A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul featuring Damien Sneed, Valerie Simpson, Karen Clark Sheard

Damien Sneed, the multi-talented bandleader, composer, musician, and vocalist, finishes the final week of his 25-city sold-out North American tour, A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. Presented by IMG Artists, this dynamic presentation celebrates the amazing musical legacy of the late Ms. Franklin, arranged and musically directed by Sneed, and features an accomplished cast of jazz, gospel, and soul musicians and vocalists. The tour kicked off Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and concludes on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College in Flushing, NY, where both Karen Clark Sheard and Valerie Simpson will be featured as special guests.   

With a career spanning several generations and a multitude of genres, Aretha Franklin earned her title, “The Queen of Soul.” Beloved by musicians and listeners alike, Aretha is recognized as one the most successful female recording artists in history. Aretha Franklin continued to perform well into the later years of her illustrious life. During this time, musician, vocalist, and composer Damien Sneed toured with Ms. Franklin, developing a strong mentee relationship with the soul legend. In Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul, Sneed pays homage to the monarch herself with fresh renditions of her most cherished hits, including “How I Got Over,” “Respect,” “Say A Little Prayer,” and others.

Also joining Sneed on tour are featured vocalists Chenee Campbell, Markita Knight, Anitra Raquel McKinney, and Alicia Peters-Jordan, all of whom have performed with Sneed on numerous concert events, tours, and recordings. The band features Alfred Rutherford on Hammond B3 organ and keys, Ronald “CJay” Alexander on bass guitar, Nathaniel “Nat” Townsley on drums, and Gabriel Michael Carter on aux keys.

In February, Valerie Simpson, a recipient of the Grammy Trustee Award, and Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree kicked off the tour with Sneed as a special guest at The Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (February 3); and continued to South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay, FL (February 5); the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts in Opelika, AL (February 7); and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota, FL (February 9); Gettysburg College, Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA (February 16); followed by James Madison University, The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg, VA (February 17); Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts in Storrs, CT (February 19); Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY (February 20); St. Johnsburg Academy, Fuller Hall in St. Johnsbury, VT (February 21); Berklee Performance Center in Boston, MA (February 25); TELUS Centre, Koerner Hall in Toronto, ON Canada (February 26); Christopher Cohan Center in San Luis Obispo, CA (March 2); Poway Center for the Performing Arts in Poway, CA (March 4); and the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, CA (March 6).

On February 12, Karen Clark Sheard, a four-time Grammy and multiple Stellar and Dove Award-winning gospel legend joined Sneed at Florida State University, Ruby Diamond Concert Hall in Tallahassee, FL. She later continued to Eppley Auditorium in Culver, IN, (March 8); Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA (March 10); Pablo Center at the Confluence in Eau Claire, WI (March 11); Marcus Performing Arts Center, Uihlein Hall in Milwaukee, WI (March 12); and Governors State University, Center for Performing Arts in University Park, IL (March 13).

During the final week of the tour, Clark Sheard will continue onto the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC (Tuesday, March 15); Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morriston, NJ (Thursday, March 17); Kimmel Cultural Campus, Merriam Theater in Philadelphia, PA (Friday, March 18); McCarter Theatre at Princeton University in Princeton, NJ (Saturday, March 19) and the tour concludes at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College in Flushing, NY (Sunday, March 20).

Aretha Franklin was a giant of popular music and a global cultural icon. One of the best-selling musical artists of all time, with more than 100 million records sold worldwide, the undisputed “Queen of Soul” created an amazing legacy of more than six decades. She had sung before heads of state and foreign royals and gained admiration from fans, colleagues, and fellow artists across all genres. She is known all over the world simply by her first name: Aretha.

Her vocal mastery and artistic excellence have been recognized numerous times throughout her distinguished career. Twice voted as the number one Greatest Singer of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, and her signature hit “Respect” was also named by Rolling Stone as the number one Song of All Time. Franklin is the recipient of the U.S.A.’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom; she is also an 18-time Grammy Award winner and a recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement and a Grammy Living Legend honor. Aretha was the youngest individual ever to receive the coveted Kennedy Center Honor; the first female inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; the second female inductee into the US Music Hall of Fame; and an inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 2019, Franklin was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation Prize for her contribution to American music and culture. That same year, Franklin’s family was posthumously presented with The Aretha Franklin ICON Award by the Stellar Gospel Music Award, which is now awarded annually to a Gospel music legend.

Aretha has been proclaimed internationally as “the voice of the civil rights movement, the voice of Black America,” and a “symbol of Black equality.” In 1968, her spiritually uplifting voice was heard around the world singing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in 1972 at the funeral of the Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson. Aretha’s acclaimed voice was declared a “natural resource of the state” in 1985 by the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Michigan. Aretha would later reach a milestone in her historic career by singing at the first inauguration of President Barack Obama.

As a multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator whose work spans multiple genres. He has worked with opera, classical, jazz, pop, R&B, and gospel legends, including the late Aretha Franklin and Jessye Norman, which he is featured on Norman’s final recording, Bound For The Promised Land on Albany Records. He also worked with Wynton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ashford & Simpson, Brandie Inez Sutton, Raehann Bryce-Davis, J’Nai Bridges, Lawrence Brownlee, and many others. Sneed has served as music director for Grammy Award-winning gospel artists The Clark Sisters, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Kim Burrell, among others. 

Sneed’s current studio recording is Damien Sneed: Unplugged, an all-gospel collection of soulful and inspirational songs, recorded in a spare studio setting with Sneed on piano and vocals alongside several noted vocalists, including Chenee Campbell, Linny Smith, Tiffany Stevenson, and Matia Washington. In January 2020, Sneed released his debut classical album, Classically Harlem and We Shall Overcome Deluxe on his boutique label, LeChateau Earl Records, which was established in 2009 to reflect his varied musical interests. Previous recordings also include Jazz In Manhattan (September 2019); The Three Sides of Damien Sneed: Classical, Jazz and Sanctified Soul (July 2018); Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition (March 2015); Spiritual Sketches (June 2013); and Introspections LIVE (January 2010). Sneed is a 2020 Dove Award winner for his work as a featured producer and writer on The Clark Sisters’ project, The Return, released on March 13, 2020. 

Valerie Simpson is half of the songwriting-performing-producing entity known as Ashford & Simpson, an award-winning collaboration with her late husband Nick Ashford that began in the 1960s. Together they have penned such classic hits as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” “Solid,” “Your Precious Love,” “The Boss, “It’s My House,” “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” and many others.

Simpson serves on the board of the ASCAP Foundation where a monetary award, the REACH OUT AND TOUCH Award honoring Nick Ashford, has been established to aid struggling songwriters. In recent years, Valerie has toured with Dave Koz as a special guest and with Paul Shaffer & The World’s Most Dangerous Band. Four Ashford & Simpson songs were featured in the Broadway hit Motown: The Musical, which has toured the country. “I’m Every Woman” was featured in The Bodyguard: The Musical. In 2018, Simpson was featured in a limited engagement in Broadway’s CHICAGO, The Musical, in the role of Mama Morton. The songs of Ashford & Simpson are in constant play through commercials and documentaries (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston), feature films, and television shows. Ashford & Simpson have rightfully earned their place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, where the duo was inducted in 2002. In 2019, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented the Trustees Award to Ashford & Simpson in a televised program adding yet another exciting new dimension to a diversified career. Valerie Simpson owns and runs the popular New York City’s Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar, a restaurant and music club, where young writers-singers-musicians have a platform to perform.

Gospel music legend, Karen Clark Sheard is a four-time Grammy Award-winner with multiple Stellar and Dove Award wins. She is a part of a musical dynasty and is renowned throughout the music industry for her one-of-a-kind multi-octave vocal range and ability. Her musical style, both with the legendary Clark Sisters and as a solo artist, has inspired a host of today’s brightest pop divas, including Queen Latifah, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Faith Evans, among countless others.

Through the years, The Clark Sisters have recorded twenty albums, including the GMA Dove Award-winner and Grammy Award-nominated Heart and Soul (1987) and Grammy Award-nominated Conqueror (1988) and Sincerely (1983), while crafting enduring gospel anthems such as “Endow Me,” “Pray for the USA,” “Name It Claim It” and “Is My Living in Vain?”

