Santana's New Album 'Africa Speaks' Debuts At #3 On Billboard Top 200

Music legend Carlos Santana's new album Africa Speaks, out now via Concord Records, has debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. Santana surpassed the Rolling Stones and, along with Barbara Streisand, is one of only two music acts in Billboard history to score at least one Top Ten album for six consecutive decades from the 1960s on. This is Santana's third Top Ten release this decade and his highest charting debut since 2005's All That I Am. Additionally, Africa Speaks debuted #1 on both the Billboard Rock Albums and Billboard Latin Albums charts.

Santana has amassed an iconic body of work by pioneering a unique fusion of rock, Latin and jazz. On Africa Speaks, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist goes deeper and further than ever before to create one of his most groundbreaking albums yet. Inspired by the melodies, sounds and rhythms of Africa, he enlisted legendary producer Rick Rubin, convened with his band at Rubin's Shangri La Studios in Malibu, and recorded an astonishing number of tracks, many of them in one take. Another dramatic element in the creation of Africa Speaks came in the form of Spanish singer Buika, whose heavenly lead vocals cast a magical spell throughout the album.

Carlos Santana said, "It is an honor to share my hearts music with the world. This music gives people hope and courage. We call it mystical medicine music for a twisted, crooked world. The incredible synergy between Buika, Cindy Blackman Santana, the magnificent Santana Band, Rick Rubin and Concord Records made this masterpiece of joy come to fruition. Now more than ever, this is the consciousness that the world needs."

"Fifty years after his 'Soul Sacrifice' made hippies' jaws drop all over Woodstock, Carlos Santana's guitar playing remains a force of nature…Woodstock was 50 years ago; this is Santana now. The spirit is the same, yet somehow it's even freer." - Rolling Stone

Africa Speaks track listing:

1.  Africa Speaks (4:47)

2.  Batonga (5:43)

3.  Oye Este Mi Canto (5:58)

4.  Yo Me Lo Merezco (6:12)

5.  Blue Skies (9:08)

6.  Paraísos Quemados (5:59)

7.  Breaking Down The Door (4:30)

8.  Los Invisibles (5:54)

9.  Luna Hechicera (4:47)

10.  Bembele (5:51)

11.  Candombe Cumbele (5:36)

Supernatural Now Tour Dates:

• Jun 20 2019 - FivePoint Amphitheatre - Irvine, CA, United States                                 
• Jun 22 2019 - Ak-Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ, United States                         
• Jun 23 2019 - North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre - San Diego (Chula Vista), CA,
• Jun 242019 - Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA                               
• Jun 262019 - Shoreline Amphitheatre - Mountain View, CA                        
• Jun 27 2019 - Toyota Amphitheatre - Wheatland, CA                                                
• Jun 29 2019 - White River Amphitheatre - Auburn, WA                   
• Jun 30 2019 - Sunlight Supply Amphitheater  - Ridgefield (Portland, OR), WA
• Jul 02 2019 - USANA Amphitheatre - Salt Lake City (West Valley City), UT 
• Jul 03 2019 - Pepsi Center - Denver, CO                   
• Jul 06 2019 - Dos Equis Pavilion - Dallas, TX,                        
• Jul 07 2019 - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - Houston, TX,                           
• Jul 09 2019 - Austin360 Amphitheater - Austin, TX,                                      
• Jul 11 2019 - Sprint Center - Kansas City, MO          
• Jul 12 2019 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO                     
• Aug 03 2019 - Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, MN                             
• Aug 04 2019 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - Chicago (Tinley Park), IL 
• Aug 06 2019 - Budweiser Stage - Toronto, ON, Canada                                            
• Aug 07 2019 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland (Cuyahoga Falls), OH     
• Aug 09 2019 - Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center - Indianapolis (Noblesville), IN
• Aug 10 2019 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH                               
• Aug 11 2019 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Detroit, MI                               
• Aug 13 2019 - PNC Music Pavilion - Charlotte, NC                           
• Aug 14 2019 - Jiffy Lube Live - Washington, DC                                            
• Aug 17 2019 - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts - Bethel, NY                    
• Aug 18 2019 - PNC Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ                          
• Aug 20 2019 - Xfinity Center - Boston (Mansfield), MA                                
• Aug 21 2019 - XFINITY Theatre - Hartford, CT                                  
• Aug 23 2019 - Saratoga Performing Arts Center - Saratoga, NY                  
• Aug 24 2019 - BB&T Pavilion - Camden, NJ  
• Aug 25 2019 - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater - Wantagh, NY    

Peter Frampton Band's 'All Blues' Debuts #1 On Billboard Blues Albums Chart

As Peter Frampton gets ready to kick off his Farewell Tour tonight in Tulsa, the Grammy-winning guitarist is also celebrating another first in his long and distinguished career: All Blues, his first-ever blues album with his Peter Frampton Band, is debuting at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums Chart in the U.S. The new collection, released via UMe, also marks his best overall sales numbers and chart positions since the release of Fingerprints in 2006. 

All Blues, which features Frampton and his longtime touring band made up of Adam Lester (guitar/vocals), Rob Arthur (keyboards, guitar and vocals) and Dan Wojciechowski (drums) putting their spin on some of Frampton's favorite blues classics like "Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover," "She Caught The Katy," "The Thrill Is Gone," "I Just Want To Make Love To You," and "Georgia On My Mind," continues to receive widespread critical acclaim:

The album was recorded at Frampton's studio in Nashville, Studio Phenix, and was co-produced by Frampton and Chuck Ainlay. It features collaborations with Kim Wilson, Larry Carlton, Sonny Landreth and Steve Morse.

The vinyl will be available as a double LP and also as a limited edition translucent blue color pressing on August 16 exclusively at PeterFrampton.com. The double LP includes the bonus track "I Feel So Good" (written by Big Bill Broonzy, originally performed by Muddy Waters).

