LOUNGEGROOVES VOL. 1: THE SOPHISTICATED SOUNDTRACK OF NIGHTLIFE

KOCH Records to Release "Loungegrooves Volume 1: The Sophisticated Soundtrack of Nightlife" on September 6, 2005
KOCH Records has announced the first release in its Loungegrooves series. The 2-Disc set, Loungegrooves Volume 1: The Sophisticated Soundtrack of Nightlife, will be released on September 6, and features cuts from top-shelf house producers Jay-J, Julius Papp, JT Donaldson, Joeski and Blakkat. The Loungegrooves series will release at least 12 volumes over the next three years in conjunction with Syntax Distribution. Syntax is a 39-label recording group that focuses strictly on the highest quality U.S. produced house music. Loungegrooves Volume 1 is the latest in lifestyle compilations embodying the cosmopolitan sound of nightlife. Loungegrooves adds the style and influence of the DJs and producers who have pioneered this exciting new trend in nightlife and features budding San Francisco DJ JT Donaldson and NYC house maestro Joeski handling mix duties.

SIMPLY RED PRESENTS "SIMPLIFIED" THIS OCTOBER

Mick Hucknall Shines on Stripped Down Versions of the Band's Classics as Well as New Songs

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, Simply Red will release Simplified, a collection that features both stripped-down versions of the band's classic songs as well as fresh recordings. This unique new album, available on the Verve Forecast label, allows the songs and unmistakable voice of Mick Hucknall to shine. Simplified takes more well-known tracks from Simply Red's impressive back catalog and re-imagines them in a more acoustic -- "simplified" -- fashion. It also includes their stunning take on the Leon Russell classic, A Song For You. Hucknall was inspired to revisit some of Simply Red's hits after he was asked to perform some material with only a piano as accompaniment. "What struck me when I listened back to the performance was just how much the song leapt out at you in those circumstances," he says. Classic Simply Red songs such as Something Got Me Started, Sad Old Red, Smile, and Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye are reinvigorated thanks to these sophisticated, even jazzy, new arrangements. One of the group's most popular hits, Holding Back The Years, is beautiful and still lush; recognizable, but with an added timeless maturity. Other songs featured on Simplified include More, Your Mirror, Fairground, and For Your Babies. The lead-off track and first single from Simplified is the irresistible, upbeat, and distinctly Latin-flavored Perfect Love. The Cuban vibe of this sensual new song is amplified by the vocals of Havana-based singer Danae. A Latin feeling runs throughout Simplified, inspired by the band's recent visit to Cuba. In fact, Simply Red is the first English pop band to have played in Havana, as they appeared at the landmark Gran Teatro early in 2005. Simplified is the follow-up to 2003's highly successful Home, which sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. That release helped push the band to a level of over 50 million albums sold since forming 21 years ago. Although Simply Red's lineup of musicians has rotated throughout the years, the one constant has been Mick Hucknall, one of the finest male vocalists Britain has ever produced, and also one of its most accomplished, melodic, and prolific pop songwriters.

JAZZ CHILL MUSIC NEWS

BLUE NOTE TO RELEASE MORE MUSIC FOR LOVERS CDs
Blue Note Records has announced the release of a series of Music For Lovers CDs due on January 24, 2006. Artist confirmed for these editions are Earl Klugh, Hank Mobley, Jimmy Smith, Horace Silver, Stanley Turrentine, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, and Lee Morgan, as well as a Various Artists compilation.

100 YEARS OF JAZZ GUITAR 4-CD BOX SET
Columbia/Legacy has released the boxed set Progressions: 100 Years of Jazz Guitar, a 4-CD anthology of definitive jazz guitar recordings. The set includes 78 songs covering the period from 1906 through 2001 and it includes virtually every major jazz guitarist of the era. The collection includes contributions from the following artists: Vess Ossman, Bill Frisell, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Les Paul, Tai Farlow, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Grant Green, George Benson, Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. For more information check out www.jazzguitarbox.com.

DUETS CD FROM DIONNE WARWICK
Dionne Warwick’s next album of duets will include 40 songs to celebrate her four decades in music. The album will include contributions from George Benson, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross. No release date has been disclosed as of yet.

KCRW - SOUNDS ELECTICO
Live music performances from the KCRW radio studios have been captured for the Sounds Electico album. Sounds Electico brings together Latin music’s platinum-selling artists alongside the alternative acts that KCRW listeners have come to know well. Among the artists whose live performances appear on the album are Julieta Venegas, Brazilian Girls, Manu Chao, Ozomatli, Café Tacuba, Kinky, and Jorge Drexler. And speaking of live shows, Yerba Buena will appear at the KCRW studios for a performance on Friday, September 30.

LONG-AWAITED CD FROM EARL KLUGH

KOCH Records recently released Naked Guitar from the highly acclaimed contemporary jazz guitar legend - Earl Klugh. A 13-time Grammy-nominated guitarist who has collaborated with the likes of Bob James, George Benson and Chick Corea, Earl Klugh has released nearly 30 albums in 25 years, making his smooth, acoustic melodies a truly integral part of contemporary jazz. Klugh emerges from a six-year studio hiatus with a collection of intimate solo interpretations of thirteen standards and pop classics. The album also includes an outstanding version of Angelina, the endearing tune from his self-titled 1976 solo debut. "I've always said the only reason to make an album is to do something interesting and unique each time out, and I really love to go down unexpected paths," says Klugh. On Naked Guitar he puts his indelible stamp on well-known tunes such as The Summer Knows, Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, On A Clear Day, Alice in Wonderland, I Want To Hold Your Hand and Moon River. Reflecting on the making of Naked Guitar, Klugh says, "The guitar presents so many possibilities, but for me it is how you utilize all those possibilities to create your own identity, your own sound, your own way. There's the magic for me. I knew it would be fun to get back to work playing songs I have loved for a long time. Many of my improvisations didn't come with a preconceived rhyme or reason; they're more about the feeling of the moment. It was exciting making a record this way."

JAMIROQUAI ON TOUR WITH DYNAMITE

Jamiroquai is on the road as he prepares for the U.S. release of Dynamite. The band is currently on tour in Europe with the U.S. leg of the tour set to launch on October 21 at the House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Dynamite will be released to U.S. stores on September 20 as both a CD and a DualDisc. The DualDisc features the full CD audio on one side and the DVD side of the DualDisc features the entire album in enhanced LPCM stereo, the Feels Just Like It Should video, the making of the Feels Just Like It Should video and an interview with John Kay about the making of the album.