In 1997, Clark Sheard launched a solo career with Finally Karen on Island Black Music. An instant hit, it sold nearly half a million copies, garnered four Stellar Awards (Female Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Best Children’s Performance for “Will of God,” featuring daughter Kierra Sheard) and a Grammy nomination. Clark Sheard continued her solo career with other hit CDs, including 2nd Chance (Elektra, 2002), The Heavens Are Telling (Elektra, 2003) and the GMA Dove Award winner, It’s Not Over (Word Records, 2006).

In 2007, she reunited with her sisters, The Clark Sisters, for their No. 1 comeback album, Live…One Last Time (EMI Gospel), for which The Clark Sisters won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. They won a second Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for “Blessed and Highly Favored,” the lead single from that album. Clark Sheard, who wrote and led the song, won the third Grammy that year for Best Gospel Song (a Writer’s Award). The Clark Sisters were part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards that year, joining Aretha Franklin, BeBe Winans, and others as performers for the evening.

In 2010, Clark Sheard stepped away from her solo recording work to record “Wait On The Lord,” a duet with Donnie McClurkin from his album, We Are All One. The record won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance, raising Clark Sheard’s Grammy Award total to four.

Lifetime honored The Clark Sisters in a biopic titled The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, which details their humble beginnings, struggles to find their place, to later becoming the best-selling Gospel group in the music world. The movie first aired in April 2020 and featured re-recordings of some of The Clark Sisters’ biggest hits like “You Brought The Sunshine.” The biopic earned raves for its actors, including Clark Sheard’s daughter and fellow gospel songstress Kierra Sheard.

New Music: James Brown, Peter Brotzmann / Milford Graves / William Parker, Kat Fontaine & The Society Hill Orchestra, Gerald Clayton

James Brown - Black & Loud – James Brown Reimagined By Stro Elliot

The funky genius of James Brown, given a whole new spin for the 21st Century by Stro Elliot of The Roots! Stro clearly loves James' music, and never tries to dominate it too much – as his mixes here are mostly faithful to the funky structure of the originals, and almost work more in an "edit" mode to expand on some of the best elements at the core – while also then throwing in some additional rhythms and other elements. The record's a great antidote to some of the overly-done remixes of classic funk, soul, and jazz – as you'll hear on cuts that include "The Goodest Foot", "Dragon Pants", "Coal Sweat", "Get Up Off", "Sortabad", "Turn It Up Give It Shrooms", "Black & Loud", "Machine No Make Sex", and "She Made Me Popcorn". ~ Dusty Groove

Peter Brotzmann / Milford Graves / William Parker - Historic Music Past Tense Future

A fantastic live set that offers up the first-ever recorded meeting of these three giants of improvised music – a trio who return to each others' company after many years, and here for the first time with a recording device in action! Given the legacy here, there's almost as much of a loft jazz influence as there is one from the world of European free jazz – and at many points, the reeds of Peter Brotzmann seem to take a lot more directl from the drums and percussion of Milford Graves and bass of William Parker – especially at moments when both players seem tied to each other at both an emotional and performative level! Parker also plays a bit of doussn'gouni, and Graves vocalizes a bit – and the set features a searing live set recorded at the gallery space of CBGBs in 2002. ~ Dusty Groove

Kat Fontaine & The Society Hill Orchestra  - This Time

Hailing from the small city of Chester, PA on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Kathleen Fontaine- Prattis (affectionately dubbed "Kat" by family & friends) exhibited extraordinary talent as a singer at an early age. She would go on to major in Instrumental Music and Pre-Law at Delaware State University, one of America's leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Here is a wonderful album with some of Kat's hand-picked favorite Philly Soul treasures, delivered with a depth of soul & originality that makes these timeless tracks recorded with the legendary Society Hill Orchestra come alive with a fresh new perspective. Join us now in welcoming back the illustrious Kat Fontaine and this wonderful new album.

Gerald Clayton - Bells On Sand

Six-time GRAMMY nominated artist Gerald Clayton returns with Bells On Sand, his ravishing second album for Blue Note, which will be released April 1st on vinyl, CD, and digital formats. The album explores the impact and abstraction of time over eleven tracks of fresh orchestration and original music with contributions from mentor Charles Lloyd on saxophone, father John Clayton on bass, longtime friend and peer Justin Brown on drums, and new collaborator MARO on vocals. “Each musician on the record represents a different aspect of the axis of time and its shifting sands,” says the acclaimed pianist-composer. “My father and Charles Lloyd, who has been a mentor figure to me, reflect new permutations of my past, and the lineage of elders who have shaped my development; Justin Brown, being my contemporary and musical brother, represents my present; and MARO represents the future—she is part of the next generation, and points to a brand new collaboration.” Unadorned intimacy shapes the music. Clayton’s desire to share more of himself with listeners and fellow artists wields heady influence over his musical choices and his thoughtful curation of the entire album. But most striking is his ability to create quiet chambers for all four artists to be themselves. Bells On Sand opens in pensive resonance with “Water’s Edge.” The slow-peeling composition first spotlights Clayton’s relationship with John’s arco, tapered and doleful, before Brown transforms the duo into a trio. “By the water, I experienced subtle environmental shifts,” he says. “Songs I would sing, play or write were but an expression of a particular shape in the sand at that moment. Any meaning behind what I created came from viewing that creation over a temporal landscape. A song felt a certain way on a certain day, and the next day would feel and function completely differently.” “I hope these reflections encourage people to step back and recognize that our testaments—songs, stories, intentions—lay atop an ever-shifting landscape,” says Clayton. “To look at things from this zoomed-out perspective might allow for a union between past, present, and future. It might allow us to embrace the totality of our life experience. That we may consider the lessons from our past when living the present moment in a way that serves the future.”

Yuval Amihai | "My 90s Summer"

The music on guitarist/composer Yuval Amihai’s fourth album as a leader, My 90s Summer, tells the story of a journey through music over two decades and three continents; presenting music reflective of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, influence and inspiration from his native Israel, Paris, and the epicenter of music, art and culture, New York City. My 90s Summer is the latest and greatest from Yuval Amihai, following up three critically-acclaimed albums, Yuval Amihai Ensemble (2012), Longing (2015) and I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues (2018) 

Bringing the eight Amihai original compositions to life are some of the most in-demand and legendary musicians on the NYC scene, David Kikoski (piano), Eric Wheeler (bass) and Jeremy Dutton (drums). The quartet is augmented and enhanced by a guest wind section on three selections, featuring Itai Kriss (flute), Julieta Eugenio (tenor sax) and Wayne Tucker (trumpet). My 90s Summer was recorded in Brooklyn at Big Orange Sheep Studio by Chris Benham.  

The music on this album reflects the diversity of cultures, places, sounds, and people that Yuval Amihai has encountered along the way on his fascinating musical journey. A journey that began for him in a small town by the name of Beer Sheva located in southern Israel's Negev Desert, during an idyllic 90s summer, when his dreams first took shape in his heart and mind. 

Beginning with piano studies at the age of 8, Amihai switched to the electric guitar at 13, and by the time he was 16 he was leading his own bands and performing regularly around the country. During his mandatory military service, Amihai found great inspiration in classical guitar music and composed a chamber music piece for guitar, piano and a string quartet. His music was selected to be featured in a series of concerts by the city of Beer Shava’s Municipal Symphonic Orchestra. Amihai was then commissioned to compose an original work for the city’s string quartet, featuring renowned oud and violin player Yair Dalal. Seeking to go further in this direction and broaden his education, Amihai spent the following years focusing mainly on classical music, while maintaining an active performing schedule as a jazz guitarist. He attended the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Rimon School of Music, where he was also a finalist in the school’s jazz competition, and studied composition, piano, and classical guitar with some of the country's top teachers.

In 2006, Amihai moved to the city of lights, and quickly became a leading figure on the Parisian jazz scene. He formed his quintet, the Yuval Amihai Ensemble, and won two of the most prestigious jazz competitions in France: The Jazz at Saint-Germain-des-Pres Competition, where he won the First Prize (Best Ensemble), and the National Jazz Competition of La Defense, where he won the Grand Prize (Best Ensemble), and Best Composer Prize. The band also won the third prize at the Hoeilaart International Jazz Competition in Belgium. In the following years, they performed regularly in various clubs, venues, and festivals throughout Paris and the rest of France and Europe. 