Moreover, Peter Frampton Finale—The Farewell Tour, presented by SiriusXM and produced by Live Nation, starts tonight. The approximately 50-date tour will run throughout the summer and fall. Frampton will retire from regular vigorous touring at the end of this year due to his diagnosis of the autoimmune disease Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM). IBM is a progressive muscle disorder characterized by muscle inflammation, weakness and atrophy. Frampton discussed his diagnosis with CBS "This Morning: Saturday," watch the segment HERE, and also recently discussed on the Consequence of Sound Podcast, listen HERE.

The tour will feature the Peter Frampton Band, plus Steve Mackey on bass. Special guests include Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, as well as Julian Frampton Band on the west coast stops. Tickets are on sale now and VIP packages will also be available at www.frampton.com. $1 of every ticket sold, as well as any donations, will benefit The Peter Frampton Myositis Research Fund at Johns Hopkins, a newly established fund by Frampton and Johns Hopkins, where he's being treated.

Peter Frampton remains one of the most lauded artists in rock history. The Music Business Association just presented him with the Chairman's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement at the Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner that is part of the Association's annual conference—Music Biz 2019. Frampton was also recently honored with the Les Paul Innovation Award at the 2019 NAMM Show's 34th annual TEC Awards, and celebrated the 43rd anniversary of his fifth solo album, Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the top-selling live records of all time (over 17 million copies sold worldwide).

ALL BLUES TRACK LISTING

I Just Want To Make Love To You (featuring Kim Wilson)

She Caught The Katy

Georgia On My Mind

Can't Judge A Book By The Cover

Me And My Guitar

All Blues (featuring Larry Carlton)

The Thrill Is Gone (featuring Sonny Landreth)

Going Down Slow (featuring Steve Morse)

I'm A King Bee

Same Old Blues

PETER FRAMPTON LIVE

• June 18—Catoosa, OK—Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa+
• June 20—Little Rock, AR—Robinson Performance Hall
• June 22—Wetumpka, AL—Wind Creek Casino & Hotel+
• June 23—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theatre+
• June 26—Memphis, TN—Orpheum Theatre+
• June 27—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater*
• June 29—Salamanca, NY—Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino*
• June 30—Bethel, NY—Bethel Woods Center for the Arts*
• July 2—Pittsburgh, PA—Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
• July 3—Syracuse, NY—St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview*
• July 5—Montreal, QC—Montreal Jazz Fest- Place des Arts: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier+
• July 7—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*
• July 9—Boston, MA—Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion*
• July 10—Philadelphia, PA—The Met Philadelphia*
• July 12—Cincinnati, OH—Riverbend Music Center*
• July 13—Stayner, ON—Roxodus Music Festival+
• July 23—Interlochen, MI—Interlochen Center for the Arts-Kresge Auditorium+
• July 25—Clarkston, MI—DTE Energy Music Theatre*
• July 26—Morgantown, WV—MountainFest Motorcycle Rally*+
• July 28—Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*
• July 29—Cedar Rapids, IA—McGrath Amphitheatre
• July 31—Morrison, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• August 2—Hinckley, MN—Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater*+
• August 4—Maryland Heights, MO—Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*
• August 5—Kansas City, MO—Starlight Theatre*
• August 8—Cuyahoga Falls, OH—Blossom Music Center*
• August 11—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park*
• August 16-21—Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean+
• August 30—Charlotte, NC—PNC Music Pavilion*
• September 1—Saratoga Springs, NY—Saratoga Performing Arts Center*
• September 2—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Arena*
• September 4—Jacksonville, FL—Daily's Place*
• September 6—West Palm Beach, FL—Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds*
• September 7—Tampa, FL—MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds*
• September 10—Simpsonville, SC—CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*
• September 11—Washington, DC—The Anthem*
• September 13—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden*
• September 14—Raleigh, NC—Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*
• September 20-21—Dallas, TX—Crossroads Festival @ American Airlines Center+
• September 21—Irving, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman*
• September 22—The Woodlands, TX—The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory*
• September 24—Albuquerque, NM—Sandia Resort & Casino*+
• September 26—Phoenix, AZ—Comerica Theatre*
• September 28—Las Vegas, NV—Red Rock Resort Spa & Casino+
• September 29—Temecula, CA—Pechanga Casino-Pechanga Summit*†
• October 2—San Diego, CA—Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU*†
• October 3—Paso Robles, CA—Vina Robles Amphitheatre*†+
• October 5—Inglewood, CA—The Forum*†
• October 6—Tuolumne, CA—Black Oak Casino Resort-Westside Pavilion*†+
• October 9—Seattle, WA—Paramount Theatre*†
• October 10—Ridgefield, OR—Ilani Resort & Casino-Cowlitz Ballroom*†+
• October 12—Concord, CA—Concord Pavilion*†

*with Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening

†with Julian Frampton

+not a Live Nation date

New Music Releases: Reel People – Retroflection Remixed; Re:Funk - Let Her Lead feat. Ira May; Ollie Gabriel Something New

Reel People – Retroflection Remixed

Band leader Oli Lazarus widens the collective, inviting the world’s finest producers and remixers to add their funky splices to the Retroflection blueprint. Retroflection Remixed, featuring Mousse T., Osunlade, DJ Spinna, John Morales, Atjazz, Terry Hunter, Sebb Junior, Scott Diaz, Da Brownie, Tall Black Guy, Matt Cooper’s OUTSIDE, BusCrates and Art Of Tones, is a majestic rebooting of the soulful flow that swept us away in 2018. Art Of Tones gets his sparkly mitts on Don’t Stop The Music, swaggering synth ‘n’ bass riffs further underlining Angie Stone’s classy strut through Yarbrough & People’s 1980 hit, whilst Buscrates – true to the name of his remix – pumps irresistible funk bounce into I’m In Love, a truly lowdown re-skinning of Reel People’s Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King tribute where Navasha Daya’s vocal sounds sassier than ever. Osunlade eases us in with an elegant re-interpretation of Reel People’s Pleasure cover Joyous, deep throbs of electronica and rippling percussion carrying loops of the vocal and that iconic sax solo to stunning new heights – or depths. 

