Wednesday, December 14, 2011

PILC MOUTIN HOENIG - THREEDOM

Jean-Michel Pilc, François Moutin, and Ari Hoenig, reunited this year under the collective name, Pilc Moutin Hoenig to record a much anticipated comeback project and to re-launch their touring career as a trio. Recorded in a completely improvised stream of single studio takes,Threedom documents the unique trio’s singular and completely unpredictable synchronicity. An enhanced CD, the disc also includes an exclusive video - shot live in the studio - which vividly reveals the method to their improvisational madness.

“Albert Einstein once said, 'Behind anything that can be experienced, there is something that our minds cannot grasp whose beauty and sublimity reaches us only indirectly.' This is exactly the way I feel about this trio,” explains pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, “François, Ari, and I have no choice but to surrender to that 'something' and let it create a brand new piece of music every time we play together.”

“We approached this record much like a family reunion,” reveals Hoenig, in his artist notes for the project. “Threedom incorporates new ideas as if to say, ‘this is what I’ve been up to since the last time we hung out.”
Moutin summarizes the 'PMH effect' this way: “Each time Ari, Jean-Michel, and I play together, I experience the feeling of being one cell of some utterly unpredictable, although beautifully coherent, living musical creature. This beast' s psyche escapes any of our individual control. It boosts our group's creativity by immersing all of us into a common landscape of emotions.”

Since their explosive touring days as The Jean-Michel Pilc Trio, each group member has grown considerably in stature both as leaders and sidemen. Pilc permanently moved to New York City in 1994, continuing his steady rise as a major pianist on the European and Canadian circuits, while also gaining a reputation in America as one of the most exciting and unpredictable pianist/composers in jazz. This is the second Motéma release for the pianist, who's March solo release, Essential has been hailed by the Washington Post as a “musical genius at work” and by the New York City Jazz Record as “…easily one of the pianist’s best recordings.”

Bassist François Moutin has since applied his lush tone, astonishing virtuosity, and intelligent musicality in a host of settings, most notably as co-leader of The Moutin Reunion Quartet, a group which has successfully toured Europe and the United States to much acclaim in recent years. A popular artist on the scene, Moutin was voted onto both the Bassist and Rising Star Bassist shortlists in this year's Downbeat Critics Poll.

The skilled and iconoclastic Ari Hoenig, self-defined as a ‘punk-jazz’ artist’, has made several solo records in the ensuing years, and is often in the press for his intense musical antics both as a leader and sideman. The importance of his artistic presence in New York City was recently profiled in Time Out New York's cover feature: The 25 Essential New York City Jazz Icons of 2011.

Throughout the years, Pilc, Moutin, and Hoenig have continued to play together as a live act now and then, but Threedom is their first new recording together since 2003's Welcome Home, and represents the official regrouping of the trio as a touring act. Armed with intense virtuosity, a highly unconventional musical sensibility, and their signature fearless commitment to creating in the moment, the trio is thrilled to be back together and well primed to hit the road.

Of the 18 tracks on Threedom, half are standards and the rest are improvisations ‘composed’ by the group in one take in the studio. The standards take on myriad new forms as the group reinterprets these familiar melodies through their seemingly impossible musical intimacy. Their music simultaneously radiates the confidence of three men who have played together for almost 13 years, while also retaining an unpredictable freshness that one might expect more from a first time meeting of masters in the studio.

Pilc Moutin Hoenig bring a welcome dose of magic to their jazz interpretations and typically elicit standing ovations at their concerts. Of their recent 2011 Montreal Jazzfest date, the Ottawa Citizen confirms, “the trio kept the audience and each other riveted with intense, uninhibited, continually surprising music."

THE COLLECTION SERIES - SPECIAL DIGITAL BOX SET OFFERING COMPLETE ALBUM CATALOGS - NOW AVAILABLE!

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is bringing the box set experience to music lovers of all ages and tastes this holiday season with the release of incredible value-packed career-spanning collections available in both the physical and digital realms at special holiday-only prices. SME/Legacy, the world's foremost catalog music label, has long pioneered and championed the box set concept with Grammy Award-winning releases and ongoing popular and critical successes. Whether a simple collection of career-encompassing album titles or a specifically curated selection of tracks, the box set offers listeners a chance to evaluate the depth and complexity of an artist's output, presenting an experience which amplifies and extends the thrill and immediacy of the latest single. For artists who've created a lasting body of work, a well-designed box set is an invaluable experience, for old and new fans alike.

This holiday season, SME/Legacy is bringing the box set to the digital realm with THE COLLECTION available on the iTunes Store, a "multi-disc" one-click digital bundle of albums presenting an artist's album catalog at an incredible holiday-only price. Artists in THE COLLECTION include Alicia Keys (5 titles), Billy Joel (15 titles), Brad Paisley (9 titles), Britney Spears (7 titles), Chevelle (4 titles), Christina Aguilera (6 titles) , Foo Fighters (7 titles), Incubus (6 titles), John Mayer (5 titles), Kings Of Leon (5 titles), Leonard Cohen (11 titles), Sarah McLachlan (8 titles) and Three Days Grace (3 titles).

THE COLLECTION series will include iTunes LPs containing the original artwork and liner notes for each album. Offering new value and convenience to the box set experience, THE COLLECTION will be available online on iTunes beginning Tuesday, December 13. In addition to THE COLLECTION digital offerings, Legacy Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment is offering great holiday music values in the physical realm with box sets from the world's most iconic and enduring artists. As digital technology helps restore and archive larger portions of the catalogs of Sony Music's artists, it becomes possible to release rare and previously unreleased material from long-established artists.

Here's a listing of this season's most luxurious must-have box sets from SME/Legacy:

Tony Bennett - The Complete Collection chronicles the entire career of the great American pop vocalist as documented in the albums and singles he's made for Columbia Records (beginning in 1952 through the present), as well as his recordings for Roulette (an historic encounter with Count Basie and Orchestra in 1959), MGM (1972-73), Improv (Bennett's own label from 1973-76) and Fantasy (a pair of sublime titles with pianist Bill Evans, released in 1975-76) on 73 CDs and 3 DVDs.

Elvis Presley - Young Man with the Big Beat - The Complete '56 Elvis Presley Recordings is a super deluxe 5-CD, 12-inch square box set (with an amazing 80-page book with timeline) focusing on Elvis's studio recordings, from hits to outtakes, alongside live performances and interviews from 1956, the year Elvis (and Rock itself) broke into the pop mainstream. The collection was recently nominated for the year's Best Historical Album Grammy Award.

Jimi Hendrix - Live at Winterland, a four-disc set drawn from six stellar shows recorded over three days (October 10, 11 and 12, 1968) at San Francisco's historic Winterland Ballroom. "Hendrix was a casual slash-and-burn bluesman, a shredder, a gunner, a riffer, a slinger of elevated sustained lines, a feedback screamer and a rhythm guitarist whose chords sang on their own," wrote Jon Pareles in The New York Times 2011 holiday box set round-up. "These are prime performances, spontaneous and searing."