2012 saw the release of Amihai’s debut album, Yuval Amihai Ensemble, which strongly echoed the sounds and culture he absorbed growing up in Israel. Following the release, the guitarist won a grant from the French Copyright Organization, Sacem. The album received positive reviews in French media and was featured on many national and international playlists and radio broadcasts. In 2014, he started traveling regularly to New York City and found a new source of great inspiration in its culture and its vibrant scene. In the ensuing years, Amihai recorded albums two and three in his oeuvre, Longing (released in 2015 on the French label L'Autre Distribution), and I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues (2018. Fresh Sound New Talent). Both albums were critically acclaimed and received heavy airplay.

In 2018, Amihai made the pilgrimage to New York City, and soon after his arrival became actively involved, and in demand, performing regularly in some of the City’s most revered jazz venues, and sharing the stage with many of the top musicians active today. With the release of My 90s Summer, Amihai presents his US-based debut (and second album for Fresh Sound), and firmly stakes his claim as one of the rising stars on the NYC and international jazz scenes. 

Joey Alexander Signs to Mack Avenue Records

Mack Avenue Music Group has announced the signing of Joey Alexander, whose label debut Origin—his first album of all originals—is slated for a late spring release with vinyl coming early summer. 

"I’m honored to be a part of the Mack Avenue family of amazing artists, and grateful to be able to work and collaborate with a team that I know shares my vision and musical spirit,” enthused Alexander. “These past years have been especially trying for everyone, including those of us who didn’t know when we would ever perform for live audiences again." 

The pianist, composer and bandleader is one of the most emotive and compelling pianist-composers active on the scene today, and while his accomplishments to this point are significant—including being the youngest artist ever nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in a jazz category and receiving two additional nominations shortly thereafter, earning profiles in The New York Times and 60 Minutes, and receiving much more critical acclaim—this is truly the epitome of watching an artist come into his own. Alexander, who composed the album’s ten compositions during the pandemic, states: "Origin represents a turning point for me – the time when I decided to turn frustration into an opportunity to truly express myself and to rise above the circumstances.” 

Mack Avenue Label Group President Denny Stilwell states: "It’s a good day when an expressive, thoughtful and elegant artist the likes of Joey Alexander joins your roster. He has so much to say – we are looking forward to watching his artistry continue to unfold.” 

The effusive pianist is joined on his new release by a stellar coterie of players including Chris Potter (sax), Larry Grenadier (bass), Kendrick Scott (drums) and Gilad Hekselman (guitar), all of whom have joined Alexander on previous records and performances with the exception of Hekselman, joining him here for the first time on three tracks. The album was recorded at Sear Sound, June 23-24, 2021 and mixed at The Mud Room. 

Mack Avenue Music Group is excited to embrace and support the unstoppable evolution and creativity from the brilliant mind of Joey Alexander. Over nearly half a dozen releases he has proven to the world that his technique and mastery of the piano is incontrovertible, but now is the time to present his instinctual talent as a composer and leader in the modern sound of jazz.

Dan Schnelle | "Shine Thru"

Much in-demand, Los Angeles-based drummer Dan Schnelle promised himself that he wouldn’t record his first full-length album until he felt sure that he had a musical vision unique to him – one that was reflective of his musical instincts, his design, and his concept. The results go beyond any reckoning one may have previously had about this artist. Shine Thru is nothing short of captivating and thrilling, and most importantly, Schnelle has achieved his goal of creating a musical world all his own.  

On Shine Thru, Schnelle invites the listener into his sonic globe with the hopes that you’ll be spellbound. Schnelle explains, “My main goal, within the compositional process, was to create and deliver music that transports listeners to a new mental space – to invite them into my world, and make music that feels engrossing, so the listener loses their sense of time and space. If my music can be a portal for even a few people, it has done its job.” A lofty goal? Perhaps, but give-in to the celestial music that Schnelle has created with his amazing team of fellow artists, and
longtime collaborators and friends, Josh Nelson (piano), Jeff Babko (piano, keyboards), Anthony Wilson (guitar), David Binney (alto saxophone) and Alex Boneham (bass), and who knows what may happen when you experience Schnelle’s true creative soul which permeates every ounce of this music. 

Dan Schnelle’s career, up until now, has been in a support role, something he’s quite adept at: whether that's playing drums as a sideman for the likes of Billy Childs, Larry Goldings, Alan Ferber, Sara Gazarek, Laurence Hobgood, Walter Smith III, Joshua White, John Daversa, Dayna Stephens, Phillip Dizack, Nick Finzer, Larry Koonse, David Benoit, Karrin Allyson and many others. Collaborating with these incredible bandleaders and playing their compositions has taught him a lot about musical landscapes and textures.   

Being a much sought after sideman often means repressing some of your own musical impulses, ideas and instincts. For a highly creative person, it is imperative to have a balance, and to create and walk your own path as well! Through that desire to step-out and put himself in a place where the decision-making brought his focus towards what is aesthetically in-line with his creative vision, we have this wonderful debut from Schnelle, which is sure to be the first in a series of engaging recordings to come. “This album is my first real step into owning everything I'm doing. I never wanted my first record to be standards, covers or expected material from a ‘jazz drummer’; I was committed to it representing me musically, and not at all based on what I, or someone else, think the audience wants to hear, or in some way is just ‘checking boxes.’ Hopefully, this record stands as a piece of art, not as a business card to show what I'm capable of,” says Schnelle. 

A guiding quote for Schnelle throughout the process comes from author Anne Morris, “The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating – in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life”. You can hear, "the irony of commitment," translated into Morse Code, layered throughout the track, "New Changes," on Shine Thru.  

Shine Thru, is an affirmation. A message that it's okay to commit to what you see, hear and feel, and to step into the light and be YOU, come hell or high-water. “I can't know that I'll always be shining, but if I'm holding back, I definitely won't be shining thru...,” says Schnelle.

New Music: Norah Jones, TriTone Asylum, Janko Nilovic, Harold Matthews Jr

Norah Jones - Come Away With Me (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)

20 years ago, Blue Note released a hard-to-categorize album by an unknown 22-year-old singer, songwriter, and pianist. Come Away With Me, the debut album by Norah Jones, would go on to charm the world and introduce one of the greatest voices of our time. The album steadily grew into a global phenomenon, reaching #1 in 20 countries, selling nearly 30 million copies, and sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards with eight wins including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. On April 29, Blue Note will release Come Away With Me: 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition, a remarkable 44-track collection that reveals for the first time the full story of the making of this now-classic album. In addition to a remaster of the original album, which was produced by Arif Mardin, the Super Deluxe Edition also includes 22 previously unreleased tracks including the original demos that Norah submitted to Blue Note, the complete First Session demos she made after being signed, and the first version of the album that Norah made at Allaire Studios with producer Craig Street, most of which has never been heard before and offers a fascinating look at the album that might have been.

TriTone Asylum - The Hideaway Sessions

TriTone Asylum is based in Southern California. Spear-headed by Peter Sepsis (bass) and Philip Topping. Through their unique instrumentation, they have masterfully developed an electro acoustic sound that melds Jazz, funk, and music from around the world. TriTone Asylum brings together some of the most experienced and collaborative musicians in Los Angeles. Philip Topping (electronic valve instrument, Ian Vo (saxophone) Andy Waddell (guitar), Mitch Forman (keyboards), Peter Sepsis (bass) and Dave Johnstone (drums) form the foundation of this accomplished ensemble. Through their unique instrumentation, they have masterfully developed an electro acoustic sound that melds Jazz, funk, and music from around the world. TriTone Asylum’s music reflects the varied musical landscape of the sounds and street rhythms of Los Angeles. Their original songs are influenced by a variety of artists including Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Pat Metheny, as well as artists from the ECM Label. TriTone Asylum is frequently featured at Baked Potato and other noted jazz venues of LA.

Janko Nilovic - Soul Impressions 

Following the recent reissues of Pop Impressions (UR000651) and Super America (UR000651), Underdog Records label follows-up to the series with another brilliant album by French underrated composer and producer, Janko Nilovic. Janko Nilovic certainly was one of the greatest studio talents of Europe in the 70s! He is a musician who devotes himself to music, which resulted in a great number of published works, but most of them made for library music labels and also not available for sale. His oeuvre stretches from classical, jazz and funk to pop, psyche and easy listening. And has been sampled many times by hip-hop artists such as JAY-Z, DAFUNIKS or GUTS...