Similarly, Atjazz dims the lights and intensifies the mood for his take on Twilight. Where Reel People played impressively close to Maze’s original, Atjazz treads to shuffling jazz drums, double-bass and piano. Respected UK house DJ-producer Scott Diaz gives the Sharlene Hector-led cover of Side Effect’s Always There greater guitar-licked urgency but without compromise to the song’s soulful poise and power, and revered Chicago veteran Terry Hunter is a match made in heaven for Tony Momrelle, who soars through the former’s soulfully-charged remix of Buttercup (Carl Anderson’s mid-Eighties, Stevie Wonder– penned gem) with all of its funky drums, b-line twists and warm musical arrangements. With Retroflection Remixed, the collective – overseen by experienced studio-hands Lazarus, Mike Patto, Matt Cooper (of Incognito fame) and Toni Economides – swells its talented cast and finds dynamic new ways to connect past with future.

Re:Funk - Let Her Lead feat. Ira May

Founded in 2015 by drummer Dario Milan and singer-songwriter Maqs Rossi in Lugano, Switzerland, Re:Funk have quickly made a name for themselves as a high-energy live band that never fails to engage its audience with its powerful performances. The group draws heavily from the classic sounds of 60s & 70s funk and soul: from James Brown to Tower of Power, passing by Sly & The Family Stone, Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield. But also Average White Band, Ohio Players, Mandrill, The Brothers Johnson and the list could go on & on & on. If it makes you move, you can bet Re:Funk have listened, studied and interiorized it into their repertoire.

In the short time since its inception the group has already performed on some of the most prestigious stages Switzerland has to offer, including Montreaux Jazz Festival, Jazz Ascona Festival and Locarno Film Festival, as well as being invited to perform at the 2019 Porretta Soul Festival, perhaps the most important event of its kind in Italy. All members of the band are experienced musicians and have worked alongside artists such as Manu Chao, Ian Paice & Don Airey (of Deep Purple), Derrick McKenzie (from Jamiroquai), Gogol Bordello, Tonino Carotone, Roy Paci, Bob Mintzer, Jennifer Batten and more.

Re:Funk‘s strength resides in the chemistry of its rhythm section, formed by band leader and drummer Dario Milan, bass player Francesca Morandi and guitarist Mad Mantello, all guided by the energetic stage presence and formidable voice of Maqs Rossi. Their live performance is designed to shake audiences to their bone, resuscitating the original spirit of funk and soul for the modern dance floor. What started as a group that performed covers of classics quickly evolved into another beast altogether; improvising, jamming and finally experimenting with their own compositions.

First single “The Harder We Try” saw the light in 2018, released independently via digital download by the band itself. The surprisingly warm reception and extensive radio play it enjoyed firmly established Re:Funk as one of the most interesting emerging funk & soul bands to come out of Switzerland, and convinced the members to seriously commit to the process of writing, and then recording an album. The result is debut full-length “Borderline”, 10 tracks of pure, unadulterated funk & soul, no added sugar nor artificial coloring!

Ollie Gabriel  Something New

Louisiana native and internationally charting soul singer Ollie Gabriel was introduced to the American people on the new NBC series “Songland”. “Songland” pulled back the curtains on how today’s hit records are made. Five songwriters competed and performed their original song for the chance to have it recorded by a celebrity artist. In the highly anticipated premiere released on May 28, 2019, Ollie Gabriel performed and pitched an original song to John Legend. Ollie Gabriel’s inspirational debut single “Running Man” went to the top of the radio charts in Europe and currently has over 22 million streams on Spotify and recently won a Hollywood Music In Media Award for Best Male Vocal in 2018.  

Music Connection Magazine named him one of the top unsigned live artist to watch (2) two years in a row, 2017 and 2018. He has performed around the world, televised to millions and to concert audiences of 40,000+ fans.  Since his overseas success in 2017, Ollie has toured the world and married his longtime girlfriend who inspired the song he performed on NBC's Songland. Ollie’s big heart of love and conscious spirit shine through in his upcoming EP “The Good Fight”.  The 6 song EP is a soulful sonic blend of legends like Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye, with a new school swag of Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. Not only does Ollie sing about love like back in the day; but, the upcoming EP also addresses relevant social issues like discrimination, materialism, the environment and homelessness. 

Aside from being an accomplished performer and songwriter, Ollie is a talented producer and has had over 500 sync placements in film and tv since 2009. His music has been featured in countless hit shows like Grey's Anatomy, Ray Donovan, Shameless, and Deadliest Catch to name a few. As a songwriter and producer he's worked with Grammy winning artists like John Legend, Mel B, En Vogue, and others. The new single “Something New” has anticipated radio impact June 2019.

New Music Releases: Althea Rene - Flawsome; Dr. Dave & The HouseCall Band - Midnight Daydream; Shawn Myers -The Silent Life

Althea Rene - Flawsome

In 2018, the former Detroit Deputy Sheriff who’s been putting stylish funk in the flute for more than 20 years authored an autobiography called “Becoming Chocolate Barbie – A Guide for Professional Women in the Music Business.” Translating her passionate mentorship and advocacy for women’s empowerment to the studio, Rene’s cleverly titled eighth album FLAWSOME perfectly reflects its vulnerable yet empowering concept of “flawed” + “awesome.” Vibing with an iconic lineup of Smooth Jazz greats – including Maysa, Jeanette Harris, Euge Groove and Gerald Albright – Althea tackles jazz, rock, funk and even an exotic island flow. She balances pure, flowing flute with steamy, sizzling sax and flute jams, some wild trumpet fun and horn section sizzle. Smooth Jazz doesn’t get any more FLAWSOME than this! ~ smoothjazz.com

Dr. Dave & The HouseCall Band - Midnight Daydream

Dr. Dave® is a popular smooth jazz guitarist having played with the greats including Freddie Hubbard, Ernie Watts and the late Fattburger members Carl Evans, Jr., Hollis Gentry, legendary brothers Ronnie and Hubert Laws and of course with The HouseCall Band®. Turning a onetime clever album title into the name of his high energy ensemble, Dr. Dave & The Housecall Band® work major musical healing miracles on their latest album MIDNIGHT DAYDREAM. With a sizzling swirl of pop, R&B, traditional and contemporary jazz, topped off with tasty touches of Latin, blues and swing, Dr. Dave embraces the freedom to improvise more than ever before and tackle jazz classics and a popular TV theme in addition to a slate of ultra-infectious originals. Two new singles out this year from Dr. Dave's coolest collection yet, on the heels of his chart-topping “Sexy Cindy,” (named for Cindy Sanchez Medina, Miss Santander, Colombia 2018), expect the tropical jazz of "Cabo Time" and the sensual title track, "Midnight Daydream" to saunter up the Smooth Jazz charts as well. 

