then responds to with some very unusual textures of his own. The whole performance was improvised, and is presented here as it was recorded – and the album may well be one of the most beautiful we've heard from Parker in years. Titles include "Like A Wild Goose Flies", "As The Wind", "Sans Everything", "Pipes & Whistles In His Sound", "Come Warble Come", and "As A Weasel Sucks Eggs". ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: BAHAMA SOUL CLUB – HAVANA 58; JIMI TENOR - SAXENTRIC; TOM ZE – CANCOES EROTICAS DE NINAR

BAHAMA SOUL CLUB – HAVANA 58

The Bahama Soul Club are a German-based group whose unique blend of soul, jazz, funk, blues, bossa nova, afro and Caribbean influences has firmly put them on the map of the black music scene as one of the most exciting contemporary outfits. On their 4th album "Havana '58", Bahama Soul Club present a very personal soundtrack, a musical homage, inspired by a vibrant verve that never came back. We encounter a heady blend of glittering nightclubs, outrageous cabarets, fashionable hotels, backstreet brothels, empty wallets and bemusing décolletées. Bahama Soul Club establish an elegant and percussive cocktail of Latin Jazz, Soul, Bossa and Boogaloo, adding the dark, sensual, and alluring mystic of Tiki and Exotica into the mix. More than mambo mania and tiring salsa they stand for swinging lightness and the pulsating cosmopolitan lifestyle of the contemporary Cuban scene. Special guests include: American Jazz and Soul singer Brenda Boykin, Cuba’s leading vocal quartet Sexto Sentido, Bahama Soul Club live band's singer Olvido Ruiz and Cuban songwriter Arema Arega.

JIMI TENOR - SAXENTRIC

Jimi Tenor looks shrunken in size on the cover, but that certainly hasn't happened to his music – which just seems bigger and more expansive on this wonderful release! The set's still very much in the spiritual jazz mode that Tenor's been touching for the past decade or so – but it also showcases some of the soulful strands that have always been in his music, as Jimi finds a way to bring the cosmos down to earth with some really wonderful tunes that mix up a variety of different rhythmic and instrumental modes! The lineup shifts a bit on each track – and includes a great guest appearance from Tony Allen – but most cuts focus on core energy from Tenor, who not only plays tenor, percussion, keyboards, flute, moog, and more – but also sings with a style that's wonderfully soulful, and really holds the whole thing together. We always love Jimi's music, but this set's got a really special "something extra" – and a much deeper sound than you'd expect from the cover. Titles include "Magick Of Choice", "Polygonal", "Peaceful Maelstrom", "Four Corners Of The Earth", "Cap De Creus", "Vortex", "My Baby Is Coming", "Ursa Major", and "Baby Pharoah". ~ Dusty Groove

TOM ZE – CANCOES EROTICAS DE NINAR

From the eyeball on the cover, right down to the sounds on the disc, Tom Ze once again blurs the boundaries between body and mind with his music – by giving us tunes that are playful and catchy, but also filled with madness and intelligence too! Ze's wit is as razor-sharp as ever, carried across here with instrumentation that's very much in the best modes of his later years – almost familiar, but always offbeat – as if Tom's turning Brazilian songforms inside out, in service of his lyrical wordplay. The album's definitely got some of the erotic bent hinted at in the title, but also has a lot more going on too – on titles that include "Por Baixo", "Arroz Lenda E Buque", "Descaracao Familiar", "Sexo", "Sobe Ni Mim", "Urgenica Didatica", and "Cade Mane". ~ Dusty Groove

 

Audio Fidelity To Release Legendary Santana Live Album “Lotus” 2-CD On Limited Edition Hybrid SACD

Marshall Blonstein's Audio Fidelity will be releasing Santana's critically acclaimed live album Lotus on limited edition hybrid SACD. Lotus is a 1974 live album by Santana, recorded at the Osaka Koseinenkin Hall, Osaka, Japan in 1973. It was originally released in 1974 as a triple vinyl LP in Japan only. The first U.S. release was in 1991 as a 2-CD set. It features the “New Santana Band” and combines that group's jazz and spiritual influences. Some of the band's biggest hits are performed, such as “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va,” but it is the extended, intense instrumentals that are the order of the day such as the breathtaking “Incident at Neshabur,” “Every Step of the Way,” and “Toussaint L'Overture.”

Carlos' superpowered guitar is mesmerizing, the entire atmosphere is otherworldly, beautiful, modern jazzy and most of all, electrifying. His guitar tone is perfect, each solo has a central rhythmic and melodic structure that was used to express in a moment what can never be repeated. The greatness of Lotus is its ability to take all of Carlos' beautiful melodies and expand them each into a whole new creation.

Santana fans know there are “several different Santanas.” This was the MILES Santana, the COLTRANE Santana. This is intense and awe-inspiring music played with so much mind-numbing passion. Carlos' guitar speaks notes on this recording that are nothing short of extraordinary. He manages to imbue a vibration that cuts right through your soul. Even on the familiar hits, the jazz fusion makes its way into the notes and Carlos delivers a new message. This was the top of Santana's spiritual-fusion era. Lotus is the Live Santana album that gives other Live albums a bad name. Spectacular, breathtaking, emotional, spiritual...and it rocks!

