Best of 2011 - Volume 3 : 12th Annual Café Jazz Year-End Review

The 2011 Rewind!
This Week at CaféJazz.ca

January 22nd, 2012
Edition #641 Previously

This Week at Cafe Jazz.ca: Vol.3 in the 2011 Review:
... we're back with the 3rd and final volume in our review. Included on this edition are selections by Wayne Jones, Shawn Brock, and Vince Mai. Dave Koz is on and also featured are Euge Groove, Bob Baldwin, and David Benoit. There's music by Watson's Riddle, Nate Harasim, and Alexander Boynton Jr. Plus making a return appearance is Brian Simpson - all highlighting a collection of the finest from the past year!

The MPL for 2011: A comprehensive year-end summary!

In This Issue:

HIGHLIGHTS
Track 01 - Euge Groove
Livin' - Watson's Riddle
Moonlit Ocean - Brian Simpson
Playground - Shawn Brock
Beyond the Gate - Alexander Boynton Jr.
Sunrise Mist - John Costello

AFTER HOURS: More Rewind
SPINLIST:

ONE YEAR AGO:

Highlights Hour One
Track 01 - Euge Groove:
The saxman who was born to groove is in full stride with his seventh release, the aptly titled S7ven Large. Considered one of the favourites on the smooth scene since his 2000 debut, Steven Eugene Grove sticks to a winning formula and on the opening selection for the disc, he delivers one of his finest performances. Identified only as Track 01, it's a sincere and sensitive piece, featuring a smooth groove & mellow tone with Euge at his expressive best!

CD: S7ven Large (2011)
Label: Shanachie Records
Links:

Livin' - Watson's Riddle:
Falling under the heading of melody with muscle is the project known as Watson's Riddle. Now here's a 4-man combo featuring musicians of distinction. Giving their name to the band are guitarist Steve Watson and drummer Paul T. Riddle, while featured on keys is Chuck Leavell with bassist Tim Lawter rounding their sound - collectively they are among the most recorded in the history of southern music. In spite of the fact their self-titled debut didn't premier on the show until mid-October, the cd pinned the #34 spot on the 2011 MPL. From that album, there's a track simply called Livin' and a tune we consider one of the finest in a year filled with great music!

CD: Watson's Riddle (2011)
Label: Palmetto Records
Links:

Moonlit Ocean - Brian Simpson:
Brian Simpson has been a consistent favourite on Café Jazz for years and, in a phrase, a Simpson cd does not disappoint! After South Beach made our MPL for 2010, the project coasted to another terrific showing in 2011. Two years ago we latched onto Our Love and Never Without You, whereas last year it was Moonlit Ocean that drew most of our attention. Now here's an album with the legs to maintain that same sort momentum for some time to come. So in 2012, who knows which it will be - All I Want Is You, Summer's End, or one of several other tremendous tracks? For the interim, it's the sparkle of Moonlit Ocean that's ours to enjoy!

CD: South Beach (2010)
Label: Shanachie Records
Links:

Highlights Hour Two
	Playground - Shawn Brock: Currently based in Las Vegas Nevada, Shawn Brock has been performing as a top call sessionist and composing for TV since he was 18. Always a fan of instrumental music, Brock's own style has been influenced by multiple genres. The 2009 release of Sketches of Love & Fury signaled his full migration to smooth, while Sight UnSeen was his follow-up issued in 2011. The latter album title may clue you into the fact that Shawn is a musician who doesn't have his sight - and in light of this he uses a different approach in the way his music comes across. His objective pure and simple is to communicate through sound - to take the listener away, or to bring their feelings to the surface. In that regard, the track Playground, our choice for this edition, rates as one of the most tender selections for the year! CD: Sight UnSeen (2011) Label: Innervision Records Links:
	Beyond the Gate - Alexander Boynton Jr.: Tennessee native Alexander Boynton Jr. spent his formative years in LA where playing gospel in church helped him hone his chops. After relocating to Vancouver Canada, Boynton continued his musical education; he fell in love with classical music, and devoted himself to composing and playing in a small string orchestra. In due course he started to record with a pop-soul group and then 'graduated' to the Juno-award-winning The Payola$ in 1985. In his years with the Canadian rockers, A-Train helped open for Bryan Adams, Super Tramp, Duran Duran and many others. Following a 5 year Payola$ reunion tour ending in 2008, Boynton returned to his roots for Doo Bee Doo Bop, a cd produced in conjunction with Jeff Lorber. From a project featuring contributions by Paul Jackson Jr., Jeff Golub, and Rick Braun, we have smooth jazz and R&B with a dash of urban fusion in the track Beyond the Gate! CD: Doo Bee Doo Bop (2010) Label: Independent Release Links:
	Sunrise Mist - John Costello : John Costello wears many hats as a composer, producer, musician, and a record label exec. As a teen Costello moved with his Mom from Chicago to Phoenix and it was there that he became hooked on life as a musician. He toured throughout the US with various bands, before forming The Connection in 1987 - since that time the group has played over 400 gigs for military personnel in 28 countries. Back in Phoenix, Costello operates as president for several labels while additionally he's composed for film & TV, produced for others and recorded on his own. Rating as one of our more pleasant discoveries for the year, was Beyond Smooth released in 2010 on Costello's own Fervor Records label - from that release we're pleased to present the musical vignette called Sunrise Mist! CD: Beyond Smooth (2010) Label: Fervor Records Links:

After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Web Site and Select Affiliates:

More of the Rewind: The conclusion to the rewind has one final hour featuring all the best sounds from 2011. This show includes Spyro Gyra and Dotsero. There's music from Westbound and Rob Parissi. Jazzyfrank is with us, while also appearing are Danny McCollim, Jeff Gaeth, and Abdul Zuhri. But right off the mark we're thanking Keith Andrew for today's party starter - it's called Samasama and in Indonesian it means you're welcome!

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