Here is the full European and U.S. 2005 tour schedule:
Sep. 7 – Birmingham @ NEC Arena
Sep. 8 – Glasgow @ SECC
Sep. 10 – Manchester @ MEN Arena
Sep. 11 – Nottingham @ Arena
Sep. 13 – Cardiff @ CIA Arena
Sep. 15 – Dublin @ Point
Sep. 17 – Lille @ Zenith
Sep. 18 – Hamburg @ Colourline Arena
Sep 20 – Dusseldorf @ Phillipshalle
Sep. 21 – Berlin @ Arena
Sep. 23 – Paris @ Barcy
Sep. 24 – Amneville @ Galaxie
Sep. 25 – Lyon @ Halle Toni Garnier
Sep. 28 – Zurich @ Hallenstadion
Sep. 29 – Milan @ Filaforum
Oct. 1 – Bologna @ Palamagatu
Oct. 2 – Salzburg @ Arena
Oct. 4 – Munich @ Zenith
Oct. 5 – Frankfurt @ Jahrhunderhalle
Oct. 7 – Rotterdam @ Ahoy
Oct. 8 – Brussels @ Forest National
Oct. 21 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
Oct. 22 – Boston, MA @ Roxy
Oct. 24 - New York, NY @ Nokia Live
Oct. 25 – New York, NY @ Nokia Live
Oct. 27 – Montreal, Canada @ Metropolis
Oct. 28 – Toronto, Canada @ Kool Haus
Oct. 30 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
Nov. 1 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore
Nov. 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Nov. 5 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Nov. 6 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
Nov. 9 – Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern

CANDY DULFER EUROPEAN TOUR SCHEDULE

The ever-popular Candy Dulfer is regrouping for some upcoming tour dates later this year. So far only three dates have been confirmed, all of which are in Europe thus far. We can only hopethat she will return stateside in 2006. Here are the dates: Nov. 30 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Volkshaus; Dec. 1 - Bern, Switzerland @ Bierhubeli; and Dec. 8 - Herisau, Switzerland @ Casino.

NEW RELEASES THIS WEEK

Bebo de Cuba – El Solar de Bebo- NY Notebook (Calle 54 Records)
Charlie Hunter – Solo Inventions DVD (Koch)
Dr. John – Live From London DVD (Iguana Project)
Ennio Morricone – Crime And Dissonance – 2 CDs (Ipecac Records)
Enzo Favata – Ajo (Dunya Records)
John Coltrane – Tranesition: The Complete Paul Chambers Sessions (Gambit)
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme: Live In Concert (Passport Audio)
John Coltrane & Cecil Taylor – Hard Driving Jazz (Gambit)
Marc Copland – Some Love Songs (Pirouet/Germany)
Mark Sherman – One Step Closer (CAP Records)
Nachito Herrera – Bembe En Mis Casa (FS Music)
Soft Machine – British Tour ’75 (MLP/England)

ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE

Sept. 13 – Minneapolis, MN @ Rossi’s Bluestar Room
Sept. 14 – Milwaukee, WI @ Northern Lights Theater
Sept. 16-17 – Clayton, MO @ Finale
Sept. 19 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Jazz Kitchen
Sept. 21 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
Sept. 22 – Reading, PA @ Gerald Veasley’s Jazz Base
Sept. 23 – Columbus, OH @ Little Brother’s
Sept. 24 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café
Sept. 25 – Rochester, NY @ Milestones
Sept. 26 – Buffalo, NY @ Tralfamadore Music Hall
Sept. 27 – Buffalo, NY @ Sphere
Sept. 28 – Manchester, CT @ SBM Auditorium
Sept. 29-30 – Boston, MA @ Scullers Jazz Club
Oct. 1 – Huntington, NY @ Inter-Media Arts Center
Oct. 2 – Pawling, NY @ The Towne Crier
Oct. 5 – New York, NY @ BB Kings
Oct. 6 – Annapolis, MD @ Ramshead Tavern
Oct 7-8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Zanzibar Blue
Oct. 9 – Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere
Dec. 9-23 – London, U.K. @ Pizza Express Jazz Club

BLU 102.9 PLAYLIST

Here’s some of what we like that is being played at Santa Fe’s blu 102.9: As One - Leviaton, Cesaria Evora – Miss Pefumado, Dubtribe Sound System – Freeway, Federico Aubele – El Amor Este Pueblo, Four 80 East – Je Pense A Toi, Hiro – I Love You My Friends; Art Of Noise – Moments In Love; Brazilian Girls – Don’t Stop; Massive Attack – Weather Storm; and Thievery Corporation – Pela Janela, plus lots more including Rodney Hunter, Jules Papp and Dave Warrin, Bebel Gilberto, Frankie Knuckles, Praful, Zero Seven, Mr. Scruff, and Koop.

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: CRAIG CHAQUICO, MARCUS JOHNSON & JAARED

SMOOTH JAZZ 105.9
Smooth Jazz 105.9 Volume 3 is the third installment of compilations released by ABC Radio and Washington, D.C.’s Smooth Jazz 105.9. Release is set for November 1 at retail outlets in the Washington, D.C. area.

SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS
Due out on the November 8 is Smooth Jazz Christmas from pianist Marcus Johnson. The set is a collection of Johnston’s favorite holiday tunes infused with smooth jazz and r&B.

JAARED SEPT 2005 APPEARANCES
Sax-player Jaared is lined up for the following performances: Sept. 5 at the 3rd. Annual Guantanamo Bay Jazz Festival in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Sept. 6 at Timpano’s in Rockville, MD; and Sept. 8 at the Marriott Suite Hotel in Bethesda, MD. His latest album is Hangtime.

CRAIG CHAQUICO 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE
Craig Chaquico is on the road with a slew of performances lined up in the coming months. Here’s a sampling of where you can catch him: Sept. 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ Spring Mountain State Park; Sept. 4 – Denver, CO @ Taste of Colorado; Sept. 11 – Las Vegas, NV @ Las Vegas Harley; Sept. 17 – San Diego, CA @ San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival; Oct. 13 – Orlando, FL @ City Jazz; Oct. 14 – Ft. Meyers, FL @ Florida Gulf Coast University; Oct. 29 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Loboro Theatre; Nov. 12-19 – All-Star Smooth Jazz Cruise of the Caribbean.

AMOS LEE US TOUR SCHEDULE

Amos Lee will be hitting the road this Fall. His tour dates have just been announced. Keep an eye out for tickets in your area. Tour dates are listed below.