Disc one

Going Home

A-1 Funk

Every Step of the Way

Black Magic Woman

Gypsy Queen

Oye Como Va

Yours Is the Light

Batuka

Xibaba (She-Ba-Ba)

Stone Flower (Introduction)

Waiting

Castillos de Arena Part 1 (Sand Castle)

Free Angela

Samba de Sausalito

Disc two

Mantra

Kyoto (Drum Solo)

Castillos de Arena Part 2 (Sand Castle)

Incident at Neshabur

Se a Cabo

Samba Pa Ti

Mr. Udo

Toussaint L'Overture

Produced by The New Santana Band

Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering

SACD Authoring: Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering

Pianist/Composer Enoch Smith Jr. To Release His 4th CD, "The Quest: Live at APC"

Enoch Smith Jr. The QuestThe Quest: Live at APC is the latest recorded chapter in composer/pianist Enoch Smith Jr.'s ongoing search to find a seamless synthesis of jazz and gospel and a balance between the spiritual and technical aspects of his creativity. Smith's 4th CD as a leader and first live date will be released by his Misfitme Music label on November 11.

"It's my belief that jazz would not exist in the form it does today if not for black gospel music and its contributors," Smith wrote in a Woodshed column titled "Bringing the Gospel to Jazz: A Misfit's Theme" that appeared in the September 2016 issue of Down Beat magazine.

The Rochester, New York-born, Allentown, New Jersey-based musician -- with his acclaimed series of gospel-immersed jazz albums (2010's Church Boy, 2011's Misfits, 2015's Misfits II: Pop, and now The Quest: Live at APC, all for Misfitme) -- is at the forefront of bringing jazz and gospel even closer together.

The Quest is drawn from two Jazz Vespers concerts recorded in March and April 2016 at the Allentown Presbyterian Church, where Smith has worked full time as Director of Music and Worship for the last four years. One concert featured Smith with bassist Mimi Jones, drummer John Davis, and rising star vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles, a veteran of Smith's previous two CDs. Bassist Noah Jackson, drummer Andrew Atkinson, and vocalist Emily Braden joined Smith on the other.

Enoch Smith Jr. In addition to Smith's originals -- including the swinging "Wheels Up," the chant-like "Creator" featuring Braden, and the title track with its call-and-response gospel feel -- the program contains a rendition of Chick Corea and Neville Potter's "Open Your Eyes You Can Fly," a feature for vocalist Charles, and the venerable hymn "Jesus Loves Me," heard in both instrumental and vocal versions. "They have two completely different feels," Smith says. "I really enjoyed the place we took that instrumental version of it."

Enoch Smith Jr., 37, was raised in Rochester, New York in the Church of God by Faith, a Pentecostal denomination, where he began singing at age 3 in the children's choir. He later played drums for services, then got a chance to sub for the regular pianist, making his way through trial and error. "Growing up and playing mostly in church, you get a whole different side of what music is all about," he says. "For me, it was always more of a spiritual connection than a connection of the head."

Although he had originally intended on becoming a lawyer and had done several internships at Rochester law firms while still in high school, Smith decided to interview for admission at Berklee College of Music at the suggestion of his high school choir director. He was accepted on the spot. "It was amazing and intimidating and exciting all at the same time," he says of his classes at Berklee. "I definitely saw that I didn't fit into the mold. I felt like a misfit.

"The transition from playing primarily by ear and then learning theory opened my mind to different approaches, devices, and things that I could use musically to expand or make my playing more interesting," he adds. "That was the plus side. I think the down side of it is when you get so focused on technique and technical things, it can pull you away from the more spiritual side of life and what brought me to the instrument and things that were naturally expressed. I'm working my way back to where I can play with the same feeling that I had when I started."

Enoch Smith Jr. Smith continues working full time at Allentown Presbyterian Church, where his duties include playing piano, composing original music, directing music programs for children of all ages, and creating Power Point presentations for services. He has recorded as a sideman with bassist Mimi Jones, saxophonist Stantawn Kendrick, drummer Reggie Quinerly, and saxophonist-singer Camille Thurman, among others, and since the summer of 2016 has been touring as an organist with fast-rising blues-and-soul singer-saxophonist Vanessa Collier.

Besides appearing in clubs in the New York City area and in Detroit, he has performed at the Barbados and New Rochelle jazz festivals and has composed music for independent filmmaker Nefertiti Nguvu's short I Want You in 2007 and her 2014 feature In the Morning.

The Enoch Smith Jr. Trio, with Noah Jackson ("my favorite bass player") and drummer Andrew Atkinson, will perform a CD release show for The Quest at Club Bonafide in New York City on Friday 11/11. 

The David Shaw Trio debut album “Live At The Academy” features standards from the American songbook plus original compositions

David Shaw @MusicDavidShaw (Keyboards & Vocals) is a Toronto based (Brit ex-pat). He is an exceptional artist, wordsmith & producer. The one time ‘Young Jazz Musician Of The Year’ studied at the University of London garnering an honors degree in music. Born in Birmingham, Shaw was immersed in the finer points of musicianship from an early age as all his immediate family were professional musicians. 