Miles Davis Quintet - Live In Europe 1967: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 1, a 3 CD + DVD set culled from original state-owned television and radio sources in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden, spanning five northern European festival performances over the course of nine days in October-November 1967. The audio shows consist entirely of previously unreleased or previously only bootlegged material.

Phil Spector Presents The Philles Album Collection, a 7 CD box set representing the most expansive collection ever to celebrate Phil Spector's Wall Of Sound productions, "Tomorrow's Sound Today." Released in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Philles Records label (1961-2011), this new box set eclipses all previous collections in its scope, gathering in mini-replica LP sleeves the first six original Philles albums from 1962-1964 (five by the Crystals, the Ronettes, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, plus the timeless Today's Hits), and a brand-new CD of Spector's never-before-collected instrumental B-sides. Legacy Recordings has also released The Essential Phil Spector, a brand-new 35-song, double-CD collection gathering Spector's game-changing recordings from his peak hit-making years from the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is to Love Him" through the litany of 23 hits on the Philles label.

Other SME/Legacy Recordings Box Sets for 2011 include:
WYNTON MARSALIS - Swinging Into The 21st - 11-Disc set / Price: $ 79.99
Available at Popmarket.com and WyntonMarsalis.org

LEONARD COHEN - The Complete Columbia Albums Collection
17-Disc set / Price: $ 139.99
Available Exclusively at Popmarket.com

ALICIA KEYS - Songs In A Minor: 10th Anniversary Edition
2-CD, 1-DVD set / Price: $29.99

ROBERT JOHNSON - The Complete Original Masters: Centennial Edition
12-Vinyl, 4-CD, 1-DVD + book / Price: $349.00

ARETHA FRANKLIN - Take A Look: Aretha Franklin Complete on Columbia
11-CD, 1-DVD set / Price: $129.99

GEORGE MICHAEL - Faith: Deluxe Edition
2-CD, 1-LP, 1-DVD set / Price: $173.92 (Amazon)

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

SMOKEY ROBINSON - THE SOLO ALBUMS VOL. 6: WARM THOUGHTS / BEING WITH YOU

A pair of overlooked gems from Smokey Robinson – the 6th chapter in his great solo career for Motown! Warm Thoughts is first, and has equally warm vocals – thanks to the legendary Smokey Robinson, who's still sounding great here at the start of the 80s! The record's surprisingly charming – and has the laidback, mellow-going sort of sound that Robinson first crafted on Quiet Storm – but delivered here with a style that's even more personal and intimate, too. Things are quite stripped-down, especially given the overblown styles other singers were reaching for at the time – and titles include "Let Me Be The Clock", "Into Each Rain Some Life Must Fall", 'Wine, Women & Song", 'What's In Your Life For Me", and "I Want To Be Your Love". Being With You is a great vehicle for the Smokey Robinson sound in the 80s – and a record that helped Smokey kick off the decade with a really massive hit! "Being With You" still let Smokey stay in an older style of soul-based vocals, without slipping into the adult contemporary sound that would hurt so many other artists of the time – and most of the record has Smokey still stepping around some mellow grooves arranged by Sonny Burke, of the sort that let his sweetly cracking voice come to the forefront. Titles include "Being With You", "You Are Forever", "Can't Fight Love", "As You Do", "If You Wanna Make Love", "Food For Thought", and "Who's Sad".  Source: Dusty Groove America

DAVE McMURRAY – I KNOW ABOUT LOVE

Dave McMurray is an amazing musician who is known by his previous diverse albums - Piece If Mind,  Soul Searching, Area Reservada 2, and The David McMurray Show. Others will remember his collaboration with the group Mirror-Mirror (Sax, Beats and Meditations") or in an earlier time with the group Was (Not Was). He also played with such great artists as for example Gerald Alston ("First Class Only"), Mark Isham, The B-52's ("Good Stuff"), Tim Bowman ("Smile"), Herbie Hancock or Bob James ("Joyride"). Dave has now just released his first CD in 3 years, entitled I Know About Love. It's a collection of dark, hypnotic grooves, that pull you in and never lets you go. The first song is an exotic original named “Time #4”. Next is a song called “The First Night In Africa” featuring master bassist Marcus Miller. Dave also did a cover of KEM’s first hit “Love Calls” that features KEM. Next is “I’m Coming Up, a stepper that features George Duke. The CD also features Bob James, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Herschel Boone, Eminem’s keyboardist Luis Resto, and stunning vocalist Jessica Wagner-Cowan.

Tracklist:
01. Time #4 [5:38]
02. I Luv You Like Jazz [2:57]
03. First Night In Africa [5:04]
04. Precious Memories [4:27]
05. I'm Coming Up [4:04]
06. Love Calls [4:38]
07. Waba Doo Bop [4:06]
08. One Night In Paris [4:04]
09. I Know About Love [4:30]
10. Radio Days [4:04]
11. Inherit The Wind [4:04]
12. Beautiful You [4:58]
13. Naked [4:33]
14. Break It Down [4:18]
15. Ma's Song [1:39]
16. I Luv You Like Jazz / Rollin [2:53]

Monday, December 12, 2011

RICHARD ELLIOT - IN THE ZONE

Soul-jazz saxman Richard Elliot has been blowing up radio with the funky single “Boom Town,” which has taken command of Billboard’s BDSradio.com smooth jazz national airplay chart for the past four weeks. The track, produced by Elliot and fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber, is the debut single from Elliot’s October release, In The Zone, and the latest of more than a dozen #1 singles registered by the genre-defining Artistry Music recording artist. Elliot’s 16th solo collection, In The Zone salutes the seminal instrumentalists that most influenced the saxophonist in his formative years of the 1970s and ‘80s including Grover Washington Jr., Bob James and David Sanborn. Elliot and Lorber penned the nine original songs that comprise the disc as well as dishing up a sweltering version of the gritty Marvin Gaye classic, “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler).”


Concert dates are presently being booked for next spring and summer for Elliot to reteam with trumpeter Rick Braun to tour as RnR, a dynamic duo that held the #1 spot captive on the radio airplay charts for an astonishing 15 weeks with the self-titled, title track from their 2007 album collaboration. In addition to sweeping the nation’s radio waves, In The Zone has been receiving critical praise. Smooth Jazz Magazine selected it as the #1 album of 2011. Below are highlights from some reviews.

All Music Guide: “Elliot's sense of time when soloing is deadly. The melody is as infectious and celebratory as it is sexy…”

Digital Jazz News: “Richard Elliot lives his passion. A uniquely personal release and a natural progression and follow up to Rock Steady (Artistry, 2009), Richard Elliot shares his own soulful musical statement with In The Zone…Elliot is an incredibly lyrical instrumentalist with improvisational chops to work on the fly while having that nice fat tenor sound of a Hank Mobley throw-back player…Contemporary jazz has taken some hits over the past year for lacking originality, spontaneity and passion. A perfect ebb and flow on this release provides all three from an artist with a sincere desire to be known as someone that can play from the heart not just the head. Musical honesty and integrity is rare commodity these days but it is clear that it is Richard Elliot's passion that has him ‘In The Zone’ and with one of the finest contemporary releases of the year!”

