Eddie Roberts: An Introduction to Eddie Roberts (2009)

An Introduction To Eddie Roberts“ is the first album to feature all aspects of the high profile career of jazz guitarist Eddie Roberts from Leeds/England. Compiling 15 tracks from his solo output so far plus five unreleased tracks „An Introduction“ is a perfect showcase for his talents and includes songs from the „Roughneck“ and „Trenta“ albums.

Here you will find favourites like Eddie’s version of the Stanley Turrentine classic „Sugar“ sung by Iain MacKenzie, the self-explanatory „Szabo“ and his signature tune „Roughneck“. The variety ranges from the Acid Jazz touches in „24000 Baci“ or „Strada Statale 163” to the club grooves of Lack of Afro’s remix of “Giorgio’s Brother” and the melancholic twist in “Every Goodbye”.

Eddie Roberts started his musical career in 1989. Around 1991 Eddie's love for Grant Green inspired him to put a Hammond-based line up together. With the sound of Big John Patton, Lou Donaldson and Ivan „Boogaloo Joe“ Jones, his band The Eddie Roberts Organisation toured UK and managed to get its first European dates at the 'Queen's Birthday Celebrations' in Amsterdam. Then The Three Deuces were born. After headlining Italy's Jazz festival in Bari with Greg Osby as well as many UK festivals Eddie's focus shifted towards Deep Funk in 1999, and hence The New Mastersounds who started out performing a mix of Eddie’s quirky Meters-inspired funk ditties and covers of Jimmy McGriff and Grant Green. Five studio albums followed so far and a well recorded international history. The proceeds from the “Be Yourself” album were used to finance Eddie’s „Roughneck“ project, released summer 2004 on One Note Records and licensed to P-Vine Records in Japan. In 2006 Eddie recorded "Trenta". This album, released early 2007 on Salvo’s Records features Eddie’s instrumental arrangements of traditional Neopolitan songs. In 2007 Eddie performed „Roughneck“ so he flew them over to perform at High Sierra Music Festival last summer, where fans lapped up the soulful jazzy sounds.

Eddie Roberts has recently completed “Plug & Play” the The New Mastersounds’ fifth studio album, and has just been hired to produce an album for French funk/afrobeat outfit Shaolin Temple Defenders. Never one to sit back and put his feet up, Eddie tells us that the follow-up to „Roughneck“ – provisionally entitled “Volume 2” – will feature collaborations with vocalists Leigh Kenny and Rhianna Kenny, vocalists with stadium techno act Faithless.

Tracklist:

01. Your Eyes

02. 24000 Baci (24 Mille Baisers)

03. Sugar Feat. Iain Mackenzie
04. In Search Of Something
05. Strada Statale 163 (Sabato Triste)
06. Giorgio’s Brother (Chillo E Nu Buono Guaglione)
07. Roughneck
08. In, On, Out
09. Mr. Morgan
10. Szabo
11. Eazin’ Down
12. New Life
13. Caroli
14. Giorgio’s Brother (Lack Of Afro Remix)
15. Every Goodbye
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Jonathan Butler: So Strong (2010)

2010 from the acclaimed guitarist and vocalist. So Strong is simply put- so strong! The first single (and title track) already made an impact at Urban Adult Contemporary and is a marvelous, hip slice of his powerful vocals over an infectious, driving rhythm. Smooth Jazz radio gets a taste too with the Benson-esque "Make Room for Me" and the inspirational "You Got to Believe Something" is a musical credo that won't let you down. So Strong- we hope you will agree- isn't just worth the wait, it's worth the weight in soul.

Tracklist:

1. So Strong 3:44

2. You Got to Believe in Something 5:01
3. Make Room for Me 3:29

4. Factual 4:09
5. Feels So Good 3:45
6. Be Here With You 4:38
7. Avia / For My Baby 4:25
8. I'm Right Here 3:31
9. Color Green 3:59
10. Good Times 4:02
11. I Can See Clearly Now 4:54
12. I Pay Respect 5:09
13. So Strong (Steppers Mix) 4:04
14. So Strong (Urban AC Mix) 3:27
So Strong
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Mark Feldman, Uri Caine, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron: Secrets (2009)

Mark Feldman, Uri Caine, Greg Cohen and Joey Baron have all played integral parts in John Zorn's many explorations of Jewish improvised music. All four have won acclaim for the distinctness and flexibility of their sounds, but here they work in a setting that defines the meaning of traditional.

