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March 18th, 2007 Edition #438 Previously 
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Showcase
CD Ready to Play - Nils: Undoubtedly, "the" smooth jazz story for 2005, was Nils and Pacific Coast Highway. Although the track proved to be #1 for the year on just about everybody's list, this belay the fact that the German-born guitarist had been honing his craft as part of the vibrant LA session scene since the mid-80s. As a teenager growing up in Munich Germany, Nils took up guitar while becoming hooked on funk. In spite of endless hours practicing, the opportunities for a musician both educationally & professionally were limited - as such, he moved to the US to study composition, arranging, and film scoring. While making inroads in film and television, Nils got his first job as a guitar teacher. He also started doing sessions as a rhythm guitarist. He appeared on George Benson's 1998 Standing Together and contributed a track to the project - later that year Benson returned the favour by playing with Nils on his Blue Planet debut. |
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| An opportunity with The LA Jazz Syndicate resulted in Nils appearing on the second project to bear "syndicate status" and as the featured performer on Summer Nights. This all attracted the attention of top producer Paul Brown, who enlisted Nils for releases from Gabriela Anders and Rick Braun. Then in the midst of composing for TV and Film, Pacific Coast Highway happened! Although Nils has continued as Music Editor on the Fox sitcom Undeclared and other projects such as composing for the Independent Spirit Awards, things have changed somewhat. Previously, touring was a missing piece in the puzzle but this aspect has become increasingly important in Nils' career. Hence the title for the latest project "Ready To Play"! In talking about the new project, Nils relates "The most important thing I learned from the success of PCH, was that everyone likes a good groove" and "to make sure Ready To Play featured my best writing and playing from start to finish." Moreover, he goes on to say, "My pop sensibilities are there in the songwriting, and my R&B background is the force behind all the grooves. All of those elements play a part in making this even a better album than Pacific Coast Highway." Considering the hit that he had with PCH, to some this may seem like so much bravado or perhaps at best a bit of wishful thinking. |
Nils in his studioPhoto courtesy of NilsMusic.com |
Nonetheless, there is at least one true believer, that being yours truly,
and to help state the case we're presenting a trio of our favourite tracks
as part of the showcase feature! The first selection is an optimistic
mid-tempo number called Just Smile. Offering up just a hint of the Blues
is Last Night, a beautifully dreamy melody featuring some very tasty playing
on top of a simple but effective groove and that opens hour 2. Finally,
Midnight Breeze features Nils at his lyrical best! So, does Nils have
another smash on his hands? Ultimately, time will determine Ready to Play's
rightful place in the annals of music - however, in my humble opinion
the answer to this question is a rather obvious and resounding yes!
CD: Ready to Play Label: Baja/TSR Records Site: Nils Music |
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| Fresh Trax: Part One | |
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Anthem For A New America - Jeff Lorber: An acknowledged pioneer in Smooth Jazz, in the late 70s Lorber formed The Jeff Lorber Fusion which featured a little-known sax player named Kenny G. The unit went on to become one of the most popular acts of the day; however, Lorber disbanded the group at the height of their popularity choosing to focus on producing and session work. In 1993, Lorber returned to recording his own music and quickly reassumed his position as one of the most influential players of the day. Now eight cds into this most recent phase of his career, his latest is He Had a Hat. From that effort, we have a track that shows a slightly different aspect of Lorber's musicality - a pretty piece called Anthem for a New America! CD: He Had A Hat Label: Narada Jazz Site: J.Lorber |
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Just Because - Dotsero: Brothers Stephen and David Watts have guided the fortunes of Dotsero for the past 20 years or so on sax and guitar respectively. They broke onto the national scene with their debut in 1990 and followed that with a sophomore release that enjoyed chart-topping success on Gavin for five full weeks. Subsequently, Dotsero scored another top-ten record, while other efforts have also faired well. In spite of the success of their albums, the Watts' main claim to fame is their live show and the energy contained therein - they frequently appear at Jazz @ Jack's, Denver's premier jazz and comedy room and a venue that they operate and co-own. A short while back they decided to "bottle" some of that vitality, the result being Alive at Jazz @ Jack's, subtitled Kickin' Butt and ….Takin' Names! On the effort the Watts boys live up to their billing with a project that's powerful yet poetic - from it we've selected a sterling track that delivers a balance of both passion and punch! CD: Alive at Jazz @ Jack's Label: Cinderblock Records Site: Dotsero ; Jazz@Jack's |
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two | |