This stewardship paid big dividends, as he won the above mentioned Greater London Arts award with his bebop quartet! Moving to North America David honed in on his production & song writing mantra which propelled him to a #1 platinum hit “Love Makes No Promises” CANDI (SOCAN Songwriter of the Year), a number of Top 10 hits have followed including Always Missing You, Friends Forever, Fight Another Round. Not one to rest on his laurels, he then turned his sights to scoring for television at an international level. Cyberchase PBS & Masterminds are just two of the many animated and dramatic Network T.V. shows he has given his ‘magic touch’ to. Following a period of travel, David is back and fully focused on his love of popular song and jazz performance, writing, programming and production…as well as taking centre stage with his own vocal interpretations.

Marshal Herridge (Bass) is an emerging jazz double bassist in the Toronto jazz scene. His melodic approach to the bass is uncanny while his technique and intonation is remarkable. He has studied with some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians, including Mike Downes, Neil Swainson, Kieran Overs, Kirk MacDonald, Pat LaBarbera among others. In addition to this, he has performed with John Scofield, Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Dick Oatts, Donny McCaslin among others.

Pat Daniher (Drums) is a 2016 graduate from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program where he studied with many of Toronto’s finest musicians, including drummers Barry Romberg, Ben Ball, Mark Kelso and Paul Delong. During his time at Humber he was the recipient the 2014 Norman Marshall Villeneuve Award, as well as the 2015 Yamaha Music Canada Scholarship. He has performed extensively over the past six years with various pop, rock and jazz projects in Toronto and Montreal and is currently at work composing his own original material.

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www.instagram.com/MusicDavidShaw/

NEW RELEASES: KURT ELLING - THE BEAUTIFUL DAY: SINGS CHRISTMAS; MICK FLEETWOOD BLUES BAND FEATURING RICK VITO – LIVE AT THE BELLY UP; SOUL CLAP - SOUL CLAP

KURT ELLING - THE BEAUTIFUL DAY: SINGS CHRISTMAS

Kurt Elling performs these songs with such ease and competence and proves once more why he is one of today's most famous jazz singers. The lead track from the album, "Sing A Christmas Carol", begins with a swing and kicks off the feel of the album - melding bright jazz with the sound of a classic Christmas tune. Elling takes well-known holiday favourites, "We Three Kings" and "Same Old Lang Syne" and transforms them into tracks all his own. "Beautiful Day" is the perfect ending to the album, leaving every listener with a big warm smile. Kurt Elling is considered one of the world’s leading jazz vocalists. He won the DownBeat Critics Poll for fourteen consecutive years and was named “Male Singer of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association on eight occasions. An international jazz award winner, he has also been GRAMMY-nominated a dozen times. Elling is a world famous artist of vocalese—the writing and performing of words over recorded improvised jazz solos. He has toured vigorously throughout his career, thrilling audiences throughout the world. In that time he has led his own ensemble and has collaborated with many of the world’s finest orchestras. His latest release was the collaboration with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Upward Spiral, which received amazing reviews all over the world.

MICK FLEETWOOD BLUES BAND FEATURING RICK VITO  – LIVE AT THE BELLY UP

Mick Fleetwood, the iconic co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, is celebrating his blues heritage with The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, featuring Rick Vito. As well as their own material, the band pays tribute to the original Fleetwood Mac, the blues band that started it all in 1967. Live at The Belly Up, features 17 tracks and over two hours of music including “Oh Tell,” “Albatross,” and “Black Magic Woman.” Features: Looking For Somebody; Fleetwood Boogie; Oh Well; Red Hot Gal; Rollin’ Man Meets The Voodoo Woman; Love That Burns; Eyesight To The Blind; Black Magic Woman; Black Crow Blues; Lucky Devil; Passage East – World Turning; Rattlesnake Shake; You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover; Shake Your Moneymaker; Stop Messin’ Around; Carol; and Albatross.

SOUL CLAP - SOUL CLAP

The Soul Clap duo have a huge amount of help on this full length set – a range of guests that runs from Nona Hendryx, through Ebony Houston, Nick Monaco, Hazmat Talkbox, Dayonne Rollins, Billy Bass Nelson, and others – all of whom help shape the sound nicely over the electro funk elements at the core! These guys are big on 80s-styled bass pedal bits and keyboard lines, but also work their music past any sort of simple retro mode – expanding the sound with some more thoughtful spacey moments, and finding fresh ways to come up with a soulful hook, instead of a cliche. Titles include "Numb", "Synthesizer Girlfriend", "Shine", "Future 4 Love", "Dirty Leslie", and "Timespent".~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: WALLACE RONEY – A PLACE IN TIME; NIGHTHAWKS - 707; KENNY BURRELL – UNLIMITED 1

WALLACE RONEY – A PLACE IN TIME

With the Grammy-winning composer/pianist Patrice Rushen on hand with guest reedman Gary Bartz and Wallace Roney's sidemen of choice, Ben Solomon, tenor sax, Buster Williams, bass and Lenny White, drums, the musicians on 'A Place in Time' deliver a blisteringly accomplished and creative session. Wallace Roney's music is a tough, taut and intransigent continuation of the arcane forms and structured freedoms of Miles Davis' 1960s quintet. Listeners often associate Roney with Davis, thanks to Roney's work with the jazz legend early in Roney's career. But at this point, Davis' impact on Roney can be considered mostly historic, with Roney's playing larger in scope, firmer in tone and sharper in attack than Davis'. Today, Wallace's set lists feature easy-on-the-ear themes that mask harmonic complexities, while solos are fuelled by strong moods and sustained rhythmic drive informed by the spectre of Davis but far from imitating him. Whether he performs up-tempo original compositions or mainstream ballads, Roney is always compelling in his idiosyncratic ways. His tendency to produce smeared tones, bent pitches and jabbing rhythmic figures in the stratospheric range of the instrument distinguishes his playing, as does the volatile spirit and ever-changing direction of his phrases.

