… as part of
a continuing adventure in the timeline series, we present Wayback
in '96 courtesy of the incomparable Wayback machine. We've set the
controls and there on the sign post up ahead are some of today's
highlights - these include Richard Elliot, Chieli Minucci, and Art
Porter Jr., while also appearing are Brian Culbertson, The Rippingtons
and Peter White. 1996 was also the year for a release by George
Benson that still rates among his best. From an effort entitled
That's Right, and a cd that peaked at #1 we're turning on our Benson
burner with the title track - as we hurtle Wayback to '96!
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Highlights
Hour One
That's Right - George Benson:
George Benson stands
uniquely as one of the most gifted jazz guitarists in history, but in
addition he's an incredibly versatile musician and performer. As a kid
growing up in Pittsburgh, Benson actually started professionally as a
singer, performing in nightclubs when he was just eight but as his career
unfolded, he enjoyed the opportunity to play with 'some of the baddest
jazz cats on the planet' as he puts it. In 1964, Benson released his debut
as The New Boss Guitar, a play on Wes Montgomery's Boss Guitar, which
he considered one of his finest records. Hooking up with the CTI label
in 1970, there was a series of releases that further fuelled his reputation,
but after a while, he wanted to try out something new. It wasn't until
Benson connected with Tommy LiPuma that he received any encouragement
or support - the result was Breezin', the first jazz record to attain
platinum sales. Released in 1976, the disc provided the instantly recognizable
title track as well as Benson's soulful take on Leon Russell's "This Masquerade",
which unveiled the guitarist hallmark scatting style. After a string of
hit records in an R&B-flavored pop mode, Benson's work had became a bit
formulaic so it was that the '96 That's Right cd came as a pleasant surprise
to long time fans. It saw the reunion of Benson with producer Tommy LiPuma
and signified a return to a jazzier vein - from that effort which peaked
at #1 for the year, we have the title track!
CD: That's Right (1996)
Label: GRP
Links: 
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Flirtation - Herb Alpert:
After stints in
the US Army and at USC, Herb Alpert set up a small studio in his garage,
where he recorded The Lonely Bull, a project that he backed financially.
A few stations began playing the track and the tune became a Top Ten hit
for 1963; by the end of the following year, Alpert found himself hiring
a bunch of musicians to satisfy live appearance requests. The Brass debuted
in 1965 and during their peak they were one of the most popular acts of
the day selling well over 11 million records within a span of 3 years.
After 15 albums with the band through until 1972, Alpert turned his attention
to running A&M Records, which he had started a few years earlier with
his partner Jerry Moss. The company grew to become the largest independent
label in the world and in 1990 A&M was sold for $500 million. Meanwhile
as a performer, Alpert continued to record. He shifted to a more contemporary
sound which found a welcome fit with the emerging smooth scene. In 1994,
Alpert and Moss were back at it, this time launching a venture that they
called Almo Sounds. Second Wind issued in 1996 was Alpert's 33rd release
in his career but was well named as it was his first on the new label!
The project, produced in collaboration with Jeff Lorber, remains one of
Alpert's best and rates highly as recommended listening!
CD: Second Wind (1996)
Label: Almo Sounds
Links: 
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Pacific Coast Drive - Doc Powell:
As a struggling
New York musician, Doc Powell was selected for a session in Italy in about
1982 for a group called Change. The lead vocalist was the late Luther
Vandross and this chance encounter led to an affiliation that would span
15 years and involve hundreds of live dates. Powell played with Vandross
on his 10-day record-breaking gig at Wembley Stadium in 1989 and was soon
on his way to becoming one of the most sought after guitarists in the
big apple. In 1987, Powell landed a record deal that led to the release
of his debut, "Love Is Where It's At," and a project that was nominated
for a Grammy. In spite of that success, it was 5 more years before the
issue of The Doctor Powell's somewhat eponymously titled follow up. Even
so, it was only Powell's 1994 Inner City Blues release on his own West
Coast Records, and an effort that he was willing to pedal door to door,
that eventually became his break-thru. A couple of years later, backed
by the likes of Stan Clarke, Gerald Albright, Patrice Rushen, and Sheila
E, Doc enjoyed his biggest commercial success with Laid Back. By tear
end, the cd had comfortably nestled in among the top records for 1996,
and from it Doc takes on the musically scenic Pacific Coast Drive!
