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Showcase CD
Rock Steady - Richard Elliot:
Now
who's the baddest sax cat in smooth jazz? Read on and I think
you'll know the way we have it figured! Since the release of his
solo debut in 1986, Richard Elliot has been making one heck of
a case that he is the man laying claim to that title. With a discography
of over 15 records and thousands of live dates spanning more than
two decades, Elliot has rightly earned a reputation as one of
the most popular and most dynamic players in the biz. Now, after
a short "break" and after teaming with Rick Braun for both the
launch of a record label and for one of the top cds in 2007, Elliot
is back on track with his solo career. The new one is called Rock
Steady and it was co-produced by Elliot and Braun. Not only does
this current effort feature more of the rousing sax player's patented
mix of fire & ice, but it's a release with which Elliot proves
positively he's among the elite on the scene today! With a sound
that runs the gamut from chillin right on thru to a warmth that
will make you melt, the former Tower of Power member plays with
a richness that's unmatched!
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Richard Elliot
Blowin' Fire & Ice!
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Therefore,
it's a treat indeed to zero in the Café Jazz spotlight on Richard
Elliot and Rock Steady. We have the usual tasty complement of choice
selections and today we're starting with a tune we've specially
chosen for the occasion - and since you can't chill without it,
Richard Elliot gives us License to Chill, a tune co-written by and
featuring Jeff Lorber! To start hour 2, we have Yaquala - as enticing
as any of the many seductive ballads Elliot has recorded over the
years. While in the end, Philippe Saisse joins Elliot for Candice
Dance, a tune named for Elliot's teen daughter and one that Rick
Braun helped pen. So who plays the baddest sax on the smooth circuit?
That's easier than ever to answer. One or two listens to Rock Steady
and it's likely you'll agree, the bad cat must in point of fact
be none other than Mr. Richard Elliot! 
CD: Rock Steady (2009)
Label: Artistry Music / Mack Avenue
Links: 
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| Fresh Trax: Part One |
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The River Walk - Michael Ross:
Hailing
from Chicago, Michael Ross is locally renowned as a guitarist and vocalist
who got his first break with a touring company production of "the wiz".
A few years back, Ross scored a bit of hit with The Last Love Letter,
the near title track from his 1996 sophomore release. In the interim,
Ross has 'given back' to the community as a music educator while sharing
the stage with some great entertainers in the likes of Ramsey Lewis and
Norman Connors. Additionally, he's continued to record with A Special
Thing as the new one - from that effort we've selected a great tune called
The River Walk!
CD: A Special Thing (2009)
Label: Mihi Records
Links:
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Street
Lights - Tony Vattimo :
A graduate
of West Chester University and a veteran keyboardist, Tony Vattimo has
worked as a staff composer for Music Library companies on both coasts.
He's played the vibrant Philadelphia and New York scenes for many years
and after being urged by family, friends, & fans to record on his own,
Vattimo committed to a project that became his year-long labor of love.
Issued just this past year, Can't Let Go consists of 11 original compositions
with Vattimo drawing inspiration from the ocean, the island of Kauai,
and from the sites and sounds around him. Backed by up to 9 musicians
at a time, the project is a rock solid first effort and an early bet to
be among our favourites in 2010. From that release, Tony Vattimo debuts
on our show with the lead track from the disc, a melodic & moving tune
called Street Lights!
CD: Can' t Let Go (2009)
Label: Independent
Links:
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two |
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More
Than Real - Dee Brown:
Detroit
native Dee Brown pursued courses in harmony, writing, classical guitar,
piano and vocals all while earning a degree in Biology & Respiratory Therapy.
After college, he formed an R&B band called One Wish - they recorded an
album and scored a top 100 single with Dee handling first tenor duties
as one of three vocalists. Nevertheless, Brown had long dreamed of producing
an album that would feature him on guitar - that happened a few years
back with Brown as one-half of the smooth duo Shelby Brown. He debuted
as a front man in 2007 and now from the just issued A Little Elbowroom,
we have the very tasty More Than Real!
CD: A Little Elbowroom (2009)
Label: NuGroove Music
Links:
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Coronado
Breeze - Larry White:
A veteran
singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, Larry White has long been recognized
as one of today's top talents in music. After attending the High School
of the Performing Arts in NYC and then later UCLA, White toured with the
band The Sandpipers. For a time he worked as a writer at Motown while
additionally he's arranged and conducted for some of the biggest names
in the biz including Kenny Rogers, Dionne Warwick, and Dusty Springfield.
In 1999, White returned to singing and playing his own music. He became
a first call player at some of the finer jazz venues in Vegas, and then
in 2005, White's Unsolicited Material release drew Grammy consideration.
Coronado Breeze is now his long-awaited follow-up and from that effort
we have White's chic blend of Jazz and R&B in the album's title track!
CD: Coronado Breeze (2007)
Label: Coronado Records
Links:
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Dream
Life - Fingerprints :
Formed
back in 1986, the band Fingerprints was founded by guitarist Roy Machado
and bassist Frederick Nichelson when both were students at the University
of North Texas. Their self-titled debut, released in 1991, led to airplay
across the USA while subsequent releases, along with live performances,
have raised the band's profile to the extent that many who have seen them
now consider the band as the southwest's best kept musical secret. Based
in Dallas, Nichelson still heads the combo which presently includes drummer
Kennan Wylie, saxman Claud Hardrick, veteran guitarist Robert Lacroix,
vocalist Tim Jones, and keyboard player Jordache Grant. Dream Life is
now their 5th and latest and a project that will no doubt continue to
draw the attention of listeners craving something with just a bit more
oomph than commercial formula driven jazz. From that effort we have the
substantive title track!
CD: Dream Life (2009)
Label: South Memphis Music
Links:
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
| … on this edition it's a theme show called Peaceful Flight
as each & every selection has the word flight in its title. So stay tuned
for tracks as Night Flight, Flight of the Conchords, and In Full Flight
with 13 aeronautically alluding tracks in all. The opening set features
Keith Robinson with the tune for which we named the segment - that's followed
by Gregg Karukas and Sean Grace as well as Greg Manning and Michael Manson.
The second set begins with Patrick Yandall and continues with selections
by Perry Joslin and the veteran band Cabo Frio. Then wrapping the entire
affair are Christoph Spendel and the combo of Paul Brown + Marc Antoine.
As well there's Joe Sample and Andreas Vollenweider while in the end it's
Australian bassman Wayne Jones … 'in-flight entertainment' courtesy of
yours truly!
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