The Smooth Jazz Ride: “…the iconic saxophonist with the distinctly soulful touch turns it on with jazzy runs, soulful rhythms, memorable melodies, and tight, catchy hooks…Full of sweet grooves, spunk, and slick but not frenzied drive.”

Sounds of Timeless Jazz: “Elliot brings his informed knowledge of such great musicians as Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn and Bob James and his own great saxophonics to this inspired project…innovative music that will just blow you away.”

The Urban Music Scene: “It’s a Winner!!...In The Zone is a 10 song horn oriented delight… In The Zone again proves why Richard Elliot is such a joy to listen and see in concert...”

Smooth Jazz Daily: “With In The Zone Richard Elliot garners anew the Triple A of smooth jazz. Eclectic music with a well-crafted musicianship on every track that attracts all music lovers.”

Friday, December 09, 2011

KIRK WHALUM & KEVIN WHALUM - ROMANCE LANGUAGE

Most artists would be daunted at the thought of remaking a classic work of art made by legends, but not Grammy winner Kirk Whalum. The multidimensional saxophonist adeptly steps into the role of John Coltrane and tapped his brother, vocalist Kevin Whalum, to fill the shoes of Johnny Hartman on an unabashedly romantic collection of duets originally recorded in 1963 by the seminal artists. Romance Language, due to be released on Valentine’s Day by Rendezvous Music, consists of all six songs that comprise the Coltrane/Hartman recording along with a handful of modern ballads to complete the disc produced by Kirk Whalum and John Stoddart.

In addition to the traditional CD and digital version, an extended and enhanced digital version of Romance Language will be released as the world’s first complete LiveAudio optimized album for JAMBOX by JAWBONE, a leader in personal mobile technology devices. LiveAudio allows music to be enjoyed in a 3D-like, surround sound experience from a single, small Bluetooth wireless speaker. This one-of-a-kind version of Romance Language will be available exclusively at www.kirkwhalum.com/JAMBOX.

In conjunction with the album release, Kirk & Kevin Whalum will perform a Valentine’s Day concert at the Hilton Portland Downtown in Oregon that will stream live to a global audience through Kirk Whalum’s website, http://www.kirkwhalum.com/.

The Whalum brothers approached the half-dozen standards from the original recording with admiration and veneration. Kirk Whalum and Stoddart crafted fresh arrangements that place the time-tested songs such as Irving Berlin’s “They Say It’s Wonderful,” Sammy Cahn’s “Dedicated To You,” Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” and Richard Rodgers’ “You Are Too Beautiful” in present day R&B-adult pop and jazz settings. The newer songs – including renderings of contemporary hits written by Terry Lewis & James “Jimmy Jam” Harris, Eric Benet, and Joe (Thomas) - maintain the mood, feel and ambience of the storied set. Throughout Romance Language, Kevin Whalum’s suave, velvety voice is cool and in command while Kirk Whalum’s sax solos and fills are inspired, warm and nuanced etchings. The amorous album unfolds with the grace of an intimate hand-penned love letter - seductively sweet, genuinely heartfelt, and poetically passionate. Recorded “live” at Dark Horse recording studios in Nashville with very little overdubbing, the musicians accompanying the Whalum’s were John Stoddart (piano, keyboards, organ, backing vocals), Marcus Finnie (drums), Braylon Lacy (bass), Kevin Turner (electric guitar), Michael “Nomad” Ripoll (acoustic guitar), Ralph Lofton (organ), George Tidwell (flugelhorn, trumpet), and percussionists Bashiri Johnson and Javier Solis. Kirk & Kevin Whalum’s 83 years-young uncle, Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum, poured his distinctive, emotion-charged voice into the broken-hearted “Almost Doesn’t Count” and the poignant bonus track, “You Are So Beautiful.”

Romance Language, now so elegantly completed, absolutely qualifies for my bucket list. Having been a fan of Kevin's luscious voice for over 30 years and a fan of the Coltrane/Hartman recording for at least that long, this project is more of a consummation than just serendipity. Every time I listened to the Coltrane/Hartman recording, I thought of Kevin and mused at the idea of redoing the whole album with my little brother. Kevin caressed each and every note. My other ‘brother,’ John Stoddart ‘dined’ with me on these arrangements. My touring band embraced each performance as we recorded ‘live’ in the studio––virtually no overdubs, over-takes or over-production. Just sheer joy and love, respect and reverence for the original recording as well as these amazing compositions,” said Memphis native Kirk Whalum, who will tour with Kevin in the spring to support Romance Language. “Oh... and boy is this album romantic. I invite you to take it on a test drive. Drive slow.”

Romance Language is Kirk Whalum’s 19th album as a front man since his 1985 solo debut, Floppy Disk. He topped the Billboard contemporary jazz album charts twice (And You Know That! and Cache) and amassed 11 Grammy nominations. Whalum took home a coveted Grammy earlier this year for a duet with Lalah Hathaway that appeared on his The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III. An ordained minister who earned a Master’s degree in the Art of Religion, Kirk Whalum has forged an unparalleled career path in both the secular and the non-secular music words, garnering hits, awards and accolades for his jazz, R&B and gospel recordings. His soulfully expressive tenor sax voice is unique and has appeared on literally hundreds of recordings by Barbara Streisand, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Michael McDonald, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Larry Carlton as well as on collaborative albums with Bob James, Rick Braun and Norman Brown. When not recording or performing, he educates and mentors the next generation of musicians in his role as president/CEO of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music. Additional information is available at http://www.kirkwhalum.com/.

The songs contained on Kirk Whalum’s Romance Language are:
“They Say It’s Wonderful”
“Dedicated To You”
“My One and Only Love”
“Lush Life”
“You Are Too Beautiful”
“Autumn Serenade”
“Almost Doesn’t Count”
“I Wish I Wasn’t”
“I Wanna Know”
“Spend My Life With You”
“You Are So Beautiful” (bonus track)

Thursday, December 08, 2011

ANTHONY DAVID - #LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION

Soul artist Anthony David is a singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. His single, "Words" featuring India Arie from his album Acey Duey, was nominated in 2008 for a Grammy and several NAACP image awards. He is currently preparing for the release of his new album #LocationLocationLocation. The album includes 6 tracks previously released on his live EP, The Setup, 3 remixes from David’s last studio album, As Above, So Below and 3 new songs. This compilation will certainly quench your needs for soulful melodies well into the new year.

David recently performed at the Give Africa Hope benefit concert in Dallas in September, after which he went to Africa to help distribute supplies in Kenya. He is also involved with the award winning AWOL (All Walks Of Live) Youth Program in his hometown, Savannah, GA. The program’s mission is to promote and provide self-awareness through the use of Poetry, Hip-Hop and Life by providing youth with high quality arts and humanities programs during after school hours.

