Highlights!
Thanks for joining me as we spotlight Modern Times, the latest from Marc Antoine. We'll trace some the high points in Marc's career & we'll spin a few tracks from the album as part of the showcase feature. Then in hour two we're back with more BT and a star studded lineup. Today's feature includes golden listening from Brian Bromberg, Craig Chaquico, Nestor Torres, & Richard Smith. We've also slotted a fantastic selection from Germany's Dancing Fantasy!!
Added to the mix are tracks from Joyce Cooling, Marion Meadows, Randy Crawford, Patrick Yandall, Maurice Gordon, Bob Baldwin, Mark Hollingsworth, Ray Garand, Richard Elliot, Boz Scaggs, Rick Braun, Pamela Williams, The Clayton/Scott Group, Amarosa, Robin Avery, & Steve Raybine!!

Showcase CD
Modern Times - Marc Antoine:
As a young boy growing up in Paris, Antoine was first exposed to the sound of the guitar through a neighbour, who knew but a single song. Nevertheless, Marc fell in love with the mellifluous tone of the instrument and bought his first one with prize money from a scooter race. He practiced incessantly and at 16, he earned a scholarship to the Paris Conservatory of Music.

However, being the son of an accomplished athlete, Marc also developed a love for swimming that grew along with his passion for music. There was talk of 'Olympic potential' when Antoine placed in the junior championships in France and then in the European finals. It became evident that if Marc wished to reach his full potential in either field, he would have to choose between swimming and music as regardless of his choice, it would require his full attention.

In so doing he developed an entirely new technique and sound. It took three long years but by the time he was 22, Antoine was back on the circuit. After various experiences in Pop, Jazz, Latin and African music, the by now seasoned 31 year old performer, formed a band and recorded his first album in 1994. The release was critically acclaimed & launched Antoine on a path that has seen him develop into one of the finest guitarists in the Smooth Jazz genre!! With a total of seven releases now to his credit, Modern Times is Marc's latest.

This album marks an exciting change in direction for Antoine. For the past 3 years he's lived in Spain, a time during which he became a father. These experiences together with many of his travels have inspired Antoine to take his music in new directions. For the project, Antoine brought in David Ferrero , a producer who is well known in the club world for his dance grooves and pulsating rhythms. In addition, Antoine "wanted to explore a different musical palate by using electric guitar on some tracks."

It's with great pleasure then that we showcase Modern Times and Marc Antoine. We begin with a special remix of Bella Via, the first single to radio. That's followed by Umbele, a track that revisits many of the African influences that Antoine was experienced in his early days while gigging in Paris. And we finally we conclude with Camden Town, a track that features a terrific sampled percussive groove courtesy of David Ferrero and our favourite from the album. With so many creative avenues that he's already explored, Antoine still discovers many new & wonderful musical vistas. The album does indeed reflect 'Modern Times' as Antoine presents one of the most imaginative releases for the year !!

CD: Modern Times
Label: Rendezvous Entertainment
Site: Marc Antoine

My Love - Brian Bromberg :
Following the lead of both his father & brother, Bromberg initially took up drums. He also began playing cello for his school band, but upon the suggestion of his band teacher he tried the upright bass. Brian immediately connected with that instrument. Thereafter, he locked himself away & practiced incessantly. When he took to performing, it was with equal passion. Bromberg frequently played five to seven nights a week, often with several different bands. He was only 19 when he auditioned for & joined Stan Getz in December of '79. He toured the world with Stan and his band for the better part of a year before moving on to other pursuits.

In the period that followed, Bromberg developed into a highly regarded sideman. He released his critically acclaimed debut in 1986 and now has a catalogue of about a dozen releases to his credit. These subsequent projects have only served to enhance Bromberg's reputation. Considered an innovative player, Brian is much in demand as a sessionist & producer for both smooth and straight-ahead projects. However, as our focus here at the Café is SJ we're checking out Brian's You Know That Feeling from 1998. The album was one of the finer efforts for the year and from it we're presenting a track that features Gary Meek, Jeff Lorber, Gregg Karukas, & Alex Acuna. Bromberg himself is featured on a variety of basses as he weaves a romantic & magical spell thruout this incredible piece !!

CD: You Know That Feeling (1998)
Label: Zebra Records
Site: Brian Bromberg

Never Too Much - Richard Smith:
Although he was born in Detroit, Smith's roots are firmly planted in Oregon, where he spent the better part of his youth. He left school at the age of 19 to pursue offers of a recording contract and did some touring with keyboardist Dan Siegel, one of our long time favourites. Richard then relocated to LA and spent the next few years studying at USC where he successfully completed a Masters program in music. Shortly after graduating he joined the teaching faculty at that university's highly regarded Thornton School of Music.