Shawn Myers -The Silent Life

Award winning, New Orleans-based drummer, composer, and band leader Shawn Myers released The Silent Life, his debut album as a leader on March 12, 2019. The album features 10 original compositions of Myers’ and a diverse line-up of some of New Orleans’ top musicians. Combining the sounds of African-American Music, Haitian Voudou, West African Voudou, and Electronic Ambience, The Silent Life refers to a concept outlined by Hazrat Inayat Khan in the book The Mysticism of Sound and Music, where all vibrations and life arise from the stillness of nothing. The Silent Life is available on all major streaming platforms. Based in New Orleans, Shawn Myers currently tours nationally and internationally with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Leyla McCalla, and maintains an active local performing schedule. He has performed with many local and international luminaries, including Dave Liebman, Kenny Werner, Roland Guerin, Nduduzo Makhathini, Andrew Duhon, and Sarah Quintana. He has studied drums and percussion with Billy Hart, Jamey Haddad, Jason Marsalis, and in Ghana, Togo, Benin and Haiti.

 

Guitarist Gregory Goodloe is “Stylin’” with his first Billboard No. 1 single

The urban-jazz artist tops three national charts with the title track to his forthcoming album.

 R&B-jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe is typically lowkey and chill, but he was especially humbled when he received the call that his single, “Stylin’,” went No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart. The song, written and produced by hitmaker Darren Rahn and showcasing Goodloe’s electric jazz guitar bravura, serves as the title track to the guitarist’s upcoming album, due this fall.   

Goodloe’s sound straddles jazz straight-ahead and contemporary, jacked with a swig of hip hop swagger. Packaged with Rahn’s glossy pop sensibilities and a soul-powered R&B groove laid down by an agile rhythm section - bassist Mel Brown, drummer Tarrell Martin and wah guitarist Allen Hinds - the winning combo sent “Stylin’” to the top of the Billboard chart, Goodloe’s first. It also topped the Mediabase and Smooth Jazz Top 20 charts. 

“In today’s modern world and culture, I wanted to bridge the gap between the standard jazz flow of Wes Montgomery, the smooth flow of George Benson and the hip hop culture of Jay-Z. ‘Stylin’’ is a means of expression in today’s music and culture,” said Goodloe. “Going number one is a dream come true, an unexpected blessing of God’s grace and very encouraging.” 

Goodloe is working with Rahn to finish the album. “I nicknamed Darren ‘Dr. D’ because when he and I go into the lab (studio), it’s total chemistry between us.”      

While Goodloe plans to ride the hot “Stylin’” single well into the peak of summer, he’s got something planned to cool things down before the album drops. He wrote “Cool Like That” with soul-jazz icon Bob Baldwin, which will be the next single.

“‘Cool Like That’ captures the true essence of soul-jazz in a cool, laidback style,” said Goodloe, who gigs a couple times a month in the Denver area, his hometown. 

As an accompanist, Goodloe has flanked an interesting mix of R&B, jazz and gospel greats spanning R&B crooner Howard Hewett, soul balladeers Surface, R&B heartthrob Tank and original Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist Larry Dunn; smooth/contemporary jazz luminaries Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Norman Brown and Ben Tankard; and non-secular giants Shirley Caesar, John P. Key, The Rance Allen Group and Angela Spivey. He’s also served as music director for soul-jazz chanteuse Aysha.

A self-taught musician and a US Army veteran, Goodloe wrote, produced and played all the instruments except for a couple of keyboard parts on a 2010 demo collection titled “It’s All Good” in order to introduce himself as a solo artist. He didn’t pursue airplay until 2016 with the Rahn penned and produced single, “All The Way,” which earned most added status on the Billboard chart. Goodloe and Rahn reteamed the following year for another radio single, “Get’n It,” which featured the same musicians who play on “Stylin’.” Along with earning most added honors, the cut rose to No. 5 on the Billboard New & Active chart. Both singles appear on Goodloe’s “Get’n It” album (2017).

http://gregorygoodloe.com

New Music Releases: Prince – Originals; Dila; Timo Lassy & Teppo Makynen

Prince – Originals

A fantastic collection of unreleased material from Prince – not spare demos or home recordings, or studio snippets either – but instead some fully-formed songs that come right from the glory days of the singer's career! Almost all the material here is from the early 80s – and most tracks were later recorded by other artists in the Prince spectrum – including The Time, Apollonia 6, Mazarti, The Family, Jill Jones, and Sheila E – but are done here by the man himself, with all of the slinky, funky qualities that he brought to his own music at the time – qualities that are especially well-noted on some of the other cuts that were recorded by The Bangles and Kenny Rogers – which really feel different in the hands of Prince. Titles include "Love Thy Will Be Done", "Nothing Compares 2 U", "Baby You're A Trip", "Manic Monday", "Jungle Love", "Sex Shooter", "Noon Rendezvous", "Make Up", "The Glamorous Life", "Holly Rock", "You're My Love", "100 MPH", "Dear Michaelangelo", "Wouldn't You Love To Love Me", and "Gigolos Get Lonely Too". ~ Dusty Groove

Dila - Dila (1971)