With a group such as this, it would be impossible to explore any theme, new or old, without bringing flares of insight. Secrets finds them interpreting a variety of niggunim, the often wordless prayer melodies sung by sects of Hasidic Jews, and they mix a jazz sensibility with slight, indefinable touches of the avant-garde to create a quartet that speaks many languages in one voice.

A distinct warmth and color is brought to a variety of songs by the group, from Caine's bright, swinging keys on the opening "Lubavitcher Nigun," to Cohen's gentle, adroit bass on "Kel Adon." As the instrument most commonly found in traditional Klezmer, Feldman's violin sings with unparalleled distinctness. Plaintive at times, alternately tinged with darkness and comedy at others, his sound is almost unmatched. Meanwhile, Joey Baron's understated percussion gives shape to the atmosphere with whisks of brushes and cymbals.

Most of the album focuses on slower, more ruminative melodies, allowing the performers space and time for inflection and reflection. "Z'Chor Dovon," in particular, is full of transcendent beauty. It opens with a heartfelt melody on violin, backed by a lone piano for one recitation before the entrance of bass and drums. Feldman brings a mournful touch here, which is balanced out by a kind of hopeful humor in Caine's keys.

"Chabad Nigun," "Satmar Rikud," and "Z'Chor Hashem" are joyous masterpieces of up-tempo jazz, with Feldman and Caine testing the lines with modernistic chords and occasional, dissonant bow tweaks. But at the faster paces, these songs also attain a certain joyous folk dance quality that seem to pull gently but persistently at the toes. It's music with roots in many places, from the wedding hall to the jazz club. Baron's solos here are distinctly jazzy, but he peppers the toms with an unrestrained ebullience that speaks beyond setting.

For the closing "Moditzer Nigun," Cohen's nodding bass paves a hypnotic path for Caine's graceful keyboard steps. Deeply moving, filled with whispers of the blues, there is a tone of respectful nostalgia here that shines light on the best sides of tradition. The duet epitomizes the sound of a group that brings rich, emotional playing no matter where or how they play. Those enchanted by the beauty of Secrets will, no doubt, be asking Tzadik for more.

Tracklist:

01 - Lubavitcher Nigun

02 - Avinu Malkenu

03 - Chabad Nigun

04 - Z'chor Dovon

05 - Satmar Rikud

06 - Bobover Nigun
07 - Kel Adon
08 - Z'chor Hashem
09 - Moditzer Nigun
Secrets
Part 1 - Part 2 (RS) / Part 1 - Part 2 (HF) flac

Terminator Trio: 20:10 (2010)

Terminator Trio is a Russian Funk, JazzRock and Fusion band. They come from St.Petersburg and present interresiting mixture of the above styles.

Tracklist:
01. Funky Intro
02. F#
03. Durazzkaya
04. Katyshki
05. VW
06. Dedushko
07. Whazzup
08. Eastern Intro
09. Tequila Boom
10. Baklanskaya
11. Rock Intro
12. MM
Personnel:
Alexey Degoosarov - guitar
Roman Nevelev - bass
Nikolay Mironov- drums
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Julian Vaughn: The Purpose Project (2010)

The unique stylings of solo bassist Julian Vaughn are born of a love for the smooth jazz genre. The Kansas City native takes from his historic surroundings, long known for its important contributions to jazz, and adds his youthful yet soulful style to create his debut CD entitled The Purpose Project.

Vaughn is a self-taught bass player. Born March 3, 1980 the musician grew up in the church where his grandfather pastored until turning over the reins to Vaughn’s father. Like other kids at the church, he began his music career playing the drums, but says, “Trying to play the drums at church was like ten football players going after a fumble. Everyone wanted to play.”

Years went by and the fight over the drums got old. At 15 Vaughn decided to try a different instrument. He picked up a bass guitar that another man in his church was playing and immediately fell in love. This was truly love at first sight. Vaughn was blessed with the ability to play by ear. He soon discovered how to play songs and special techniques.

One day Vaughn found his father’s Najee cassette “Tokyo Blue.” He listened, this was the first time he had heard smooth jazz, and fell in love again. He was hooked. To this day “Tokyo Blue” remains his favorite jazz recording.

