NEW MUSIC: LEON WARE – MUSICAL MASSAGE (REMASTERED & EXPANDED); JAZZTRONIK – KEYSTROKE; MATHIAS LANDEAUS - FROM THE PIANO

LEON WARE – MUSICAL MASSAGE (REMASTERED & EXPANDED)

Amazing stuff! Arguably Leon Ware's greatest record – and one of the greatest Motown records of the 70s! The record is a beautiful set of interwoven mellow soul tracks, recorded right on the heels of Marvin Gaye's I Want You album, which was written and conceived by Ware, then taken at the last minute by Marvin! For this set, Ware creates a very similar sound – mixing together smooth keyboards with subtle bits of funk and electronics, all wrapped up in his own sweet warm vocals, which sound better here than on any other album. The whole thing's filled with loads of beautiful tracks, including "French Waltz", "Journey Into You", "Phantom Lover", and the great "Turn Out the Light", written with Minnie Riperton. Plus, this reissue features 5 previously unissued bonus tracks – Leon's original versions of "Comfort (aka Come Live With Me Angel)", recorded with Minnie Riperton, and "I Wanna Be Where You Are", both done by Marvin Gaye on I Want You, plus the tracks "Don't You Wanna Come", "Long Time No See", and "You Are The Way You Are". ~ Dusty Groove

JAZZTRONIK – KEYSTROKE

Beautiful sounds from Jazztronik – a set that reminds us why we first fell in love with his music so many years ago! The album mixes wonderful keyboard lines and warmly soulful vocals – the former from the man himself, Ryo Nozaki – the latter from guests who include Valerie Etienne, Eliana, Love, Kaori Takeda, and Sumire – singers whose presence is interspersed with instrumental tracks that further the lyrical vision of Nozaki's music! Nozaki's really upped his vision here – and not only works in strings on some of the more soaring numbers, but also creates these gentler, poetic passages at mellower moments – all blended together at a level that makes this the most sophisticated Jazztronik set we've ever heard. Titles include "Now", "DGA", "Lost Melody", "Parade", "Warp", "The City Beyond", "Peach Boy", and "A New Phase Of Life". ~ Dusty Groove

MATHIAS LANDEAUS - FROM THE PIANO

The title and cover really get to the heart of the matter here – as the album's definitely from the piano, but not just the keys – as pianist Mathias Landeaus has a way of playing that can really open up the whole instrument! Some numbers are beautifully lyrical and poetic, but others have this offbeat ear that's still quite musical, but which uses inner parts of the instrument, and possibly some "prepared" piano as well – to create these amazing sounds that balance things out wonderfully with his more introspective solos! The whole thing's very unified – none of these are just experiments for experiment's sake – and it's been years since we've heard a player able to merge older expressions and new ideas so easily like this. A few moments feel electronic, but the notes claim that every sound here was made on Mathias Landaeus' 1910 Steinway – and titles include "Just Like Our Children", "Yellow Circle", "Pedagogen", "Grasshoppers & Some Other Bugs", "Angels In Our Car", "Piano N Piano", "Jens", "Last Song On Earth", and "The Male Isolation Pattern".  ~ Dusty Groove

SAXMAN STEVE COLE GETS READY TO "TURN IT UP" WITH NEW ALBUM

Known for consistently cranking out chart-topping singles that deploy big vibrant pop hooks, contemporary jazz saxophonist Steve Cole conjures a sonic escapade with the hypnotic “Mirage,” the first single from his forthcoming eighth album, “Turn It Up,” which will be released July 15 by Artistry Music. Radio programmers were instantly spellbound, making the track from the David Mann-produced set of R&B grooves and soul-powered sojourns the No. 1 most added single on the Billboard BDS chart. 

The entrancing single on which electronic beats bombard the senses before chill tenor and soprano sax leads and a soothing trumpet undercurrent take command of the illusion is one of nine new songs on the session, eight of which were composed or co-composed by Cole. The tune reflects his hometown roots and ardor for Chicago’s dance music scene. It’s one of three major cities that helped shape the collection.   

“I embarked on ‘Turn It Up’ with the goal of making music with great musicians and great friends in great cities. This time around I wrote much of the music with Dave Mann in New York City.  We recorded horns, guitars and vocals there as well. The energy in that great city was truly inspiring and it really is reflected in the music. Next stop was Minneapolis, where I worked with the great keyboardist and producer Ricky Peterson. Ricky and I wrote the song ‘Workhouse’ together, a track influenced by our love of Chicago house music. Dave joined us later in Minneapolis to record Ricky on the Hammond B3 organ as well as to record my Chicago pals, bassist Lamar Jones and drummer Khari Parker. I decided to track all of the saxophone parts in Minneapolis as well,” explained Cole, who has a slate of festival and club dates running into mid-October to help support the album release.

  

Cole and Mann have been collaborating ever since Cole’s sophomore record, “Between Us” (2000). In addition to helming the production on “Turn It Up,” multi-instrumentalist Mann often shadows Cole on alto and soprano sax to add depth, thickness, volume and intensity to the layers upon layers of horns – alto, tenor and soprano saxophones, trumpet, trombone and flute. Aside from the back-to-back dance music workouts that close the album, Cole’s energizing pop melodies and hooky harmonies on the disc are presented as soulful R&B joints. The saxman dusted off Bobby Womack’s “Woman’s Gotta Have It,” teamed up with fresh-faced keyboardist Nicholas Cole on “Turn It Up!” and yielded the spotlight on “Bright Side” to Pieces of a Dream’s James Lloyd, the author of the sunny mid-tempo smile, who solos on piano.         