Oct. 3 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head
Oct.4 - Baltimore, MD @ Ram's Head
Oct. 5 - Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
Oct. 7 - Somerville, MA @ Somerville Theatre
Oct. 8 -: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Oct. 10 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
Oct. 13 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Oct. 14 - Montreal, QUE @ La Tulipe
Oct. 15 - Toronto, ONT @ The Mod Club Theater
Oct. 17 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Oct. 18 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag
Oct. 20 - Cincinnati, OH @ 20th Century Theater
Oct. 21 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners
Oct. 22 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Music Mill
Oct. 23 - Nashville, TN @ 3rd and Lindsley
Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Columbia College
Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Park West
Oct. 26 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
Oct. 28 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Oct. 29 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater
Oct. 30 - St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
Nov. 1 - Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
Nov. 2 - Kansas City, MO @ Grand Emporium
Nov. 4 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
Nov. 5 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
Nov. 7 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Nov. 8 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards on Richards
Nov. 9 - Seattle, WA @ ShowboxNov. 11 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall
Nov. 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Avalon
Nov. 18 – Santa Anna, CA @ Galaxy Theatre
Nov. 19 - San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

A second leg of dates for November and December will be available soon.

KATRINA TELETHON, KBLU 102.9, ANITA BAKER, JOHN SCOFIELD & MORE

NBC TO BROADCAST HURRICANE KATRINA TELETHON
NBC Universal has announced A Concert for Hurricane Relief, a benefit telethon to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The hourlong show will air Friday, September 2 on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. Performing will be Louisiana natives including pianist and singer Harry Connick Jr., jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and country singer Tim McGraw. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

TOP RADIO PICK: BLU 102.9
If you are into music from the likes of As One, Bebel Gilberto, Billie Holiday remixed, Black Mighty Orchestra, Boozoo Bajou, Brazilian Girls, Cesaria Evora, Cinematic Orchestra, De-Phazz, Dubtribe Sound System, Everything But The Girl, Frankie Knuckles, Rodney Hunter, St. Germain, Sarah Vaughan remixed, and Thievery Corporation among many, many others, then I highly recommend the brilliant BLU 102.9 Santa Fe, New Mexico. Call it chill, lounge, dance or whatever, the sound is sultry, sexy and best of all it's on 24/7 with very few commercials and an unlimited playlist for those who like as they call it "intelligent dance music…with a blu attitude."

ANITA BAKER CHRISTMAS ALBUM
Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Nathan East and the Yellowjackets join Anita Baker on her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy, due October 4 on Blue Note. Tracks on the CD include I’ll Be Home For Christmas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, O, Come All Ye Faithful, Frosty’s Rag and Christmas Time Is Here. This makes it her second release within a year and a remarkable feat when you consider that she did not release any new music for 10 years prior.

TONI BRAXTON’S NEW STUDIO RELEASE
Blackground Records/Universal is set to release Toni Braxton’s first studio album since 2002. Libra is due September 27 and it features 12 tracks including the first single, Please, which is currently number 40 on Billboard’s Hot R&B songs chart. Braxton will be busy promoting Libra in the coming months, as she co-hosts the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards on Sept. 7, followed a week later as she appears on ABC’s World Music Awards, and finally on BET’s 25th anniversary special in October.

JOHN SCOFIELD TO PERFORM AT 48TH MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL
Guitarist John Scofield will be the featured artist at the upcoming 48th Monterey Jazz Music Festival being held from September 16-18, 2005. Scofield will pay tribute to the late Ray Charles as he is joined on stage with Mavis Staples. His most recent release is a collection of Ray Charles music entitled That’s What I Say from Verve Records. The CD includes appearances by John Mayer, Dr. John, Mavis Staples and Warren Haynes.

BRAZILECTRO SESSION 7
Out now from Audiopharm is this sultry Latin-tinged two-disc CD compilation album featuring various chill artists. Brazilectro Session 7 includes sexy flawless remixes influenced by samba and bossanova genres. Artists contributing on this CD include Bebel Gilberto, Seu Jorge, new Brazilian singer Katia B, Quantic Soul Orchestra, Richard Dorfmeister and Gabin.

NEW MUSIC OUT THIS WEEK
Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue (Riverside)
Bobby McFerrin – Live In Montreal (DVD) (Verve)
Cal Tjader & Mary Stallings – Cal Tjader Plays/Mary Stallings Sings (Fantasy)
Carole King – Collection: Really Rosie/Music/Tapestry (Sony)
Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra – Not In Our Name (Verve)
Dave Holland & Barre Phillips – Music For Two Basses (ECM)
David Gordon Trio – Angel Feet (Guild)
Earth, Wind & Fire – Collection: That’s The Way Of The World/All ‘N All (Sony)
Eric Clapton – Back Home (Warner Bros.)
Euge Groove – Just Feels Right (Narada)
Gilberto Gil – Electrocustico (WEA International)
Gregg Karukas – Looking Up (V2)
Herbie Hancock – Possibilities (Vector)
John Klemmer – The Very Best Of John Klemmer (GRP)
Julian Priester – Love, Love (ECM)
Lee Ritenour – World Of Brazil (GRP)
Les Paul – Les Paul & Friends (Capitol/EMI)
McCoy Tyner – Passion Dance (Milestone)
Moutin Reunion Quartet – Something Like Now (Lightyear)
Sonny Rollins – Without A Song: The 9/11 Concert (Fantasy)
Steve Kuhn – Trance (ECM)
Thelonious Monk – Thelonious Alone In San Francisco (Riverside)
Various Artists – Basquiat’s Journey Through Jazz (Prestige)
Wynton Marsalis – Amongst The People: Live At The House Of Tribes (Angel)

NINA SIMONE AND BILL WITHERS DUALDISCS DUE OCTOBER 11
Upcoming from BMG are releases from Bill Withers and Nina Simone, with both due October 11 in DualDisc format. The Nina Simone disc will contain 15 tracks from various 1960’s performances. Included on the disc will be two previously unreleased tracks, Porgy And Bess Medley from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival and Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood from the Westbury Music Fair. Also included will be a DVD containing some rare performances from the Ed Sullivan Show and Live At The Bitter End.

The Bill Withers disc, entitled Just As I Am, was his 1971 debut album. The CD contains the hit Ain’t No Sunshine. Also included will be a DVD on the making of the album as well as live performances.

A SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS WITH BRIAN MCNIGHT, CHAKA KHAN, NORMAN BROWN & OTHERS
Artists from the worlds of smooth jazz and R&B are contributing to the upcoming A Charlie Brown Christmas tribute album due October 4 via Peak Records. Newly recorded tracks are being performed by a bevy of artists including, Dave Koz, Brian McNight, Chaka Khan, Eric Marienthal, Vanessa Williams, Norman Brown, David Benoit, Toni Braxton, Rick Braun, Gerald Albright and the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman.

LES PAUL TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN 27 YEARS
Les Paul & Friends is famed guitarist Les Paul’s his first album release since 1978 and it features duets with guests: Eric Clapton, Sting, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Steve Miller, Richie Sambora, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck, Joan Osborne and Joss Stone, among others. It’s available from Capitol/EMI Music.