Far Out Recordings is releasing the first and only album from the mysterious Brazilian vocal sensation Dila (pronounced “Jee-la”). Having reportedly died in a car crash shortly after the album’s release in 1971, there is very little known about the woman behind the voice. But the joyous music Dila left behind, gives us a picture as good as any, of a powerful feminine soul at the top of her game. The liner notes on the elusive original LP, written by composer Arnoldo Medeiros attest: “Friend, look out! Because when this girl starts to sing, you’re in trouble. Hold the railing so you don’t fall down the stairs, because she’s coming this way and shaking up everything.”  Arranged and produced by Durval Ferreira, alongside his studio band affectionately known as “Os Grillos” (The Crickets), Dila (1971) is a rare glimpse into the authentic soulful Samba sound of Rio’s favelas in the late sixties and early seventies. A blast of funky, percussive Brazilian breaks, scorching hot brass and swing-laden piano, the music is as iconic as the album’s stark cover, as is clear on opener ‘Inez’, composed by The Crickets’ bassist Romildo. There’s a fantastic interpretation of the Ivan Lins classic ‘Madalena’ (made famous by Elis Regina), a moving version of the Tom Jobim and Vinicius De Moraes classic ‘O Morro Não Tem Vez’, and a number of sunny original compositions by Arnold Madeiros, who’s other writing credits include music for Marcos Valle, Wanderlea, Evinha and Dom Salvador. With original LPs extremely hard to come by, this rare treasure of Brazilian soul, which fans of Gal Costa, Celia, Evinha and Elis Regina will love, gets a much-deserved official reissue: remastered and pressed to 180g vinyl.

Timo Lassy & Teppo Makynen - Timo Lassy & Teppo Makynen

Music that you'd hardly expect, if you only know the more groove-oriented side of saxophonist Timo Lassy – the sounds he's given us from the Ricky-Tick years onwards – because this album is straight jazz overall, and a relatively improvised one at that! The album shows off a whole different side of Timo's talents – one we didn't know he had at all, and which really shine out here a lot more strongly than on some of his records with more programmed rhythms – thanks in no small part to the really creative efforts of drummer Teppo Makynen, who duets here with Lassy on tracks that really run the gamut – not free jazz overall, but certainly with a similar spirit – all inside, often rhythmic, but with much looser, more open, and wonderfully expressive solos than we've ever heard from Timo. Teppo's great, too – very creative on the drum kit as a whole, with lots of cool percussive effects – on titles that include "Fallow", "Goldenrod", "Aero", "Kobi", "Heliotrope", "Dark Cyan", "Firebrick", "Resolution Blue", "Catawba", and "Liberty (part 1)".  ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

New Music Releases: King Curtis – The Soul Of King Curtis; David Sanchez – Caribe; Flying Lotus - Flamagra

King Curtis – The Soul Of King Curtis

Searing sax instrumentals from the great King Curtis – plus a lot more too – as this package not only brings together the King's records as a leader for Enjoy Records, but also digs up lots of performances as a sideman for that famous Harlem record label too! The grooves here are raw and ready, nice and tight, and done with a nitty gritty style that might have been funk if the cuts were recorded a few years later – but which definitely had a bit influence on countless soul instrumental modes to come, both in the rhythms and in King's wicked lead work on saxophone! The package features some of the best instrumental singles that Curtis cut for Enjoy Records, from his Soul Twist album and other singles – and CD2 also features material that Curtis cut for Enjoy as a soloist on records for other artists! CD1 features 18 tracks that include "Soul Twist", "Twisting Time", "The Monkey Shout", "Hot Potato", "Midnight Blue", "Wobble Twist", "What'd I Say (parts 1 & 2)", and "Big Dipper". CD2 features tracks that include "Our Love Will Never End" by The Avons, "I'm Gonna Catch You" by Curtis Carrington, "Madisonville USA (parts 1 & 2)" by The Strolls, "Juicy Fruit" by Rudy Greene, "Fine Little Girl" by The Arcades, "Ice Cream Baby" by The Pearls, "Air Raid" by Curley Hammer, "Mama Don't Allow" by Tyron Rowe, and "Korea Korea" by Bob Kent. ~ Dusty Groove

David Sanchez – Caribe

David Sanchez kicks off the album's liner notes with a great discussion on the African diaspora and its influence on music – one that's always been strongly felt in David's recordings, but which seems to come through even more strongly here! The record's definitely jazz, but borrows lots of rhythmic conceptions from around the globe – using a fair bit of percussion at the bottom of the sound, which is balanced nicely with strong, soulful tenor lines from Sanchez, waves of color on the guitar from Lage Lund, and a mix of piano and Fender Rhodes from Luis Perdomo! There's some especially great interplay between the angularity of the tenor and the warmer, rounder currents of the guitar – on titles that include "Madigra", "Wave Under Silk", "Mirage", "Fernando's Theme", "Canto", "Land Of The Hills", and "Iwa". ~ Dusty Groove

Flying Lotus - Flamagra

Fantastic sounds from Flying Lotus – an artist who just keeps on pushing past any conventional expectations, to a point where his music is almost a genre unto itself! The record's got this very tripped-out sort of vibe – very much in keeping with the image on the cover – and while many others are exploring this territory of late, few ever even get close to the right sort of mix that's going on here – subtle elements of soul, funk, jazz, hip hop, and maybe a million other influences – all flowing through the double-length space of the set, as it Flying Lotus redefines the sound of soul in the modern age. The set's got guest work from Thundercat, Shabazz Palaces, David Lynch, George Clinton, Anderson Paak, Little Dragon, Solange, and others – and titles include "Post Requisite", "Takashi", "Spontaneous", "More", "Burning Down The House", "Actually Virtual", "Find Your Own Way Home", "The Climb", "Debbie Is Depressed", "Black BAloons Reprise", and "Land Of Honey". ~ Dusty Groove

New Music Releases: Philip Bailey – Love Will Find A Way; Quantic - Atlantic Oscillations; Boyan Rista - Without Your Love

