Showing posts with label Euge Groove. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Euge Groove. Show all posts

Monday, October 4, 2010

Euge Groove: Born 2 Groove (2007)

After searching for a more inspired way to indulge his chart-topping contemporary jazz sound, saxophonist/composer/arranger Euge Groove has created his most personal statement to date as an artist. On Born 2 Groove, the versatile saxophonist surrounds himself with an array of masterful gospel musicians who speak a completely different musical language. The result is ten brand new tracks, seven of which were recorded completely live. With special guest appearances by the great Jeffrey Osborne on "Baby If You Only Knew (What I Could Do)" and former Temptations lead singer Ali "Ollie" Woodson on "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know," Groove should also gain even more appreciation for his musical interpretations from his ever-increasing R&B fan base. The song's themes range from the gently playful and laid-back feeling heard on the opening track "A Summer's Night Dream" to the beautiful Italian inspired imagery inherent in "Cafй del Soul" to the spiritual essence of "Religify." Groove flat out seduces you, moves you and grooves you on this record. Several of his performances, including "Slow Jam," I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know," "Movin' On," the title track, and "Mr. Groove" reveal him as an accomplished, instinctive musician. His emotional solos and different chord voicings within a larger harmonic setting give him an edge over several of his generation's contemporary jazz counterparts. This CD is where the real players play. Fans of Euge Groove will experience a premium new sound set in HD digital technology that is filled with his incomparable saxophone voices, stirring gospel riffs and emotional, soulful vocals, all of which set a new standard for Groove's distinctive contemporary jazz sound.
Tracklist
01 - A Summer's Nights Dream
02 - Mr. Groove
03 - Cafe Del Soul
04 - Slow Jam
05 - Born 2 Groove
06 - Religify
07 - Geez Spot
08 - I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know
09 - Movin' On
10 - Baby If You Only Knew (What I Could Do)
Born 2 Groove
Hotfile / Depositfiles @ 320K

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Paul Brown & Friends: White Sand (2007)

One of the leading Contemporary Jazz guitarists/producers in the world, Paul Brown makes his stunning debut on Peak Records celebrating his intense musical foundation with an elite group of friends. These `friends" include Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J and David Benoit. Brown has been creating distinctive, "hummable" tracks for years for other artists and has a keen instinct for knowing what his fans want to hear. On "White Sands", his third album as a solo artist, he has created some immediately identifiable tracks which are destined to be come instant crowd pleasers. A two time Grammy award winner, Brown was also named the "most played" artist in the 2006 year end charts for Radio and Records with his #1 track, "Winelight".
Tracklist:
1. White Sand (Jessy J) 4:21
2. The Rhythm Method (Paul Brown) 4:00
3. Makes Me Feel So Good (Paul Brown) 4:06
4. Ol' Skoolin' (Paul Brown) 4:25
5. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Paul Brown) 4:18
6. R 'n' B Bump (David Benoit) 4:27
7. I Say A Little Prayer (Paul Brown) 3:37
8. More Or Less Paul (Paul Brown) 4:39
9. For What It's Worth (Paul Brown) 3:36
10. Mr. Cool (Rick Braun) 4:09
White Sand
Hotfile / Depositfiles @ 320K

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Euge Groove: ST (2000)


In the old days — say, up till five years ago — up and coming artists seeking to build a grass-roots following as a means to a record deal had to hit the road, sell home-pressed CDs from the bandstand, and pray that an A&R guy might catch them one night. Nowadays, websites like MP3 make it possible to reach literally thousands of people simultaneously; all one has to do is upload songs and a photo to the site, fill out an information form, sit back, and await responses. Upon recording eight songs in the hopes of someday getting a deal, veteran touring saxman Steve Grove sought out the mixing expertise of genre hitmeister Paul Brown. While waiting three months for Brown to clear two days in his schedule for mixing the tracks, Grove threw his home mixes onto MP3. Soon he built a following of over 100 thousand downloading fans. For all the amazing back story to Euge Groove, it's pretty much a straightforward smooth jazz ride: catchy hooks, seductive rhythms, and an occasional splash of fiery horn doubling and tripling that brings Grove back to his days playing with Tower of Power. It's also highly intriguing how he resembles other sax players that Brown helped make successful. "Romeo & Juliet" — which smacks of Boney James' gently soulful flow — finds his irresistibly catchy soprano melody soaring above a moody, atmospheric synth harmony line, as the programmed drums roll steadily beneath. Grove's rich, low-toned tenor line floating over the cool, chunky bass driven groove of "Sneak a Peak" brings back warm memories of Sam Riney; the tune is given considerable color by a self-created horn section that urges the main melody line to greater heights. On the retro-soul minded "Vinyl," Grove's emotional soprano line surfs gracefully over a swirl of Danny Jacob's wah-wah guitar clicks and co-producer Michael Egizi's hypnotic and spacy synth swirls. For all his ubiquitousness and soulful demeanor, Brown has been labeled "The Babyface of Smooth Jazz," so it's no surprise to find him producing a twist on the Babyface composed Toni Braxton hit "Another Sad Love Song," with Grove blending soprano and tenor in spots to make the chorus much more in your face than the verse. Grove shows more genuine emotion here and on the dramatic, gospel-tinged closer "The Last Song" than in most other places. Gospel? Did someone say Kirk Whalum?

Euge Groove: Sunday Morning (2009)


Euge Groove — a pseudonym for saxophone journeyman Steve Grove — began playing piano in the second grade and turned to the saxophone at the age of nine or ten. His teacher gave him a classical education on the instrument, which he followed at the University of Miami's School of Music, where he became interested in jazz. Upon graduation, he initially remained in Miami doing sessions and playing in bands such as Expose, where he can be heard on the group's #1 1987 single "Seasons Change." He then moved to Los Angeles and joined Tower of Power, remaining with the group about four years. Following this experience, he freelanced, doing sessions and working in backup bands, his clients including Joe Cocker, the Eurythmics, the Gap Band, Huey Lewis and the News, Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, Eros Ramazotti, and Richard Marx. His saxophone appeared on Marx's Top 20 pop and #1 AC hit "Keep Coming Back" in 1991. At the end of the '90s, Grove developed the persona of Euge Groove, a corruption of his real name, and recorded a demo that attracted the attention of various labels. This demo soon landed him with Warner Bros. Records. Euge Groove, his debut album, was released in May 2000. At the time, the saxophonist toured in Tina Turner's backup band. Sunday Morning is his latest effort released in 2009.