Harold Matthews Jr - Peripheral Vision 

Good Vibrations Music dives straight into 2022 with a bang courtesy of ‘Harold Matthew Jr’ (aka Big Ed) with his long player project; "Peripheral Vision". Chicago-based Harold wrote his first releases in the early 90’s with artists like Ron Trent, Terry Hunter, Maurice Joshua and Ron Carroll with songs such as "Ritual Of Love" and Barbara Tucker’s "I Get Lifted". Throughout the late 90’s he was well known for his songs under his ‘Blak Beat Niks’ alias with production partner K. Fingers on PAN Records, Large Music and his own label Melodious Fonk with "The Sun Will Shine". The 2000’s saw him move on to further projects with the likes of Slip N Slide, Mark Knight, Peppermint Jam, Glenn Underground, Makin’ Moves and Sean McCabe. Moving into the next chapter, "Peripheral Vision" is a genre-spanning journey, drawing influences from a multitude of angles and providing a true reflection of Harold’s passion for song writing and spoken word, with a host of guest producers and vocalists. "Deep Into My Sleep" opens the release and brings Cardiff’s ‘Black Sonix’ to the party and Harold’s sublime vocals provide the narrative to the afro tinged beats. It’s got soulful undertones a plenty with warm rushes of BVs and percussive rhythms to keep feet dancing way into the late night hour. "Put Your Hands Together" gets serious on the dancefloor with driving beats and an explosion of synth flicks, hits and stabs. It’s Sean’s subtle nod to the Trax era, suggested by Harold, and set to become a firm fave with those that like their groove a little more analogue. Effortlessly moving through the soulful gears, Harold and Sean McCabe’s "Into You" brings guest vocalist Dawn Williams onboard for a lazy, hypnotic and sumptuous slice of house. Set amongst an uplifting backdrop of smooth chords and lushed out riffs, the vocalists playfully bounce off each other asking questions and telling answers whilst keeping all elements sat firmly in the sweet spot. Another Cardiff-based producer ‘DJ Fill’ shifts up the groove with "Pause". Still oozing the soul but with a more Hip Hop-meet-Broken Beat vibe and peppered with smooth Rhodes, niggly electronic arps and a bassline that ain’t letting you go. Harold and Syl Messi go head to head with the lyrics, bringing together a smooth and edgy vocal balance for something truly special and unique. Proving that all good things must come to an end, the title track "Peripheral Vision" closes things out featuring guest raps and production from Chicago’s own ‘Nickel Slick’ on their mission to rebuild and re-educate through the power of lyrics. It’s a heartfelt track with a strong and relevant message for today’s testing times.

Reissue of Bobby Cole 1967 classic album; was music arranger for Judy Garland

Well, Frank called it a “bistro,” and Jilly’s on 52nd Street even had matchbooks that when opened read, “My favorite bistro — Frank Sinatra.” Jilly’s also featured Frank’s “favorite saloon singer,” Bobby Cole, who held court there for many years. His other gigs around New York landed him a recording contract with Columbia, but the 1960 release from the Bobby Cole Trio, while well reviewed, failed to gain traction. It featured no original material from Cole, and was essentially a recorded version of his Jilly’s act — one hard to capture on LP. 

Judy Garland walks into a bar . . . 

In 1964, and after hearing Cole’s performance of one of her favorites, Cy Coleman’s “You Fascinate Me So,” Garland invited the New York jazz singer to become the new musical arranger for CBS’s The Judy Garland Show in Los Angeles. When that show ended, Cole returned to New York and Jilly’s. 

Jack Lonshein, whose day job was creating album covers for artists including Sarah Vaughan, Maynard Ferguson, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young (and eventually Big Brother & the Holding Company and The Amboy Dukes!), was a friend of Cole’s. He knew Bobby’s magic, and original songs, were what the jazz world needed. Taking things into his own hands, A Point of View was released on Lonshein’s own Concentric Records, and as can happen, no matter how well received and reviewed a record is, finding a copy was half the battle for fans. A Point of View made waves in the boroughs, was raved about in Billboard and Cash Box, and then disappeared — but became a coveted prize by those who experienced it. Artists including Freddy Cole (Nat’s brother) and Tom Jones all covered material from it. 

A Point of View now returns 55 years later, fully authorized by the Estate of Bobby Cole. Produced for release by Grammy®-winner Cheryl Pawelski and lovingly remastered by Grammy®-winner Michael Graves, this new version presents the original release, plus 13 previously unissued bonus tracks drawn from sessions likely intended for a follow-up release that didn’t happen. A fascinating and thorough essay from Grammy®-nominated writer Randy Poe tells the story of Cole, the scene, and the music. 

CD and Digital release are set for April 15, 2022 from Omnivore Recordings, with a double-LP version slated for Fall of 2022. A Point of View will be finally seen and heard, appreciated, and revered, as originally intended.

New Music: Fillies Finazz, David Lahm, Jazz All-Stars, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Featuring Sharon Paige

Fillies Finazz - Singing For Tomorrow

A quartet of supremely talented vocalists: Lorna Young, sisters Alicia and Denise Amaro, and Sandra Gail Brown all come from musical families and grew up singing in church from an early age. This new group call themselves Fillies Finazz, and they truly are Philly's finest. The group met with the famed Philly Soul producer Butch Ingram from Society Hill Records to discuss a new recording project and work began in earnest, with three subsequent advance singles garnered great reviews from DJs and music professionals from around the world. Hot on the heels of their first success comes the long awaited full-length “Singing For Tomorrow,” which offers more proof of greatness from this supremely talented vocal quartet.

David Lahm -  More Jazz Takes On Joni Mitchell

Jazz pianist/composer David Lahm continues to demonstrate that Joni Mitchell‘s songs fit perfectly into the world of Jazz while maintaining their own distinctive flair with his Arkadia Records album, “David Lahm: More Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell”, a follow-up to the critically acclaimed “Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell”. David Lahm’s first album of Mitchell compositions featured a revolving cast of players and was praised in Jazz Times as being both “reverent and adventurous”. This time around, Lahm has assembled a core rhythm section of bassist Ratso Harris and drummer Ron Vincent (who appeared on the first volume) to propel front line saxophonists Vincent Herring and Roger Rosenberg and all-star trumpeter Randy Brecker. Although the instrumentation is more consistent than on volume one, the album is no less diverse in its approaches to Mitchell’s evocative Folk-Rock songs, as well as several Lahm original compositions which shine through in this vibrant and striking session.David Lahm’s rich harmonic imagination and rhythmic incisiveness, along with his genre-crossing insights into Mitchell’s music yield this rich and varied album, “More Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell”. Lahm’s own compositions represent mainstream Jazz at its best, with strong melodies and chord changes, and inventive arrangements that provide creative challenges for the soloists, but with this 2nd volume, and taking inspiration from Mitchell’s musical prowess, he displays his own ability to renew and reinterpret the conventions of mainstream Jazz.

Arkadia Jazz All-Stars - It’s About Love

Starting off with Benny Golson’s sublime reading of Duke Ellington’s Mood Indigo, the stage is set for romance. The nylon strings of Nigel Clark are featured next in the breezy A Summer Affair, capturing the smoldering flame of passion. Joanne Brackeen performs Stevie Wonder’s pop standard My Cherie Amour in her own dynamic and totally individual way, and Randy Brecker’s Grammy Nominated performance on My Funny Valentine is a moment of real beauty. Both artists bring new depth to several of the all time great love songs. Paul Tobey’s sensitive and insightful rendition of Monk’s Round Midnight is rhapsodic, using subtle dissonances to create tension, released by his flowing lines. T.K. Blue’s original composition, It’s Really All About Love features the flute, an instrument often tied with romanticism. The More I See You  by Mary Pearson expresses the sentiment of undying love that we all long to have, as does the masterful ballad Interlude by the Billy Taylor Trio. Passionata was an unfinished composition by Kenny Drew Sr. that was completed and recorded by his son, Kenny Drew Jr., and is a testament to familial love. Eric Reed’s rendition of Monk’s Ask Me Now is a sparse, yet tender and eloquent doctrine on the state of love. David Liebman and Vic Juris show their gentle sides on the sparkling I Want To Talk About You, while pianist Uli Lenz’s mesmerizing A Perfect Couple brings this recording to a romantic close and is the perfect denouement for this CD, “It’s About Love.” What happens to us when we fall in love, and when we hear or see something that kindles our passions? Our outlook on life becomes filled with possibilities. Jazz mirrors our life experiences, and we should try to remember that in our collective consciousness. As in our personal relationships, jazz is about the joy and creation of beauty and human emotion in real time.  Share this music with someone; it has something to do with discovery and hope. It has something to do with love.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Featuring Sharon Paige - Blue Album

Surprisingly great post-Philly International work from Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes – recorded at a time when the group had actually let a female singer into their ranks! Sharon Paige is the lady here – and she creates a nice sense of interplay with the male singers in the group – that sort of back and forth that you might find in some of Al Hudson's work with One Way, or in a variety of other funky club acts who were rising in the mainstream at the time. Harold Melvin produced, and there's some definite late Philly moments in the tracks "Prayin" and "Baby I'm Back" – but the greatest charm of the album possibly comes from tracks that change things up a bit, including "I Should Be Your Lover", "Tonight's The Night", and "Your Love Is Taking Me On A Journey". ~ Dusty Groove

Funky Grooves, Rockin' Blues & R&B - Sugaray Rayford's 'In Too Deep'

Sugaray Rayford has released In Too Deep out via Forty Below Records. This new release finds Rayford teaming up again for a second outing with songwriter / producer Eric Corne.  

