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January 2nd, 2005 Edition #344 Previously 
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Special
Presentation - The Best of 2004 - Part 1 |
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Highlights Hour One Good Evening - Matt Marshak: Marshak was in the process of completing his sophomore project, when he submitted some finished tracks to an artist search cosponsored by CD101.9, the SJ station in NYC. After being one of about a thousand entrants Marshak eventually won that contest and was named Best New Smooth Jazz Artist in The Big Apple. Released early in 2004, This Time Around displays Matt's expert blends of jazz, pop, blues, and soul all laced with some very hip grooves and tied together with highly enticing melodies. One of the finer releases that it was my pleasure to have discovered in '04. Thanks for the music Matt and for recording the liners for our show! CD: This Time Around Label: Nuance/Kemistre Web Site: Matt Marshak |
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Within
the Blue - Grady Nichols:
After graduating Nichols moved to Tulsa OK where he quickly became known
for his appealing blend of jazz and gospel music. On Sophistication
his fourth cd, Nichols definitely kicked things up a notch, having enlisted
the aid of Jeff Lorber who produced and co-wrote the album. Chris Botti
& Ray Fuller both make guest appearances and Paul Brown the award-winning
producer handles all the mixing duties. The completion of the project
was spread over a lengthy period and also spanned two major events as
Nichols first got married and then became a father. This combination
of circumstances and key personnel provided the perfect backdrop & all
the right ingredients to make this release a winner! Thanks Grady for
helping us "get on board" this project right from the get
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Waltz of the Leaves - James Hollihan: Now what can I say about a project that's called the Funky Misfit? First off, the title may be a bit of a misnomer. OK! So the dude definitely is funky, but quite frankly to my mind he's no misfit. While countless others toil in vain, Hollihan not only succeeds but indeed excels at a project that's highly creative and totally unique. Could Hollihan be a prodigy of sorts who cleverly disguises his brilliance in the trappings of a humble misfit? That may be close to the truth. Or perhaps the misfit moniker is an allusion to the fact that he's located in Nashville, the country music capitol of the world. Nevertheless, on this his initial solo outing, Hollihan is the proverbial one-man band, having not only composed all the tracks and played each & every instrument, but having also recorded and mixed the entire cd. In a time where much of what we hear is prepackaged and formula driven this one stands out from the rest. From this excellent effort, we'll be experiencing five minutes of sheer musical bliss as Hollihan transports us to special place. CD: The Funky Misfit |
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| Highlights Hour Two | ||
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Kal-E-Fornia
- David Lanz:
Over the past 20 years Lanz established himself as one of the most popular
artists in what might be termed "new age" music. Nevertheless,
the last couple of cds have seen a shift in David's style to one that
exhibits a much jazzier approach to playing. The transition began a
couple of years ago with the release of Finding Paradise, Lanz's successful
foray into smooth jazz. The Good Life, David's recently released follow
up project moves even further in that same direction. Lanz has long
been known for selections that were either spiritual or romantic and
in that regard his music has always been quite reflective in nature.
To a large extent, this has not changed on the new release. What has
changed however, is the sense of celebration that his music transmits.
In fact, that is essentially what the album title was intended to convey.
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How
Does It Feel - Anita Baker: Born
in Detroit, Michigan, Baker started singing in church and then later
performed in groups throughout the area. In the early 80s she scored
a bit of a hit as a member of Chapter 8 before launching her solo career
in 1983 with the release of The Songstress. Her big breakthrough came
in 1986, when she moved over to Elektra Entertainment and released Rapture.
The tremendous success of that album, and the projects that followed
resulted in Baker being heralded as one of great stylists of our time.
Her warm blend of romantic gospel-flavoured R&B ballads found a
huge audience and earned her multi-awards. In the midst of all this
success, the eight-time Grammy winner felt the need "to get away,
to rest, to ... spend some time with ... my husband and my boys." My
Everything released in 2004 is Anita's sixth studio album and her first
since 1994's Rhythm of Love. |
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4 on the Floor - Gerald Albright:
Already well versed as a sax player, Albright attended the University
of Redlands where he earned a degree in Business Management with a minor
in Music. While enrolled at Redlands, Gerald also took up bass guitar,
an instrument that he thoroughly enjoyed and one which continues to
give him a unique dual perspective as a musician. Shortly after graduating,
Gerald joined Patrice Rushen's band and soon established himself as
a first call sideman. Over the years he's worked with a lengthy list
of stars including Anita Baker, Quincy Jones, and Babyface among many
others. He recently concluded a tour with Phil Collins and also participated
in the Groovin' For Grover Tour along with fellow sax players Richard
Elliot, Gerald Albright and Paul Taylor. |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Web Site: | |
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As
CJ continues we have more of our Best of 2004 Special. On this instalment,
we'll be hearing from some of the hit makers from last year. Wayman
Tisdale, Chris Botti, & Mindi Abair all gave us memorable musical moments
in '04. We have tracks from each of those. But it would be remiss of
me not to include a few artists that are not as well known. For that
reason Cabo Frio, Thomas Gardner, & Analysis are on this show. We also
have selections from Konstantin Klashtorni, Jeff Friend, Bernard Alcorn
& a few others who made their SJ debuts in the last 12 months. Those
and Marcus Johnson, Wayne Henderson & the Jazz Crusaders and Down
to the Bone are all in this hour.
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