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R 'n' B Bump - Paul Brown: He's quickly closing in on an unprecedented 50 #1-hits behind the console, while in 2006 he scored a #1-track on his own with Winelight - top producer Paul Brown now turned top recording artist takes centre stage with White Sand, his 3rd project as a front man. Brown unofficially launched his career as a producer at his first gig when he was 15 and discovered he had an affinity for the technical side of music. The LA-native was raised in a family where both parents worked as vocalists & arrangers in the record industry, in movies, & on TV variety shows. Taking up the drums at age five, Brown picked up the guitar a couple of years later. A confessed Deadhead, growing up Brown was fond of The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix - however, when he heard George Benson's Breezin' his tastes swung to jazz. Now in spite of his success, the two-time Grammy winner views his career in music as evolutionary, stating rather matter-of-factly: "The reason I got into this business was to play the guitar and perform live." From White Sand we've selected the Les McCann - Eddie Harris influenced R 'n' B Bump, punctuated by a sizzling call and response between Brown and David Benoit. CD: White Sand Label: Peak Records Site: P.Brown |
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Listen to the Wind - Slim Man: Slim Man is the musical alter ego for Tim Camponeschi. Camponeschi worked as a Motown in-house songwriter back in the late 70s and early 80s. Later in the decade, he MC'd a country music travelling talent show - it was during this period that he first adopted the Slim Man moniker in order to escape irate contest losers. Meanwhile, after a few efforts fronting a rock band, Camponeschi launched his solo career as Slim Man with his debut in 1995. His perpetually love-struck sounds gained an avid following but with the changing climate in commercial radio, the Slim Guy found himself "on the outs" toward the end of the 90s. At about the same time, the Slim Dude found broader success as a member of the hip and funky group known as Bona Fide (named the top new group in Smooth Jazz for 2001). This success also spurred resurgence in his own solo career. With this latest release, the Slim Meister's catalogue now includes seven albums plus a seasonal effort. From Solstice, we have Listen to the Wind, a beautifully crafted track that shows the Slim Hombre at his absolute best as a stylist! CD: Solstice Label: Oui Oui Music Site: Slim Man |
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Tropica
- Will Donato: Based in Palm Springs, California, Will Donato is an exciting young saxplayer who's built his reputation with expressive & dynamic playing. Fans may have been introduced to Donato thru his work with the two Steve's, Reid and Oliver. Donato was one of the front men with Steve Reid's Bamboo Forest for four years and, while performing with Steve Oliver, he handled the saxwork on Oliver's chart-topping High Noon single! Add the names Gregg Karukas, Blake Aaron, and Tony Guerrero to the résumé and you should get the idea - Donato has played with some of the best. Outside the smooth jazz sphere, he's appeared on the soundtracks to Thelma and Louise and The Untouchables. Meanwhile Donato has also steadily expanded his presence in the US nationwide with five fine releases of which Will Call is the most recent. When we reviewed Donato's previous release, back in the spring of 2005, we asked, who would be the next rising sax star in smooth jazz. The answer of course was Will Donato. This latest effort, only serves to further solidify that opinion! CD: Will Call Label: Innervision Records Site: Will Donato |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Web Site : |
| On this edition, we're continuing with our then & now tribute to Spyro Gyra. Part 1 covered the period from the inception of the band in the 70s thru until 1989. Now we resume the story with the 1990 Fast Forward release! |
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Then & Now Spotlight
Artist:
Spyro Gyra - Part 2 (1990-2006) |
Fast ForwardGRP Records 1990 |
CollectionGRP Records 1991 |
Three WishesGRP Records 1992 |
Dreams Beyond ControlGRP Records 1993 |
Love & Other ObsessionsGRP Records 1995 |
Heart of the NightGRP Records 1996 |
20/20GRP Records 1997 |
Road ScholarsGRP Records 1998 |
Got The MagicWindham Hill 1999 |
In Modern TimesHeads Up 2001 |
Original CinemaHeads Up 2003 |
The Deep EndHeads Up 2004 |
Wrapped in a DreamHeads Up 2006 |
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Spyro Gyra:
Thruout college
and for a few years afterward, Jay Beckenstein worked many of the
clubs in Buffalo NY as a sideman, but eventually he began to feel
the need for a personal creative outlet. He started doing a few sessions
with Jeremy Wall and over the period of a year or so, this evolved
into the band Spyro Gyra. Tom Schuman joined the group in its second
year with Beckenstein and Schuman being band-mates ever since. At
pretty much the same time, Beckenstein went into business with Rich
Calandra, a local drummer with aspirations of being a record producer.
They worked a number of local acts recording Spyro Gyra whenever there
was spare studio time - it was in this way that the first album slowly
came together. They pressed 500 copies using their own cash and on
their own label and within a year, they had sold tens of thousands
of copies. This all led to a record deal and to the birth of the band
as a recording entity. To produce the landmark Morning Dance album,
Beckenstein chose to relocate to New York City in 1979 and resided
there for four years.
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