Rayford is a dynamic performer known to put his band through its paces with abrupt feel and style changes. He thrives on funky up-tempo grooves, as evident in another standout song, "Miss Information" which has already received airplay on BBC6 from the The Blues Show with Cerys Matthews and "Gonna Lift You Up" which has been embraced by The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show, also on BBC6. The record is off to a roaring start in the U.S. at AAA radio with a performance planned for the Non-Comm Convention at WXPN / Philadelphia in May. 

There has been no shortage of playlist love from a variety of Spotify playlists that include, 'All Funked Up', 'Feelin' Good', 'Retro Road Trip', 'Got Blues', and 'In The Name Of The Blues'. The album also captured the cover & top spot on the Spotify Nu Blue Playlist. The record is the featured album on Apple Music's Soul / Funk page as well as having three songs, two of which are in the top positions on Apple's 'Roadhouse' playlist. Lastly the album nabbed a spot on YouTube's 'Grown Folks Choice’. All this has translated to Sugaray's Spotfy receiving over 100,000  listeners per month. Apple is roadhouse. 

Soul Tracks hosted the world premiere and stated that “'Invisible Soldier' was a musical expression of the battles that our troops fight long after the guns fall silent." Premiered by Relix, "Please Take My Hand", raises the voices of generations who've struggled and persevered with love in the face of oppression. A World Premiere for "No Limit to My Love" was hosted by Americana network Ditty TV. Other premieres have included "Gonna Lift You Up", in  American Blues Scene and "Miss Information" in American Songwriter.

Spurring Positivity in Life through Blends of Neo-Soul, Pop, and Jazz: Wenso Ashby Returns with Bold New Album

Traversing through diverse musical genres, Wenso Ashby’s new album contains 9 magnetizing songs. Entitled “The Perfect Flow”, the newest release echoes a vibe reminiscent of the works of Quincy Jones, Robert Glasper and Brian Culbertson.

A fantastic production, the album melds together the best individual artists for each song while providing an overall continuity in the direction of the work itself. Through the lens of each characteristic and distinct style, “The Perfect Flow” traces the pathway toward self-reflection through a unique process.

Crafted as a beacon of positivity, the new album was mainly written and produced by seasoned songwriter, producer and pianist, Wenso Ashby. The album’s track ‘Fields of Wishes’ was co-written with the renowned guitarist Ken Navarro.

Recorded in Minneapolis at Tay Tay Tunes Studio and Logic Studio and engineered by maestro Brian Bart, “The Perfect Flow” encompasses a rich blend of Jazz, Pop, and R&B, with intricately woven rhythmic elements from the 70s.

Slated for release on March 27th , 2022, “The Perfect Flow” is set to precede Wenso Ashby’s 2022 promotional tour kicking off in Minneapolis in June. Imbued with a positive, feel-good vibe, the album is bound to touch the inner emotions of listeners. Shedding light upon the unparalleled talents of Ken Navarro, with 14 top up-and-coming artists including the likes of saxophonist Jason Peterson Delaire, bassist Yohannes Tona, saxophonist Antonio Jackson, vocalists Aimee K. Bryant and Thomasina Petrus, and several other exceptional artists.

“I believe in the moment rather than placing emphasis on what I have done in my past. Like so many artists I too have a history that reflects performing and sharing the stage with other national artists,” says Wenso regarding his musical inspiration.

New Releases: Hermeto Pascoal, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Blue Lab Beats, Daggerboard with Henry Franklin

Hermeto Pascoal - Hermeto

Far Out Recordings presents Hermeto Pascoal’s remarkable self-titled debut album. Recorded in 1970 at A&R studios in New York, the album features certified North American titans including Ron Carter, Hubert Laws, Joe Farrel and Googie Coppola, and Brazilian stars Airto Moreira and Flora Purim (who also produced the album). While it was Hermeto’s first album released under his own name, he had spent the decade or so prior making a name for himself in Brazil and internationally as a composer, arranger and instrumentalist with groups including Sambrassa Trio, Quarteto Novo and Brazilian Octopus, before going on to work with (amongst countless others) Edu Lobo, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Donald Byrd, Airto Moreira and Miles Davis, who allegedly called Hermeto “one of the most important musicians on the planet”. With Hermeto’s otherworldly orchestral arrangements, ghostly vocal performances from Flora Purim and Googie Coppola, and the inimitable drumming and percussion stylings of Airto Moreira, Hermeto easily rivals some of the oft-celebrated MPB albums of the early 1970s, sitting somewhere between the string-heavy magic of Arthur Verocai’s 1972 debut and the unplacable early experimentalism of Pedro Santos’ 1968 album Krishnanda. With his phenomenal natural musical genius and a ceaseless sense of creative freedom, Hermeto is widely known for using unconventional objects to make music. In the album’s sleeve notes, Airto highlights the track “Velório (Mourning)” explaining how Heremto filled 36 apple juice bottles with different amounts of water and tuned them to precise pitches in order to create the beguiling harmonies heard. The reissue of Hermeto Pascoal’s Hermeto, follow’s Far Out’s recent unveiling of a previously unheard Hermeto Pascoal live concert Planetario da Gavea from 1981, and 2017’s release of Hermeto Pascoal’s lost 1976 studio album: Viajando Com O Som.

Cecile McLorin Salvant - Ghost Song

A fantastic new chapter in music from Cecile McLorin Salvant – a singer who's only been with us for a little more than a decade, has already gotten a Grammy and a MacArthur Genius Grant – yet hasn't let that stop her from being even more creative than ever! Cecile's still very much a jazz singer at the core, but there's also an expressive range here that we might never have guessed on her earlier records – and that's saying a lot, as those albums really blew us away! The singer's really breaking out of just the world of jazz vocals here – rising with star power, ala Gregory Porter or Esperanza Spaulding – but also maybe going deeper at the same time too. Titles include a surprising remake of "Wuthering Heights", plus "Thunderclouds", "Unquiet Grae", "Moon Song", "Trail Mix", "The World Is Mean", "Obligation", "Optimistic Voices/No Love Dying", "I Lost My Mind", and "Dead Popular". ~ Dusty Groove

Blue Lab Beats - Motherland Journey

The first full length set from London duo Blue Lab Beats – a pair who are very well-placed on Blue Note Records, but more as ambassadors of some of the more soul-styled work the label has done in recent years! There's a very collaborative vibe going on here – as the core producers open the door to a range of guests, and change up the moods of the cuts from track to track – almost with the sort of energy of the initial Black Radio projects from Robert Glasper, but with more London elements in the mix – and an approach that moves far past jazz at many moments! The album features work from Killbeatz, Kiefer, Ghetto Boy, Emmavie, Poppy Daniels, Kofi Stone, Jerome Thomas, and others – including a from-the-grave appearance by Fela Kuti – and titles include "Motherland Journey", "A Vibe", "Gotta Go Fast", "Labels", "I'll Be Here For You", "Dat It", "Home", "Warp", "Sensual Loving", and "Blow You Away". ~ Dusty Groove