At about the same time, Smith became immersed in LA's burgeoning contemporary scene. A demo tape, led in time to a lengthy gig with saxman Richard Elliot, a stint that included the recording of six #1 cds. As part of his multifaceted career, Smith has simultaneously worked at establishing himself as a solo artist. He released a series of efforts back in the late 80s initially as the front man for The Richard Smith Unit and then solely under his own name. He's had several releases thru until Soulidified his most recent effort just a couple of years back. However on this occasion we're heading back to 1997 and First Kiss, the first of two releases on Heads Up. From that effort, we'll hear Smith's cover of the Luther Vandross track with his old boss Richard Elliot helping out on sax !!

CD: First Kiss (1997)
Label: Heads Up International
Sites: Richard Smith ; Smith at Heads Up

Green Angel - Nestor Torres:
Torres is an artist who's persevered thru personal misfortune to pursue his musical dreams. Born & raised in Puerto Rico, Nestor was 12 when he began playing flute. Following high school, Torres moved to New York where he found work in a variety of Latin-based jazz bands. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled at Berklee College and followed that with studies at the New England Conservatory. In the early 80s, Nestor hooked up with a Latin jazz act and subsequently moved to Miami, where he's been based ever since.

In 1990, Torres released his debut which climbed to the top of the charts and became a best seller. Later that same year tragedy struck as Nestor was involved in a serious boating accident. His upper body was crushed & his lungs damaged. Nevertheless he found the strength to resume playing the flute thru the practice of Buddhism. Torres recovered fully and has gone on to record several more albums. On this occasion, it's our pleasure to return to 1999 & Treasures of the Heart, one of his finest, and from it we've selected one of Nestor's prettiest pieces ever!!

CD: Treasures of the Heart (1999)
Label: Shanachie Entertainment
Sites: Nestor Torres ; Shanachie

Forbidden Love - Craig Chaquico:
At the age of twelve, Chaquico fell victim to a drunk driver. Despite multiple injuries, Craig's desire to play guitar became his motivation for recovery. He started gigging around town in the Bay Area and soon after Grace Slick recruited him as lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship although he was only sixteen at the time. Following his stint with Starship, Chaquico was unsure of which path to follow in music but fate stepped in. Chaquico's wife happened to be pregnant at the time and to quote Craig "the electric guitar was not as welcome around the house." He started messing around with his acoustic guitar and soon remembered its healing tendencies. Never really abandoning his rock roots, but rather expanding his musical radius, Chaquico released his first solo project to great acclaim. Since then, he's developed into one of the top artists in contemporary instrumental music. On this occasion, we returned to 1998 and Four Corners for one of his best tracks - Forbidden Love with Paul Taylor on sax !!

CD: Four Corners (1998)
Label: Higher Octave Music
Sites: Craig Chaquico ; Chaquico at Higher Octave

California Grooves, Yo! - Dancing Fantasy:
For a period in the 90s thru until the new millennium, the German based duo of Curtis McLaw & Chris Williams recorded a series of popular album inspired by the beach scene in Southern California. McLaw for his part is well known on the music scene in Germany for his keyboard wizardry & his production expertise. In fact he's collaborated in several other projects, specifically Blue Knights (with Jay Heye) & Colours in Motion (with Peter Sefkow).

It was about 1990 when McLaw & Williams were overheard jamming in McLaw's studio. They were offered a record deal and went on to record a total of nine projects as Dancing Fantasy thru until 2001. Nevertheless on this occasion it's a genuine treat to return to Moonlight Reflections from 1992 and what was already their 3rd release. From that project, California Grooves, Yo! is the selection & that feature some exciting sax work from George Bishop !!

CD: Moonlight Reflections (1992)
Label: Innovative Communication
Site: Curtis McLaw

On this edition we have a fabulous T&N feature with Brian Simpson in our spotlight. Then, there's some exciting new music including the latest single from Kem. We're introducing Wavelength and keyboardist Morgan Bouldin. We have a contest & fabulous track from Snake Davis one of the premier sax players in the UK & we're continuing our review of the best in new seasonal music, this time with a six pack of selections to complete the show. And at long last we have the debut release from Willie TFOXX Thompson that opens the segment. All this is a fun filled and action packed hour of outstanding listening !!