Showcase CD
Good Day - Peter White:
For
nearly two decades, Peter White's music has shone like a welcoming
beacon while proclaiming all that's best about the genre we luv!
Acknowledged as THE most played in all of smooth jazz, it takes
but a momentary listen to fully understand why White has earned
this distinction. Simply put, there is no other who so fully epitomizes
the sounds of smooth - dynamic and expressive, yet ever so soothing
with loads of substance. As such, it comes as no surprise that
Peter's latest release is an instant favourite right out of the
wrap! It's called Good Day and it's his first album of original
material since 2004's Confidential - his 12th overall to go along
with a pair of compilations. For the most part, the project sees
Peter in familiar territory - moving and sometimes moody, yet
always melodic. Some of these selections go as far back as 10
or 15 years but they've just been completed - so there's a newness
but also a comfort level that can't be denied. Yet our man White
is not averse to stepping outside the norm. Aided by the expertise
of "DC", who's recently engineered a slew of smoothies, as well
as by Philippe Saisse, an adventurous sonic architect in his own
right, here's a crew with a definite sense of mission! |
|
|
Peter White/Temecula CA.
Photo by Sherry Fisher
|
Therefore,
it's with pleasure that we now pause and present Peter White and
Good Day as the feature cd for the showcase segment. We've selected
three exceptional selections that favourably compare with most any
vintage White you might care to name. First up is an upbeat tune
called Bright dedicated to the late Wayman Tisdale - its climb on
the charts has been steep and steady so that the prestigious #1
slot is already well within reach! Our second look at the disc features
the title track, a riveting rouser highlighted by a slick Saisse
vibe solo! Then in the end it's Mission 2 Mars - with uncompromising
integrity and a spirit of discovery Peter continues to boldly go
where no artist in the genre has gone before! There's more of course
to tempt the discerning listener as Peter paints from a broad sonic
palette but to put it neatly in a single phrase - good day is not
only a friendly greetings, it represents the some of finest from
one of the most endearing performers of our time!
CD: Good Day (2009)
Label: Peak Records
Links: 
|
|
| Back Trax: Part One |
|
|
The Lady In My Life - Stanley Jordan:
Born
in Chicago, Stanley Jordan trained classically on piano - but at the age
of 11 he chose the greater freedom afforded by the guitar. Nonetheless,
Jordan transferred the concept that his hands could work in conjunction
with or independent of one another and in so doing he perfected a technique
that few had mastered. Jordan's expertise in tapping the guitar fret board
with both hands allowed him to play melody and chords simultaneously.
After graduating from Princeton in 1981, he played the streets of New
York but he was soon discovered - thereby gaining the opportunity to play
with Benny Carter and Dizzy Gillespie. Jordan recorded a solo album on
his own and then in 1985 his Blue Note label debut thrust the then 26-year-old
into the limelight. In particular, smooth jazz radio's support of The
Lady in My Life (first recorded by Michael Jackson), propelled the project
to the top of Billboard's jazz chart for 51 weeks. The album sold in excess
of a half-million units and was named Billboard's top jazz album for the
year. From that release, we have the tune that led the way!
CD: Magic Touch (1985)
Label: Blue Note
Links:
|
|
|
Homecoming - Yellowjackets:
Founded
in 1981, Yellowjackets initially featured guitarist Robben Ford - however,
when Ford left the band they chose to redefine their sound. Comprised
of Russell Ferrante on keys, bassist Jimmy Haslip, and Ricky Lawson on
drums, their direction was set with the addition of sax altoist Marc Russo
in the mid 80s. Adopting a fusionesque style, they released a string of
well-received albums. Over the years, there have been a couple of personnel
changes, but with Ferrante and Haslip at the helm, Yellowjackets have
continued their legacy thru to the present and are now quickly approaching
their 30th anniversary. On this occasion, we're returning to 1985 and
Samurai Samba, their 3rd release, for the track Homecoming!
CD: Samurai Samba (1985)
Label: Warner Bros.
Links:
|
| Back Trax: Part Two |
|
|
You're
The One - Snake Davis:
Chris
Snake Davis picked up his unusual moniker on account of the way he twists
and writhes about when he plays - and as one of the most in demand sax
players on the UK scene, he's played with the likes of M-People, The
Eurythmics, and Lisa Stansfield as well as a host of others. Additionally,
Snake has been Paul Hardcastle's main go-to-guy for many of The Jazzmasters
projects while on the solo front he's enjoyed several fine releases.
From 2001 and Snakebites, we're featuring You're The One and Snake's
biggest hit to date!
CD: Snakebites (2001)
Label: Skin Records
Links:
|
|
|
New
Frontier - Donald Fagen:
As one-half
of the famed Steely Dan duo, Donald Fagen drew praise and critical acclaim
for uncompromising attention to musical detail and for an unwavering commitment
to quality lyrics. Following the 1980 release of Gaucho, Fagen began solo
work during what proved to be a prolonged Steely Dan hiatus of 20 years
between studio releases. Packed with wit and social commentary, and aided
by the stellar guitar work of Larry Carlton, the track New Frontier taken
from Fagen's 82 debut rates as one of his finest creative efforts!
CD: The Nightfly (1982)
Label: Warner Bros.
Links:
|
|
|
In
The Wind - Johnny A.:
He did
a stint at Berklee in Boston and he's played with Bobby Whitlock and Peter
Wolf and as his name was always getting mispronounced, it's been Johnny
A. since the age of 8. With a total disregard to genre and a style that
straddles rock, jazz, and blues, the guitar has been his lifelong passion.
Whether it's the man who controls the strings or the strings that control
the man doesn't make a difference. Wrestling rare colors and emotions
from his chosen instrument, Johnny A. is as much a student as he is her
master. In recognition, 2003 saw the production of the Gibson Johnny A.
Signature Model guitar and although he admits to using a bit more restraint
in the studio than when playing live, we have a track from his debut that's
loaded with texture!
CD: Sometime Tuesday Morning
(1999)
Label: Favored Nations
Links:
|
| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
| … it's time for chapter 4 in our 5-part time-travelling adventure
where each of the selections has the word time as part of its title. We're
calling it Precious Time in deference to a piece by Ms Keiko Matsui that's
part of this segment. So stay tuned for tracks such as Quiet Time, Time
Alone, and Love You All My Lifetime - perhaps a bit of a stretch but still
within the parameters of the mandate we've set - we have 13 time-honoring
tracks in all. In the initial frame there's Torcuato Mariano, followed
by Allon Sams, Theo Bishop, and Boney James. Opening the second set of
timely tunes is Special EFX and we continue with Alkemx, Richard Elliot,
Michael Franks, and Chris Geith. Then the final inning features Tony Darren
and Mezzoforte in addition to Keiko Matsui - while in the end it's saxman
Ronnie Laws. But as we begin, we do indeed have Torcuato Mariano and the
stiff-upper-lip sounds of British Time!
|