Daggerboard with Henry Franklin - Daggerboard & The Skipper

Daggerboard work here with the great west coast bassist Henry Franklin – aka Skipper, which you might know from his famous 70s albums for the Black Jazz label! Franklin's a talent who's been keeping the fires burning for decades on the west coast underground scene – and he's still a hell of a talent, and an equally great composer – as you'll hear here, when Daggerboard really lets him take the lead. If anything, Franklin's bass might be even more upfront in the mix than on some of his own recent albums – and the group's also joined here by the great Roger Glenn on vibes – another older west coast player who delivered a superb 70s album on Fantasy. The group's co-led by Erik Jekabson on trumpet and Gregory Howe on percussion – and some of the tracks also feature some great subtle use of a string quartet too. Titles include "Involuntary Separation", "Skipper's Garden", "Conception Point", "Video Culture", "Seven For Henry", and "Agapanthus". ~ Dusty Groove

Arnab Sengupta - Leap of Faith

Flashes of bold melody and timeless wisdom emanate from the multi-genre compositions of singer songwriter Arnab Sengupta on inspired new album "Leap of Faith", out now on streaming platforms. On his 3rd album "Leap of Faith", Arnab Sengupta incorporates a vast amount of fresh life experience, resulting in a revelatory, meditative signature sound appealing to a wide range of discerning listeners. With song titles like 'Impermanence" and "Alone but not Lonely", this new release finds Arnab leaning towards 'the ultimate truth' as he finds meaning in hypnotic, flowing and uplifting sonic fusions. 

"Leap of Faith" finds Arnab Sengupta showcasing his boundary-smashing songwriting approach, with jazz, blues, world, classical and experimental all playing important roles. To make the project come to life, Arnab has enlisted the support of a range of masterful guest musicians.

Those looking to explore the depths of their own consciousness should find much to enjoy here.

From the Artist:

"My songwriting journey started way back in 2006 after a good 15 odd years of having assimilated a plethora of musical styles and genre, by studying, performing and nurturing Contemporary music in various capacities. It was my last year in the frivolous 20s. I was soon entering the more mature 30s and various incidences and situations impelled me to look at life much more deeply from within.

Musically the harmonic sophistication of Jazz music left the most enduring impression in my artistic expression. I was not a great improviser, but I couldn't get enough of beautiful chord changes. But it wasn't until 2015 that I released my first record “Refrain” which I feel is a very bold album, very fresh, creative and is harmonically rich and lyrically deep and evocative. I recorded this album in an online mode with the help of musicians from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The lyrics largely focus on my inner journey of self-discovery and self-expansion.

My second album “Inadvertently” was recorded the following year in 2016. By that time, I had found a steady musical direction and style with my original music and was well established in my unique sound. This album too, was recorded with the help of the musicians in New York via online exchanges. The words and music have a slightly more straight ahead jazz feel to it than “Refrain”.

For “Leap of Faith” I wanted to try out some new styles and sounds. The creative ideas for the songs in this album have spanned over 5 years, which entailed my migration to Australia, my experiences of setting up life in a new environment, my learning and regular practice of Vipassana meditation and dedicating my musical direction to learning and practicing Jazz piano with my teacher from New York. So this album did mark a “Leap of Faith” in many ways. The songs in this album are more versatile and there is a certain stylistic variety which shines through, though the words are still about my pursuit of the final frontier – the ultimate truth and meaning of Life."

Arnab Sengupta is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for creating original music. Over a period of 30 odd years, Arnab has diligently pursued the study and performance of Contemporary music which has shaped up his own artistic expression. His musical style is fresh, innovative and harmonically sophisticated and his lyricism is deep and evocative.

An alumni of the revered Berklee College of Music, Boston, Arnab has developed a significant body of original work. He is also a seasoned vocal coach and a session artist on several online session marketplaces. He is currently based out of Sydney, where he continues to explore opportunities to present his music in a live setting as well as develop new material.

SWIZZ BEATZ TEAMS UP WITH 12ON12 FOR ‘LONG LIVE JAZZ’ ALBUM

Entrepreneur, legendary producer, and leading industry visionary Swizz Beatz teams up with premium vinyl brand 12on12 for the release of album ‘Long Live Jazz’. 

Following acclaimed collaborations with Travis Scott x Saint Laurent and RUN DMC, Swizz Beatz is not only the latest curator to work with 12on12 but he also comes on board as their new business partner. Acquiring a strategic stake in the high-end luxury vinyl brand, Swizz continues to build on 12on12’s reputation for unique ‘Vinylworks’ and bespoke limited collector’s editions by compiling his own exclusive 12” vinyl compilation featuring artwork from his own private collection (The Dean Collection) shot by revered photographer Kwame Brathwaite as the unique work of art for the record. 

Swizz Beatz’s 12on12 is a limited edition premium package that is hand-numbered to a run of 1000 copies featuring a meticulously selected track list which shares Swizz’s love and passion for jazz across it’s four sides. 

A modern day renaissance man, Swizz Beatz is keen to showcase Jazz to new generations and audiences while capturing the new vibrancy of the Jazz scene; demonstrated by his selection of a reworking of The Weeknd’s hit ‘Call Out My Name’ by today’s leading jazz musicians the New Masters and featuring one of the most vital voices in 21st century Jazz: Immanuel Wilkins. 

Swizz’s selections are all intentional taking the listener on a journey from iconic recordings of jazz standards including Miles Davies’ “Round Midnight” and Kenny Dorham’s “Alone Together” through to contemporary jazz from present day greats such as “Doubts” by Ibrahim Maalouf, where you can hear the unmistakable influence of Miles Davis alongside Maalouf’s Arabic sounds. 

The piece of art selected by Swizz Beatz for the cover image ‘Untitled (Grandassas in Car)’ was shot in 1968 during a Garvey Day Celebration in New York by Kwame Brathwaite. Brathwaite has a long history with jazz, having started his career as a co-founder of the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) before going on to photograph superstars like Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley, as well as jazz greats like Miles Davies and John Coltrane. 

Swizz Beatz says “Jazz has always been magic to our ears. I feel like it should definitely get more attention! This is the first step to pay homage to the great craft & art. Photography is also one of the best expressions of art and should be shown more often. Art & Music are brothers and sisters so I thought it was a great match. I’m a big fan of Kwame and I also love that I'm able to share pieces from my collection through music!” 

Founder & Chief Creative of 12on12 Claudia Moross adds; “Our goal is to create transcending experiences through music and art, the combination of playing the record while exploring the thoughtfully curated artwork commissioned for the sleeve allows for a precious moment of cultural enjoyment. 12on12’s are very much pieces of art that can be collected and treasured. With Swizz’s finger on the pulse and his well-documented history within music and art, the brand will be upping the ante as we look to work with the very best artists, both visual and musical, to curate future Vinylworks. I am really looking forward to the next chapter for 12on12 and with the expertise and passion Swizz Beatz brings to the table I’m really excited for what’s to come for the brand.” 

Living at the intersection of music, art and pop culture, 12on12 provides a unique canvas for cultural icons to curate the soundtracks to their lives. With global trends growing around nostalgia and legacy artists dominating consumption both within rising vinyl sales and across streaming platforms, 12on12 continue to prove themselves as an exciting creative brand capturing a powerful part of the zeitgeist. 

Sharing the same belief in the opportunity the vinyl medium presents, 12on12 have partnered with Vinyl Me, Please (VMP) for the release of ‘Long Live Jazz’. 

Claudia Moross explains; “12on12’s partnership with Vinyl Me, Please gives us the opportunity to reach a large, dedicated base of avid music and visual media fans who might enjoy our unique Vinylworks.” 

VMP are a leading creative powerhouse in the world of vinyl, curating exclusive vinyl packages across genres. They will ship over 800,000 vinyl records to fans across the world this year, and have also seen first-hand the power of physical media to create tangible, transcendent experiences with music. 

TRACKLISTING

 Side A

Until the Real Thing Comes Along by JD Allen

Doubts 2 by Ibrahim Maalouf

Osmosis Part III by Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano

 Side B

Call Out My Name by New Masters feat. Immanuel Williams

Never Let Me Go by Houston Person

I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face - Live by Wes Montgomery

 Side C

In A Sentimental Mood by Sonny Rollins feat. The Modern Jazz Quartet

Little Girl Blue by Jeremy Pelt

Doubts by Ibrahim Maalouf

 Side D

Alone Together – Rudy Van Gelder Remaster by Kenny Dorham

‘Round Midnight (Mono Version) by Miles Davis

In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning by Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan

 

 

U-Nam's California Funk Machine

California Funk Machine is not just another tribute band. California Funk Machine is not just a collection of music. California Funk Machine is a concept, a style, a coming together of like minded musical brethren to breath new life into some of the hottest Funk, Disco, Soul and Jazz Funk lassics of the 70’s and 80’s.