NIGHTHAWKS - 707

The seventh studio album from electro-jazz group Nighthawks. For music heads Dal Martino and Reiner Winterschladen, the Boeing 707 is a pertinent childhood memory. When the first Boeing 707 took off into the skies in 1958, the boys tracked the jet engine's vapour trail. Just six years later, the plane transported the Beatles to America. A mere 1 ½ decades after this, the first rock stars sauntered down the gangway of a 707. An echo of the spirit of the time was definitely present in the studio. Time and again, libertine Reiner Winterschladen, an avid proponent of improvised music, had to restrict his trumpet playing to comply with Dal Martino's focus on reduction. These conflicting poles gave birth to an abundance of sound sketches which, craning over the studio desk, Dal Martino considerably condensed during countless night sessions. The resulting album consists of seven songs as well as the 707 Suite in four movements - a journey lasting just under an hour.

KENNY BURRELL – UNLIMITED 1

On 'Unlimited 1' Kenny Burrell is captured live at the West-Coast jazz mecca, Catalina's, with a well-oiled big band, The Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited, which is made up of some of the West Coast's greatest jazz men and studio players. Burrell leads the group, solos and sings through a set list of original tunes, standards and, of course, what would a Kenny Burrell record be without some some Duke Ellington? Kenny Burrell has appeared on so many essential jazz recordings that jazz history and his biography seem irretrievably intertwined. He has recorded 97 albums under his own name and several hundred with other artists including Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Tony Bennett, Billy Holiday, Sonny Rollins, Jimmy Smith, Art Blakey, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, and Louis Armstrong.

NEW RELEASES: BRIAN SIMPSON - PERSUASION; ARNO HAAS – BACK TO YOU; CHET BAKER – LIVE IN LONDON

BRIAN SIMPSON - PERSUASION

Brian Simpson is a proven hit maker with over 20 Smooth Jazz radio hits in his amazing career. His previous Shanachie release garnered 2 Top 10 singles, and now "Soul City," the first single from this album, is one of the fastest rising songs on the Smooth Jazz Airplay charts and a lock to be Top 5 on the charts at the time of the album’s release. Both as a solo performer and as the featured keyboardist and music director of the Dave Koz Band, Brian performs in front of an incredibly large number of Smooth Jazz fans on a non-stop basis. Winner of the American Smooth Jazz Keyboardist of the Year Award, frequent guest on nationally syndicated radio shows and music director of The Smooth Jazz cruise, his visibility is tremendous. Highlights include the hit single "Soul City,” the sensuous ballad "Just One Wish" featuring Peter White, a brilliant performance by Boney James on the title track Persuasion” and much more!!!

ARNO HAAS – BACK TO YOU

On his new album “Back To You”, sax player Arno Haas delivers a generous dose of thrilling fusion jazz. Produced in Los Angeles and Stuttgart by world-class producer Tom Saviano, Arno and his renowned musical partners run the full gamut of current fusion jazz styles on a top-notch level of musicianship.Exciting melodies, popular grooves, sophisticated originals, crisp hooks, and the cut “Lucky Chance”, with vocals by 7-times Grammy winner Al Jarreau, will leave everyone enthused - and may even win over those rare folks who usually don‘t listen to jazz. As a second guest vocalist, charismatic singer Evelyn Kallansee from the Dutch band Tristan features in the track “When Love Is Real“. It grooves, and it will inject your days with some colour, splendour and soul. Black-Forest-born Arno Haas is a musician of international standing and reputation, and is on stage up to 250 times a year with various formations. He has contributed to countless CDs. After his successful first album “Magic Hands”, he now presents his sophomore effort: “Back To You”.

CHET BAKER – LIVE IN LONDON

A stunning unreleased Chet Baker session from 1983 recorded with a great UK trio. Remastered and released with permisison from the Chet Baker Estate. For six evenings, from 28th March to 2nd April 1983, the John Horler Trio rhythm section supported the legendary trumpet player Chet Baker at The Canteen in London. For those who were fortunate enough to be there, these were magical shows. The rhythm section was tight and Chet was at the top of his game. The best of the six hours of music is presented here on 'Live in London' and has been restored and remastered to the highest quality. Jim Richardson, Chet's bassist, asked him if he could record the shows for his personal enjoyment. Chet was only too happy to agree, and Jim managed to capture most of the performances on a SONY TCS 300 audiocassette recorder. Over the years, Jim selectively shared this astonishing music, and those who heard it encouraged him to find a way to release it to the public. However, a combination of factors precluded this from happening for 33 years, until Martin Hummel met Jim late one evening at Ronnie Scott's. Jim's story about the music and his unwavering desire to share this with the world caught Hummel's attention. Together, they persevered and ultimately The Chet Baker Estate granted permission to release the material on the Ubuntu Music label. These are exceptional performances of Baker at his best, with music that touches the head, the heart and the soul.

