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March 15th, 2009 Edition #518 Previously 
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This Week at CafeJazz.ca ... On this edition, it's Mark Barrios in the spotlight with West Tampa Style - we've selected three great tracks from that release and have those cued and ready as part of the showcase segment. Following in hour 2 it'll be time for Back Trax as we dust off a 5-pack from back in the day - highlights on this installment are courtesy of Mezzoforte and War - also appearing are Inner Swing, Michael Sims, and Michael White. Then a bit later, we have some of the brightest and best in current music with Pete Gitlin and Michael Lington, as well as Oli Silk; while featured thru-out are Tim Bowman, Pieces of a Dream, Peter White, and Kim Waters! |
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| Back Trax: Part One | ||
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Honey In The Soul - Inner Swing: The concept for Inner Swing originated with keyboardist Stephen Alpert. Alpert was influenced by Blues greats such as John Lee Hooker and by his all-time favourite jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. In the late 70s, Alpert co-led a band called Spireti while also committing a few of his sounds to disc. Following an extended 8-month tour of Venezuela, he returned to the UK only to see a record deal fall apart. In the mid to late 90s, Alpert connected with Hubbub Records and released Get In The Swing by Inner Swing, a cd that featured several vocal tracks by Sharon Musgrave and compiled much of his material from a ten period. From that effort, we have an instrumental track called Honey In The Soul featuring the slide trombone of Pete Thomas! CD: Get In The Swing (1998) Label: Hubbub Records |
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Playing For Time - Mezzoforte : Formed in 1977, Mezzoforte brought together four teenage friends who shared an enthusiasm for fusion & funk. They released their self-titled debut in 1979, and a few years later, they scored an international hit with the track Garden Party, the first band from Iceland to have achieved that distinction. Now 30 years, 11 albums and over a thousand concerts later, they're still touring regularly with all four original members sometimes appearing as part of 6 to 10 piece band. On this occasion, we're zipping back to 1990 and Playing For Time for the title track and a tune, which gained favourable airplay on smooth jazz radio back in the day! CD: Playing For Time (1990) Label: Novus Site: Mezzoforte ; MezzoSpace |
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| Back Trax: Part Two | ||
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Room
With A Groove - Michael Sims : His talents have been equally in demand from hip hop to smooth jazz and seen him play with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube as well as Pamela Williams, Richard Elliot, Peter White, and George Benson. Born in San Francisco, early on Michael Sims gained inspiration from the likes of Hendrix and Clapton, but after discovering the sounds of John McLaughlin and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, he began to explore the roots of jazz. Moving to LA, he played any session that he could get and thru a series of events, he became entrenched with Ruthless Records as part of the West Coast scene. After ten years working with a variety of artists familiar to the top 10 of the R&B charts, Sims made the slide to smooth. The 2003 release of Room With A Groove was the second from Sims and from it, we have the superb title track with Gerald Albright on sax! CD: Room With A Groove (2003) Label: Liquid 8 Records & Entertainment Site: Michael Sims |
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More Time - Michael White ft Brian Simpson:
Drummer Michael White grew up in Chicago and began playing when he was four. Influenced by that city's scene and inspired by legends such as Buddy Rich, White earned a scholarship to the American Conservatory of Music. From playing local gigs with the likes of Ramsey Lewis, word spread and soon the demands on his time grew to the extent that he was obliged to relinquish his scholastic ambitions. He toured with Denise Williams, Lou Rawls, and Curtis Mayfield before making his way to LA in 1982. There he embarked on a career with studio work, movie scores, and jingle dates - as well as extensive touring. He debuted as a front man with So Far Away in 1994 and from that effort, we've selected the track One More Time featuring Brian Simpson on a track that Simpson wrote and later reprised a few years later for a disc of his own. Moreover, as a bit of a side-note, with White on drums, Simpson on keys, and Dwayne "Smitty" Smith on bass, the track is highlighted by the appearance of ¾ of the future Rhythm Logic combo! CD: So Far Away (1994) Label: Noteworthy Records Site: Michael White ; MW/Space |
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Smile
Happy - War: The roots for the band War extend back to an R&B cover group called the Creators formed in 1962 in the Compton area of LA County. They went thru a variety of configurations and name changes before connecting with Eric Burdon, the former the lead singer with The Animals. Burdon took charge of the group, changed their name, and in 1970 they released the album Eric Burdon Declares War. After that and a follow-up, War recorded on their own scoring several major hits from the early thru to the mid 70s. From 1975 and Why Can't We Be Friends we've selected one of our favourites from the era - an extended seven minute jam entitled Smile Happy! CD: Why Can't We Be Friends? (1975) Label: Avenue Records Site: Lowrider Band |
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| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our Site and Select Affiliates : |
| New Music ... the focus once again falls on fresh listening with 14 tracks totally new to the show. Here's what we have lined up for today's edition. We're starting with the new single from Nils and follow that with selections by Norman Connors, BK Jackson, The Bahama Soul Club, and Jim Peterik's Lifeforce. Chris Standring kicks off set #2 while also featured are Cecil Ramirez and a collaboration from Peter Kater and Dominic Miller - as well, there's a track from Jeff Kashiwa's new one. Then in our final set, we've cued keyboardist Alzie Ramsey and Patrick Yandall. We're introducing saxlady Ava Lemert - Galaxy Lounge will be in there and finally there's the latest single from Dave Koz. That features Jeff Golub on the track and that'll be today's closing selection! |
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