  

“In the end, I really accomplished what I set out to do,” Cole surmised. “The music reflects all of the diverse backgrounds and personalities that brought it to life. There was a lot of laughter and good times throughout this journey. I think that's why I've got such a big smile on my face on the album cover. After all, it's supposed to be fun...and it sure was!” 

Cole’s 1998 award-winning arrival onto the contemporary jazz scene was the Brian Culbertson-produced “Stay Awhile” that spawned a pair of No. 1 singles. Solo tours and prominent sideman gigs with Culbertson, Boz Scaggs, Rick Braun, Peter White, Jeff Lorber and Larry Carlton served to rapidly multiply his fervent fan base exponentially while successive albums and singles repeatedly took Cole to the top of the charts, establishing him as a radio playlist favorite. In addition to his own recordings, Cole records and performs regularly as a member of Sax Pack, an all-star sax combo consisting of rotating members Jeff Kashiwa, Kim Waters, Jackiem Joyner and Marcus Anderson. For more information, please visit www.SteveCole.net.  

“Turn It Up” tracklisting::

"Sidechain”

“Turn It Up!”

“Reverence”

“She’s The One”

“Bright Side”

“Woman’s Gotta Have It”

“Laws Of Attraction” 
"Life Is A Groove"                                                                   
“Workhouse”

“Mirage”

  

Catch Cole in concert on the following dates:

June 16-19 - London, England @ Pizza Express

July 4 - Irondale, AL @ Jazz in the Park

July 14 - Branford, CT @ Branford Jazz on the Green

July 15 - Norfolk, VA @ Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival

July 16 - Atlanta, GA @ Wade Ford Concert Series – Mable House

August 14 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Jazz Festival

August 17 - Dearborn, MI @ Jazz on the Ave

August 18 - Philadelphia, PA @ South Jazz Club

August 20 - San Antonio, TX @ Big Bib Too

September 3 - Pensacola, FL @ Gulf Coast Summerfest

September 16 - Denver, CO @ Soiled Dove Underground

October 15-16 - Rehoboth Beach, DE  @ Rehoboth Beach Jazz Fest

NEW MUSIC: BOB BALDWIN - THE BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK; AZYMUTH - OUTUBRO; JOYCE – VISIONS OF DAWN

BOB BALDWIN - THE BRAZILIAN-AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK

The Bob Baldwin love affair with Brazil began with his love of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto and Sergio Mendes as a child. His love elevated when he witnessed the marriage of American Funk/Jazz and the Samba/Bossa Nova sound, which was later explored by the likes of Djavan, Ivan Lins, Elaine Elias, George Duke, Maurice White, and Pat Metheny. Fast forward, Baldwin follows up his experimental Brazil Chill (2004) disc with more flavors from Rio, with covers by the aforementioned Djavan, Jobim and Lins. The result is a 20-song plus soundtrack through the eyes of this American…musically celebrating the year of the 2016 Summer Olympics, in beautiful Brazil. Tracks include: Funky Rio; Ipanema Fusion (f/Cafe Da Silva); Teardrop (f/Ragan Whiteside); Caipirinha (f/Torcuato Mariano); Corcovado (f/Torcuato Mariano); Greatest Lover (f/Zoiea); Boa Noite; Lookin' At Me (f/Gigi); Anjo De Mim: Island (f/Leo Gandelman); Eu Te Devoro; Oasis; Love Dance/May I Have This Dance; Children of The Sun; Home From Work; The Sound of His Voice; My Soul (f/Marion Meadows); For You; Summer Madness (f/James "Crab" Robinson); Yesterday; South of the Border (f/Emedin Rivera); Mobile & Global (f/Gabriel Mark Hasselbach); Summer's Over; I Need the Air You Breathe; State of Mind; and The Message (A Maurice White Tribute).

AZYMUTH - OUTUBRO

We hear that Azymuth are back in the studio recording a brand new album. In anticipation, Far Out is reissuing the band’s seminal 1980 album Outubro: mixed and mastered from the original tapes and pressed onto 180g vinyl (also available on CD and digitally). Outubro began Azymuth’s run of prolific output for Milestone Records throughout the 80's. Typifying the consummate craftsmanship of the three members’ performances - each with such distinct personality and together so perfectly balanced - together they colour the expressionist fusion of samba rhythm, jazz progression, funk attitude and psychedelic electronics. From Alex Malheiros’ earth-shaking slap-bass on ‘Dear Limmertz’, which was to become a hit on London’s underground disco and jazz-dance club scenes alike, to the late maestro Jose Roberto Bertrami’s genial melodic Rhodes excursions on the vocoder laden, samba-jazz masterpiece ‘Un Amigo’, while Ivan ‘Mamao’ Conti’s signature swing on ‘Maracana’ exemplifies the root of Azymuth’s ‘samba doidoi’ (crazy samba) philosophy. Azymuth will be playing at Dekmantel Festival Amsterdam on 4-7th August alongside a star studded line up that includes Tony Allen, Theo Parrish and Jeff Mills. We're also very excited to announce that the guys will embark on a European tour in October/ November 2016 to support the release of their new and unheard forthcoming album release.

