Showcase CD
At World's Edge - Philippe Saisse:
After
scoring one of his biggest hits in 2006 with Do It Again, Philippe
Saisse returns with his first disc of all new material in 5 years.
Born in Marseilles France, Saisse studied at the Paris National
Conservatory before winning a scholarship to Berklee in Boston.
He made his record debut with Al Di Meola back in the 80s and
in addition to working with David Sanborn & Al Jarreau, in his
20 plus year career, Saisse has backed The Rolling Stones, David
Bowie, & a host of others. Additionally, he's issued a series
of solo releases with At World's Edge as the most recent and first
since relocating from NY to LA. Afforded the opportunity provided
by the success of his previous album, Saisse's mind set was to
make a definitive statement as to where he currently is as a musician.
Using the technology prevalent in these digitized times he was
able to reconnect with some cool cats he's prowled with over the
years! |
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include drummer Simon Philips and bassist Pino Palladino (London)
whose works with Saisse extend back to the 80s and 90s respectively.
Additionally, there's trumpeter Jeff Beal, trombonist Michael Davis
(NYC), as well as guitarists Jeff Golub and Marc Antoine (Madrid),
saxman Kirk Whalum (Memphis), and percussionist Lenny Castro. Meanwhile
the album's co-producer Goh Hotoda contributed from his home studio
in Tokyo - so that, the title At World's Edge suitably embodies
the fact this project was a somewhat global affair! It's therefore
now a privilege & pleasure to pause and present Philippe Saisse
and At World's Edge as the focus for our spotlight segment! From
a project dedicated in loving memory of his father Maurice Saisse,
we've chosen some choice selections - in triplicate no less - beginning
with the worldly From Nowhere to Now Here. |
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Philippe Saisse
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Marc
Antoine & Jeff Beal combine to create a perfectly sensuous and dreamy
late night vibe in Topanga Moon Dance, our opener at the top of
hour 2. Meanwhile aided by Jeff Golub, Saisse maintains an equilibrium
of influences on The Rover, the rock-edged program closer. To quote
Saisse, "Making an album like At World's Edge reminds me how much
I enjoy the freedom of being able to make a living from pursuing
my true passion." He continues, "But music is a crazy business and
so I approached this recording as if it were going to be the last
one I ever made … so that if I never had the chance to make another,
I could say: Now this is a cool one. I'm quite happy with what I've
done," a philosophy & sentiment that we fully share!
CD: At World's Edge (2009)
Label: Koch Records
Sites: 
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| Fresh Trax: Part One |
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Santa Fe - Shane Isenberg:
Shane
Isenberg began studying guitar when he was 12 and went on to graduate
from LA's Musicians Institute. Now based in Louisville Kentucky and well
versed at numerous styles, the multi-instrumentalist has become established
on the local scene in various capacities - from scoring music for independent
films and creating commercial jingles for radio and TV, to teaching and
playing professionally. A few years back, in 2007 to be precise, Isenberg
digitally released his solo debut called Between Clouds. However, as it
frequently happens, it does take time for an artist not in the pop realm
to receive his just recognition. We hope to somewhat alleviate that situation
by featuring the track Santa Fe, an absolutely terrific selection from
that very release!
CD: Between Clouds (2007)
Label: Independent
Sites:
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Ultimate
X - L.A. Chillharmonic :
Although
a Detroit native, Richard Smith spent the better part of his youth growing
up in Eugene, Oregon. He attended North Texas State, but temporarily put
his education on hold when he joined Dan Siegel's band when he was 19.
After relocating to LA, Smith spent the next few years studying at USC
where he successfully completed a Masters program in music. Shortly after
graduating, at the age of 23, he joined the teaching faculty at that university's
highly regarded Thornton School of Music all while performing as a member
of Richard Elliott's band. As part of a multifaceted career, Smith simultaneously
worked at establishing his solo career and in that regard, he's issued
eight or so cds as a front man with 2003's Soulidified as his most recent
effort.
However, just over a year ago, Smith brought together an all-star cast
of LA-based musicians for an auspicious project. Aided by Brian Bromberg,
Gregg Karukas, Greg Adams, and Michael Paulo, along with Vinnie Colaiuta,
Alex Acuña, Jeff Lorber, Gary Meek, Eric Marienthal, and Patrice
Rushen (have I left anyone out?), the assemblage is as formidable a collection
of A-listers as we're likely to see in some time! From their eponymously
titled debut, and one that hopefully will not be a one-off release, we've
selected a Richard Smith original in the track called Ultimate X!
CD: L.A. Chillharmonic (2008)
Label: Mack Avenue Records
Sites:
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two |
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Good
Day - Peter White:
Our
absolute favourite smooth jazz artist is back! Simply put, there is no
other performer who so fully epitomizes the sounds of smooth as does Peter
White - an ever so soothing style with loads of substance. The latest
is entitled Good Day, his first album of original material since 2004's
Confidential release and his 10th overall - that to go along with a pair
of seasonal releases and a couple of collections. From that soon-to-be-issued
release, we have the title track and one that compares favourably with
most any vintage White you might care to name! 
CD: Good Day (2009)
Label: Peak Records
Sites:
Fan site: |
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Ocean
Tide - The Parlett-Colah Project:
Keyboardist
James Colah started in music with his identical triplet brothers forming
the band The Colah's, when he was 12. He's gone on to work with a variety
of high profilers including Edwin Starr and Sheena Easton. A few years
back, he set up his own studio, wherein he's produced and recorded hundreds
of artists. More recently, Colah connected with fellow Brit Mike Parlett.
For his part, saxman Parlett now based in LA is a recording artist in
his own right who also runs a production studio while hosting a radio
program. From a cd that is still in its infancy, we have (tentatively)
the title track in Ocean Tide andt what may well be THE break-thru tune
for the year!
CD: Ocean Tide
Label: Talented Productions
Sites: Mike Parlett:
James Colah:
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Ibiza
- Tea:
Hailing
from Lyon, France, guitarist Franck Balloffet, first met So-Cal drummer
& keyboardist Phil Bunch as members of the LA-based Bateke Beat - then
in the early 90s they set out on their own leading what has turned into
a series of soulful Afro-beat projects. Tea is their current creation.
From Dreams, and what is now the second release, the production team of
Balloffet and Bunch dispense the track Ibiza and a vibe that can only
be described as intense. Sharing its name with the notorious Mediterranean
party-island off the coast of Spain, this tune is well titled. Featuring
the legendary Brian Auger on the Hammond B3 & aided by the expressive
Steve Ngondo on Congolese vocals, this one percolates from beginning to
end … highly addictive, and likely most unlike anything else you'll hear
here or anywhere else!
CD: Dreams (2009)
Label: Teajuana Music
Sites: 
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
| ... spurred by the summer heat, this edition is slathered
with excitement - it's called On the Beach and naturally 'nough each of
our spin selections has that very word in its title. So stay tuned for
the sandy sounds of Venice Beach, Kissin' on the Beach, and Beach Days,
with a dozen seaside tunes in all. We have Chris Rea opening the show
with the namesake track for the feature, and he's backed by Germany's
Blue Knights; as well as there's Marion Meadows and the down tempo style
of the band RioListic. Gregg Karukas launches set #2 and we continue with
Tom Braxton, Urban Jazz Coalition, and Earl Klugh. Meanwhile the closing
set has David Sanborn, Soul Ballet, and Peter White. Then in the end,
as the sun beats down and the surf continues to pound, we have the cascading
sounds of Allon Sams! |