Upcoming appearances:
12/09/11 – Atlanta, GA, Bar One
12/10/11 – Atlanta, GA, The Ferst Center For The Arts
12/18/11 - Columbus, GA - River Mill Event Center
12/31/11 - Dallas, TX - The Park Inn Love Field
02/11/12 - Akron, OH - EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall

#LocationLocationLocation Tracklisting:
1. Rolling Mojo
2. The Further We Go (feat. Giovanca)
3. Body Language (Wangout Remix)
4. 4Evermore (DJ Kemit Deep House Remix)
5. Reach Ya (Masheen Remix)
6. Let Me In (Live)
7. Find Your Love (Live)
8. Kinfolk/Georgia Peaches (Live)
9. Cold Turkey (Live)

ROY AYERS - KING OF THE VIBES

Roy Ayers could very well be the best jazz/R&B artist around and in his 40-plus years as a vibraphonist, he has produced a string of soul and funk classics, like “We Live In Brooklyn Baby” and “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” that has arguably made him the second-most sampled musician in hip-hop, after James Brown. You may have heard snippets of his music in songs by 50 Cent protégé Tony Yayo (“Fake Love”) or A Tribe Called Quest (“Bonita Applebum”). But while the exposure of his extensive catalogue is enough to boost any man’s ego, the 68-year-old Ayers remains humble and busy. On his latest release, King Of The Vibes, it’s a set that’s got a warm, soulful groove – kind of a contemporary extension of the styles that Roy first laid down on Polydor and Columbia, handled with just the right sort of poise, class, and balance to keep the Ayers legacy strong! If you've heard any of Roy's other recent work, you'll find plenty to love here, too – as Ayers is one of the few who can keep putting out great music of this nature, without falling prey to any contemporary cliches at all. Titles include "Neo Soul Groove", "Virgin Vibes", "Obama Say", "E Funk", "Feel Me", and "Get Some Money".

King Of The Vibes Tracklist
1. Feel Me
2. Obama Say
3. E. Funk
4. Oochi Koochi Koo
5. Emani
6. Virgin Vibes
7. Neo Soul Groove
8. It's A Better Way
9. Everybody's Groovin'
10. B B Bill
11. King Of The Vibes
12. Get Some Money

CHARLES XAVIER - XMAS VIBE

Happy Note Records has just released Charles Xavier’s Xmas Vibe DVD in 5.1 surround sound, allowing listeners to enjoy rich layered, 3D audio sensations. The new age Christmas music album, which was released in stereo last year, is an eclectic and hip perspective on classic and contemporary holiday music.

Captivatingly jazzy and relaxing, Xavier’s Christmas album is a mix of vibrant vocals, rock guitar riffs, piano, iridescent vibes, as well as a technology sampling of chimes and bells. Called enchanting, mystical, and abstract, Xmas Vibe takes the listener on a creative harmonious musical journey through a magical winter landscape in style. "I wanted to create music that uplifts the soul and brings new dimension to the holiday season," said Xavier. “It's not a typical approach to Christmas music, but I think it's innovative. I approached these songs with the intent of doing something new."

Reviews are positive. Longtime DownBeat columnist Frank-John Hadley has reported, “Playing vibes, keyboards, and drums, joined by guitarist Russell Golub and Tina Murray on vocals, Xavier fills his wassail bowl with electronic sounds, samplings, Gary Burton-like abstractions, elements of world-music, quirky allusions to, maybe Gong’s vibes player Pierre Moerlen. A dozen carols and holiday favorites drift together as one trippy soundscape. Recommended.” DownBeat has elsewhere called Charles Xavier a “Rara Avis,” which is Latin for rare bird. Music of our Heart blogger Edward David Jennings called Xmas Vibe “a total sensory experience that immerse audience members in layers of textured sound, allowing the mind to escape to new realms of serenity.”

Lee Mergner of JazzTimes wrote “Xmas Vibe features eclectic and creative interpretations of many traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, such as of John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (The War is Over) and the classic God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” Happy Note Records will donate some of the proceeds from the DVD and CD sales to benefit the Bread & Roses Community Fund, KCSM Jazz Public Radio, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “Through my music and performances, I hope to encourage others to get involved in their communities to help others rise up to their potential,” said Xavier.

MICHAEL BUBLE TOPS THE CHARTS ONCE AGAIN!

Michael Bublé is having a holly jolly holiday season as sales for his Christmas CD have exploded this week to a staggering 292, 501 units (up 29%), keeping the Bublé franchise at No. 1 for a second straight week on Billboard's Top 200 Chart. Sales have now surged past the one million mark. With major TV appearances this week on 60 Minutes and Bublé's Holiday special on NBC as well as his upcoming December 17th appearance on SNL as the musical guest and a co hosting stint on Live! with Kelly on December 15th and 16th, sales are expected to surge through the end of the year. The multi-Grammy winning Canadian superstar has five songs from "Christmas" currently on the radio including "All I Want For Christmas Is You" which remains in the No. 1 spot for a second week. Global sales on Bublé's Christmas have surpassed five million. Though Bublé has had five consecutive multi-platinum CDs since he burst onto the music scene nine years ago, "Christmas" is Bublé's fastest selling album to date. On the international front Bublé has the No. 1 spot in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, the No. 2 CD in the UK and is Top Five in many major markets. Fans will receive more good cheer from Michael later this month via Zynga's CityVille in their version of "Monopoly Meets Main Street" -- the most popular game on Facebook with 50 million players each month according to AppData.com. The Michael Bublé photo book "Michael Bublé onstage offstage," which includes accompanying text by the artist with photography by Dean Freeman, is currently available in bookstores nationwide.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL: THE RE-EDITS

This upcoming compilation includes 21 of the hottest Philadelphia Internaitional Records (PIR) re-edits which have been done by PIR enthusiasts from around the world. All fully approved by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff. This set is due for release in January 2012. To coin a phrase from a PIR hit "Statisfaction Guaranteed" is a great way to summerize this collection of classy Philly tracks, here in re-edited and remixed versions by various people from around the globe. Most of your favorite Philly acts and songs are there, but in new upliftning versions you never heard before while still keeping them true to the originals.