JOYCE – VISIONS OF DAWN

Visions of Dawn by Joyce is the stunning ‘lost’ Brazilian acid-folk album recorded in Paris in 1976. The previously unreleased project by three Brazilian musical greats has since been rescued from the lost tapes. Led by Joyce's gorgeous vocals, sharp lyrics and delicate tones on the guitar, the trio is completed by the expert musicianship of her close friends, the late legendary percussionist Nana Vasconcelos and Mauricio Maestro (electric bass, vocals, guitar and producer). These beautiful, hazy and understated recordings, which took place among the charming artistic 1970s Paris scene, offer a unique chance to sit in on the original jamming sessions of tracks that later became Brazilian cult classics. 

CHICK COREA Announces Two-Month Birthday Celebration at The Blue Note

8 Consecutive Weeks, 80 Shows,

15 Legendary Bands, 60 Iconic Musicians

October 19 through December 12, 2016 in New York City

This fall, 22-time GRAMMY® Award-winning keyboardist and composer Chick Corea will make history with an unprecedented two-month 75th birthday celebration at The Blue Note, his musical home in New York City.

Running October 19 through December 12, 2016, the 80-show engagement will feature Corea leading 15 legendary bands comprised of 60 musical friends from over half a century, marking a birthday celebration groundbreaking in scale, artistry and sheer musical power.

Select highlights include:

"The Music of Return to Forever & More"

The premiere of two unique ensembles playing the music of Return to Forever over the course of two respective weeks: Acoustic featuring Ravi Coltrane (sax), Hubert Laws (flute), Avishai Cohen (bass), and Lenny White (drums); and Electric featuring John McLaughlin (guitar), Victor Wooten (bass), and Lenny White (drums).

"For Miles"

A celebration of the music of Miles Davis, featuring Kenny Garrett (saxophone) Wallace Roney (trumpet), Mike Stern (guitar), Marcus Miller (bass) and Brian Blade (drums).

Steve Gadd Week

A deep dive into Corea's longtime musical partnership with drummer Steve Gadd through two different ensembles:  Three Quartets featuring bassist Eddie Gomez (bass) and Ben Solomon (saxo) and The Leprechaun Band.

"Experiments in Electronica"

Since the 1960s, Corea's pioneering work on electronic keyboards (spanning Miles Davis, Return to Forever and the Elektric Band) has inspired generations of electronic musical innovators. This special two-night run will offer Chick's latest take on all things electronic, joined by Marcus Gilmore (drums) and leading genre-defying electronic explorers (TBA).

Corea's first Blue Note birthday run, marking his 60th anniversary in the fall of 2001, was a cathartic two-week engagement for a city just beginning to heal following the 9/11 attacks. The run produced the GRAMMY®-winning album Rendezvous in New York. In November 2011, he returned to The Blue Note with a month-long 70th birthday residency featuring countless artistic giants. This year's 75th birthday celebration marks his most ambitious Blue Note residency ever.

"From the level of talent that will be presented to the number of shows to the overall duration, this is an unrivaled residency in so many ways," says Steven Bensusan, President of Blue Note Entertainment Group. "You never see an artist take residency in a venue for this amount of time consecutively, and on this scale."

"Though most importantly, the fact that it commemorates our longtime friend and legend Chick Corea's 75th birthday makes this truly special, especially given Blue Note's deep relationship with Chick over the past 30 years," adds Bensusan. "We're looking forward to making history with Chick this fall."

Chick Corea's 75th Birthday Celebration will feature two shows nightly, at 8pm and 10:30pm.

CHICK COREA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE BLUE NOTE

Full Schedule

Wednesday - Sunday, October 19-23

THE CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND

Chick Corea (keyboards), Eric Marienthal (saxes), Frank Gamble (guitar), John Patitucci (bass), Dave Weckl (drums)

Wednesday - Sunday, October 26-30

FOR MILES

Chick Corea (keyboards), Kenny Garrett (saxes), Wallace Roney (trumpet), Mike Stern (guitar), Marcus Miller (bass), Brian Blade (drums)

Wednesday - Thursday, November 2-3

THREE QUARTETS BAND

Chick Corea (piano), Steve Gadd (drums), Eddie Gomez (bass), Ben Solomon (sax)

Friday - Sunday, November 4-6

THE LEPRECHAUN BAND

Chick Corea (keyboards), Steve Gadd (drums), Gayle Moran Corea (vocals), Steve Wilson (sax & flute), Michael Rodriguez (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Eddie Gomez (acoustic bass), TBA (electric bass)

Wednesday - Thursday, November 9-10

EXPERIMENTS IN ELECTRONICA

Chick Corea (keyboards + computers), Marcus Gilmore (drums); Leading Genre-Defying Electronic Explorers (TBA)

Friday - Sunday, November 11 - 13

CHICK'S FLAMENCO HEART

Chick Corea (keyboards), Jorge Pardo (sax & flute), Niño Josele (acoustic guitar), Carles Benevant (bass), Tom Brechtlein (drums), Luisito Quintero (percussion), Flamenco Dancer (TBA), Vocalist (TBA)

Wednesday - Thursday, November 16-17

THE CHICK COREA BIG BAND

Chick Corea (keyboards), Erlend Skomsvoll (arranger & conductor), the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra - 13-Piece Big Band (8 horns, guitar, bass & drums)

Friday - Sunday, November 18-20

CHICK COREA PIANO DUETS

Artists TBA (Different Pianist Each Night)