NEW RELEASES: OSARU – STEPPING UP; WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL – RISING GRACE; SHABANKA & THE ELDERS – WISDOM OF THE ANCESTORS

OSARU – STEPPING UP

The Musical MD takes another quick break from caring for his patients, to release a brand new smooth jazz album titled 'Stepping up'. This is a 10-song collection of original tracks written, produced and performed by the artist. It features smooth, melodic tenor and soprano sax phrasing, sprinkled with subtle keyboard and vocal syncopation on a background of punchy, laid-back grooves. Osaru describes the new album as 'smooth jazz with attitude.' Once again, Osaru combines his skills on the keyboards, saxophone and wind controller with his song writing and production skills. The end product is a high energy, positively charged,  groove swathed Album. From the mid-tempo funk of 'The Music Train' to the slow dance of 'Remember', you will find yourself tapping your foot and bobbing your head as each groove unfolds. By the time 'What A Great Day!' comes on, you can truly feel the optimism in the album. The album closes on a high note with the aptly titled song, 'Let's Go', which is an all out jam with tenor sax, soprano sax, electric guitar and piano all accounted for in this splendid conclusion to the album.  You can't help but wonder...What's next?

WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL – RISING GRACE

One of the most beautiful albums we've ever heard from guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel – a set that opens up in so many tones and colors, thanks to help from a great group that features Ambrose Akimusire on trumpet and Brad Mehldau on piano! Both of these musicians really help underscore the more human side of Muthspiel's music – which is still very much in the soundshaping mode of some of his other releases, but has a very organic flow and sense of warmth that we really appreciate. The group also features Larry Grenadier on bass and Brian Blade on drums – and overall, the sound is still very ECM-ish, but quite warm and personal. ~ Dusty Groove

SHABANKA & THE ELDERS – WISDOM OF THE ANCESTORS

A fantastic jazz group from the contemporary South African scene – one who've got a very righteous vibe, and a sound that's maybe even more far-reaching than any jazz we've heard from that scene back in the 60s or 70s! The group's led by Shabaka Hutchings on tenor, but is a very collaborative ensemble – with these tremendous upfront vocals from Siyabonga Mthembu, a singer with a very unique approach, and a spiritual current that we'd rank right up there with work by Leon Thomas, Dwight Trible, or Joe Lee Wilson, even though Mthembu's very much his own man. The group's also got two other great horn players – Mthunzi Mvubu on alto and Mandla Mlangeni on trumpet – plus Fender Rhodes and piano from Nduduzo Makhathini, and a wonderfully early array of bass, percussion, and drums – which lay down a fantastic groundwork for each tune. The music starts somewhere in the spiritual territory of the post-Coltrane scene – but really takes off immediately with its own individual spirit – ala Kamasai Washington – and the performance is live and unadorned, without some of the studio efforts that show up on other Brownswood label releases. Beautiful work throughout – an instant classic that we'd rank right up there with the best material by folks like Nat Birchall or Matthew Hallsall, but very different too. Titles include "Nguni", "Mzwandile", "Joyous", "The Sea", "The Observer", and "Give Thanks".  ~ Dusty Groove

Yonrico Scott releases his fourth album as leader titled, “Life Of A Dreamer”

Yonrico is best known for his drumming with Derek Trucks Band (16 years) and his current group Royal Southern Brotherhood.

By age seven, Yonrico Scott was playing professionally with several gospel groups in Detroit, Michigan – primarily, as a direct result of the unwavering encouragement and support of his late mother, a talented gospel vocalist and performer.

By age fourteen, Yonrico began private study with Motown drummer, George Hamilton. His musical accomplishments continued throughout college, and during his freshman year at Kentucky State University, he was voted, 'Drummer of the Year.' He later transferred to the University of Kentucky to study with Dave Davenport, Professor of Percussion and Principal Timpanist of the Lexington Philharmonic, where he received a B.A. in Performance Percussion in 1978.

In 1979, Yonrico accepted an Artist in Residency assignment in Atlanta, GA, with The Neighborhood Arts Center’s Department of Cultural Affairs. It wasn’t long afterwards that Yonrico became one of Atlanta's most sought-after studio drummers. Since 1995, Yonrico has been touring the world as a member of the Derek Trucks Band (DTB) (The dTb is a Sony Music Entertainment artist with recent television appearances on the CBS Early Show, the Conan O’Brien Show, & A&E’s Breakfast in the Arts, among others). Their self-titled debut CD was released on Landslide Records in October 1997. Since then, the band has released six additional recordings: Out of the Madness, Joyful Noise, Soul Serenade, Live at the Georgia Theatre, Songlines, and most recently, Already Free which received a Grammy.

Yonrico Scott of the Derek Trucks Band and Royal Southern Brotherhood

Throughout his musical career, Yonrico has recorded and/or performed with a Who’s Who list of well-known artists including: Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Peabo Bryson, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., Chuck Berry, George Howard, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Joshua Redman, George Benson, Anita Baker, Tinsley Ellis, The Allman Brothers Band, Susan Tedeschi, Kansas, John Scofield, Bruce Hampton, Cecil Bridgewater, Alvin Batiste, Gary Burton, Fiji Mariners, Andrew White, Gregg Allman, John Denver, Ben E. King, The 3 Degrees, The Supremes, Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh, The Lexington Philharmonic, and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, among others. Yonrico's Broadway tour performances include The Wiz, 5 Guys Named Moe, and Dream Girls.