Disc 1 - Uptempo Good Time Philly
1. Statisfaction Guaranteed - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Morning Star Re-Edit]
2. Only The Strong Survive - Billy Paul [J*Ski Re-Edit]
3. Save A Place - the Trammps [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit]
4. Free Love - Jean Carn [Victor Rosario Re-Edit]
5. Do It Any Way You Wanna - People's Choice [Keep Schtum Re-Edit]
6. Life On Mars - Dexter Wansel [DJ Mila Re-Edit]
7. Mysteries Of The World - MFSB [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit]
8. Ain't No Stopping Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead [The Noodleman Re-Work]
9 Dance Turned Into Romance - the Jones Girls [DJ Friction Re-Edit]
10. Be For Real - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Tim MacAllister Re-Edit]
11. Message In Our Music - the O'Jays [Jimmy the Twin Re-Edit] Disc 2 - Mellow Slinky Philly
12. If You Wanna Go Back - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
13. Darlin' Darlin' Baby - the O'Jays [Deep&Disco Re-Work]
14. You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - the Jones Girls [Henry Greenwood Re-Edit]
15. Strategy - Archie Bell & the Drells [Touchsoul Re-Edit]
16. Let The Dollar Circulate - Billy Paul [ScratchNSniff Extended Re-Rub]
17. Easy Money - Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [Todd Terje 2004 Re-Edit]
18. Was That All It Was - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
19. Night Over Egypt - the Jones Girls [Womack & TOT Re-Edit]
20. Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & the Drells [Ed Zone Re-Edit]
21. Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [DJ Apt One Re-Edit]

Disc 2 - Mellow Slinky Philly
1. If You Wanna Go Back - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
2. Darlin' Darlin' Baby - the O'Jays [Deep&Disco Re-Work]
3. You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - the Jones Girls [Henry Greenwood Re-Edit]
4. Strategy - Archie Bell & the Drells [Touchsoul Re-Edit]
5. Let The Dollar Circulate - Billy Paul [ScratchNSniff Extended Re-Rub]
6. Easy Money - Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [Todd Terje 2004 Re-Edit]
7. Was That All It Was - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
8. Night Over Egypt - the Jones Girls [Womack & TOT Re-Edit]
9. Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & the Drells [Ed Zone Re-Edit]
10. Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [DJ Apt One Re-Edit]

CLARENCE CLEMONS - THERE'S STILL CHRISTMAS

Two newly discovered Christmas songs recorded in 1981 by the late great saxophonist Clarence Clemons have arrived just in time for the holidays. The special CD entitled There's Still Christmas features Clarence singing tenderhearted lead vocals on the poignant title track "There's Still Christmas" (co-written by Dennis Bourke and the late Stevie Betts), while the second track showcases the Big Man on sax on the holiday classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)." There's Still Christmas (Oceangate Records) is currently available on iTunes, Amazon.com and all premium online download destinations as well as through the websites https://bigmanchristmassong.com/ or http://www.backstreets.com/.

Producers Dennis Bourke and Jim Nuzzo helmed the recording session that produced the two never-before-released tracks. Armed with the support of the Clarence Clemons Trust and his son Clarence Clemons III (a.k.a. Nick Clemons), the producers are honored to be a part of this celebrated legacy with this unique release. Bourke and Nuzzo recall, "We were blessed to have the opportunity to share some time with Clarence and record these marvelous Christmas tunes. He poured himself into the project, wearing Santa gear and capturing the essence of the season.

"With his passing in June 2011, we were all saddened to lose this American rock icon. One of the beauties of recorded music is its eternal power to play on long after the artist is physically gone. Clarence has a parting Christmas gift to us all with these soon-to-be holiday classics. Open up your hearts and listen to the Big Man say Merry Christmas to the world."

The Nick Clemons Band recently headlined the sold-out "Clarence Clemons Christmas Songs" CD release party held at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on November 18, and will make two special appearances at the legendary Stone Pony, with a Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 23, and the "Light Of Day" tribute concert for the "Asbury Angels" honoring the musicians and other members of the Asbury Park music scene who have passed on in recent years on Friday, January 13. Honorees include Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Kevin Kavanaugh, Donnie Bertleson and John Luraschi.

Best known for his contributions to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Clarence Clemons recorded with many other artists including Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin and most recently Lady Gaga and released a number of solo musical projects over his illustrious career.

PROJECT GRAND SLAM RELEASES NEW COVER OF THE HOLLIES HIT, “HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER” TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE

Project Grand Slam (PGS), the contemporary electric jazz group, has released their version of the classic Hollies hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, with Special Guest Vocals by Joye Hennessey. The song is dedicated to the victims of child abuse, relating to the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. Like millions of people across the United States and the world, the members of PGS were horrified to learn of the sexual abuse allegations connected with Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State University football program. PGS was completing its new album when they realized that “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was particularly appropriate to the Penn State scandal. The song’s title was the motto for Father Flannigan’s Boys Town charity, which was created in the early 1900s to help disadvantaged and abused children. The song’s message of support for victims and the abused is consistent with Penn State’s healing efforts following the sexual abuse scandal. Therefore, PGS decided to immediately release “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” as a single, and to donate proceeds from the song to benefit the victims of child abuse. 

The song is currently available for download on iTunes at 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother/id482770139. The song will also shortly be available for online streaming from Spotify, Napster, Amazon and others.
 
PGS’s debut album, Play, released in 2008, garnered rave critical reviews. A track from the album, “The Captain Of Her Heart”, with guest vocals by Judie Tzuke, was a Top 20 radio hit. In addition, PGS and five tracks from Play were prominently featured in an episode of the hit NBC series, “Lipstick Jungle”, starring Brooke Shields. The core members of PGS are Robert Miller (Electric Bass, Composer), Ron Thaler (Drums, Percussion), and Gilad Ronen (Saxophones, Composer). Each has significant and extensive musical credentials.

Robert Miller plays electric bass and composes. Robert has two albums as leader to his credit: Child's Play (Wildcat Records) and Prisoners of Love (32 Records), both of which received excellent reviews. The former album includes performances by Randy Brecker, Jon Lucien and Anton Fig. His band, The Robert Miller Group, played every major New York area club, graduating to the national festival circuit where they appeared with acts like Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck and Kenny Barron. In addition, as co-founder of 32 Records, Robert helped develop this celebrated record label that produced the acclaimed "Jazz For..." series, including "Jazz For A Rainy Afternoon", which dominated the Billboard Jazz Chart.

Ron Thaler plays drums and percussion. Ron is one of the most accomplished professionals in the business, having played on and/or produced more than 75 albums. His impressive credits include work with Al Di Meola, Hiram Bullock, Sarah McLachlan, Alicia Keys, Ashley Simpson, Debbie Gibson, Rob Thomas and Taj Mahal. Ron has also released three solo albums: …Works featuring Ray Anderson, Rufus Reid and Adam Rogers, Grain spotlighting Mike Stern, and Jazzed & Confused: The Led Zep Project including DJ Logic, Dweezil Zappa, and Hendrick Meurkens.

Gilad Ronen plays saxophones and is an accomplished master woodwind multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has recorded for numerous Hollywood films such as Anchorman and Raise Your Voice and the ABC series Eyes. Gilad had worked with some of the greatest living jazz legends of our time, such as Herbie Hancock, Jack De Johnette, Brian Blade, Dianne Reeves, and Kenny Barron to name just a few.



“He Ain’t Heavy” also features guest artists Mike Eckroth (Keyboards), Danny Lerman (Saxophones), Justin Smith (Strings) and Joye Hennessey (Special Guest Vocals). PGS’s follow up album containing “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and seven other original tunes, will be released in early 2012.