Tuesday - Wednesday, November 22 & 23

CHICK COREA & GARY BURTON with the Harlem String Quartet

Chick Corea (piano), Gary Burton (vibes), Ilmar Gavilán (violin), Melissa White (violin),

Jaime Amador (viola), Felix Umansky (cello)

Friday - Sunday, November 25-27

ORIGIN II

Chick Corea (piano), Ravi Coltrane (sax),

Steve Wilson (sax & flute), Steve Davis (trombone), Carlitos Del Puerto (bass), Marcus Gilmore (drums)

Wednesday - Sunday, November 30 - December 4

THE MUSIC OF RETURN TO FOREVER AND MORE (ACOUSTIC)

Chick Corea (keyboards), Ravi Coltrane (sax), Hubert Laws (flute), Avishai Cohen (bass), Lenny White (drums)

Wednesday, December 7

TBA

Thursday - Sunday, December 8-12

THE MUSIC OF RETURN TO FOREVER AND MORE (ELECTRIC)

Chick Corea (keyboards), John McLaughlin (guitar), Victor Wooten (bass), Lenny White (drums)

NEW MUSIC: ERIC GALE – BLUE HORIZON / ISLAND BREEZE; MODERNISM – 24 TRACKS OF HIP-SHAKING CLUB SOUL & VINTAGE R&B; MAMMAL HANDS – FLOA

ERIC GALE – BLUE HORIZON / ISLAND BREEZE

Smooth fusion from guitarist Eric Gale – 2 80s albums for Elektra, back to back on one CD! Island Breeze has a sound that lives up to its name – one with slight tropical touches in the rhythms and the instrumentation, and a way of recording Gale's guitar that brings out a bit more brightness in the tone. Arrangements are by Bob James and Jimmy Kachulis – and titles include "Boardwalk", "We'll Make It", "Island Breeze", "Dark Romance", and "I Know That's Right". Blue Horizon is a bit more focused – a record with a style that's still relatively smooth, yet a bit more in the mode that we like on Gale's 70s work. The core group features some nice keyboards from Peter Schott and drums from Freddie Waits – and Hugh Masekela guests on flugelhorn on a bit of the album. Tracks have a solidly fusion-based approach, yet are relaxedly soulful, never with too much jamming – and titles include "When Tokyo", "Clock A Pa", "Call Me At The Same Number", "97th & Columbus", "Wait Until The City Sleeps", "Blue Horizon", and "Mako D'Amour". ~ Dusty Groove

MODERNISM – 24 TRACKS OF HIP-SHAKING CLUB SOUL & VINTAGE R&B

Not the modernism of high art or experimental literature – and instead the upbeat, totally groovy sound of British mods in the 60s – served up here in a wicked batch of American soul tracks from the time! The style here is a bit Northern Soul, but also has a bit more of the blues and R&B elements that inspired some of the Brit rock acts of the time – but served up here by the originators from our side of the Atlantic, and with the kind of attention to special tracks and rare singles that we've come to expect from the great folks at Kent Records! This is more than just a rehash of older hits or overplayed numbers – and instead, the carefully-chosen set list really gets right to the heart of the matter – and backs up its musical magic with a great set of notes, photos, and label scans. Titles include "Ain't That Soul" by Teddy Reynolds, "Do It" by Pat Powdrill, "Crossroads In Your Heart" by The Shirelles, "Beg Me" by Chuck Jackson, "Cinderella Jones" by Sammy Jones, "We Gonna Rub (part 1)" by Joe Johnson, "Night Beat" by Kenny Smith & The Lovelighters, "Magic Potion" by Lou Johnson, "The Life Of The Party" by Joan Moody, "The Phillie" by The M&Ms & The Peanuts, "Private Eye" by Wallace Johnson, "Listen To Me Baby" by Ralph Ventsha & Red Julian Quartet, and "When One Of Them Won't" by The Turn Arounds. ~ Dusty Groove

MAMMAL HANDS – FLOA

A cool cascading mix of piano, saxophone, and drums – wrapped together in a way that's extremely fluid, and filled with lots of warm, lyrical touches! The approach here is a bit like that of GoGo Penguin – a trio with a style that's almost as pulsingly rhythmic as it is melodic – as the saxes of Jordan Smart dance along with the piano of Nick Smart, and get some nicely kicking energy from the drums of Jesse Barrett! There's some soulful, spiritual currents in the music that really make things powerful – and titles include "In The Treetops", "Quiet Fire", "Hillum", "Hourglass", "Eyes That Saw The Mountain", and "The Falling Dream". ~ Dusty Groove

Legendary Band Earth, Wind & Fire sets Europe Tour June 24 - July 15

Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the world, will embark on a seven country 13-city European Tour commencing on 24 June in Paris. On 26 June, the band will take the MainStage at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK. The tour will include stops in the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland and the Netherlands. 

With 23 albums, the iconic band has successfully blended all musical genre boundaries including pop, R&B, funk, disco, rock, Latin, jazz and African fusion. Selling over 90 million albums worldwide, EWF has earned a solid spot as one of the best selling bands in history. The incredible global fanbase extends over four generations and their legacy has made an indelible mark on popular culture. Co-founder, Philip Bailey notes, "The spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire has always been about the uplifting of consciousness of humanity." Indeed.

Full listing of tour dates follow.