SMOOTH JAZZ STATION TO SWITCH FORMATS
Clear Channel smooth jazz radio station KJZI, 100.3 FM in the twin cities will disappear from the airwaves next year to make room for a new talk station. Starting January 1, the station will relaunch itself as KTLK FM News/Talk 100.3 that will feature Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, among other not-necessarily-political talk shows. Clear Channel decided to replace the new station in KJZI’s place because the smooth jazz format had not performed as well as they had hoped for during their two years on the air.

TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL 2005
The Tanglewood Jazz Music Festival is scheduled to take place on September 2-4, 2005 in the Berkshire Hills of Lenox, Massachusetts. Jazz legends set to take the stage this year include Tony Bennett performing with the Count Basie Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Madeline Peyroux, Toots Thielmans, Kenny Warner, Oscar Castro-Neves, Airto, Marion McPartland, Chris Botti, the Yellowjackets, Skitch Henderson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jay Leonhardt, Diane Schurr featuring Dave Samuels with the Caribbean Jazz Project.

JAZZ NEWS FROM COLORADO

The Dave Holland Quintet, the Ron Carter Quartet and Horizon with saxophonist Bobby Watson are all performing at this year's Telluride Jazz Celebration in Colorado. Also appearing is Denver bassist Ken Walker's group, with guest Watson.

On the smooth jazz side, the Summer Fest 2005 at Coors Amphitheatre in Englewood this weekend presents Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Boney James and Vanessa Williams. The Summer Fest is being presented by Smooth Jazz (KJCD-FM) 104.3.

Also this weekend, guitarist Fareed Haque makes another stop in Denver, performing at Cervantes, 2637 Welton ($10, 303-297-1772). Though Haque is widely known for his world-music excursions, he also has worked with Denver-bred tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson.

On Sunday August 28, , the free Jazz at the Market series in Vail wraps up with saxophonist Max Wagner and his quartet.

On Sept. 2, the straight- ahead Vail Labor Day Weekend Party takes over the town with players such as the Clayton Brothers, singers Kurt Elling and Roberta Gambarini, vibist Stefon Harris, guitarist Russell Malone, trumpeters Jeremy Pelt and Terell Stafford, saxophonists Steve Wilson and Bootsie Barnes, drummer Lewis Nash and pianists Bill Cunliffe, Renee Rosnes and Johnny O'Neal.

In Denver on Wednesday August 31, singer/guitarist K.J. Denhert, brings her music from New York's 55 Bar to Dazzle for shows at 7 and 9 p.m. ($10). Her new CD is entitled Girl Like Me.

JAZZ NEWS FROM THE U.K.

Legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders is currently on tour in Europe as he makes a stop in the UK’s concert halls for three exclusive dates. He is scheduled to perform at the Barbican on September 28th.

George Duke also hits the UK as he recently stopped at the SmoothJazz FM the studios for a quick chat to talk about everything - from how he started singing and even what car he drives (and of course his brilliant new album Duke released now on Dome Records).

Other upcoming U.K. concerts...
Bob Martin Quintet @ 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, London SW10 on Aug. 27
Pharoah S. Russell Quartet @ Blue Js, London SE27 on Aug. 27
Jacqui Dankworth @ THe Chalk Pit, Hook, Hampshire on Aug. 27
Kenny Ball & his Jazzmen @ The Sands Venue, Lord Street, Gainsborough, Lincs. on Aug. 27
Gwyneth Herbert with the BBC Big Band @ Arundel Festival, Arundel Castle, West Sussex on Aug. 27
Ola Onabule @ 606 Club, 90 Lots Road, London SW10 on Aug. 28
Audun Waage Group @ Hell, Curtain Road, London EC2 on Aug. 28
The Rhythm Section @ Thomas Tripp, Christchurch on Aug. 28
Liane Carroll @ Smollensky’s, London WC2R on Aug. 28
Symeon Cosburn Quintet @ Regents Park Bandstand, London on Aug. 28
Tim Kliphuis Tribute to Stephane Grappelli @ Larry’s Music Room at Pizza on the Park, London SW1 on Aug. 28 through 31
Jamie Cullum & Theo Travis Quartet @ Ronnie Scott’s, London W1 from Aug. 29 through Sept. 3
Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden Quintet @ The Puzzle Hall Inn, Halifax on Aug. 30
The Giorgio Serci Quartet @ British Library Piazza, 96 Euston Road London NW1 on Aug. 30
Lee Gibson @ St Ives Jazz Club, St Ives, Cornwall on Aug. 30
Matt Nickson Quartet @ Matt and Phreds Jazz Club, Manchester on Aug. 31
Lea DeLaria & Janette Mason @ Pizza Express Jazz Club, London from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1

JAZZ CHILL SOUNDS FROM TOM & JAY

Tom & Joy's jazzy multilingual music represents different shades of sunlight and Antigua, their latest, is an album of melodic breezes and gleaming bossa nova rhythms. The French duo make tunes that call to mind sitting in an outdoor café in the center of Paris' Left Bank or can transport to the steamy dance floors of São Paolo or Rio. Tom & Joy are no strangers to dance floors since remixes of their songs have been popular during the past few years as native Frenchman Bob Sinclar brought their loveliness to a wider audience. Along with their stellar band, the two also enlist drummer Tony Allen, formerly a player with Afrobeat star Fela Kuti and this combination explodes with African sounds that celebrate the melting pot of culture within. As the sweet summer sun starts to set around the world, an album like Antigua is the perfect remedy for end-of-season sadness - it holds the exquisite sound of outdoors in each beautiful track.

ERIC CLAPTON BACK HOME CD

It's been four years since three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 16-time Grammy winner Eric Clapton released an album of originals which, you'll all agree, is way too long a wait for his latest, Back Home, in stores August 29 (international release) and August 30 (US release). This album follows this summer’s historic and heralded Cream reunion and 2004’s gold, Top 10 Me And Mr Johnson covers album. The first single Revolution off the new album is already available for download on iTunes: www.itunes.com. Here is the track listing from this new Warner Brothers release:

So Tired
Say What You Will
Going Left
Love Don’t Love Nobody
Revolution
Lost And Found
Heaven
Love Comes To Everyone
One Day
One Track Mind
Run Home To Me
Back Home

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS: SPYRO GYRA

LABOR DAY JAZZ IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH SPYRO GYRA
Contemporary jazz legend Spyro Gyra joins three of the world's most renowned smooth jazz artists, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright and Jeff Lorber, touring as Groovin' For Grover, on Monday, Sept. 5, at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. The concert concludes the summer season of KKSF 103.7's Concerts on the Coast, presented by Cingular with Samsung. "The first Concert on the Coast, featuring trumpeter Chris Botti on Labor Day 2004, was a tremendous, sold-out success and launched an ongoing partnership with KKSF, " said general manager Paul Ratchford. "We're thrilled to continue the tradition of offering the highest caliber live music for our guests and members of the community, in an extraordinary outdoor, oceanfront venue, with the Bay Area's leading smooth jazz radio station." Almost 30 years ago, before the genres of "smooth jazz" and "new adult contemporary" had reached the airwaves, Spyro Gyra began enthralling audiences with their breakthrough sound, an instrumental hybrid incorporating elements of R&B, Latin and Caribbean music.