To find PGS on the web:

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

CHARLIE WILSON RECEIVES TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

One of the most recognizable voices in music today, Charlie Wilson, has received two 2012 Grammy nominations for his chart-topping single, "You Are." Wilson is nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. "You Are" was the first single from Wilson's critically-acclaimed CD, Just Charlie. "We are excited to have the Academy recognize Charlie with these two nominations," stated Michael Paran, Wilson's manager and partner in P Music Group. "This song topped the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary charts for weeks and we want to thank radio for their continued support We also want to thank Larry Batiste for his beautiful orchestration which was the icing on the cake."

"I am honored to have received two Grammy nominations," stated Wilson. "When I began work on Just Charlie my wife, Mahin, suggested we include some songs that uplifted women. I totally agreed and that's how 'You Are' was born. She is and always will be my inspiration." Wilson's outstanding vocal performance of "You Are" confirms that this song will be a wedding classic for generations to come. The popular music video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOcBMh3p-AM&ob=av2e

In 2010, Wilson also received two Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album, Uncle Charlie, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his hit single, "There Goes My Baby." Wilson, who recently returned from Kuwait where he performed for U.S. troops, is currently on the road performing to sold-out crowds.

THE QUIET NIGHTS ORCHESTRA - MOVIN'

The Quiet Nights Orchestra hailing from Stockholm, Sweden, released their debut album Chapter One all over the world in 2009 and it has not left anyone indifferent. The album proved above all that jazz is not an outdated genre and definitely not exclusive to jazz clubs alone. The band has always tried to find new ways of expression in their music but still glimpses back to classic jazz, maintaining the roots and pushing the envelope at the same time. This sounds clearly in their sequel, and instead of stomping in the same footsteps as their debut album, they have now developed their sound in the new album Movin'. This time, more band members moved into the composer room, which also demonstrates that the band is not a one man show! The post-production of the album has also played a central role in the recording process this time, adding elements such as strings, vibraphone and guitar as extra ingredients. Eminent guests such as the world-famous musician and arranger Magnus Lindgren and musician Roman Andrén gives the album extra spice!

The stunning band is the same as always consisting of Sofie Norling (Vocals), Peter Fredriksson (trombone / band leader), Jonne Bentlöv (trumpet), Magnus Dölerud (sax), Philip Neterowicz (piano), Peder Waern (double bass), Carl Ottosson (drums) and Jacob Johannesson (percussion). The sound on the album could be described as modern but with the same elegance as Jazz from the 50s and 60s. The compositions sparkle with fresh influences from genres such as soul, funk, house and even some hints of boogie, surf and classic cuban rumba. One thing is certain; that the band does not tread in the same footprint as before, but is movin' forward with a fiery enthusiasm!

Movin' features some great jazzy grooves from and every bit as wonderful as the first. There's wicked blend of modes going on here – a bit of modal jazz, some clubjazz rhythms, a touch of Schema groove, and also just a hint of older jazz modes too – all wrapped together with a youthful, vibrant energy that really makes the whole thing sparkle! If you've ever dug work on labels like Ricky Tick, Schema, or some of the best older Compost material, you'll find plenty here to love – and it's great to know that there's folks like Quiet Nights out there, still putting out grooves like this. Sofie Norling sings these beautiful vocals on a few tracks, but overall most of the set is instrumental – with a nice mix of trumpet, trombone, saxes, and even some vibes.

The Quiet Nights Orchestra Movin’ tracklisting:
01 Waves
02 Movin'
03 When We Fly
04 The Tryout
05 Falling For You
06 The Path
07 Dreaming
08 One More Try
09 I Don't Think So
10 Sundays
11 Rockys Corner
12 He Is My Music

STEVE TYRELL - I'LL TAKE ROMANCE

Often cited as the world’s true “romance crooner” and proponent of all things love, legendary jazz balladeer Steve Tyrell will release his new collection, I’ll Take Romance (his ninth) on February 7th, 2012. His Concord Records debut, I’ll Take Romance, features 12 tracks with Tyrell, backed by his band along with a String Orchestra. The release of I’ll Take Romance will be accompanied by tour dates across the country, including his annual seven week run at New York City’s legendary Café Carlyle, where he replaced Manhattan icon Bobby Short seven years ago.

Inspired by Chelsea Clinton’s choice of his version of “The Way You Look Tonight” for the first dance at her wedding (as told to Tyrell at last year’s Café Carlyle engagement by proud Papa Bill Clinton), Tyrell then decided that his next studio recording should be an album consisting purely of romantic standards- an homage to The Great American Songbook with tracks culled from several genres expressing the theme of romance. Featuring such gems as “That’s All,” “Taking a Chance On Love,” “All of You” and the title track, Tyrell also covers a host of R&B classics, including the Etta James hits “At Last” and “Trust In Me;” Sam Cooke’s “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons;” and Little Willie John’s “Talk to Me.”

In addition, Tyrell included a couple of songs that much of his audience would be discovering for the first time. During the 1960s, when he was a player in pop’s celebrated “Brill Building Sound,” Tyrell became close friends, and subsequently partners, with the hit songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. From the vast Mann-Weil catalog, he has selected the relatively obscure gem “You Turn Me Around.” Written in the early 1970s (and originally recorded by Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers), says Tyrell, “It’s a real find! It’s a song I’ve known for a long time, and always wanted to do.” Also included by Mann and Weil is “Don’t Know Much,” a Grammy winning song that he produced with Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. Of newer vintage is David Foster and Linda Thompson’s “A Love That Will Last.”

Here’s a listing of upcoming concert appearances:
November 29 – December 31, 2011: The Café Carlyle, The Carlyle Hotel, New York, NY
January 3, 2012: Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL (w/Linda Eder)
January 5-8, 2012: Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
February 1, 2012: McCallum Theater, Palm Springs, CA

Monday, December 05, 2011

ARTIST PROFILE: HIROMI

Hiromi Uehara first mesmerized the jazz community with her 2003 Telarc debut, Another Mind. The buzz started by her first album spread all the way back to her native Japan, where Another Mind shipped gold (100,000 units) and received the Recording Industry Association of Japan's (RIAJ) Jazz Album of the Year Award. The keyboardist/composer's second release, Brain, won the Horizon Award at the 2004 Surround Music Awards, the Swing Journal New Star Award, Jazz Life's Gold Album, HMV Japan's Best Japanese Jazz Album, and the Japan Music Pen Club's Japanese Artist Award. Brain was also named Album of the Year in Swing Journal's 2005 Readers Poll. In 2006, Hiromi won Best Jazz Act at the Boston Music Awards and the Guinness Jazz Festival's Rising Star Award. She also claimed Jazzman of the Year, Pianist of the Year and Album of the Year in the Swing Journal Japan Readers Poll for her 2006 release, Spiral. Hiromi continued her winning streak with the 2007 release of Time Control; 2008’s, Beyond Standard and 2009’s Place to Be. In 2011, Hiromi released her seventh Concord Record, Voice.

Born in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1979, Hiromi took her first piano lessons at age six. She learned from her earliest teacher to tap into the intuitive as well as the technical aspects of music. "Her energy was always so high, and she was so emotional," Hiromi says of her first piano teacher. "When she wanted me to play with a certain kind of dynamics, she wouldn't say it with technical terms. If the piece was something passionate, she would say, 'Play red.' Or if it was something mellow, she would say, 'Play blue.' I could really play from my heart that way, and not just from my ears."