The driving force behind what is envisaged to be a series of volumes is none other than Billboard chart topping artist, platinum producer and multi instrumentalist Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul who, since moving to Los Angeles from his native Paris, France in 2008, his built a reputation for knowing Funk like no one else knows Funk.

His contribution to California Funk Machine reaches far and wide.  As well as arranging both horns and strings, U-Nam also produces and arranges the entire album.  In addition he provides his own virtuoso input with lead and rhythm guitars, talk box, vocoder, lead and background vocals, rap vocals, bass, moog bass, rhodes, clavinet, synth guitar, keyboards, drums, editing & mixing. It places him front back and center of the entire enterprise that includes a plethora of outstanding supporting artists, including some who, back in the 70’s and 80’s, were responsible for creating some of the music that California Funk Machine is now reigniting.

Take for example ex Stevie Wonder and Prince vocalist Marva King who takes the lead on the McFadden & Whitehead smash “Aint No Stopping Us Now” serves as the perfect curtain raiser to what is a very special collection.

Equally so “Ready” Freddie Washington who plays bass on the Maze classic “Back In Stride”. In his time he co-wrote, and was the bass player on, the original recording of Patrice Rushen’s seminal “Forget Me Nots”.

Here, for “Back In Stride”, Washington is teamed with Tony Tatum on vocals and former Maze & Frankie Beverley band members Wayne “Ziggy" Linsey (who plays on the original recording) on clavinet, organ,& rhodes plus Michael White (Maze drummer for 21years!) on drums.  Both of these fine players enjoyed time with the band, both in the studio and on the road, for decades.

Another bass player of note, Alex Al, who for over ten years played both bass and keyboards for Michael Jackson (and features on the MJ’s documentary “This Is It”), holds it down on the Brothers Johnson hit “Stomp!” for which U-Nam weighs in with a vibrant bass solo and vocals are in the capable hands of Frank Burke.  Closing the circle, Frank is a former member of Rod Temperton’s band Heatwave. Temperton co-wrote “Stomp!” (with George and Louis Johnson) as well as iconic anthems such as George Benson’s “Give Me the Night”, Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” & “Thriller”.

When vocal duties switch to regular U-Nam contributor Tim “TiO” Owens the outcome is Fat Larry’s Band 1982 signature “Act Like You Know” and George Benson’s “Give Me the Night”, which in its extended form includes a rap from Jeff Lacey.

Another Rod Temperton number, “Motor Mouth”, also makes the cut. This song, that was originally included on Herbie Hancock’s 1982 LP  “Lite Me Up” finds U-Nam, with vocals, guitar and on point production, at his scintillating Funk drenched best.

Other gems include the Earth Wind & Fire blockbuster from 1978, “September” (complete with U-Nam and Kim Chandler on backing vocals), Al Jarreau’s “Boogie Down” and a very different version of Atlantic Starr’s “Perfect Love” that U-Nam bestows with an irresistibly hard driving edge which makes it sound brand new.  

The CFM line-up is completed by percussionists Denis Benarrosh and Larry Salzmann, The California Funk Machine Orchestra (comprising Maria Grig on violin and viola plus Lyudmila Kadyrbaeva on cello) and finally the California Funk Machine Horns courtesy of Joabe Reis on trombone and Christian Martinez on trumpet and flugelhorn.

As U-Nam himself explains, “…the real purpose of California Funk Machine is to perform live on stage and to support the release of the California Funk Machine Volume Serie a world wide tour is already being planned.”  

The shows will be where the music, fueled by fun, an evolving set list and surprise guest performers, will really come to life. In fact to lean on the title of another famous track from that musical golden age, “Good Times” are guaranteed and the party atmosphere, built upon classic grooves and marvelous melodies, looks set to rejuvenate even the most tired of dancing feet.

With real strings and real horns California Funk Machine is the real Funk deal. For the legions of Funkateers out there it will bring the memories flooding back. For those discovering Old School Funk for the very first time this is a tremendous place to start.

The message from U-Nam is clear - “May The Funk Be With U”.

New Releases: Nicola Conte/Gianluca Petrella/Joe Claussell, Jamael Dean, Henry Franklin, J.P. Bimeni & The Black Belts

Nicola Conte & Gianluca Petrella - Inner Light - Joe Claussell Sacred Rhythms Versions

"Inner Light", featuring Raashan Ahmad on vocals is the first song from "People Need People" (SCLP/CD 491) chosen for a series of reinterpretations that will be released throughout 2022 - this EP being the first one in a trilogy of 12". Joaquin Joe Claussell needs no introduction: Body & Soul founder and Sacred Rhythm label honcho, a true legend and purveyor of spirituality – a cosmic messenger that brings us two new proper versions of "Inner Light". Further releases in this series will feature none less than Anthony Nicholson, DJ Spinna and Tall Black Guy!

Jamael Dean - Primordial Waters

A sublme blend of jazz and Yoruba influences – served up here by keyboardist Jamael Dean with a sound and style that's all his own! Most of the tracks feature vocals from Sharada Shashidhar, but used in a wordless style that blends in beautifully with the instrumentation on the record – music from players who include Aaron Shaw on saxes, Zekkereya El Maghharbel on trombone, and Carlos Nino on piano – all working in a west coast spiritual style that certainly lives up to Nino's roots on the scene, and Dean's own legacy working with Kamasi Washington. There's some great other elements along the way – harp, bassoon, oboe, and other surprise – all used with a subtle sense of majesty that really elevates the whole sound – on titles that include "Galaxy In Leimert", "Osun", "Overstood", "Sango", "Ifa", "Akoda", "Odo To Da Iwa", and "Ori Apere". ~ Dusty Groove

Henry Franklin - Blossoms Of Blessings: Showers Of Blessings

Really great work from bassist Henry Franklin – a musician best known for his important 70s recordings on the Black Jazz label, and one who's secretly been creating some great sounds in more recent decades! The set is one issued on Franklin's own label – one of a run of wonderful records that not only show that Henry's soulful spirit is alive and well, but that he's also still a vital force on the west coast scene as well! The set features a great lineup – Theo Saunders on piano, Ryan Porter on trombone, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet, Willie Jones III on drums, and Teodross Avery on tenor and soprano sax – a group who have a very well-formed sound right from the very first note of the second track – as the first begins with a set of spare percussion and flute! Saunders wrote some great original material for the record – and titles include "Black Lives Lost", "Coconut Island", "The Valley Of Search", "Skipper Meets Pharoah", "The Guardian", and "The Return Of The Skipper". ~ Dusty Groove.

 J.P. Bimeni & The Black Belts - Give Me Hope

Great work from J.P. Bimeni – a soul singer with a style that's all his own, yet one that's also set up here in some nicely classic backings! Bimeni has unusual vocal phrasing that may well come from his Burundian roots, but he also manages to put across a tune with a vibe that almost feels like classic Memphis soul from years back – a quality that definitely comes from the tight backings of The Black Belts, who blend sharp drums and riffing guitar with nice use of warm organ lines and punctuated horn parts. Titles include "Four Walls", "Not In My Name", "James Stern", "Precious Girl", "Found A Good Thang", "When Everything Is Wrong", "Guilty & Blessed", and "Ghost City". ~ Dusty Groove

GO DUGONG - An intricate patchwork of rhythms, languages, instruments, field recordings + samples from all over the world

Go Dugong is Italian producer, DJ, musician and cosmic traveller, Giulio Fonseca. A global sounds lover, his productions are an intricate patchwork of rhythms, languages, instruments, field recordings and samples from all over the world that Go Dugong waved with the passion of a collector and the meticulousness of a craftsman. The result is animated by a global energy in constant evolution.