The longtime jazz powerhouse, led by saxophone legend Jay Beckenstein, recently released their twenty-seventh album, Deep End, which has been hailed by critics as "jaw dropping...brilliant and compelling, " (Shannon West, Jazz Nation) and as reaffirming of Spyro Gyra's status as "one of jazz fusion's most original groups" (John Stevenson, eJazz). The Groovin' for Grover Tour is a celebration of the life and spirit of one of the most influential and dedicated figures in soul-jazz and R&B - Grover Washington, Jr. - by some of the brightest stars in smooth jazz.

Saxophonists Gerald Albright and Kirk Whalum join keyboardist Jeff Lorber and his rhythm section, promising a synergistic groove true to Washington's pioneering sound. Gerald Albright's sound has graced recordings by legends such as Nina Simone, Barry White, and The Temptations, among countless others, in addition to his own solo career. Currently working on a new project for Peak Records, Albright has also released six records on Atlantic, a collaborative album with Will Downing on Verve Forecast, and Kickin' It Up, his second album for GRP records. Albright has been an integral part of Phil Collins' albums and concerts since the mid '90s. Albright plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones on this concert tour.

Kirk Whalum has earned seven Grammy Nominations and one Stellar Award (Best Gospel Instrumental Album) for his musical virtuosity on the saxophone. Whalum has recorded with legends Al Jarreau, Barbra Streisand, and Quincy Jones, and on Whitney Houston's The Bodyguard and the hit single "I Will Always Love You, " leading to seven years of touring with Houston. Whalum has recorded for both Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records.

Jeff Lorber rounds out Groovin' for Grover, adding R&B rhythms and jazz improvisations on keyboard. He played a significant role in developing the late '70s, early '80s R&B-jazz hybrid sound. Lorber's Jeff Lorber Fusion band featured then unknown saxophone player Kenny G. Lorber produced Kenny G's first record. Lorber's new project, Flipside, on Narada Jazz melds old-style swing rhythms, contemporary hip-hip productions, and bebop-era improvisations. Lorber pioneered this Groovin' For Grover project and is the musical director for the group.

DAVE KOZ NEWS

Dave Koz & Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2005
We've received confirmation that David Benoit, Patti Austin and Jonathan Butler join Dave Koz on the Dave Koz & Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2005 tour. Confirmed dates so far are: Dec 5, Ruth Eckerd Hall (Clearwater FL); Dec 7, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Ft Lauderdale FL); Dec 14, Palace Theater Columbus (Columbus OH); Dec 20, Mesa Performing Arts Center (Mesa AZ); and Dec 22 & 23, Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts (Cerritos CA). We'll pass on the additional dates as they become available. You can go to www.davekoz.com for more information.

Koz & Friends At Sea
In case you are interested, there are a few spaces remaining on the upcoming Dave Koz & Friends At Sea cruise. The cruise departs from San Diego CA and destinations include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan & Puerto Vallarta. Sailing dates are Saturday, November 5 to Saturday, November 12, 2005. Dave will be joined by many outstanding performers including Marc Antoine, Patti Austin, Dave Benoit, Chris Botti, Jonathan Butler, George Duke, DJ Mark Gorbulew, Jeff Golub, Jeffrey Osborne, Praful, Wayman Tisdale & Kirk Whalum. There will be shows every night, midnight jam sessions, conversations with Dave Koz, special performances and autograph signings. For more information, visit www.davekozcruise.com

NEW REISSUES AND RELEASES: WEEK OF AUG 22, 2005

Akiko - Simply Blue. Akiko performs a selection of classic standards backed by a trio in English. Songs include Let’s Face The Music And Dance, Old Devil Moon, Speak Low and Night And Day. The sound is classy and sophisticated all the way around. From Verve Records.

Dedoato - Knights Of Fantasy / Night Cruiser. Two classic albums by Deodato from the 70’s on one CD! Both albums are smooth and jazzy with deep soul stylings.

Gal Costa - Gal. Gal Costa collaborated with arranger Rogerio Duprat back in 1969 to come up with one of her best recordings from the Tropicalia era.

Caress - Caress. From legendary club music producer Patrick Adams (Saturday Night Band, etc.) comes Caress, an album that bridges his transition from the east coast harmony scene to his later club classics. Lush vocals and plenty of soul on this one.


De Lata - Serious. Patrick Forge and Chris Franck release their first De Lata album in years and it is influenced heavily with older Brazilian sounds, but very much in the global groove of today.

Candido - Anthology. Legendary congolero Candido finally gets his due with an anthology CD featuring both of his albums for the Salsoul label. The set includes the songs Candi’s Funk, Dancin’ & Prancin’, among others, plus a bevy of extended remixes. It’s great to see that a new generation of music aficionados will get to enjoy this music now that it’s finally available on CD.

Ian Martin - Way. Great neo-soul sounds from Ian Martin as he features work from vocalists Sy Smith, Gavin Christopher, Jason Joseph and Jill Zadeh. Songs include Movin’ On, No Regrets, Knockdown Side and You Are (Edrew Mix). Excellent follow-up to his previous release – One.