CD: Laid Back (1996)
Label: Discovery
Links:
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| Highlights
Hour Two |
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Venice Beach - Blue Knights:
In the 90s Germany's
Blue Knights was just one of three creative projects spearheaded by keyboardist
and producer Curtis McLaw. The others, Dancing Fantasy and Colors in Motion,
traversed similar styles and even shared some of the same supporting cast.
However, in Blue Knights McLaw found a creative equal in keyboardist and
producer Jan-Heie Erchinger who, for English audiences, was identified
as Jay Heye. From an early age, Heye had studied classical piano before
falling in love with jazz and boogie-woogie. Spurred by the success of
a string of DF releases, McLaw matched his talents with Heye in 1992 for
the Blue Knights debt and a cd that was inspired by the world of fashion.
The album featured light jazzy piano, simple, yet beautiful melodies and
rich layers of sound, and proved a major success at smooth jazz radio.
By the time 1996 had rolled around, Blue Knights were already into their
third studio project with Heye assuming the majority of the main writing
credits. Following their first two cds in Blue Night and Red Night, that
motif was extended to include Tropical Night. Augmenting the sound of
the Blue Knights on the disc were guitarist Bill Joseph Flynn, saxman
Mr. P.T. and brother Dirk Erchinger on percussion and drums. From the
effort we have Heye's nifty piano work on a long-time favourite!
CD: Tropical Night (1996)
Label: Innovative Communications
Links:
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A Cat on the Chimney - Keiko Matsui:
Over the course
of a three-decade career, Keiko Matsui has attained a level of artistry
that's unparalleled in contemporary jazz. Having begun piano at the age
of five, by junior high Matsui was already performing her own compositions.
She graduated majoring in children's culture, but also continued with
her musical studies. After earning top honours at the Yamaha Foundation
when she was just 17, Keiko was selected as a Yahama recording artist.
Later that same year, she composed her first major film score, all while
fronting a jazz combo. After recording 4 albums in her native Japan, the
newly married Matsui used her honeymoon money to help fund the release
of her critically acclaimed North American debut in 1987. Inspired by
artists as diverse as Rachmaninoff and Maurice Jarre, Matsui's '96 Dream
Walk release shows a unique confluence of influences - this is nowhere
more apparent perhaps than upon the dark, and almost foreboding, A Cat
on the Chimney, featuring Derek Nakamoto on keys and Bernie Dresel on
drums!
CD: Dream Walk (1996)
Label: Countdown / ULG
Links:
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Talk 2 Me - Thom Rotella:
A top studio player
and veteran musician, Thom Rotella grew up in Niagara Falls NY as part
of a musical family. Early on, he set his sights on a career in music,
and after some formal training at both Ithaca and Berklee, Rotella earned
his stripes as a highly regarded session player on both coasts. Looking
for a creative outlet, he embarked on a solo career in the late 80s -
his first 3 releases established Rotella as a favourite in the emerging
smooth jazz format. Even so, for the most of the 90s, he couldn't land
a label deal and didn't record for 6 years. Re-emerging after this lengthy
hiatus in 1996 with How My Heart Beats, here at long last Rotella presented
a project that fully captured the vibrance & energy of a live performance.
From a well written, well produced, and exceptionally well played effort
that has withstood the test of time we have a dazzler called Talk 2 Me,
a tune that received some great airplay and one that signaled Rotella's
welcome return to the smooth arena!
CD: How My Heart Beats (1996)
Label: Positive Music
Links:
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive
to our Site and Select Affiliates : |
...the time travelling continues with more
of Wayback in '96. Included are Steve Laury, Ronny Jordan, and Spyro
Gyra and those are just some of the tracks that set 1996 apart as one
of the golden years for smooth jazz … and to begin we're flashing back
to that very year for a tune from Norman Brown. From Better Days ahead
we have the title track, as we zing Wayback to '96 on After Hours and
Café Jazz!
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