Recognised as a leading figure in the contemporary panorama of electronics research, his new album ‘Meridies’, released 12th November via Hyperjazz Records/La Tempesta Dischi, is the result of an investigation into traditional Apulian music from the south of Italy, inspired by his hometown, Taranto, and the phenomenon of the Tarantella. Tarantism is deeply rooted in South Italian folklore and history between the 15th and 18th century. It was a psychological illness related to a schizophrenic state, widely believed at the time to be caused by the bite of a tarantula, scorpion or snake. Legend has it that the victim, mainly women, would fall into a fit and to achieve healing, they would be subject to a ritual where they would be driven into a state of trance, thanks to a frenzied dance called Tarantella.

‘Meridies’ represents a fundamental step in the reinterpretation of the rhythmic and musical tradition of Southern Italy, filtered through electronic synthesis and contemporary languages. Rhythmic pizzica interweave with organs, old synthesizers, lysergic guitars and makeshift objects such as old cardboard boxes and cookware, used as side percussions to the traditional tambourine, all immersed in a psychedelic magma of deep trance and hypnosis for the purpose of “healing”.             

On a quest to push the boundaries of traditional Apulian music, Go Dugong’s research has allowed him to rethink and rework these musical traditions of his homeland, leading to the creation of a soundtrack for an imaginative and futuristic ensemble of peasants and farmers.

Go Dugong collaborated with numerous musicians on ‘Meridies’ - unusual with respect to the genre, in order to combine traditional Apulian music with sounds and influences belonging to other Italian and Mediterranean regions, reinterpreting a genre that for many years has lived trapped in its canons.

On ‘Corna di Serpente’, multi-instrumentalist Ricky Cardelli (Funkrimini, Caportuna) brings a trance-like rhythmic flow, while his father Claudio Cardelli, a musician, documentary film maker and author of several books on India, adds sitar to ‘Mercato Nero’, alongside Apollo Negri on Hammond organ. Indian psychedelia and Italian folk comes to life while the tribal, future exotica of ‘Randagio’ (feat. Mai Mai Mai), inspired by abandoned parts of the south of Italy and the stray dogs that live there, is a rich collage of sounds. Elsewhere, Rome-based trumpet player Francesco Fratini brings a jazz influence to the warm melodies of ‘La Montagna Sacra’ while Italian folk legend Alfio Antico brings frenzied tambourine to the archaic ‘Esorcismo’.

Go Dugong has brought his music to festival and venues throughout Europe and the rest of the world, constantly inspired by the concept of travel, both physical and cosmic as well as mental. He has collaborated with many artists in his career including Populous, Clap! Clap!, El Buho, Témé Tan, Rafael Aragon, Miriam García and more.

The brainchild of Italian electronic artist and producer Khalab, Hyperjazz Records is the product of the ever-changing language that is modern music, of its frantic and unrestrained evolution. A crossroads between past and present, and where jazz attitude meets new sounds and aesthetics.

Omar Coleman | "Chicago"

The New Mastersounds’ guitarist, bandleader, and producer Eddie Roberts, has joined forces with Chicago’s West Side soul sensation, Omar Coleman, to release Eddie Roberts Presents Omar Coleman: Strange Times via his record label and music platform Color Red. When Chicago-based producer David Vandenberg brought The New Mastersounds to the US for their first time to open for Greyboy All-Stars in 2004, little did he know nearly two decades later there would be full-circle energy tied into that first night out in Chicago and working with Omar Coleman, an icon-clad staple in the city heralded as ‘Home of the Blues.’ On Friday, June 4th, Coleman will release the second single on Roberts’ imprint, "Chicago," an ode to his hometown and its deep-seated musical roots.

“Chicago” represents the classic blues sounds of his hometown while intrepidly refusing to be confined to any musical pigeonhole. Coleman’s ode to his city follows a brazen harmonica solo where he proclaims to hail from the Westside blazing down the path of the daily hustle and grind. The City of Big Shoulders is spirited and the people hold their heads up high no matter what obstacles are thrown in their path. Coleman speaks highly of Chicago’s musicians who pay homage to the blues, embark down their own roads, and relentlessly show up to the gig prepared. “Chicago” was recorded during a 2020 session at Color Red Studios produced by Eddie Roberts. Joining Coleman on the track are Dan Africano (Ghost Light) on bass, Chris Spies (Matador! Soul Sounds) on keys, Cole Rudy (Dragondeer) on guitar, Carl Sorensen (Dragondeer) on drums, Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce) on trumpet and Nick Gerlach (Michal Menert) on saxophone. 

Whether dating back to picking up a harmonica at his local music shop to pass downtime as a barber or deep diving into instructional books on leather smithing, a now 10-year side hustle of Coleman’s, curiosity and refusal to be confined to a singular scene have proven to be pillars of longevity in Coleman’s career. After cutting his teeth at Eddy Clearwater’s Sunday jam, he took the plunge to become a full-fledged professional touring musician in 2010. He’d embark on month-long tours in Brazil twice a year, make frequent appearances in Japan, and perform over 30 dates in Europe both solo and with as the lead vocalist/harmonica player in the award-winning Sean Carney Band, a group that has won the International Blues Challenge. He’s had notable plays as the headliner for  “Blues for a Cure” benefit in Columbus Ohio for 3 years straight; Spain Blues Fest; San Francisco Blues Festival, and more and has been featured on the all-star compilation Diamonds in the Rough: Chicago Harmonica Project.

Coleman's debut single and title track “Strange Times” is reflective of the modern state of the world while the bulk of the rest of the album will unveil classic blues themes and uncanny coincidences dating back to that first meeting of Roberts and David Vandenberg (who also produced Coleman’s 2017 album West Side Soul) in the early 00s. On Roberts’ very first night in Chicago, Vandenberg took him to Rosa’s, a legendary blues club on the West Side of town, a club that Coleman had been playing for decades. While laying down his original tune “Old Man Teaser,” Coleman explained it was a story about the lady behind the bar at Rosa’s teasing all the older blues musicians. 

An instance like that goes beyond coincidence and demonstrates the ripple effect of Color Red’s collaborative spirit and the minuscule degrees of separation in their musical network. As for the album’s title, it’s an ode to The New Mastersounds’ 2001 debut record, Keb Darge Presents: The New Mastersounds, that was championed by the iconic Scottish DJ and curator launching the band into a 20+ year career and nine more records to boot. Now, the baton is passed to Roberts as a leading voice in the modern funk and soul revival era with notable producer and bandleader accolades and the launch of Color Red that curates top-notch musical talent from all over the globe. 

Gabriel Evan Orchestra | "Global Entry"

New York saxophonist Gabriel Evan’s sophomore album Global Entry is a playful, skillful exploration of pre-war jazz, early chamber jazz, and bug music. Inspired by the classical-tinged sound of the John Kirby Sextet – one of the most celebrated bands on 52nd St. in the 1930’s – the Gabriel Evan Orchestra takes you on musical trip around the world. While bringing a fresh spin on traditional jazz classics, incorporating 1930s Cuban music and even mid-century exotica, Global Entry maintains the Kirby tradition of arranging classical music for jazz band.

A carefully constructed arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers opens the record, paying homage to the arranging style of trumpeter Charlie Shavers, reimagining the languid waltz into a fun, hot swing number, suitable for a Looney Tunes Nutcracker tribute. As a matter of fact, most of this record is suitable cartoon accompaniment – so much so, that GEO’s first two singles, Rumba Azul and Arabian Nightmare are released as cartoon music videos (Waikiki Wabbit [1943] & Chicken a la King [1937] respectively). Both Rumba Azul and album closer  Rumba Tambah are timeless classics from the Lecuona Cuban Boys, one of the most famous early Caribbean ensembles.

Arabian Nightmare – one of three Charlie Shavers arrangements on the record – is a brilliant take on Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, echoing the haunting Dorian theme of the classic work before springing into swing. Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes is a hip pre-bop arrangement of a 1616 classic by English playwright Ben Jonson. Effervescent Blues, a Shavers original, is a slow swinger with standout solos from Joe Goldberg (clar.), John Zarsky (tmp.) and “Big” Joe Kennedy (p), before a horn soli brings it on home.

The jazz capitol New York City is well represented by Duke Ellington’s red hot Jubilee Stomp, as well as two NYC inspired Evan originals: Negotiations of South Williamsburg, a klezmer rollercoaster featuring clarinetist Joe Goldberg shredding and wailing; and South 5th Street, written while Evan lived in South Williamsburg – a high-energy, pseudo-Broadway show tune, with a stomping 2 & 4 heartbeat. Global Entry is a brilliant tribute to the “biggest little band in the land,” as Kirby’s band was often called.