NEW JAZZ RELEASES
Anthony Braxton – 20 Standards (Leo)
Bennie Moten – Moten Swing (ASV/Living Era)
Bob James – Three (Koch)
Bob James – Touchdown (Koch)
Bradley Leighton – Groove Yard (Pacific Coast Jazz)
Cal Tjader – Fried Bananas (El)
Celia Cruz – Mango Mangue (Pazzazz)
Dave Brubeck – Time Was (Proper Box)
Dexter Gordon – Daddy Plays The Horn (Shout Factory)
Django Reinhardt – Complete Vol. 20: Pour Que Ma Vie (Fremeaux & Associes)
Don Ellis – Essence (Mighty Quinn)
Fredrik Soegaard & Hasse Poulsen – And We Also Caught A Fish (Leo)
Gloria Lynne – Love Songs: The Singles Collection (Acrobat)
Hendrik Meurkens – Amazon River (Mega Force)
Kevin Toney – 101 Degrees And Rising (Shanachie)
Lalo Shifrin – Kaleidescope: Jazz Meets The Symphony #6 (Aleph)
Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey & Lenny White – Electric (Chesky)
Marcus Miller – Marcus Miller (Koch)
Mike Gibbs – Just Ahead (Beat Goes On)
Miles Davis – Complete Jack Johnson Sessions (Sony)
Miri Ben-Ari – Hip Hop Violinist (Universal)
Misha Mengelberg – Senne Sing Song (Tzadik)
Najee – My Point Of View (Heads Up)
PJ Newman – Hand Of Dog (Origin)
Ray Charles – Genius Remixed (Cleopatra)
Ray Charles – Blues Is My Middle Name (Pazzazz)
Red Nichols – That’s A Bargain (ASV/Living Era)
Richard Galliano – New York Trio (Dreyfus)
Sara Gazarek – Yours (Native Language)

THE CHILL IS GONE FROM CD 101.9FM

If you are an avid listener of WQCD 101.9 (New York Chill), then I am quite sure that you have noticed that the chill is gone after only 9 months of existence. Effective with the August 15, 2005 playlist, management decided to literally drop all of the chill/lounge music from their playlist and instead opted to replace these with more traditional ‘80’s and ‘90’s pop songs to blend in with their smooth jazz standards. Gone are the progressive sounds of St. Germain, Thievery Corporation, Brazilian Girls, Bebel Gilberto, De-Phazz and Jazzanova only to be replaced by the likes of Chuck Mangione, Ambrosia, Ace, Chris DeBurgh, DeBarge and Phil Collins – what a shame! It will be interesting to see if they continue to carry the Chris Botti and Rafe Gomez syndicated segments. Funny thing is that they have yet to address this change in format and we are frankly surprised that none of the New York press have yet to pick up on it. This is yet another example of big business analysts sitting in office towers making decisions on what they think people should be listening to. And here I though that those folks over at Emmis Broadcasting had balls for taking on this format to begin with. Man was I wrong – way wrong! Have no fear though, because there is a much better alternative – check out Blu 102.9 (KLBU-FM) in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 100% chill, dance and electro lounge, 100% of the time. Oh, and by the way, they’ve been committed to the same chill/lounge format since the latter part of ’03 with much success. Here is the link for your convenience: www.blu1029.com.

THE RIPPINGTONS TO PERFORM IN CUBA

Peak Recording Artists The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman, With Special Guest Saxophonist Eric Marienthal and the Paul Taylor Band, to perform at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Labor Day Weekend, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005. They will be performing for an estimated 9,000 people stationed at the U. S. Naval Base with their families, representing all five of the armed forces -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Also performing are recording artists Peter White, Alex Bugnon, and the Junior Sax Pack (Marcus Miller and Eric Darius). The festival begins at 4 PM. This is the second consecutive year The Rippingtons have performed at the Guantanamo Bay Jazz Festival. Credited as one of the pioneering groups of the contemporary jazz genre, they have dominated the smooth jazz landscape with their hit recordings since the late 1980s, including their most recent CD Wild Card, which debuted on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart at #1. Moonlighting, the landmark album, which launched the original Rippingtons formed by Russ with some of his buddies, including David Benoit, Kenny G and Dave Koz, was named by Jazziz Magazine as the most influential jazz recording of all time. Since its inception, The Rippingtons have released sixteen recordings. Freeman has also recorded two solo projects and three collaborations. Guest saxophonist for this performance with The Rippingtons will be Eric Marienthal, whose new CD Got You Covered, is scheduled for release September 20. Considered the sexy saxman of smooth/urban jazz, saxophonist Paul Taylor's current CD Nightlife has been in the Top 10 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart since its release. "Nightlife" follows the sensation of Paul's 2003 Top 10 Billboard Contemporary Jazz album Steppin' Out. Paul's phenomenal year saw the title track of his CD became the third biggest genre airplay cut of the year, a tour with the all-star Groovin' for Grover line-up, and his performance and acting debut on the top ABC-TV daytime drama "One Life To Live." He also celebrates his tenth year as a solo recording artist, his sixth solo recording overall, and his fourth for the Peak Records label.

JAMIROQUIA RETURNS PACKING DYNAMITE

Four years after the release of multi-platinum seller A Funk Odyssey, space cowboys Jamiroquai have returned armed with Dynamite, their highly anticipated sixth studio album. Co-produced by frontman Jay Kay and Mike Spencer, the big, bouncy and high octane album hits stores on September20th. THE ALBUM IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD NOW EXCLUSIVELY AT iTunes. The fireworks start with combustible lead single "Feels Just Like It Should." "The groove in that song is absolutely filthy," says Kay. "If you haven't released an album in four years, you want to return with an impact. This song says 'I'm back with a vengeance." The album will be released in the DualDisc format, complete with DVD footage featuring the eye-popping "Feels Just Like It Should" video, directed by Joseph Kahn (U2, Black Eyed Peas, Eminem), along with a"making-of-the-video" documentary and a collection of various eye and earcandy. Watch the video for "Feels Just Like It Should," get tour dates,check out the new music, and more: JamiroquaiMusic.com

Christmas Songs, Featuring the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is the new album from Diana Krall due out on November 1 on Verve Records. Krall co-produced the 12-track Christmas standards album with producer Tommy LiPuma. Krall's latest release is The Girl In The Other Room from 2004.

Here is the Christmas Songs, Featuring the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra track listing:

Jingle Bells
Let It Snow
The Christmas Song
Winter Wonderland
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
White Christmas
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
Sleigh Ride
Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep

GERALD VEASLEY CD RELEASE PARTY

The World Café Live in Philadelphia, PA will host the CD release for bassist Gerald Veasley’s latest release – At The Jazz Base!, on Sunday, August 21 at 7:30 pm EST. Veasley has worked alongside the likes of Teddy Pendergrass, Eric Marienthal, Joe McBride, Dianne Reeves, Grover Washington, Jr., McCoy Tyner, Special EFX, Omar Hakim, Onaje Alan Gumbs, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Pamela Williams, Philip Bailey, Kenny Blake, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Odean Pope, Phil Perry, Chieli Minucci, George Howard and Joe Zawini of Weather Report. Veasley was recently named "Best Electric Bassist" in Jazziz magazine’s annual readers’ poll and has many other accolades to his credit. His latest CD is out on the Heads Up label.