Philip Bailey – Love Will Find A Way

Philip Bailey's looking hipper than usual on the cover – and he's sounding hipper than usual within – thanks to fantastic production help from Robert Glasper, Christian McBride, and Chick Corea – all artists who play on the record, and help give Bailey a really timeless sense of soul! The man himself needs no introduction – thanks to his long legacy in Earth Wind & Fire, and a range of great solo records too – but there's really something different, and something special taking place here – as Bailey pushes both his vocal range and sense of songform, working through music by Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Oscar Brown Jr, and even the Talking Heads – while also turning in some great songs of his own, co-penned with some of the album's collaborators. The instrumentation is served up by a dream group of jazz talents – Kamasi Washington on tenor, Kenny Barron on piano, Robert Glasper and Chick Corea on keyboards, Steve Wilson on saxes and flute, Lionel Loueke on guitar,and Christian McBride on bass – and although the record features guest vocals from Bilal and Casey Benjamin, it's Bailey's work that's the real main attraction. Titles include "We're A Winner", "Stairway To The Stars", "Just To Keep Your Satisfied", "Once In A Lifetime", "Billy Jack", "You're Everything", "Brooklyn Blues", "sacred Sounds", and "Love Will Find A Way". ~ Dusty Groove

Quantic - Atlantic Oscillations

A masterpiece from Will "Quantic" Holland – an artist who always surprises us with new sounds, but really blows us away with the depth in this set! Quantic started out groovy, then got funky and soulful, then embraced a range of Latin cultures in later work – and throughout that long musical journey, he's never failed to keep on growing – always stepping forward towards new sonic horizons, rather than be content to serve up the same sounds that got him attention in the first place! Subtle strings are added to beats (both acoustic and electric), keyboards, and just the right use of vocals from Nidia Gongora, Alice Russell, Denita Odigie, and Holland himself – so that the album's got this balance between instrumental activity and lyrical passages – the shifting voices never taking the spotlight away from the larger musical vision that Quantic uses to guide the whole proceedings. Sly5thAve also adds in some great work – and titles include "Tierra Mama", "Incendium", "Divergence", "Is it Your Intention", "La Reflexion", "Orquidea", "September Blues", and "Now Or Never". ~ Dusty Groove

Boyan Rista - Without Your Love 

Serbian Soul! – East meets west in the sound of multi-instrumentalist Boyan Rista

London based artist and producer Boyan Rista releases the video for his début single ‘Without Your Love’ a song that talks about how Rista’s life was changed after loving and losing a very special girl. The video, which was shot in Miami, shows how one simple decision can change the course of one’s life (think The Butterfly Effect) as we watch one character live out 2 alternate time lines simultaneously. Originally from Serbia, Boyan fell in love with soul and R&B after discovering Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions in his dad’s record collection. He has gone on to become a multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer, much like his idol. Every instrument you hear on this track was played by Boyan himself. He also wrote, produced and mixed the song from his studio in South London. It was mastered by Bob Katz, mastering engineer of 2 Grammy Award winning albums. Katz said of the song “It’s magic … I listened to it several times after mastering, just for the joy.”

 

Guitar Virtuoso Scott Henderson To Release Instrumental Album For Guitar Trio “People Mover” On July 1, 2019

Guitar virtuoso Scott Henderson has finished his new album “People Mover,” the most ambitious project of his career! The highly anticipated instrumental album for guitar trio will be released on July 1, 2019.

Says Scott, “The music has a lot of interplay due to a busy touring schedule with bassist Romain Labaye and drummer Archibald Ligonniere. I'd say this album is a bit more harmonic than 'Vibe Station,' and the rhythm section plays a bigger role in the music. The challenge was to come up with new tones and effects I haven't used before, since like 'Vibe Station,' the songs are layered with multi guitar tracks.”

“People Mover” demonstrates Scott's striking ability to combine elements of jazz, rock, funk and blues in an even more authentic, seamless and musical way than any of his previous work. Proof that after 35 years as a bandleader, Scott is a musician who's playing and composing continues to grow.

From a recent interview, “My music isn't for purists, that's for sure, and I'm very thankful for my fans who are obviously open-minded and share my love for many different styles of music.”

Scott Henderson's impressive work over the years as co-leader of the group TRIBAL TECH, leader of his own ground breaking trio, and sideman to some of the best jazz artists of their generation, including the great Joe Zawinul, has elevated him to the front ranks of both Jazz and Blues. Catch Scott on tour in 2019: July in Europe, September in South America, and October in Asia.

https://www.scotthenderson.net/

https://www.facebook.com/scott.henderson.14418101 

18 Year Old Multi-Instrumentalist Matthew Whitaker Set to Release Debut with Now Hear This

Though he’s still only 18 years old, multi-instrumentalist Matthew Whitaker has come a long way to get where he is today, overcoming adversity and dedicating countless hours to honing his craft. Now, with his declarative label debut Now Hear This, Whitaker announces himself as a major new voice on jazz piano, organ, and a wide range of keyboard instruments.

Due out August 9 via Resilience Music Alliance, Now Hear This teams Whitaker with a stellar all-star band featuring guitarist Dave Stryker, bassist Yunior Terry, drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., and percussionist Sammy Figueroa. Keyboard great Marc Cary and flutist Gabrielle Garo also make special guest appearances. The album was overseen by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Brian Bacchus, who has worked closely with the likes of Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Randy Weston and Sullivan Fortner, among others.

But it’s Whitaker that commands the spotlight, evidencing a bold and confident sense of swing and a wide-ranging palette that spans straight-ahead jazz and hard bop to R&B and Latin influences. Supplementing his virtuoso piano skills with soulful Hammond organ and coloristic synthesizers, Whitaker leaves any “prodigy” stigma far behind on this stunner of an album.

Whitaker’s distinctive voice would be captivating under any circumstances, but the obstacles that he’s had to overcome in his young life make Now Hear This all the more breathtaking. He was born three months premature in 2001, weighing less than two pounds and able to fit in the palm of his father’s hand. The newborn was given less than a 50% chance of surviving; the oxygen that he was given by doctors allowed him to live but cost him his sight.

Blindness proved no obstacle to playing music, however, and Whitaker displayed preternatural talents from the first moment he touched a keyboard. That initial opportunity came at the age of 3, when Whitaker’s grandfather gifted him a small Yamaha keyboard. “I would come home from school and teach myself nursery rhymes,” Whitaker recalls. “No one showed me how, I just started playing. If I can hear it, I can play it.”