Hiromi took that intuitive approach a step further when she enrolled in the Yamaha School of Music less then a year after her first piano lessons. By age twelve, she was performing in public, sometimes with very high-profile orchestras. "When I was fourteen, I went to Czechoslovakia and played with the Czech Philharmonic," she says. "That was a great experience, to play with such a professional orchestra."

Further into her teens, her tastes expanded to include jazz as well as classical music. A chance meeting with Chick Corea when she was seventeen led to a performance with the well-known jazz pianist the very next day. "It was in Tokyo," Hiromi recalls. "He was doing something at Yamaha, and I was visiting Tokyo at the time to take some lessons. I talked to some teachers and said that I really wanted to see him. I sat down with him, and he said, 'Play something.' So I played something, and then he said, 'Can you improvise?' I told him I could, and we did some two-piano improvisations. Then he asked me if I was free the next day. I told him I was, and he said, 'Well, I have a concert tomorrow. Why don't you come?' So I went there, and he called my name at the end of the concert, and we did some improvisations together."

After a couple years of writing advertising jingles for Nissan and a few other high-profile Japanese companies, Hiromi came to the United States in 1999 to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. For as open as her musical sensibilities had already been when she came to the U.S., the Berklee experience pushed her envelope even further. "It expanded so much the way I see music," she says. "Some people dig jazz, some people dig classical music, some people dig rock. Everyone is so concerned about who they like. They always say, 'This guy is the best,' 'No, this guy is the best.' But I think everyone is great. I really don't have barriers to any type of music. I could listen to everything from metal to classical music to anything else."

Among her mentors at Berklee was veteran jazz bassist Richard Evans, who teaches arranging and orchestration. Evans co-produced Another Mind, her Telarc debut, with longtime friend and collaborator Ahmad Jamal, who has also taken a personal interest in Hiromi's artistic development. "She is nothing short of amazing," says Jamal. "Her music, together with her overwhelming charm and spirit, causes her to soar to unimaginable musical heights."

At 32, Hiromi stands at the threshold of limitless possibility, constantly drawing inspiration from virtually everyone and everything around her. Her list of influences, like her music itself, is boundless. "I love Bach, I love Oscar Peterson, I love Franz Liszt, I love Ahmad Jamal," she says. "I also love people like Sly and the Family Stone, Dream Theatre and King Crimson. Also, I'm so much inspired by sports players like Carl Lewis and Michael Jordan. Basically, I'm inspired by anyone who has big, big energy. They really come straight to my heart."

But she won't, as a matter of principle, put labels on her music. She'll continue to follow whatever moves her, and leave the definitions to others. "I don't want to put a name on my music," she says. "Other people can put a name on what I do. It's just the union of what I've been listening to and what I've been learning. It has some elements of classical music, it has some rock, it has some jazz, but I don't want to give it a name."

Upcoming concert appearances:
Dec 9, 2011 - Aomori Civic Hall (w/Akiko Yano), Aomori, Japan
Dec 11, 2011 - NHK Hall (w/Akiko Yano), Tokyo, Japan
Dec 13, 2011 - Shizuoka City Culture Hall (w/Akiko Yano), Shizuoka, Japan
Dec 14, 2011 - Zepp Nagoya (w/Akiko Yano), Aichi, Japan
Dec 17, 2011 - Morinomiya Piloti Hall (w/Akiko Yano), Osaka, Japan

SHARON MARIE CLINE - INTERPLAY

Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Sharon Marie Cline brings a unique and distinguished sense of jazz history to her song stylings. Her artistry, charming and refreshing rhythmic variations breathe enjoyable new life into familiar standards, show tunes and classic jazz. Her original interpretations, smooth mellifluous vocal musings leave a lasting impression on her audience that is truly unforgettable! Her music catalogue consists of a live recording at Simon’s Jazz Bar entitled Interplay, a soulful and romantic Christmas CD By The Fireside as well as a sneak peek of three songs from her upcoming CD This Is Where I Wanna Be Songs of Romance all supported by her band who are known as “The Bad Boyz of Jazz”. Sharon Marie's theme to her music is all about her “Hearts Song”. Her style is reminiscent of a time gone by, yet is distinctively contemporary, sexy an fun!


Cline is a favorite on LA’s jazz scene as well as a 'forward thinker' when it comes to branding her artistry worldwide. Sharon Marie is furthering her international exposure by way of creating a community that is filled not only with her fans but with musical offerings, reviews and her music catalogue for immediate purchase. “Social media has become a standard in promoting our careers and businesses which has become imperative for expanding career opportunities and relationships” says Jaijai Jackson, creator of The Jazz Network Worldwide social network. Known for performing with the finest jazz musicians in the most exclusive rooms on the west coast, Sharon Marie looks to furthering her opportunities through a personal viral marketing campaign. “My new social network is a community where we can all plant dream seeds and nurture them to fruition as we each sing our own ‘hearts song’” says Sharon Marie Cline.

You can listen to some of her selections on The Jazz Network Worldwide at http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/ as well as joining her new social network to support her community and her ‘hearts song’ at http://www.sharonmariecline.com/.

AMY WINEHOUSE & TONY BENNETT HONORED WITH GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR "BODY & SOUL"

Five-time Grammy Award winner and 21st century soul icon, Amy Winehouse has received a 2012 Grammy Award nomination for "Body & Soul", her duet with the legendary Tony Bennett and final recording. The duo's cover of the 1930's jazz classic brings together two distinct eras on one immortally powerful performance. In March 2011, Winehouse and Bennett met at London's famed Abbey Road Studios with producer Phil Ramone for this very special session. The duet sees Winehouse in top form, flawlessly matching Bennett's croon with gorgeous delivery. "Body & Soul" would be her last studio recording before her tragic passing on July 23, 2011, yet it's emblematic of her tremendous talent and presence.

About "Body & Soul", Bennett remarked, "It was a thrill to record with Amy Winehouse and when you listen to the recording of "Body And Soul", it is a testament to her artistic genius and her brilliance as one of the most honest musicians I have ever known." The song is a centerpiece of the forthcoming, Lioness: Hidden Treasures, Winehouse's third studio album due in stores and online December 6, 2011. Compiled by longtime collaborators, Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, the 12-track collection features unreleased gems, covers, and alternate versions of existing songs. It's a proper tribute to Winehouse formidable legacy. Universal Music Group also announced that a portion of proceeds from the album will be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, supporting vulnerable and at-risk youth.  "Body & Soul" also appears on Bennett's Duets II CD.

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS!


Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
 Philadelphia International records - one of the greatest black record labels of all time is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Founded by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff in 1971, the label launched with the album Going East by Billy Paul in October 1971 but really hit its stride throughout 1972 with a brace of international hits from veteran Philadelphia based signings like the O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes and the Three Degrees. Legendary A&R visionary Clive Davis was responsible for bringing the Philly hit machine to the Columbia group for distribution – a gamble which proved to be extraordinarily successful as the major distributor struggled to keep up with the hits that were pouring out from Sigma Sound studio in downtown Philadelphia – the recording home of P.I.R. where smashes like “Backstabbers”, “Love Train”, “Me & Mrs Jones”, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and numerous others all rolled out in 1972 alone. Just two years later, Philadelphia International became the second largest black-owned company in the U.S.A. following Berry Gordy’s Motown, which had similarly forged its identity with a trademark sound from Detroit. Jump forward 40 years and Philadelphia International is still independent and still owned by its original founders, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff – an extraordinary achievement in an age where most other independent companies (including Motown) have long since been absorbed into large conglomerates. In celebrating 40th anniversary of Philadelphia International, being planned are some brand new “Philly 40” PIR releases which have been long overdue and will be eagerly anticipated around the world.

The Releases:
  • Philadelphia International: The Re-Edits - 21 of the hottest PIR Re-Edits which have been done by PIR enthusiasts from around the world. Fully approved by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff (due Jan 2012)
  • Philadelphia International: The Roots of PIR - What happened before PIR? Ace historian and compiler Richard Searling compiles the pre PIR gems from the Gamble & Huff stable plus an exclusive DVD interview with Kenny Gamble (due Jan 2012)
  • Philadelphia International: The Tom Moulton Remixes - the godfather of the Disco Mix and inventor of the 12” format returns to the label where he started and remixes 15 more original PIR tracks to add to 16 of his best original PIR mixes (due Feb 2012)
  • Philadelphia International: 40th Anniversary Box Set - PIR expert Ralph Tee goes through the complete history of PIR with a lovingly compiled 10CD deluxe box set with 60 page booklet plus an exclusive DVD interview with Kenny Gamble (due Feb 2012)

Friday, December 02, 2011

THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET - THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA STUDIO ALBUMS COLLECTION

As family and friends around the world celebrate Dave Brubeck's 91st birthday on December 6, 2011, attention is also drawn to notable anniversaries of key albums in the Columbia Records discography of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. These include the 55th anniversary of their landmark 1956 album Jazz Impressions Of The U.S.A., the 50th anniversary of the 1961 LP Time Further Out, and the 45th anniversary of Time In, their 1966 finale to the signature series that started with the all-time classic, RIAA® certified double-platinum Time Out in 1959. Those four studio albums, alongside the 15 other Columbia studio recordings that the Quartet released between 1955 and 1967, are brought together for the first time in The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection. The deluxe 19-CD box set is available now for pre-order at Sony Music's retail website – http://www.myplaydirect.com/dave-brubeck – in advance of the December 6th (Brubeck's birthday!) release date.
The 19 titles in The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection are as follows:

1. Brubeck Time (1955)
2. Jazz Impressions Of The U.S.A. (1956, first time on CD in U.S.)
3. Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia (1958, first time on CD in U.S.)
4. Dave Digs Disney (1957)
5. Gone With The Wind (1959, first time on CD in U.S.)
6. Time Out! (1959)
7. Southern Scene (1960, first time on CD in U.S.)
8. Bernstein Plays Brubeck Plays Bernstein (1961)
9. Time Further Out (1961)
10. Countdown: Time In Outer Space (1962)
11. Bossa Nova U.S.A. (1963, first time on CD in U.S.)
12. Brandenburg Gate: Revisited (1963)
13. Time Changes (1964)
14. Jazz Impressions Of Japan (1964)
15. Jazz Impressions Of New York (1965, first time on CD in U.S.)
16. Angel Eyes (1965, first time on CD in U.S.)
17. My Favorite Things (1966, first time on CD in U.S.)
18. Time In (1966)
19. Plays Cole Porter - Anything Goes! (1967, first time on CD in U.S.)

(This discography, starting with 1959's Gone With The Wind, also represents the total Columbia studio output of the classic longtime lineup of the Dave Brubeck Quartet that began in '58 – Brubeck on piano, Paul Desmond on alto saxophone, bassist Eugene Wright, and drummer Joe Morello.)  The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection  features each of the 19 albums in a replica mini-LP sleeve which reproduces that LP's original front and back cover artwork. Where applicable, the albums in each box include the bonus tracks that have been released on the expanded CD editions over the years.  As noted above, nine of the titles in The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection are making their debut appearance on CD in the U.S. with this box set.

The arrival of The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection follows Columbia/Legacy's November 1st debut release of the double-CD, Their Last Time Out (subtitle: The Unreleased Live Concert – December 26, 1967). Recorded in Pittsburgh, the night after Christmas, the concert reflected Brubeck's decision to disband the Quartet at the end of 1967, their tenth and final year together. The concert covered virtually every phase of the Quartet's tenure, from blues ("St. Louis Blues") and standards ("Swanee River," "These Foolish Things," "Take The 'A' Train," "Someday My Prince Will Come," "I'm In A Dancing Mood," "You Go To My Head"), to the Latin flavor of which they were so fond ("Cielito Lindo," "La Paloma Azul"). In true democratic fashion there is also one original composition by each musician: Brubeck's "Three To Get Ready" (listen for Desmond's "12 Days Of Christmas" riff), Wright's "Set My People Free," Morello's "For Drummers Only," and of course, Desmond's "Take Five."

The 16 core years that Dave Brubeck spent at Columbia Records (from 1954 to 1970), saw this complex musician and compassionate bandleader develop into a multi-talented composer, arranger, producer, orchestrator, and ultimately a father figure for at least three generations of jazz players. The Dave Brubeck Quartet, in its early lineup (with alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, drummer Joe Dodge, and a succession of bassists) was signed to Columbia in 1953, by the renowned George Avakian. He followed the pianist's early format (of live concert recordings on Fantasy) and also recorded him live for his Columbia debut, Jazz Goes To College.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - The Complete Columbia Studio Albums Collection  focuses on the Quartet's studio LPs, which actually began with their second album, Brubeck Time (1954). The so-called 'classic' Dave Brubeck Quartet took shape with the entrance of drummer Joe Morello in 1956 and bassist Eugene Wright in 1958. They staked their claim to jazz immortality in 1959 with the Time Out album, the first million-selling LP in jazz history, featuring the single that changed all the rules, "Take Five" b/w "Blue Rondo A La Turk."

Included with this set is Brandenburg Gate, Revisited which features a 10-part, 20-minute work for strings arranged and conducted by Howard Brubeck on a theme by Dave Brubeck that was first heard on Jazz Impressions Of Eurasia (1958). In addition to Eurasia, all the other albums in the Quartet's "Jazz Impressions" series are represented in this collection: Jazz Impressions Of The USA (1957), Jazz Impressions of Japan (1964), and Jazz Impressions of New York (1965).

The Quartet was disbanded in 1967, the year of their final Columbia studio LP, The Dave Brubeck Quartet Plays Cole Porter - Anything Goes!, a Swingin' Affair.

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