The 6 foot, 7 inch Vaughn was a shoe-in on the high school basketball team. During the season, while his teammates listened to rap music on their headphones, Vaughn listened to smooth jazz. He began to realize he was different from his peers when it came to music.

When Vaughn was about 19 his grandfather bought him a 6-string bass guitar. It was black with gold trim. He discovered the art of bass soloing and knew it was his passion. “My friends use to get on me because I would stop playing the bass line and start soloing,” he remembers.

Vaughn began developing his solo skills along with composing and arranging. He performed his first composition in church on Father’s Day when he was 21. A two-minute, standing ovation at the end of the song let Vaughn know that he was destined to be an artist.

Now at 29, Vaughn culminates his musical preparation with “The Purpose Project,” featuring eleven songs he has written and produced. The title cut” The Purpose” displays fine-tuned composition and musicianship. Notable jazz musicians on this recording include Mel Brown, Frank Selman, Darren Rahn, and Joey Woolfolk. These guys have played on a list of artist albums including Marion Meadows, Chuck Loeb, Wayman Tisdale, Jeff Lorber, Eric Darius, Fred Hammond, and Donnie McClurkin just to name a few. Saxophonist and producer Darren Rahn, who is considered to be one of the jazz industries top producers and young artist, is being featured on a couple of tunes and mixing as well. This CD release promises to be very successful.

Purpose Project

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Fredator: Bad Jazz (2010)

Fredator is a fresh Finnish jazz band. Bad Jazz is their debut album.
Tracklist:
01. Badman [4:32]
02. Tambourine Monster [7:02]
03. To Blues Or Not Blues [5:12]
04. Fredator Meets Inuit [4:50]
05. Waltz For A Princess [5:19]
06. Mmpappada [6:29]
07. Jungle Jingle [4:21]
08. Deep Green Blue Notes [6:18]
Personnel:
Mikko Innanen saxophones
Kalevi Louhivuori trumpet, fluegelhorn, percussion
Aki Rissanen piano
Petri Jaakonaho bass
Jussi "Fredator" Fredriksson drums, percussion, whistle
Bad Jazz
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Paul Brown: Up Front (2004)

Known in the music industry as the "Babyface of Smooth Jazz" due to his enormous success as a top-ranked producer/composer/arranger/engineer for some of contemporary jazz's most recognized talent, Paul Brown steps "Up Front" with his debut for GRP Records. The Grammy award-winning producer, who has had over 38 Number One hits on the smooth jazz charts offers his solo perspective with special guests Rick Braun, Boney James, Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber, and Peter White. Additional production from Jeff Carruthers, Jerry Hey, and many others support the style-guru's interpretations that listeners have come to appreciate.

Brown's vocals and smooth jazz guitar offer listeners a winning combination of original songs and great covers that have style, control, that excellent smooth jazz pitch, and a wonderful sense of rhythm. With "Wes Coast Swing," you'll hear Brown with Jeff Lorber on vibraphone playing a breezy blend of shimmery vibes/keyboards and swinging guitar. Brown changes the mood with "My Funny Valentine," and offers a beautiful duet with Peter White, who's playing nylon-string guitar over a percolating Latinesque backbeat.

"Phat City," one of two songs co-written with Jeff Carruthers, gives you a soulful, head bobbing, multi-hued feeling. This song features the dynamic Boney James on saxophone doing what he does best. But the writers do a 360 degree turn with their radio hit "24/7," that features the cool muted trumpet of Rick Braun, and more than one reason to head to the dancefloor. "Dear Ndugu," is a quiet ballad and obvious tribute to the great drummer and educator Ndugu Chancler.

The set closes with the Van Morrison hit "Moondance," and Paul Brown gives it that same enduring smooth jazz essence, with right-on vocals and superb guitar magic. With Up Front, Paul Brown gives listeners 12 excellent reasons to add this to their contemporary jazz collection. — Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Tracklist:

01. Wes' Coast Swing (4:30)

02. Angel (3:51)

03. Moment by Moment (4:32)
04. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (2:55)
05. My Funny Valentine (4:12)
06. Phat City (4:47)
07. Sweet Sweet Love (4:34)
08. Ain't No Sunshine (3:06)
09. Chill Out (3:53)
10. 24/7 (4:28)
11. Dear Ndugu (3:39)
12. Moondance (3:22)
Up Front
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