Helen Welch's Newest Album "Spellbound" Takes On An Exclusive Twist Of Soulful Pop And Dusty Jazz

Critically-acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch is known for her live stage performances which explore a diverse range of musical compositions, starting with the 1930s up through present-day. Whether she's singing Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan, or Elton John, Sting and Randy Newman, Helen's sophisticated vocals and humor leave audiences breezily enchanted. On her new studio album Spellbound, she presents an inspired collection of music including fresh arrangements of songs by Lennon and McCartney, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Michel LeGrand, Dolly Parton, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Chick Corea. Featuring soulful-pop fused with some jazz elements, "this CD needs to be heard!" quoted on CD Baby. El Cerrito Records agrees that "this is a great compilation of songs that are beautifully arranged and produced."

Welch's mix of warm alto tones and gentle soul vibrations combine well on reworking's of Lennon and McCartney's "For No One," and Dolly Parton's "Jolene," each beautifully arranged in a way that transports the listener back in time. Helen Welch (vocals, producer) is joined by a range of other talented musicians that she collaborated with on this album, including Joe Leaman (piano, keyboards), Bryan Thomas (bass guitar), Anthony Taddeo (drums, percussion), and Joe Parker (guitar).

A native of England, Welch is well-known throughout the United Kingdom for her musical theatre roles and unique performances. She has landed starring roles in popular Broadway musicals including Hello Dolly!, Barnum, 42nd Street, Oliver Twist, Calamity Jane, Show Boat, and Carousel; she debuted in the traditional English Christmas show, Robin Hood, as 'Maid Marion,' starring renowned English actor and a former "Dr. Who," Colin Baker, who played Welch's wicked uncle. On a whim, Welch tried out for a singing competition and beat out 800 opponents to land a role in the smash-hit Lieber and Stoller musical Smokey Joe's Café on Broadway. Her experience, from a brief rehearsal in London to jetting off to New York to join the Broadway production, was captured on film by a camera crew and made into a television documentary for the BCC.

From performing in intimate spaces for small groups to outdoor amphitheatres in front of thousands, Welch has not only impressed audiences with her raw talent but appeared in some of the world's most celebrated venues, from solo shows at Cleveland's Playhouse Square Center and Blossom Music Center to London's The Savoy, The Ritz and The Grosvenor House Great Room as vocalist for some of the UK's finest big bands including Opus One, Glen Miller Europe and the BBC Big Band. She can also be spotted guest-starring or headlining with world-class musical organizations such as The Cleveland Orchestra, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Cleveland Pops Orchestra and The Florida Symphony and also became a regular in London's major recording studios. Her voice can be heard in many commercial jingles, films and television productions, and also the background on recordings of well-known international artists.

In addition to being a consummate stage performer, Welch is also president of Big Wow Productions. The company has developed a diverse selection of shows from the hugely popular 'First Ladies of Song' celebrating the music of the world's best female vocalists to 'Beatles a Little Brit Different' in which Helen has taken many great Beatles songs and made them her own. She performs with her quartet through a 16 piece big band and full symphony orchestra.

Welch's unique talents for choosing songs that stand the test of time and making them her own, coupled with her ability to intimately engage her audience, has quickly earned her a large and devoted following. The "Helen Welch experience" is perhaps best described by a fan who wrote on her Amazon page, "If you have a chance to see Helen perform, do it! You are in for a special treat."

Track Listing for Spellbound:

1.     Spellbound

2.     For No One

3.     Jolene

4.     No More Blues

5.     The Windmills of Your Mind

6.     When It Mattered Most

7.     I Put a Spell on You

8.     And So It Goes

9.     Spain

10.   Both Sides Now

http://helenwelch.com/

Pianist Frank Kimbrough's Solstice

Frank Kimbrough counts among a handful of New York-based pianists who have been refining and expanding the language of ensemble playing over the last few decades (this November he marks 35 years in New York and his sixtieth birthday). Declared a "a near-visionary whose piano-improvising, composing, and band-leading skills seek out the dark corners of untrod jazz terrain" by The New Yorker, Kimbrough is noted for his exquisite ensemble, trio and solo recordings as well as his duo work with Lee Konitz, Scott Robinson, Joe Locke and Paul Bley, his work as a sideman in Dewey Redman's quartet, and his long-term involvement with the Jazz Composers Collective and the Maria Schneider Orchestra. On Solstice, acclaimed players and longtime musical companions, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Jeff Hirshfield join Frank to explore the music of some of the jazz masters who have left a personal imprint on his life.

Kimbrough has had an uncanny ability of meeting the right person at the right time. Shortly after his move to Washington, DC in 1980 Frank met the exceptional singer/ pianist Shirley Horn, who became his friend and mentor. The next year he migrated to New York where he came under the tutelage of one of his heroes, pianist Paul Bley. Around the same period Kimbrough met the ground-breaking pianist Andrew Hill whose music "...literally changed my life. Andrew was an enigma, an inspiration, a mentor, and a dear friend." With the Big Apple as his base, the next years were ripe with tours and recordings. In 1992, Kimbrough helped found the Jazz Composers Collective, an entity that lasted for 13 years, resulting in a concert series, a score of recordings and frequent tours by many of its groups.