EARTH WIND & FIRE SUMMER TOUR 2016

24 June Paris, FR L'Olympia Bruno Coquatrix

26 June Glastonbury Festival Shepton Mallet, UK

28 June Dublin, IR 3Arena

30 June Glasgow, UK O2 Academy

01 July London, UK The O2

02 July Bournemouth, UK Bournemouth International Centre

04 July Liverpool, UK Echo Arena Liverpool

07 July Kongsberg, NOR Kongsberg Jazz Festival

09 July Rotterdam, NLD North Sea Jazz Festival

11 July Padova, IT Villa Contarini

12 July Lucca, IT Lucca Summer Festival at Piazza Napoleone

14 July Lucarno, Switzerland Moon & Stars Festival

15 July Juan Les Pins, FR Jazz A Juan Festival

Sasha’s Bloc Partners With Grammy-Winning Vocal Group Take 6 On New Single “Runaway Blues”

The critically acclaimed jazz collective Sasha’s Bloc has teamed up with the ten-time Grammy-winning vocal group Take 6 to release their new single, “Runaway Blues.” This enticing track blends the big band jazz sound from Sasha’s Bloc with the smooth gospel tones of Take 6 and is currently available on iTunes and other major digital outlets. The single’s accompanying music video, which documents the groups’ recording session at the legendary Capitol Records, is also available now (you can view it on Sasha’s Bloc’s YouTube channel).

“Runaway Blues” features a sound that is a slight departure from the traditional 1920’s-40’s style big band arrangements that Sasha’s Bloc has become known for. With lead vocals by Take 6 member Alvin Chea and lush harmonies provided by both the smooth voices of Take 6 and the Sasha’s Bloc ensemble, “Runaway Blues” is a jazz, gospel, and blues crossover that is sure to strike a chord with fans of any of these genres. “Runaway Blues” is a story about life, love, and the ability to be honest with yourself. The song was recorded live at Capitol Records, in a room that Sasha’s Bloc bassist and bandleader Alex Gershman describes as “very much alive... It gives you goosebumps to think you were in the same room as legends such as Frank Sinatra.”

An intriguing ensemble founded in 2012, Sasha’s Bloc is an amalgam of varied artists, nationalities and experiences, all fueled by bassist and songwriter Alex Gershman. This collective delivers a sound that is consistently big, boisterous, full of spirit and rich in everything that makes jazz linger as an American phenomenon. The group has played multiple sold out concerts at key jazz clubs in Los Angeles, including Catalina Bar and Grill, Vibrato, Vitello’s, and a sold out show in conjunction with KJazz at the Wallis Annenberg Theater. Sasha’s Bloc has collaborated with such noted musicians as Jane Monheit and Take 6.

www.sashasbloc.com

One For All Extends Legacy with Compositions From All Six Members on The Third Decade

At a time when jazz bandleaders from across the musical and generational spectrums regularly lament the difficulty of keeping a band together, it's all the more remarkable that a supergroup like One For All has stuck it out for twenty years. But the impeccably swinging sextet, made up of some of the most in-demand players in modern jazz, is not just celebrating past achievements but charging forward into the future. The title of their latest album, The Third Decade, sounds a confident note marking the dawn of the band's next chapter.

"We're very optimistic," says pianist David Hazeltine. "We're all serious musicians who are dedicated to preserving that swinging feeling, so this band will always be together."

One For All's 16th release is its first in five years and the first in its history to feature original compositions by all six members. The Third Decade, available now via Smoke Sessions Records, brings together once again tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jim Rotondi, trombonist Steve Davis, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. As always, the fiery and soulful musicianship is only matched by the warmth and spirit that results from a lifetime of musical friendships.

That camaraderie is captured by the band's name, which was taken from the final studio album by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers; which itself featured a title track penned by Davis. The band was thus founded with a sense of continuity with the past along with the focus on torch-passing renewal that Blakey always expounded.

As Alexander puts it, "It was always our goal to write and arrange music in such a way that we didn't sound like a cover band for Art Blakey or Horace Silver or any of the other classic sextets that have made such indelible marks on modern jazz music. I think we've done a good job of achieving that objective. One For All has brought out aspects of each of our musical personalities that we didn't know we had, or at least that we hadn't explored in a very in-depth way prior to the band's founding."

The release of The Third Decade on the Smoke Sessions label is also a significant homecoming for the sextet, which initially came together on the stage of Smoke's predecessor, Augie's. Smoke has remained an important hub for the band since, as well as being the site for the recording of its 2001 release Live at Smoke.

"The Third Decade" was recorded live in New York at Sear Sound's Studio C

on a Sear-Avalon custom console at 96KHz/24bit and mixed to ½" analog tape

using a Studer mastering deck. Available in audiophile HD format.

Incognito to release new album “In Search of Better Days” on June 24th 2016

You would think that a 37-year-old band would rest on its laurels... right? No, not Incognito! The band is as creative and full of fire as it was at its conception in 1979. A rare feat in these days and times. Their 17th studio album, “In Search of Better Days”, will have Incognito fans grinning ear to ear and will be released on June 24th, 2016 on earMusic.

