Chieli Minucci & Special EFX: Without You (2010) [2 cd]

Guitarist, composer, and arranger Chieli Minucci is the leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group Special EFX, which he co-founded with the late George Jinda in 1984. A major force on the jazz and world music scene for 25 years, Special EFX’s newest release, Without You is a diverse collection of jazz-fusion, world rhythms, and the effortlessly flowing guitar artistry that Chieli (key-eh-lee) is known for. A true sound-tapestry, blending layers of sound and harmonic texture, Without You is an instant classic.

This brilliant double CD collection of tracks features the original Special EFX lineup of favorites - drummer Lionel Cordew, bassist Jerry Brooks, keyboardist Jay Rowe, and vocalist/percussionist Philip Hamilton - plus many brilliant guest artists, including keyboardist Jeff Lorber, violinist Karen Briggs, keyboardist Lao Tizer, vocalist Will Brock, bassist Dave Anderson, and violinist Alan Grubner.

Special EFX is one of the most prominent world fusion groups of the era. During the course of the band’s phenomenal rise to the top of the jazz charts, they released 25 CDs, including Chieli’s 8 solo releases and a live concert DVD. Seminal songs like “Daybreak”, “Cruise Control”, “Bella” and “Seduction” were among their chart-topping hits. This extraordinary super group takes their vibrant and exciting sound to the next level on its new Without You release, which encompasses diverse and eclectic sounds ranging from jazz fusion to world beat, pop vocals and rock-tinged arrangements.

Chieli’s latest project, the Special EFX CD Without You highlights an extraordinary career and is essential listening for his legions of fans. Songs like “Love’s Lost in Translation” blends Philip Hamilton’s mellifluous voice with romance and angst in an exotic, world music setting. Long-time fans may recognize parts of “The Night Is Ours”, which is a completely re-written version of Special EFX’s 1982 signature song “Sambuca Nights”. Fans will also be entranced with “Hushabye”, which was originally released as the instrumental “Sweet Surrender” but has been transformed with the addition of the soulful vocals of Will Brock. And for George Jinda fans, the tune “Man with a Drum” captures his original percussion sounds.

Talented virtuosos Jeff Lorber, Karen Briggs and Lao Tizer are featured on tracks that may become the “new” classics for Special EFX. “Legendary keyboardist Jeff Lorber is a brilliant musical collaborator on ‘Mountina Jameroon’. I’m excited to have his high intensity electric jazz flavorings on the new Special EFX CD,” says Chieli.“I brought Karen Briggs into the project after hearing her amazing violin work on Yanni’s Live at the Acropolis,” explains Chieli. “She takes the violin to another dimension on our songs ‘Lakeside’ and ‘Wonderboy.’”

Special guest Lao Tizer brings his powerful piano vibe to the tracks “Bacchanalia” and “Afterglow”. “I discovered Lao when he was 19 years old and we’ve been collaborating ever since. I knew his high-energy, unique piano work would bring another level of emotion to these Special EFX

songs,” says Chieli.

Showcasing truly incredible musicianship, Special EFX’s captivating jazz fusion textures and progressive new age twists take listeners on an uplifting musical ride they’ll never forget. “Without You” showcases the band’s special gift for combining harmony, feeling, and flawless technique with remarkable passion.

Tracklist:
01. Quivering
02. Healing Waters
03. Lakeside
04. You Make Me Blue
05. Prelude
06. Love's Lost in Translation
07. Hushabye
08. The Night is Ours
09. Indelible
10. Wonderboy
11. Ballerina Rocks
12. Mountina Jameroon
13. Man With A Drum
14. Afterglow
15. Bacchanalia
16. Gathering Wind
17. You Make Me
18. Electraglide
19. July
20. Twilight
21. Love's Lost in Translation (full)
22. Undeniable
Without You
Depositfiles / Hotfile @ 320K

Chieli Minucci: East of the Sun (2009)

Chieli Minucci is the leader of the Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group Special EFX, which formed in 1982. Minucci & Special EFX have recorded a combined 25 CDs, 8 of those being solo releases. In addition Minucci has recorded and performed with top pop artists such as Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson, Anastasia and others, as well as jazz artists Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torez, Bob Baldwin, Jeff Lorber, and many others. His father, Ulpio Minucci (concert pianist/composer) wrote the now 'standard' 1955 hit song "Domani," as well as "A Thousand Thoughts of You," and "Felicia" (both sung by Nat King Cole).

Also known as a composer for television and film, Minucci was nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards and has won three, in 1998, 2007, and most recently in 2008, for his compositional work on CBS's The Guiding Light. He has written music for well-known programs such as Good Morning America (theme), Bloomberg Radio (theme), Access Hollywood, The 700 Club, and others. He also contributed music to the soundtracks of Bowfinger (1999) and Panic (2000), as well as most recently to 'Lifted' (2007).

Minucci composed and produced the soundtrack for the Live Nation/Nickelodeon live stage productions of the hit TV series, Dora the Explorer (both 'Dora's Pirate Adventure ,' and 'The City of Lost Toys') which are currently touring internationally. He also wrote and recorded songs for the live stage production of the long-running British children's television show, Thomas & Friends Live!

Tracklist:

01. Asian Sunrise (5:06)
02. The Meditator (5:11)
03. East Of The Sun (8:17)
04. Tranquility (5:19)
05. Night Of The Crickets (6:48)
06. Winds Of Java (5:38)
07. The Dream (6:30)
08. Eyes Of Love (5:09)
09. Eastern Spirit (6:34)
10. Gamelan Games (5:05)
East of the Sun
Rapidshare / Hotfile @ 320K

Kevin Toney: Strut (2001)

Keyboardist Kevin Toney is a superb contemporary jazz instrumentalist and composer who can perform a range of styles — including jazz, blues, and R&B — with equal dexterity, and his album, Strut, is a good example of his remarkable facility. For this collection of primarily upbeat compositions, Toney combined his trademark memorable melodies with a variety of grooves to create an album on which his accomplished jazz and blues stylings are spiced with a strong urban flavor. Generally, this combination works; on "Karizma" Toney layers bright, chirping keyboards over a funky rhythm, and on "Secret Agent" his irresistibly catchy melody rides atop a rapid-fire dance groove. Toney and saxophonist Ronnie Laws enjoy a little give-and-take on "Passion Dance," and the two create a haunting, gracefully grooving mid-tempo number. Toney has a way with a romantic composition, and his talent for communicating tenderness without becoming saccharine is amply in evidence on the lush and elegant "Special Occasion." On the opposite end of the musical spectrum, "Aunt Mary" is a bouncy, buoyant, completely infectious blues-flavored jam that is enhanced by quirky harmonica, courtesy of Tetsuya "Weeping Willow" Nakamuru. On a couple of tracks, the intricate arrangements might be just a little too intricate; the title track, for example, is a strong opening number and certainly sets the tone for the album, but the pulsing, bass-heavy groove and wordless vocalizing threaten to overpower Toney's delightful melody and fluid improvising. On Toney's remake of the Gap Band's "Yearning for Your Love," disco star Evelyn "Champagne" King turns in a strong vocal performance, but Toney's delicate piano fills and solo nearly get lost amid the vocals and the arrangement's powerful funk rhythm. Overall, however, Strut is a solid, richly varied, and highly engaging collection that is sure to appeal to — and lift the spirits of — music lovers of virtually every stripe.--AMG

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Strut (RS) / Strut (DF) / Strut (HF) @ 320K