In1993 the acclaimed American composer Maria Schneider invited Kimbrough to join her orchestra. This ongoing musical relationship has resulted in Frank's participation in a slew of Grammy award-winning projects as well as in Maria's collaborations with soprano Dawn Upshaw and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and with David Bowie. Schneider marvels, "He wraps himself around each soloist and takes care to go in the direction they're going. I hear things he plays and think Oh God if only I could write that." Add to these impressive credentials his resume of residencies and workshops on 5 continents, an ongoing nine-year stint teaching at the Juilliard School, and some 20 critically acclaimed albums under his own name.

For Solstice, Kimbrough chose two musicians "whose judgment I trust completely." Bassist Jay Anderson has more than 400 recordings under his belt; he has played and recorded with an incredible diversity of musicians, including Michael Brecker, John Scofield, Frank Zappa, and Celine Dion (1997 Record of the Year Grammy). He and Kimbrough have been playing together for some 20 years in Maria's band, the Gil Evans Project and various other groups, as well as on two of Frank's previous albums. Drummer Jeff Hirshfield and Frank also go back 20 years, including several tours together in trio. Hirshfield's and Anderson's musical connection began in the early 80's, and over the years they have often worked and recorded together in a variety of contexts, including Paul Bley's highly regarded album Notes On Ornette. It all intertwines into an enticing spiral of connections between the three.

Kimbrough says that, "I selected compositions that speak to me in ways that are unique and personal. Jay and Jeff didn't know what we were going to play and didn't see the music until we arrived at the date. There was almost no discussion    and no rehearsal - we simply began to play."  Most of the pieces are first takes.

About the tunes, Frank says:

"The simplicity of Seven by Carla Bley shows her genius. I've loved her tunes since first hearing them as a teenager.

Shirley Horn was a magical pianist and vocalist who really knew how to cast a spell. Her recording from a concert in Paris inspired me to play Gershwin's Here Come the Honey Man.

Solstice was composed by Maryanne de Prophetis, the composer/poet/lyricist and vocalist who is my life partner and constant inspiration.

The Sunflower was composed by Paul Motian, a singular drummer/composer, and one of the most unique person- alities in jazz. I enjoyed every moment we spent together both on and off the bandstand.

Annette Peacock's Albert's Love Theme was written for Albert Ayler. Annette's pieces are very personal and spe- cific, yet open, like a landscape.

The only original on the disk is Question's the Answer, as in "the question IS the answer". It has a strong connection to the blues and the bassist has many "root" options.

From California with Love was composed by Andrew Hill in the '70's. I love the mysterious beauty and humanity of his compositions-so modern and free, yet rooted in the tradition.

El Cordobes was written by Annette Peacock for the flamboyant Spanish bullfighter Manuel Benítez Pérez. Like Albert's Love Theme and Seven, I first heard it played by Paul Bley's mid-60's trio.

Walking by Flashlight is from Maria Schneider's song cycle Winter Morning Walks. Maria is a national treasure, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of her musical world."

On their first CD together the trio's philosophy was simply to listen, trust, and respond to one another; in so doing, they have created a gradated musical atmosphere that envelops the enigmatic and the translucent, the mysterious and the artlessly elegant.

Frank Kimbrough Upcoming Performances

2016 

Oct. 27 - Frank Kimbrough Trio w/ Jay Anderson and Jeff Hirshfield - Small's, NYC

Oct. 28 - w/Jay Clayton group - Kitano, NYC

Oct. 29 - Frank Kimbrough/ Kirk Knuffke Duo - Spectrum, NYC 

Nov. 4 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA

Nov. 10 - w/Marty Ehrlich Sextet playing music of Andrew Hill - The Stone, NYC

Nov. 18 - w/Maryanne de Prophetis, Ron Horton, Satoshi Takeishi - Michiko Studio, NYC

Nov. 20 - Frank Kimbrough solo piano - the Owl Music Parlor - Brooklyn, NY

Nov. 22, 23, 25 - 27 - with Maria Schneider Orchestra - Jazz Standard, NYC

Dec. 8 - Frank Kimbrough Trio w/ Jay Anderson and Jeff Hirshfield - Kitano, NYC 

2017

Jan. 17 - Frank Kimbrough - Solo piano concert - Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Jan. 18 - Frank Kimbrough - master class - Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Feb. 10/11 - Frank Kimbrough Trio w/ Jay Anderson and Jeff Hirshfield - "official" CD release weekend - Kitano, NYC   

Feb. 16 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - St. Paul, Minnesota

Feb. 17 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Portland Jazz Festival

Feb. 18 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Humboldt St. University, Arcata, CA

Feb. 19 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - UC Berkeley

Feb. 20 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara, CA

Feb. 21 -w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - SOKA PAC, Aliso Viejo, CA

Feb. 22 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Valley PAC, Northridge, CA

Mar. - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra  - Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

Mar. 10 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Babson College, Wellesley, MA

Mar. 11 - w/Maria Schneider Orchestra - Yale, New Haven, CT

May 25 - 28 w/Gil Evans Project - Jazz Standard

Carlos Santana, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, And Narada Michael Walden Join Jennifer Saran in an Inspiring World Peace Anthem "Wake Up"

