Showcase CD
Chillout Lounge - David Arkenstone:
He's
been described as "a musical storyteller" who "is passionate about
taking his listeners on a journey," and with Chillout Lounge,
David Arkenstone creates yet another thrilling chapter in his
musical saga. Hailing from Chicago, Arkenstone was just 10 when
his family moved to California. Immersing himself in all the sounds
that the West Coast had to offer, Arkenstone learned keys and
guitar, and played in a variety of bands. Following college, he
travelled all the across the USA covering the pop styles of the
day - all the while, the synergy between technology and instruments
was increasing exponentially. Influenced by the music of Kitaro,
Arkenstone merged elements of World music, classic rock, and new
age, and by incorporating aspects of electronica, he fabricated
his signature style! Debuting in 1987 with Valley In The Clouds,
a "blend of cinematic New Age rock and world music", Arkenstone
then followed that with two #1 albums in 1990's Citizen of Time
and '91's In the Wake of the Wind! |
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a three-time Grammy nominee, Arkenstone has sold over a million
units worldwide. Additionally, he's composed for TV and film, and
learned to play a variety of instruments including bouzouki, mandolin,
bass guitar, harp, cello, flute, and many others yet still! Now
with a catalogue that's grown to include over 30 releases covering
multiple genres, the aptly titled Chillout Lounge is Arkenstone's
latest. Easily one of the most engaging downtempo albums of the
year, here's a project that reworks the boundaries between genres.
It's cool and hip with a nicely frosted feel - so having selected
a complement of choice selections it's now a pleasure to feature
David Arkenstone and Chillout Lounge as the subject for our showcase
presentation! |
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David Arkenstone
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When Brian Eno coined the term ambient back in the mid 70s, he may
well have had Arkenstone's electro-acoustic Down By the River in
mind - ambient meaning that existential form lying somewhere between
melody and texture - and that's the tune with which we begin. Easing
into the second hour of the show is the sonically sculptured Crystal
Sky while the organic chill of Just Past Midnight makes for compelling
listening regardless of whether it's night or day. With a vibe that's
unique & fresh, David Arkenstone's Chillout Lounge is a great fit
for "the hippest show on radio" as well as providing a perfect soundtrack
to just chill & relax!
CD: Chillout Lounge
(2009)
Label: Green Hill
Links: 
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| Fresh Trax: Part One |
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Cruisin - Eric Leone:
Inspired
by musical parents, Eric Leone Pritchett is a graduate of the Hartford
Conservatory where he studied jazz guitar - nonetheless Leone is well-versed
as a pianist as well as on several other instruments. After playing locally
in the Hartford area in numerous R&B bands, he made his smooth jazz debut
back in 2002 with the cd Outstanding. Now with a few more years to further
hone some snazzy jazz chops, Cruisin is Leone's recently issued sophomore
release and from it we have the groovin title track!
CD: Cruisin (2009)
Label: e Entertainment
Links:
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Tag
You're It - Lynn Riley:
Hailing
from Washington, D.C., and raised just outside of Philadelphia, Lynn Riley
developed her sensibility to different musical cultures while earning
a Bachelor's in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii. She continued
her studies at the University of Missouri and with private lessons with
the Kansas City Symphony's principal flutist, all while performing on
that city's vibrant jazz scene. Additionally, Ms Riley became involved
with the Women's Jazz Festival, an international celebration highlighting
women musicians. After returning to Philadelphia, she played with many
of the greats like Grover Washington Jr., David Bromberg, and Rachelle
Farrell. Leading her own groups, Riley has opened for Najee, Spyro Gyra,
and many others while performing throughout the US, in Europe, and around
the world. After an initial local release, Riley and her band, the World
Mix, have now taken her debut to the national level. From that effort,
we're presenting the playful Tag You're It!