The fresh, uncompromising, soulful, Jazz-Funk-laden songs and instrumentals that are the bones of Incognito continue to shine through... and there is more. The sound of Bluey’s London for over three and a half decades weaves its way throughout this album and gives it flesh, with splashes of Drum & Bass and Broken Beats, Rare Groove, Deep Soulful House, and even influences from the Rock and Blues that were at the heart of the UK scene in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

From the driving bass of featured guest Stuart Zender on the opening track, you know that this album is upping the ante and it’s going to be one hell of a good ride! Imaani, Vanessa Haynes, Tony Momrelle, Katie Leone, Vula Malinga - the UK’s finest and most soulful voices hit you relentlessly one after the other with songs that will remain with you from the first hearing. And as if that was not enough to make this one of Incognito’s best albums, in comes American chanteuse extraordinaire aka “the voice of Incognito” - Maysa, to seal the deal!

Other special guest artists - including pianist Avery Sunshine, drummer Richard Spaven, cosmic percussionist Jody Linscott, and Japanese guitar legend Tomoyasu Hotei of Kill Bill fame - leave their indelible marks on this much-anticipated release.

Bluey’s songwriting and production senses are as always full-spectrum, steeped in deep, rich history, bridging the classic sounds of the past and the tonal and sonic languages of the present and future. These songs of Love, songs of awareness, questioning, challenging, optimism, joy, and hope are without a doubt some of his best!

As Bluey continues blazing his own trail with his ever-expanding community of top-of-the-line artists, fueled by a passion for storytelling and creating unity through the Groove, Incognito’s “In Search of Better Days” takes us there. This album is... Truth!

Tracklist:

1. Love Born In Flames (Featuring Imaani & Stuart Zender)

2. Just Say Nothing (Featuring Vanessa Haynes)

3. Everyday Grind (Featuring Maysa)

4. Racing Through The Bends (Featuring Maysa)

5. Love’s Revival (Featuring Tony Momrelle)

6. Selfishly (Featuring Maysa)

7. Love Be The Messenger (Featuring Vanessa Haynes)

8. I See The Light (Featuring Avery*Sunshine)

9. Echoes Of Utopia (Featuring Stuart Zender)

10. Move It Up (Featuring Vanessa Haynes)

11. Crystal Walls (Featuring Katie Leone)

12. Bridges Of Fire (Featuring Tomoyasu Hotei)

13. All I Ever Wanted (Featuring Maysa)

14. Better Days (Featuring Vula Malinga)

NEW MUSIC: BRIAN CHARETTE - ONCE & FUTURE; ROB MAZUREK / EMMETT KELLY – ALIEN FLOWER SUTRA; ANDREW HELLER – SINATRA MY WAY

BRIAN CHARETTE - ONCE & FUTURE

Stunning Hammond work from Brian Charette – a player who's fast becoming one of our favorite contemporary organists in jazz – given his way of both acting completely fluid on the keys, while still able to lay down a chunky rhythm at the bottom! The mix is one that few folks could ever get so right – maybe Jack McDuff or Charles Earland at their best – but Charette's also not just one of these retro-styled organists – and instead, acts with a spirit that's very much his own, as he effortlessly mixes soulful, modern, and groovy elements in a trio here with Will Bernard on guitar and Steve Fidyk on drums. Brian handles all the basslines with the organ – and beautifully so – and titles include "Zoltan", "Hot Barbecue", "Tyrone", "Latin From Manhattan", "Da Bug", "Road Song", "Falling Forth", "Blues For 96", and "The Scorpion". ~ Dusty Groove

ROB MAZUREK / EMMETT KELLY – ALIEN FLOWER SUTRA

Ever-adventurous composer, arranger and coronet player Rob Mazurek teams up with similarly creative wanderer Emmett Kelly (Cairo Gang, Josh Abrams Natural Information Society and more)! Alien Flower Sutra finds the duo and their guest players crafting a pretty awesome mix of interstellar psych-jazz-folk with vocals and guitar – with lots of fuzzier, jazzier instrumental passages. Very cool stuff on International Anthem, which has quickly become one of Chicago's best indie labels for free thinking creative output! Mazurek handles the electronic treatments, synths and coronet, with Kelly's lyrics, voice and guitars, and accompanied by Guilherme Granado, Carlos Issam Thomas Rohrer and Brittany Mazurek. Includes "Back To The Ocean, Back To The Sea", "Android Love Cry", "Blackout", "Bright Nights Havoc", "I Untied My Wrists", "Of Time Wasted", "Remember Nothing", "Embryo Genesis", "We Are One" and "Overture Towards The Beginning Of The End Of Time". ~ Dusty Groove

  

ANDREW HELLER – SINATRA MY WAY

On his compelling, critically acclaimed tribute to the Chairman of the Board in honor of his 100th birthday, renowned performer and independent recording artist Andrew Heller achieves something powerful and musically transformational that most vocalists miss when paying homage to Frank. Instead of impersonating him like most do, the singer does Sinatra My Way, putting his own unique vocal stamp and style on ten signature classics. With music provided by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and conducted by the late legendary arranger’s son Christopher (who played in his father’s orchestra from the time he was 12) and John Mills, Heller works seamlessly with the classic arrangements from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, adapted to his own unique vocal tenor. Includes: Night And Day; Summer Wind; They Can't Take That Away From Me; It Was A Very Good Year; My Kind Of Town; In The Wee Small Hours; I've Got You Under my Skin; Witchcraft; The Way You Look Tonight; and My Way.