Narada Michael Walden and Carlos Santana in the studio collaborating on Jennifer Saran's new single "Wake Up" - an inspiring new world peace anthem

Alt-pop/adult contemporary singer-songwriter Jennifer Saran has teamed up with South African Grammy-winning male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Grammy and Emmy-winning producer, drummer, singer and songwriter Narada Michael Walden (Producer/Co-writer), known for his work with Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Mariah Carey, to create her newest single, "Wake Up." Making a special guest appearance on the track is Grammy-winner and legend Carlos Santana (Featured Guitarist), whose guitar licks generate inspiring vibes. The stunning collaboration is a heartfelt appeal to the world to recognize and address inequality and impoverishment, a cause incredibly personal and important to all the amazing artists involved. "Wake Up" will be featured on Saran's third album, produced and co-written by Narada Michael Walden, which will be released in early 2017.

"Wake Up" is a rousing and uplifting anthem for the world at large. Saran takes meaningful action through her lyrics to encourage change - "It's time to Wake Up!" This worldly, heartfelt, and thought-provoking singer has been dazzling listeners with her message of positivity and encouraging them to stand up to the world's struggles and incite change, first on her debut album Walk With Me (2016), and now on this new song. 

Each of the legendary guest artists joining her on the song believe strongly in her cause. Carlos Santana, whose searing guitar work is featured on the track, says Saran's song is "a beautiful mission of sound and healing." Saran adds, "'Wake Up' is the second inspirational song that Narada and I have written. Eighteen months ago we were inspired to write 'Rise Up Time,' which came from an inspired jam session. We had put aside time to experiment with a new idea in the wake of so much hate and violence in America and what came from that time together was this song."

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who won a Grammy for "Best World Music" in 2015 for their album Live: Singing For Peace Around The World, was brought in through Walden, whose goal was "to make a new sound for the world and inspire a new consciousness in the world - that of waking up."  It was Walden's responsibility to create a space between these artists - passionate about the same worldly concerns - with the intention of inspiring a global movement of like-minded people with a single goal in mind: peace.

Proceeds from sales of the song, which is available now on iTunes, will go directly to the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. As an outspoken defender of human rights and campaigner for the oppressed, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is one of the world's most revered peacemakers. The mission of his US-based nonprofit is to support and promote the creation of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Saran created an accompanying web-based video that was released on the Archbishop's 85th birthday.  Watch it here: https://youtu.be/rWRljsgvUQY

More info can be found:

http://jennifersaran.com

https://www.facebook.com/jennifersaranmusic/

https://twitter.com/jennsaranmusic

https://www.instagram.com/jennifersaranmusic/

For more information about The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation please visit: http://www.tutufoundationusa.org

VALERIE JUNE’S MESMERIZING NEW ALBUM THE ORDER OF TIME DUE JANUARY 27TH, 2017 VIA CONCORD RECORDS

Valerie June’s highly anticipated second album, The Order of Time, is set for release on January 27th, 2017 via Concord Records. On this enthralling and illuminating leap forward, the Tennessee-bred, Brooklyn based songwriter weaves electric blues, African rhythms, cosmic atmospherics and delicate soul into an inventive and wholly original rumination on love, family, struggle and the passing of time. Produced by Matt Marinelli (Beck, Bad Brains), The Order of Time features twelve original songs all written by June.

Musically, June has refined and expanded her sound on the new album finding space from her previous work in its artful, self-assured restraint and overall cohesion. The collection’s finely sketched character studies brim with richness and detail while June’s ethereal, wide-open soundscapes provide a sterling backdrop for her remarkable Southern gospel and honey voice.  Lyrical touch points such as ‘dancing shadows,’ ‘hot suppers,’ ‘curious neighbors,’ and ‘holy water’ draw the listener in and root these songs with density and weight.

The “inevitability of change” and “time as the ruler of Earth’s rhythm,” is the album’s foundation, explains June.  “And the knowledge that with resilience and faith things can work out.”

“Long Lonely Road” is a reflective and somber lament as June’s voice reverberates over ringing guitar and unhurried drums, whereas the entrancing blues of “If And” internalizes regret in the face of time’s relentless churn. On the spiritual “Astral Plane,” June’s mystical vocal takes an otherworldly turn, whereas the sumptuous string arrangement on “With You,” is reminiscent of Nico’s most affecting work.  Norah Jones adds her distinctive vocals to three tracks and “Shake Down” sparkles with background vocal contributions from her father and brothers.

The Order of Time follows June’s 2013 breakout LP, Pushin' Against a Stone that established her as one of America’s “most intriguing, fully formed new talents” according to the New York Times. She garnered praise from NPR, “a singular performer” and New York Magazine, “a powerful singer and a blunt, bruising songwriter.” June also made memorable appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Saturday Morning, Rachael Ray, and Austin City Limits. She has toured with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and Sturgill Simpson, and performed at Newport Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall, and much more.

Look for June, currently on tour with Norah Jones, to announce 2017 headlining dates shortly.  (The European release of The Order of Time will be detailed soon.)

  

The Order of Time Track List:

1.Long Lonely Road

2.Love You Once Made

3.Shake Down

4.If And

5.Man Done Wrong

6.The Front Door

7.Astral Plane

8.Just In Time

9.With You

10.Slip Slide On By

11.Two Hearts

12.Got Soul