CD: Too Cool (2008)
Label: Independent
Links: 
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| Fresh Trax: Part Two |
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Dancing With You - Jaared:
In his
childhood, Jaared Arosemena suffered from asthma and upon the recommendation
of his doctor he took up the sax in order to strengthen his lungs. David
Sanborn became an early influence for the DC native, but additionally
other saxophonists who have had an impact on his playing include Grover
Washington, Jr. and Nelson Rangell. In the mid-'80s, Jaared became active
on the Washington scene where he played with a variety of funk and R&B
artists - but, over the years he began to shift to smooth. Releasing his
debut early in the 00's, that was also a time that found Jaared touring
extensively as a sideman for Peter White. This combination of activity
led to Jaared's 2002 nomination as Best New Artist of the Year by the
National Smooth Jazz Association.
Manhattan Nights is now cd #4 and Jaared's second on the Trippin Records
label but his first with ace-producer and Grammy-winner Michael Broening.
Broening has long worked with Marion Meadows while more recently he produced
Cindy Bradley's Bloom cd which is in the contention for Album of the Year
at the upcoming inaugural edition of the American Smooth Jazz Awards.
Broening's guiding hand is immediately evident on the project, particularly
upon the selection we've chosen. Jaared's never sounded sweeter than on
the gorgeous tune entitled Dancing With You. Even on the very first listen,
this expressive ballad became an early odds-on-favorite to be one of our
most played selections for the year and I have no doubt that you're gonna
luv it too!
CD: Manhattan Nights (2010)
Label: Trippin 'n' Rhythm Records
Links: Jaared -
M.Broening -
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Simple
Pleasures - Michael Scherer:
Michael
Scherer began in music at the age of five training classically on the
piano. However, by the time he was in his teens, jazz was his thing. Scherer
earned a degree in Commercial Music from Millikin University and he then
traveled throughout the US, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean,
performing at festivals such as The North Sea Jazz Festival, and at Montreux.
Now back in his home town of Decatur Illinois, Scherer recently finished
recording Exceeding Expectations, his third cd overall. His 2004 debut
featured inspirational piano, while a 2006 project could be described
as gospel hip-hop. Add to all of this, Scherer's experience as owner and
CEO of Dream Vizion Productions, a one-stop audio production company,
and you may get the idea that Scherer's tastes and abilities run a gamut
of styles. With an eclectic blend, Michael Scherer now presents a unique
& intriguing twist on the genre. From that effort we have one of his finest
in a simply pleasurable tune aptly titled Simple Pleasures!
CD: Exceeding Expectations (2009)
Label: Dream Vizion Productions
Links:
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Shaft
- Alan Hewitt:
After
his last pair of releases rocked the foundations here on "the biggest
little show on radio", Alan Hewitt makes a triumphant return to the smooth
arena. The native of northern Michigan attended Berklee in Boston and
although he'd issued a handful of well received releases, for the most
part he'd devoted his career to backing artists from EW&F to Donnie Osmond.
Having composed for film & TV, Hewitt was an award winner with credits
that included The Osbournes, ET, and Oprah among many others. That direction
changed with the 2004 issue of Noche de Pasion, our #3 most played cd
for the year and with his Metropolis follow-up that duplicated that positioning
a couple of years later. Since then, Alan has enjoyed numerous guest spots,
most recently backing Steve Oliver on Steve's latest cd, while also appearing
as a headliner on several smooth cruises. Now with an absence of about
4 years between studio releases, we have the 2010 issue of Retroactive.
From that dynamic assemblage consisting primarily of Alan's original compositions,
we have Hewitt's tribute to the genius of the late Isaac Hayes with an
inspired cover of the theme from Shaft!
CD: Retroactive (2010)
Label: Nu Groove Records
Links:
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
... the most recent installment in our ongoing connections
series. To be eligible for inclusion on this show, all the selections
had to share a concept near and dear to our hearts, that being that the
word café was part of their title … we have quite a fine collection for
you today all under the heading of Café Amore! The Acoustic Alchemy bunch
get things started and subsequently there's Marcos Ariel, the combo known
as ReDux, as well as Bradley Leighton. First at bat in our second inning
is the band Spyro Gyra with the tune that lent its name to the segment.
Meantime, in the on-deck circle we have Peter White and trombonist Wayne
Henderson, while also doing a few warm-ups are Jeff Golub and David Benoit.
Then following our seventh inning stretch if you will, we have Otis Hayes
III and Craig Chaquico plus Candy Dulfer while finishing it, it'll be
David Boswell! Luv is in the air! 
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