Showcase CD
Back To The Groove - J.D. Daniel:
Raised
in Seattle Washington, JD Daniel began classical training on piano
at the age of six. He'd moved to Tucson Arizona, by the time he
was 19 and it was there that he led a band that featured Brian
Bromberg and Diane Schuur. Afterwards JD relocated to Los Angeles,
where he became the go-to-guy for sessions and tours. In addition,
Daniel has an extensive list of credits working in the media -
from TV and film to documentaries and game shows - and thereby
he's been heard by millions the world over. With tastes ranging
from diverse to eclectic, Daniel is not only well-versed but versatile
- over the course of his career, he's backed the likes of Dave
Koz and Rick Braun; moreover his performance experience extends
to the areas of pop, rock, R&B, and beyond! His résumé
includes working with Andy Williams and Supertramp, The Four Tops
and Dori Caymmi, as well as many, many more! |
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a lead man, JD's recorded a few piano cds and fronted a jazz trio.
Now having set up shop in the 'Sunshine State', Back To The Groove
is the new one upon which Daniel puts his musical wares on display!
Featuring eleven bold and expressive original compositions, this
is a project with flare, funkitude, and finesse! It's therefore
a pleasure to ease album and author into the glow of the showcase
spotlight. |
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J.D. Daniel
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We have a crisp assortment of tracks - starting with one of our
favourites in the 'spectacle' called Firedance, a selection inspired
by one of JD's formative experiences when he saw McCoy Tyner play.
For the ultra moody Tristere at the top of hour 2, Daniel creates
a magical atmosphere reminiscent of the times he worked with Brazilian
legends such as Sergio Mendes - that's Brandon Fields guesting on
sax on both tracks. Meantime the quasi-classical and kinetic Dolphin
Waters is our finishing selection - originally a solo piano piece,
the tune was orchestrated with the help of guitarist Mike Miller
and soprano saxman Brad Baker. Covering a spectrum of styles while
featuring inspired playing thruout, JD Daniel is a master of many
moods on this his most daring venture called Back To The Groove!
CD: Back To The Groove
(2009)
Label: Blue Yak Music
Links: 
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| Back Trax: Part One |
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Mujer Latina - Ricardo Scales:
A gifted
musician as a youth, Ricardo Scales went on to win a scholarship to the
San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Unfortunately, when he was 19, he
suffered an accident that severed the cords to three fingers in his left
hand and he was told he would never play piano again. Unwilling to accept
that negative prognosis, Scales devised his own therapy wherein he used
his right hand to help re-teach his left hand how to work the keys. After
many months, he slowly regained some dexterity, and thru continued efforts,
he eventually reacquired his ability to play. In the time since, he's
developed into a staple on the music scene in The City by The Bay while
issuing over a dozen cds. Today we return to 1996 for one of his best.
From Forever Love, we have the tune that remains Scales' biggest hit to
date in the track Mujer Latina and the Café Jazz edit thereof!
CD: Forever Love (1996)
Label: Bay Sound Records
Links:
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Ganja
- Larry Klimas :
A veteran
musician, sax and flute man Larry Klimas has a diverse resume that includes
tours with Manhattan Transfer and Neil Diamond. Additionally, Klimas has
a long working relationship with LA keyboardist David Garfield - they've
worked together in many capacities for the past 30 years or more. Klimas
appeared on several of Garfield's solo cds, while also joining him on
a few different incarnations of the band Karizma. Moreover Klimas has
issued a pair of cds under his own name and we're heading back to first
of these in Retro-spec (t) from 1999 that was co-produced by his old friend.
From that effort, we have the heady Ganja for you today!
CD: Retro-spec (t) (1999)
Label: Creatchy Records
Links:
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| Back Trax: Part Two |
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Lullaby
for K.C. - Kloud 9:
Originally
hailing from a small town near Chicago but now based in Nashville, fraternal
twins Kelvis and Kendall Duffie are Kloud 9. By the time they were 14,
their talents were already getting noticed when they were performing as
part of a contemporary gospel quartet called Meekness. They ended up playing
and / or recording with legends such as Take 6 and Bebe and Cece Winans
- still, after a few years, the project ran its course and they disbanded
in the mid 90s. Driven by his passion for music, Kendall moved to London
where he lived for nearly two years. While there he met Bluey Maunick
the front man for Incognito who would later contribute to their debut,
and in due course Kendall caught the attention of Ralph Tee and his Expansion
Records label. Their first single with Kirk Whalum was included on an
Expansion compilation cd and that momentum led to their 2002 full length
premier. From that effort entitled On Kloud 9 we have the exquisite Lullaby
for K.C. !
CD: On Kloud 9 (2002)
Label: Expansion Records
Links:
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The
Secret In Your Eyes - Phil Klein:
After
releasing his solo debut in 1994, keyboardist Phil Klein reappeared a
few years later with Cruise Control, his sophomore project. Generally
operating more as a master of ceremonies for an assemblage of Bay Area
all-stars rather than the star of the show, Klein lays down a rock solid
bed of keys that allows his guests ample opportunity to strut their stuff.
Among others, personnel on the disc include Ray Obiedo, Norbert Stachel,
Bill Ortiz, Pete Escovedo, William Kennedy, and Andy Narell. In particular,
Marc Russo fills in with some hot sax licks on the track in question on
today's show, a gorgeous ballad entitled The Secret In Your Eyes!
CD: Cruise Control (1997)
Label: Philmo Betta Music
Links:
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Namaskar
- Tri Atma :
The band
Tri Atma was a German-Indian collaboration. Formed in 1977 by guitarist
and composer Jens Fischer from Hamburg and percussionist Asim Saha, the
project fused elements of Western electronic pop with the buoyant rhythms
and mysticism of the East. In 1982, the duo met producer Klaus Netzle
who added the sounds of the Fairlight and Synclavier synthesizers to their
music. Their debut was recorded that year - then thru the remainder of
the 80s, they issued a series of releases while attaining a strong following.
On this occasion, we opted for Namaskar, a track which originally appeared
on the '89 Belong to the Sun cd. This time we went to the compilation
labeled Essential Tri Atma that followed a year later. Offering selections
from their previous three releases, the tunes were all digitally remastered
by none other than William Aura!
CD: Essential Tri Atma (1990)
Label: Higher Octave Music
Links:
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
… part 2 in our current series of 'sun-drenched' specials.
This one is labelled Sunny Side Up in deference to a track from Freddie
Ravel as each & every selection has the word sun or some variant in its
title. So stay tuned for Chasing The Sun, Sunrise, and Sunshine and Me
as we present a baker's dozen of delightful sun beamy tracks in all. The
first rays on this show are from Marc Antoine; he's followed by the band
Shakatak and then Peter Kater with Dominic Miller, plus there's the Swedish
project known as Koop. Set #2 features a 5-pack of selections starting
with The Rippingtons - and continues with Jeff Lorber. Additionally, there
are selections by Alexander Zonjic, the late Chet Atkins, and Soul Ballet.
Then winding down in the final frame there's Jay Beckenstein with Spyro
Gyra as well as Freddie Ravel and the tune which lent its name to this
feature - that's together with Maurice Gordon. Finally, it's keyboardist
Rob Mullins! 
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.jpg "Larry Klimas - Retro-spec (t)")