NEW MUSIC: NANCY WILSON - JUST FOR NOW / LUSH LIFE (BONUS TRACKS); RALPH MCDONALD – COUNTERPOINT; NATASHA WATTS – SECOND TIME AROUND

NANCY WILSON - JUST FOR NOW / LUSH LIFE (BONUS TRACKS)

A pair of classics from Nancy Wilson – with bonus tracks too! On the album Just For Now, Nancy Wilson sings just for now – but in that way that could make any of her late 60s Capitol sessions a timeless classic – a record that has a lot more staying power than you'd guess from the title! Wilson's a genius at this point in her career – trained in jazz, with phrasing that's impeccable and at a level that brings a whole new sophistication to the music – but also able to open up with a groove, too, even on the gentler numbers – as open to soulful 60s currents in her music as Lou Rawls was with his – which is why both artists' Capitol sides are so incomparable! Arrangements are great – well-suited to Nancy's voice, and handled by Billy May, Oliver Nelson, and Sid Feller with a strong current of jazz – on titles that include "If He Walked Into My Life", "Rain Sometimes", "What Now My Love", "That's Life", "Born Free", "I'll Make A Man Of The Man", and "Just For Now". Lush Life is genius work from Nancy Wilson – the kind of Capitol Records gem that was partly jazz, partly soul, and very much in that special territory that made Wilson one of the most mature, sophisticated singers of the 60s! The record's got Nancy working through some material with bluer currents, sometimes in a mode that's late night in the instrumentation – but never in the older style of torch tunes. Instead, arrangers Billy May, Olver Nelson, and Sid Feller really keep things groovy – matching the newer spirit that Wilson brings to her music – which results in superb readings of songs throughout. Titles include some nice lesser-known material – like "River Shallow", "Free Again", "Only The Young", "The Right To Love", and "Over The Weekend" – plus versions of "Lush Life", "Midnight Sun", and "Sunny". CD features four bonus tracks – "I Concentrate On You", "Don't Look Over Your Shoulder", "Do You Know Why", and "But Only Sometimes" – and records are presented in their original mono mixes!  ~ Dusty Groove 

RALPH MCDONALD – COUNTERPOINT

Maybe one of the most soul-based records ever from percussionist Ralph MacDonald – partly because Ralph does a bit of singing, in addition to playing the heavy congas on the cover! Yet the record's still got the core jazz vibe of his other sets from the late 70s – served up with an all-star lineup that includes Grover Washington Jr on soprano and tenor, David Sanborn on alto, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Michael Brecker on tenor, Richard Tee on keyboards, and Eric Gale on guitar – all musicians who help give the whole thing the warm funky fusion vibe of late 70s albums on labels like Kudo or Tappan Zee! Some of the best cuts slide into a snapping 80s groove that opens up nicely with the instrumentation – and Ralph only sings a bit, leaving plenty of room for solos from the players. Titles include the great Latin-inflected groover "East Dry River" – plus "You Are In Love", "I Need Someone", "Tell The Truth", and "Always Something Missing". ~ Dusty Groove

NATASHA WATTS – SECOND TIME AROUND

It may be the second time around for Natasha Watts, but the record's no sophomore slump – as there's a sense of solid, soulful energy that makes the whole thing soar right from the very first note! Natasha's got Rob Hardt along, helping out with the keyboards and beats – and the whole thing's got this lean crackle that really befits the slightly cosmic look of Watts on the cover – although her vocal approach is much more down to earth, and we mean that in the best way possible! Omar joins in on the track "Insatiable" – and his presence is almost a good way of illustrating the sound of the set – as Natasha's got a similar blend of electric and organic as you'll find in Omar's recent records. Titles include "Love Who You Are", "Waited For You", "Let Go", "Lonely", "Hit The Spot", "Easy Come Easy Go", "Everything", and "Breath". ~ Dusty Groove

James Kōb brings melody and beautiful arrangements back to the popular music genre….. while still keeping it “cool & hip”

"So Right... The James Kōb Experience" is a fantastic assembly of multi-genre, original new music, by composer, performer & producer James Kōb. James pulls together a cadre of top-notch journeymen musicians from across the US to deliver unparalleled performances on every song. This album is a statement in melodic excellence of a proportion not seen in decades... every song is as strong as the next! The single "Because of You... by The James Kōb Experience" is sung by Maria Schafer in 3 different languages: English, French & Portuguese.

The multi-genre 11 song full album (including one bonus instrumental version) offers a collection of James' new original music composed and recorded over the last 4 years, that stylistically spans from Bossa Nova Jazz... to Pop... to Latin Jazz... to Orchestrated pieces... to Unplugged guitar/vocal... and even to Contemporary Country. With some unique, melody-driven songs and special performances, James Kōb offers his own special "sound" that makes this album of new music very exciting!

Songs that insert Latin brass, percussion, Broadway strings and jazz saxophone performances are all included on this album which makes it not only fun for the listener, but it creates the anticipation of wanting to hear what music comes next even more fun. Tripp Sprague really shines on soprano, alto & tenor sax solos on a number of pieces. Flugelhornists Derek Canon & Gil Castellanos are featured, as well the oboeist Lara Wickes. This inaugural album literally delivers something for everyone's musical taste!

Vocal honors are provided by two new and young rising stars; Maria Schafer performing on 8 songs while Danielle Field sings on 2. (Five of the songs on this album are slated for release in both French & Portuguese later this year) so much of this music will eventually span the globe to Europe and Brazil as well, helping prove that Mr. Kōb's vision of "music with melody" knows no borders.