At 5 Whitaker began studying classical piano at the Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York City, the only community music school for the blind and visually impaired in the United States. He continues to work closely with the school; his heartfelt composition “Emotions” was written expressly for a performance there. “They’ve supported me since I was 5 and they continue to do that to this day,” Whitaker says.

WatchMatthew Whitaker perform live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

As a blind African-American piano prodigy, comparisons to Stevie Wonder were inevitable. Meaningfully, Wonder himself gave the younger keyboard wizard his imprimatur when he invited Whitaker to open for him during his induction into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. In 2016 Whitaker returned to that legendary stage, this time performing Wonder’s classic “I Wish” for FOX TV’s revival of Showtime at the Apollo.

But Whitaker never set out to be a Stevie Wonder clone, and while the soul icon is a definite influence Whitaker can rattle off a long list of indelible influences that leans heavily towards jazz giants like McCoy Tyner, Barry Harris, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. His gifts have been recognized by a number of jazz luminaries who have provided crucial mentorship, including Cary, Christian McBride, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Regina Carter, Jon Batiste, Roy Ayers and Jason Moran, among others.

His musical path was set at the age of 7 when his father dialed into a jazz station on the car radio one day. “Ever since then it’s been my favorite genre of music to play and listen to,” Whitaker says with obvious enthusiasm. “Unlike other styles of music where you play what’s on a sheet of paper or play just like a recording, with jazz you have the ability to be free with the music and improvise. You can really do you.”

Whitaker has done just that from an early age, adding drums to his repertoire at 6 and the Hammond organ at 9, inspired by such legendary forebears as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco. Whitaker shows off his impassioned B3 playing on a dazzling original arrangement of Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite” that he premiered during his debut performance at NYC’s Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.

A more intimate, impressionistic side of his organ playing emerges on his own original, “Thinking of You,” which Whitaker insists is an open-ended dedication, with no single “You” in mind. He renders the Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil hit “Black Butterfly,” best known for Deniece Williams’ version, in soulful atmospherics embellished by Cary’s Fender Rhodes, and gets deeply funky on Eddie Harris’ immortal “Freedom Jazz Dance,” here highlighted by Stryker’s blistering wah-wah guitar.

The album opens on Whitaker’s brilliant acoustic playing, however, as he sets the pace for “Overcoat,” an intense contribution from guitarist Django Rowe, a fellow participant in the Kennedy Center’s renowned Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program. That’s followed by a tender trio rendition of Ahmad Jamal’s gorgeous “Tranquility,” after which the band expands to realize Whitaker’s own composition “Underground.” The piece blends a vibrant array of colors, with Figueroa’s percussion accents and Garo’s soaring flute added to Whitaker’s Moog and synth flavorings.

The Tyner influence emerges on a stormy trio rendition of the standard “Bernie’s Tune,” while a more elegant side of Whitaker’s talents is revealed on Billy Strayhorn’s “U.M.M.G.,” performed as a finely-tailored duet with Terry. Whitaker’s “Miss Michelle,” a dedication to his manager, melds Latin and R&B influences into a gently swaying dance, while the Latin inflections explode on Michel Camilo’s fiery “Caribe.”

Now Hear This is a perfect summation of Whitaker’s evolution to date. He’s enjoyed a remarkable career already, receiving the Harlem Stage Emerging Artist Award and the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award among other honors. His promise has only begun to be fulfilled, as he prepares to enter Juilliard as a freshman this fall as the first blind undergraduate student to join Juilliard’s Jazz Study program.

“This album is the next level for me,” Whitaker concludes. “I’m really happy and excited and hope people enjoy it.”

Matthew Whitaker · Now Hear This

Resilience Music Alliance · Release Date: August 9, 2019

www.MatthewWhitaker.net

Patti LaBelle to Headline the 9th Annual PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

As a signature program of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) is curated and directed by Janis Burley Wilson, the President & CEO of the AWAACC, who created and directed the Jazz Fest since its founding in 2011. The festival is a combination of free outdoor concerts and ticketed shows inside the AWAACC.

PIJF officially kicks off on Thursday, June 20th with a Wall of Sound Series performance by drummer, producer, beat scientist, Makaya McCraven. Tickets are on sale for this show in the intimate CAFÉ. 

The evening of Friday, June 21st starts with the signature Jazz Crawl around town featuring the some of the best regional talent from 5:30-7:30pm. At 7:30pm on Friday, Butcher Brown plays the Smithfield Stage, FREE. At 8:00pm, Patti Labelle will take to the stage at AWAACC.

Also on Friday, the highly anticipated Taste of Jazz party begins at 9pm at AWAACC. The celebration includes tasty samples from close to twenty downtown restaurants, and a sampling of different styles of jazz throughout the night.

On Saturday morning, June 22nd, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is excited to welcome families for a FREE morning of jazz! The performance, Jazz Time! will engage both children and adults at 805 Liberty Avenue.

Ticketed, late sets on Saturday night in the pop-up jazz club, the Jazz Studio at PIJF include the Tamara Tunie CD Release Party. Following Ms. Tunie's set is the New York based jazz vocalist, Paul Jost and his quartet. Tickets are on sale for the Saturday Jazz Studio Sessions here.

The Daughters of Betty is a project of the Black Women Rock Coalition, featuring the legendary, Nona Hendryx. Founded in 2004 by acclaimed poet, jessica Care moore, the band features up to twenty women musicians on stage, inspired by artists like Betty Davis and others that were trailblazers in rock, funk and soul music. Tickets on sale now for Daughters of Betty, 9:00pm at AWAACC Theater on June 22nd.

Saturday and Sunday FREE concerts on the outdoor stages include the GRAMMY winning, legendary and emerging headliners: Charles Lloyd, Stanley Clarke, WAR, Nubya Garcia, Christian Sands High Wire Trio, Roger Humphries' Art Blakey at 100 Tribute, Gary Bartz, Joey DeFrancesco, Keyon Harrold, Captain Black Big Band with Orrin Evans, Warren Wolf and Wolf Trap, Sean Jones with Gary Bartz with a tribute to Miles Davis' In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, plus lots more. All the outdoor concerts are FREE!

