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Special Presentation - The Sounds of Summer: |
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| Highlights Hour
One So This Is Love - Lisa Hilton: So who is the most prolific independent artist on the scene today? Many, including yours truly, feel it just may be Lisa Hilton. The Malibu based composer & pianist is back with yet another tasty collection, now already her 7th solo album. Well versed at a variety of styles from classical to straight-ahead, this release once again features Ms Hilton's unique blend of musical flavors. Called My Favorite Things, the concept behind the project was to feature a variety of "favorites", from jazz classics to movie themes, mixed in with a few of Lisa's originals. Joining Ms Hilton are Tal Bergman on drums, Reggie McBride on bass and Eric Marienthal on saxophone, now names that are quite familiar to fans of Hilton & her music as each has been part of previous projects. The arrangements are acoustic and generally lean to a straight-ahead treatment. In a word they are quite simply elegant. |
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| A couple of tracks though, are also well suited
to Smooth Jazz and it's among these that we find our personal favorite
here on My Favorite Things. Specifically, So This is Love is the track
& it's a gem!! A captivating melody has always been key to Lisa's success
and this one simply sparkles!! The piece features Hilton & Marienthal
as they playfully caress the melody. I couldn't help but be moved & I'm
certain that you too are going to love it!! CD: My Favorite Things Label: Ruby Slippers Productions Site: Lisa Hilton |
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Possessing one of the truly distinctive voices in music, we've selected
a track that features Najee's signature sound. It's a pretty piece that
was co-written by & features Rex Rideout and it's entitled Charm!!!
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| Highlights Hour Two | ||
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Fragments
of an Afternoon - Danny Federici:
Danny Federici, now where have you heard that name before? If you're an
avid Bruce Springsteen fan you may have seen Federici's name listed in
various credits as a member of the E Street Band. In fact Federici is
a founding member & has performed with them for over 3 decades. Now having
backed someone of Springsteen's stature, has resulted in frequent & rather
lengthy breaks in an otherwise hectic schedule. This has afforded Federici
the luxury of the time needed to explore & expand his own projects. His
first solo effort was issued in 1997 initially under the name Flemington
and then later re-released as a self-titled & slightly expanded project.
So, it's been a few years since that outing, time enough to allow Federici
to further develop his ideas & present them on Out of A Dream. Although
there are several tracks that merit attention, there is nevertheless one
that for us at least, clearly stands out from the rest. A melodic hook,
an easy refrain and that irresistible sort of groove that we just can't
get enough of!! It's called Fragments of an Afternoon and we have it for
you on this edition!! CD: Out Of A Dream Label: Random Notes |
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Spin Zone - Blake Aaron: Guitarist
Blake Aaron has for the better part of the last decade been active as
a player on the LA & national music scenes. In addition to the work
that he's done for TV, Aaron has appeared live and in the studio with
many of today's top Smooth Jazz stars including artists such as Steve
Reid & Bamboo Forest. His debut album issued in 2001, featured appearances
from David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, & Tony Guerrero and drew a fair
bit of attention on the R&R New and Active chart. That was followed
a couple of years later by a collection of hip originals, this time
with Greg Adams & Will Donato as featured performers, and one which
garnered enough media interest for Aaron to land a deal with 215 Records.
So now at a pace of a cd every two years, Blake is back with Shine,
his latest project which is forthcoming. From that album, we have the
infectious energy of the lead single. Great track too, one that should
put this brand new effort squarely "in the spin zone" on Café
Jazz! |
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Set You Free - Kem: Nashville-born, & now based in Detroit,
Kem is Kem Owens. His debut album sold 10,000 units as an independent
release before Motown picked it up as part of a five-cd package deal.
It later went on to reach Top 20 on the R&B charts. No wonder, as there's
plenty of substance to this performer's style. Not only does Owens handle
vocals and play keyboards, he also writes, arranges, and produces all
the material. Far from flashy, Kem's arrangements are surprisingly subdued.
Yet this seems to work best, as it allows his sometimes no-louder-than-a-whisper
vocals to shine!! Album II is Kem's recently released follow up project.
There's an understated elegance to it all, a refined blend of R&B and
jazz with heartfelt lyrics & mature expressions of love. From that effort
we have the haunting piece that rates as one of his best!! |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Web Site: | |
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As we continue with the Sounds of Summer review, we have more fabulous grooves that were released in the summer of '05, including tracks from Euge Groove, David Pack, and Earl Klugh. But I just couldn't resist adding some outstanding pieces that made it into our studio just days before we were going to production with this segment. For that reason you'll hear music from Brian Simpson, Jason Parra, Mark Carter, & Kenny Carr, so look for those (and maybe one or two more) sprinkled thruout the show!! |
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