Co-producer/drummer Mark Haley (former monitor engineer for Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey) and James focused on creating a high quality production that is smooth without being too slick... so, it stays "real”. As an example, two songs' arrangements were written to intertwine premier pedal-steel guitarist Rick Schmidt's jazz playing style with orchestra, and they are shining reasons of how pleasing to the ear new and different instrument combinations can be. Jazz pedal-steel guitar and string orchestra make for a truly Amazing sound!

The "music with melody" theme carries through-out this album... every song on it has a verse or refrain that will stay with you long after the CD stops spinning. It’s what music is supposed to do: keep giving you enjoyment every time it pops into your head! You'll find more than one or two songs on "So Right...by The James Kōb Experience", that will do exactly that for you... over and over again... So Enjoy!!

Acclaimed Jazz Drummer Bob Holz Releases A Vision Forward featuring jazz icons Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker and others

Bob Holz, popular drummer and band leader has formed A Vision Forward an exciting new group that includes contributions from music legend Larry Coryell on guitar Randy Brecker, and Ralphe Armstrong (ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra) on bass. A touring group has been formed after the recording of Holz's forthcoming CD, also entitled A Vision Forward containing Randy Brecker, Mike Stern and Steve Weingart. The album arrives in June 2016, via the international MVD Records label.

"To learn from the past, embrace the present and chart new musical exploration: This is the essence of my quest as a musician," says Holz, who began his career in Boston attending Berklee. He went on to study with Billy Cobham in New York, and would go on to share the stage with Robben Ford, David Fat Head Newman, Cornell Dupree, Dr. John and George Clinton/ Parliament Funk. Bob's musical approach to drumming, along with his compositions provide a perfect foundation for the musical explorations of fellow musicians Coryell and Armstrong.

Holz's A Vision Forward band comes with some hefty credentials: As one of the pioneers of jazz-rock, Coryell deserves a special place in the history books. Throughout his career he released albums that feature the very best jazz had to offer, including: John McLaughlin, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Al Di Meola, Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Ron Carter, and Chic Corea.

"Bob's album has a wonderful energy about it. His playing and tunes are a natural fit for what I do," says Coryell. Adds Ralphe Armstrong: "Bob makes my job easy. He lays down a great groove and has a unique ability to make good things happen in the studio and on stage."

A passionate blend of fusion and contemporary jazz, A Vision Forward is a record that music enthusiasts won't soon forget. From the Salsa flavored title track, through the reflective pieces such as "Shared Sunsets" and the up-tempo funk of "Mighty Mojo," A Vision Forward is just what its title suggest. By blending the extraordinary musicianship of his band and special guests with infectious melodies and grooves, A Vision Forward brings the creative energy of Bob Holz, front and center. Both Bob Holz and this album are sure to make a lasting mark in the world of popular contemporary Jazz.

NEW MUSIC: ANDRE WILLIAMS – I WANNA GO BACK TO DETROIT CITY; MICHAEL DEASE – FATHER FIGURE; WILLIAM BELL – THIS IS WHERE I LIVE

ANDRE WILLIAMS – I WANNA GO BACK TO DETROIT CITY

Andre returns to his adopted hometown of Detroit, where his career began in the 1950’s with labels like Motown and Fortune working alongside the certified legends of soul and R&B. Here, he’s backed by a modern Motor City who’s-who of players for a set of slow-burining psychedelic soul-reflections on a city that, like Andre, has seen its peaks and valleys. Includes: I Wanna Go Back To Detroit City; Times; What Now?; Meet Me At The Graveyard; Detroit (I’m So Glad I Stayed); Hall Of Fame; I Don’t Like You No More; and Morning After Blues.

MICHAEL DEASE – FATHER FIGURE

Maybe the best album so far from trombonist Michael Dease – and that's saying a lot, because we've really loved a lot of his other records! The set's got a punch and a crackle that really lives up to Dease's brilliant phrasing on the trombone – a sound so tight, it almost matches at trumpet at points – and clearly marks Michael as one of the most deft (or mos def, if you prefer!) players on his instrument in the current scene. The lineup is great, too – and makes wonderful use of the vibes of Behn Gillece, whose tones have really, made some other recent gems from the Posi-Tone label shine, and which sound tremendous alongside the ringing piano lines of Glenn Zaleski. Some tracks feature a bit of guest alto from Markus Howell and Immanuel Wilkins – who shade in the tunes beautifully, and give them even deeper currents of soul – and the group also features Endea Owens on bass and Luther Allison on drums. Dease wrote some great tunes for the date – "Brooklyn", "Father Figure", "Cry Of The Wolf", and "Church Of The Good Hustler" – and the set also features versions of Mulgrew Miller's "Wingspan" and Grachan Moncur's "Riff Raff".  ~ Dusty Groove

WILLIAM BELL – THIS IS WHERE I LIVE

The man who co-wrote one of the most covered songs in blues/rock music history is also an original “soul man,” and he’s back. William Bell, who wrote “Born Under A Bad Sign” with Booker T. Jones, a tune first recorded by Albert King and made legend by Eric Clapton and Cream, has returned to Stax Records and is ready to retake the limelight. Fresh off of his featured role in the Memphis music documentary Take Me To The River, where William and Snoop Dogg performed another of his compositions, Bell teamed up with Grammy-winning producer John Leventhal to record his first major label album in over 30 years.