New Music Releases: Carole King – Live At Montreux 1973; Out To Dinner - Different Flavors; Markus Howell - Get Right!

Carole King – Live At Montreux 1973

Carole King’s very first performance outside of the U.S. took place in 1973, at The Montreux Pavillon as part of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Released for the very first time, this concert film was captured two years after she altered the course of pop history with Tapestry, and one month after she issued the album Fantasy. Carole performs with heartfelt energy, playing classic hits such as “It’s Too Late,” “I Feel The Earth Move,” “You’ve Got A Friend” plus standout tracks from Fantasy - “Believe In Humanity” and “Corazón”- as she is backed by an ensemble of top musicians.  Also includes: “Smackwater Jack,” “Home Again,” “Beautiful.” “Up On The Roof.” “Fantasy Beginning,” “You’ve Been Around Too Long,” “Being At War With Each Other,” “That’s How Things Go Down,” “Haywood,” “A Quiet Place To Live,” “You Light Up My Life,” “Fantasy End” and “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.”

  

Out To Dinner - Different Flavors

A fantastic all-star group of players who've recorded separately for the Posi-Tone label – coming together here with a very fresh sound! You'll definitely recognize a few names in the quintet – which features Michael Dease on trombone, Behn Gillece on vibes, Tim Green on alto, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums – and the mix of vibes and trombone in the frontline is really fantastic – maybe no surprise, though, as we've always been huge fans of Gillece – who wrote a good number of tracks on the set – although Kozlov, Royston, and Dease also contribute some numbers. There's a very fresh sense of rhythm on the record too – thanks in part to the work of Kozlov and Royston, and the lack of a piano – and titles include "Day Zero", "Blue Sojourn", "Night Glow", "Rio", "Spun Around", "Grave Concerns", "Two Down", and "Pay The Piper". ~ Dusty Groove

Markus Howell - Get Right!

Alto saxophonist Markus Howell unleashes a big sound on his strong debut, "Get Right!" The album features a well-balanced program of Howell's exciting compositions along with a few tasty covers thrown in for good measure. Howell is joined on the date by front line special guests trombonist Michael Dease and trumpet player Joe Magnarelli, and receives solid support from his rhythm section of pianist Art Hirahara, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Luther Allison. This hard-hitting session really swings solidly from beginning to end, and will certainly delight straight forward jazz fans everywhere. We feel confident our ardent and dedicated listeners will elicit an engaging response when Markus Howell's dynamic performances suggest an earful of good reasons for them to "Get Right!"

Saxophonist Steve Cole Set to Release New Album "Gratitude"

It’s during the times when we’re confronted with life’s hardest struggles that we learn to appreciate the humanity around us. On his latest album, Gratitude, saxophonist Steve Cole offers thanks for the people who’ve helped see him through some of his tough times – the loved ones, the musicians and collaborators who rallied around, and the often-nameless professionals whose job is to help and to heal.

Gratitude, due out July 26 via Mack Avenue Music Group’s Artistry Music, arrives on the heels of a health scare in Cole’s family. Their successful battle left the saxophonist feeling rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of hope and faith in his fellow humans. That depth of feeling shines through on the album’s ten tracks, which joyously spotlight Cole’s gift for infectious grooves, soulful melodies, and vibrant pop hooks.

Co-produced with longtime collaborator and fellow saxophonist David Mann, Gratitude in no way reinvents the trademark sound that has seen Cole consistently top the contemporary jazz charts, both solo and with the much-loved sax trio The Sax Pack, over the last two decades. But it does find an artist with a love of life and an overflowing passion for self-expression, the formula for an invigorating and moving set of music.

“Having a close family member go through something like this,” Cole says of the recent health scare, “and seeing all these marvelous people who care so much about others has really imbued my music with optimism and gratitude.”

The ensemble on Gratitude includes his regular rhythm section, bassist Lamar Jones and drummer Khari Parker, along with guitarist Bernd Schoenhart, organist Ricky Peterson and horn players Trevor Neumann and Dan Levine. As he has been since Cole’s second album, David Mann was a crucial partner: producing, playing multiple instruments, and even providing the album’s heartfelt title track.

“It’s a beautiful song, and perfect for me as an artist,” Cole says. “I feel like Dave knew the record needed that -- and that I needed it.”

Another reason for appreciation came via one of Cole’s Sax Pack partners when Marcus Anderson delivered the funky “Can’t Get Enough.” As Cole marvels, “He just laid it at my feet, completely finished. Marcus said, ‘I was thinking of you,’ and he gave me this awesome song. It was an incredible gift from one of my saxophone brothers.”

The album opens with “Good News Day,” one of three tunes for which Cole takes sole composer credit. The celebratory song takes pleasure in waking up to enjoy another day of being alive. A similar spirit fuels “Starting Over,” which basks in the opportunity for a second chance.

The grooving “Neo Sol” pays homage to two inspirations: the neo-soul genre, whose blend of modern R&B and contemporary jazz is a clear influence, along with a nod to Ramsey Lewis’ iconic “Sun Goddess.” The songwriter’s love of British neo-soul, embodied by bands like the Brand New Heavies and Incognito, is acknowledged through the warm vibe of “Soho.” And the cryptically titled “Five6oh83” is a stealth dedication to another sax idol.

The seductive late-night feel of Cole’s version of Skip Scarborough’s “Love Ballad” splits the difference between L.T.D.’s slinky original and the more disco-inflected take by George Benson. The adrenalized “Let’s Go!” is self-explanatory, while Mann’s “Toronto” (named for the city where it was written) close the album on a bluesy note.

Having created one of his strongest albums to date, Cole hopes that the music of Gratitude returns some of the healing energy and positive emotion that he received from so many people back into the wider world. He’s seen it happen firsthand: “Writing music is a dream, and it always blows me away when someone tells me a story about how my music has affected them in a profound way,” he says. “Joy is baked into this record, and hopefully it means as much to the listeners as it does to me.”

Steve Cole · Gratitude

Artistry Music · Release Date: July 26, 2019