NEW JAZZ RELEASES

Ahmad Jamal – Legendary Okeh And Epic Recordings (Sony)
Art Blakely – Drum Suite (Sony)
Bob Brookmeyer – Bob Brookmeyer And Friends (Sony)
Dexter Gordon – Manhattan Symphonie (Sony)
Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Giraldilla (Universal Latino)
Joe Craven – Django Latino (Compass)
Lou Rawls – Live! (Blue Note, 1966 recording with bonus tracks)
Louis Prima – Boogie Woogie (Fruit Tree)
Marc Antoine – Modern Times (Rendezvous)
Miles Davis – In A Silent Way (Sony International)
Montreal Jazz Club – Session 2 (Analekta)

SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS

MIAMI SAXOPHONE QUARTET – MIDNIGHT RUMBA
Midnight Rumba is the new CD from the Miami Saxophone Quartet, featuring four of South Florida’s best known saxophonists – Ed Calle, Gary Keller, Gary Lindsay and Mike Brignola. The CD also includes performances by other well-known local musicians, including Arturo Sandoval, Jon Secada, Chuck Bergeron, Javier Carrion and Lee Levin.

NEAL CAINE - BACKSTABBER’S BALL
Bassist Neal Caine has released his debut CD, Backstabber’s Ball on Smalls Records. The New York-based musician is currently with the Harry Connick Jr. Orchestra and has played for the likes of Elvin Jones, Diana Krall and Betty Carter. The CD also features sax players Ned Goold and Stephen Riley, plus drummer Jason Marsalis (of the famous Marsalis family).

STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH JAZZ FESTIVAL
Houston Texas will host the upcoming Straight & Smooth Jazz Festival. Slated to appear at this first annual event are Bliss Adagio, Nick Colionne, James Carter, Mark Dini, Marion Meadows, Kyle Turner, Michael Ward, Norman Zenteno Band, Terence Blanchard, Kwame & Chavaduka Cobb, Brian Culbertson, Robert Glasper, Steve Oliver, James Perkins, Jr., and Erin Fisher Wright. The event will take place at Sesquicentennial Park in downtown Houston on October 8 and 9, 2005.

NEW LUTHER VANDROSS TRIBUTE ALBUM DUE

J Records has announced a September 20 release date for So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute To Luther Vandross. Featured performers include Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Babyface, Beyonce, Celine Dion, Donna Summer, Elton John, Fantasia, Jamie Foxx, Jermaine Paul, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Usher and Wyclef Jean. The set includes Vandross’ best known hits songs, including If This World Were Mine, Dance With My Father, Love Won’t Let Me Wait, If Only For One Night, Superstar, plus a posthumous duet with Elton John on the Burt Bacharach/Hal David song Anyone Who Had A Heart. Vandross’ original vocals were recorded for his 1986 album Give Me The Reason.

FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

Free and legal mp3 downloads are available through Amazon.com. Believe it or not you can find some really cool music available for free on Amazon.com. Amazon.com features digital downloads from a large variety of music categories, including Dance & DJ/Electronica, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, R&B/Soul, International, Latin, and New Age. You can find free music from thousands of both signed and unsigned artists, including Thievery Corporation, St. Germain, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Louis Vega , Moby, Yo La Tengo, Depeche Mode, Bob Marley, Ella Fitzgerald, Mariah Carey and Ronnie Spector. The site takes user ratings and uses these to rank the downloads in each category. The customer reviews are one of the strong points - you can read and leave reviews just like other areas of Amazon. The bonus here is that the song lists are updated every six hours and you can download these free mp3’s to iTunes and to your iPod, plus you can also burn them to disc. Aside from the free mp3’s available, you can also listen to full-length tracks from newly released albums. This is great if you want to hear the entire song (or songs) before you eventually make a purchase - either through Amazon or another resource such as Napster or iTunes. Note that Amazon could potentially move into the digital mp3 download for-a-fee marketplace as they are in the "early discussion and planning" stages at this point in time.

LIZZ WRIGHT TOUR SCHEDULE

Verve recording artist Lizz Wright is currently on a worldwide tour in support of her album - Dreaming Wide Awake. Here is here full tour through the end of October 2005.

Aug 13 -Santa Cruz, CA @ Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Aug 14 -San Jose, CA @ San Jose Repertory Theatre
Aug 16 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Aug 17 - Seattle, WA @ Century Ballroom
Aug 20 - Portland, OR @ Berbati's Pan
Sept 16 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
Sept 17 - Charlotte, NC @ McGlohon Theater, Spirit Square
Sept 21 - Tampa, FL @ Tampa Bay PAC
Sept 23 - Gainsville, FL @ University of Florida
Sept 30 - Berline, Germany @ Kammermusiksaal
Oct 1 - Hamburg, Germany @ Musikhalle
Oct 2 - Bremen, Germany @ Die Glocke
Oct 4 - Friedrichshafen, Germany @ Stadthalle
Oct 6 - Koln, Germany @ Kolner Philharmonie
Oct 7 - Munich, Germany @ Cirkus Krone
Oct 8 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Alte Oper
Oct 9 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Liderhalle
Oct 11 - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg @ Philharmonie de Luxembourg
Oct 13 - Ultrecht, Holland @ Tivoli
Oct 14 - Thonon, France @ L'Espace Maurice Novarina
Oct 15 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Kaufleuten
Oct 17 - Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
Oct 20 - Amsterdam. The Netherlands @ Paradiso
Oct 21 - Dublin, Ireland @ The Sugar Club
Oct 23 - Manchester, England @ Royal Northern College of Music
Oct 24 - Gateshead, England @ The Sage Gateshead
Oct 25 - London, England @ Sheperd's Bush Empire
Oct 26 -Brighton, England @ The Brighton
Oct 28 - Southampton, England @ Turner Sims Concert Hall

NEW JEFFREY OSBORNE ALBUM OCT. 6

Legendary singer/Songwriter Jeffrey Osborne to Release New Album From The Soul on October 6th

New Album Showcases Classic Songs by Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin & Curtis Mayfield Among Others

On October 6th KOCH Records will release From The Soul, the eagerly awaited new soul album from legendary singer/songwriter Jeffrey Osborne. With his distinctive baritone, Osborne confirms why he remains one of R&B's enduring talents with his rendition of Teddy Pendergrass' sexy Close The Door, featuring the saxophone of smooth jazz giant Boney James; Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions' anthemic People Get Ready; Aretha Franklin's melodious Until You Come Back To Me, and Roberta Flack's stark The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Produced by none other than the king of today's popular smooth jazz genre Paul Brown, From The Soul delivers wonderful songs from the '60s, '70s and '80s, such as the Gerry Goffin/Carole King soul standard Hey Girl, Stevie Wonder's tender Knocks Me Off My Feet, the coy, Yes, I'm Ready and the melancholy Brenda Holloway classic Every Little Bit Hurts, as they've never been heard before, in the sultry style of smooth jazz.

On From The Soul, Osborne delivers a soulful remake of the iconic '60s rock band Buffalo Springfield's biting For What It's Worth. Released by the band in 1967 as commentary on the social unrest if an era. Osborne transforms the song into a modern R&B masterpiece that is as musically and lyrically relevant today as when it originally hit the charts.

From The Soul, a sultry classic, breathes sassy new life into renowned compositions while maintaining the artistic integrity of the originals that any music lover would enjoy.

Track Listing:
1. Close The Door
2. Till You Come Back To Me
3. Yes, I'm Ready
4. For What It's Worth
5. People Get Ready
6. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Knocks Me Off My Feet
8. Every Little Bit Hurts
9. All At Once
10. Hey Girl

SUSAYE GREENE, THE LAST SUPREME STEPS OUT

Susaye Greene, the last member of the Supremes, has, in her sophomore CD, Brave New Shoes, created “the album she’s always wanted to make”. As much a canvas for studio experimentation as it is a celebration of Greene’s often underappreciated singing/songwriting abilities, Shoes is an album with enough varied sounds to appeal to underground hip-hop heads, lovers of the lost arts of traditional soul, R&B, and jazz, and even a classic rock enthusiast or two."Ray Charles taught me that if you enjoy and are influenced by all kinds of music, then that’s what you should do," the singer has said bluntly about her work to date; "That’s why he was around for so long. That’s why, if I like a rock song, a jazz song, an aria, or even a nursery rhyme, then I’m gonna sing it, and put my whole heart into it."While the same could be said about Susaye’s last album, No Fear Here, a passionate set of songs ranging from alternative ballads, to jazz-tinged soul, to even a Roger’s & Hammerstein tune, in this follow-up, Greene has pushed her eclectic tastes to an even higher plane.Here, Greene has abandoned the retro sound of her No Fear Here, in favor of a mesh of musical genres that she has dubbed "Bio-Soul," mixing the smoothness of R&B, the hard-hitting swagger of industrial rock, and the wall of sound exemplified in electronica and dance music, all wrapped up in a package of polished production and solid songwriting skills. This lattice of influences is seen in standout tracks like the futuristic Livin’ In A Vacuum, the fast-moving, fun-filled club pace of Time, the jazzy funk of Get What You Give, which possibly best shows Greene’s melodic strength and lyrical capabilities, and a cover of the Led Zeppelin rocker, The Ocean, in which Susaye’s wail may even match Robert Plant’s. So as not to scare Supremes’ loyalists or the musically conservative, however, Ms. Greene has taken care to mix this newfangled stuff with enough nostalgia to keep in touch with her fans. Among the work people may recognize, is a reinterpretation of club hit High Energy, a standout from Greene’s former group, the Supremes. "I always enjoyed performing it on stage, and I felt it was still relevant." The centerpiece of the album, originally a collaboration with English saxophonist Courtney Pine, titled Children of the Ghetto Revisited, (an Urban Drama), touches on social issues in a masterfully unique way, due to the added perspective of rapper ingénue, Schism, as well as Susaye’s still poignant vocals. Brave New Shoes is now available worldwide as of August 2nd on the Dollface Music Label.

LATIN TRAVELS 2

New from Six Degrees Records is Latin Travels 2 - a blend of Latin, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian musical vibes mixed with ambient, electronic and dance grooves. Latin Travels 2 is packed with exclusive tracks and remixes from Beny More, Bobi Cespedes, Tim "Love" Lee, the Tao of Groove, Los Mocosos, Rondo Brothers and many others. The CD will be available worldwide on September 13.

DIANNE REEVES

Jazz singer Dianne Reeves has recorded several tracks for the upcoming film Good Night, And Good Luck, in which she also appears. The Concord soundtrack is due for release on September 27 and features Reeves interpretations of the classic songs such as One For My Baby, How High The Moon, Too Close For Comfort, Straighten Up And Fly Right, Pick Yourself Up, When I Fall In Love, Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, plus a new song -Who's Minding The Store. Also appearing in the film are George Clooney, David Straithairn, Robert Downey, Jr., Frank Langella and Jeff Daniels. The film is directed by George Clooney and it will be released on October 7 in New York and Los Angeles.

APPLE ITUNES JAPAN: 1 MILLION DOWNLOADS

Apple iTunes just opened for business in Japan last week and in only fourdays customers have downloaded 4 million songs. The Japan iTunes store isnow the fastest launch in any of the 20 nations where iTunes is now available. This total even beats the initial performance in the U.S. where it took a week to sell a million song downloads. Total iTunes downloads worldwide are in excess of 500 million songs to date.

HOT NEW CD'S THIS WEEK

Concord is releasing Tim Ries' The Rolling Stones Project, an album comprised of jazz covers of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards songs. Guests on the album include Charlie Watts, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow, Bill Frisell, and John Scofield among others.

Also from Concord is The Secret Of Movin' On from singer David Pack (former lead singer of Ambrosia). Guests on the album include Ann Wilson, Timothy B. Schmidt, David Benoit, Steve Perry and Dewey Bunnell. The first single to be released is the title track - a duet with Wilson.

NEW ALBUM RELEASES FOR THE WEEK OF AUG. 8:
Baaba Maal - Palm World Voices: Baaba Maal (Palm Pictures)
Bill Frisell - East/West (Nonesuch)
Bob Florence - Friends, Treasures, Heroes (Summit)
Boni Raposo y la 21 Division - Afro-Caribbean Chants (Arc)
Dan Moretti & Once Through - Passing Place (Whaling City Sound)
Dave Liebman - Lieb Plays Wilder (Challenge)
David Pack - The Secret Of Movin' On (Concord)
Earl Klugh - Naked Guitar (Koch)
George Howard - The Very Best Of George Howard (GRP)
Judy Garland - Judy Garland And Friends: Duets (Savoy Jazz, remastered)
Larry Carlton - The Very Best Of Larry Carlton (GRP)
Marc Johnson - Magic Labyrinth (Winter & Winter)
Michael McDonald - The Ultimate Collections (Rhino/Warner, includes tracks
w/Doobie Brothers)
Pat Metheny & Ornette Coleman - Song X - Twentieth Anniversary (Nonesuch, 1985 album)
Mob Trio - Quite Live in Brooklyn (Omnitone)
Poncho Sanchez - Do It (Concord)
Quincy Jones - Back On The Block (Dreamworks/UME, 1989 album remastered)
Quincy Jones - Q's Jook Joint (Dreamworks/UME, 1995 album remastered)
Quincy Jones - From Q, With Love (Dreamworks/UME, 1999 album remastered)
Rafa El Tachuela - Flamenco Nuevo (Arc)
Sara Berne - But Beautiful (Arbors)
Tim Reis - The Rolling Stones Project (Concord)