Showcase CD
Saturday Street - Wayne Jones:
It
was a mishap in his teens that left Wayne Jones with only partial
use of his left thumb. Although it sidelined his aspirations as
a drummer, Jones was undeterred. Taking up the bass instead, he
perfected a technique which allowed him to fully explore its possibilities.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, over the last three decades Jones
has operated in a variety of settings but, with a characteristic
frankness, he explains, "You have to play many styles of music here
to survive." From cover bands and sessions to film and TV, the wonder
from down under had just about 'done it all' - with the possible
exception of issuing an album under his own name. However, after
years of 'going around the same block' and getting bored in the
process, Jones knew it was time to record on his own. Although it
was 7 years in the making, that dream was realized in 2006 with
the issue of Forgotten Melody - which in spite of a title suggesting
something to the contrary, the cd proved not only a highly memorable
first effort, it was also one of the more pleasant surprises for
the year! |
|
|
Wayne Jones
|
Now
with a few more years of seasoning under his belt, the bass phenom
is back with Saturday Street, and an effort that was seemingly custom
crafted for our feature segment! This all now prompts us to direct
the brilliance of our spotlight at Mr. Jones with Saturday Street
as the focal point for showcase segment! In spite of ourselves,
we've managed to narrow things down to just three super selections
- so get ready for a healthy dollop of worldly sophistication, beginning
with the ska-flavoured Back in Five! Time Traveler, at the top
of hour 2, highlights Jones' range as a player, while Saturday Street,
the title track, lays it all down with the sound of a friendly &
funky thoroughfare. So it is that with a combination of great technique,
catchy rhythms, and tasty melodies, Wayne Jones' Saturday Street
is a creative sophomore gem with ample evidence that Jones is primed
and ready for the global stage!
CD: Saturday Street (2009)
Label: Dim + Dimmer
Links: 
|
|
| Fresh Trax: Part One |
|
|
Jet Lag Mambo - Steve Baxter:
Steve
Baxter is a multi-dimensional trombonist and composer hailing from Houston
Texas. Throughout high school, he performed with the Stage Band, and then
he continued his training at Howard University in Washington, D.C., majoring
in Jazz Studies. Soon after he did a series of gigs with Ray Charles,
Gladys Knight, and others and then moved to LA in '91, to pursue his musical
destiny. In the interim, he's played with a litany of names while garnering
a reputation as an ace player. Debuting as a front man in 2003, Sugar On The Bone is the new one! From that effort, we're ready to slide to
the sweet sounds of the tune Jet Lag Mambo. Named for the change in body
rhythms caused by high-speed travel coupled with the motions of a ballroom
dance - here's a smooth & soulful sparkler upon which Baxter reveals some
of his many skills, not to mention showing he has a great sense of humor!
CD: Sugar On The Bone (2009)
Label: Slubba Bub Records
Links:
|
|
|
Just
Past Midnight - David Arkenstone :
Hailing
from Chicago, David Arkenstone was 10 when his family relocated to California,
and it was there that he immersed himself in all the music he could find.
He played keys and guitar in a variety of bands and for a time after college,
he criss-crossed the country playing many of the pop sounds of the day.
As the synergy between computers and instruments increased, Arkenstone
turned to creating his own signature style, bringing together influences
from World music, classical rock, and new age while incorporating many
of the best elements from the "electronic world". With a catalogue that's
grown to include over 30 projects covering multiple genres, the aptly
titled Chillout Lounge is the latest and from it we've selected a frosty
late night sensation!
CD: Chillout Lounge (2009)
Label: Green Hill
Links:
 |
| Fresh Trax: Part Two |
|
|
Soul
Purpose - Tom Braxton:
Although
Tom Braxton's name may not be as familiar as some, he's certainly no newcomer
to the smooth scene. The native of Lubbock attended Texas Tech on track
and music scholarships, and it was during this period of life that performing
as a musician really came to the forefront. As leader of the jazz-fusion
band No Compromise, he toured the southwest, opening for the likes of
Joe Sample, Stan Clarke, and others. After graduating with highest honors,
Braxton released his solo debut in '92 while shortly thereafter he connected
with the late Wayman Tisdale with whom he performed for many years. Over
the years, Braxton continued to record on his own - a couple of albums
were devoted to the spiritual side of his life while Bounce, produced
by Tisdale, marked his return to the smooth arena. Endless Highway is
now his 7th release overall, and may well be the one that catapults Braxton
into the upper echelons of today's top players, and deservedly so. From
a project that can't help but impress, we've chosen Soul Purpose, a piece
with a terrific lyrical melody and a title that well reflects Braxton's
sense of his musical mission in life!
CD: Endless Highway (2009)
Label: Pacific Coast Jazz
Links:
 |
|
|
Ibiza
- Gil Parris:
An
alumnus of Berklee in Boston, guitarist Gil Parris has been Grammy nominated
and has issued releases in four different genres. Parris was in the first
semester of an Al Di Meola jazz master's scholarship when he landed a
gig in a European tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Shortly after, he was
featured in a spotlight article in Guitar Player Magazine, wherein he
was described as "the brightest new star in the genre since Larry Carlton."
Immersing himself on the NYC session scene, Parris made a name for himself
playing with the likes of David Sanborn, Bob James, and Will Lee, and
in the early 90s he appeared on recordings by Cissy Houston and Syndicate
of Soul. After releasing a well-received debut in 98, Parris enjoyed a
stint as lead guitarist in a later version of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Incorporating
varying elements of funk, rock, jazz, and blues, Parris has developed
a signature style that defies categorization. From the recent issue A
Certain Beauty and Gil's 5th release overall, we have the melodic and
soulful Ibiza as Parris re-interprets a gorgeous selection that initially
appeared on his 2006 Strength cd!
CD: A Certain Beauty (2009)
Label: GPM Records
Links:
|
|
|
Pinky
- Avenue H :
Based
in Bend Oregon, Avenue H is a trio that's grounded in the sounds of saxman
Dan Leonardo with Sam Hobbs on bass and Conor Miller on keys & guitar.
Exhibiting trace influences of artists such as David Sanborn, Yanni, Marcus
Miller and Sting, the Avenue H vibe is nonetheless unique, well-crafted,
& mature. Off The Floor is their just released debut and one which stands
as an excellent first foray into the realm of today's jazz. From the effort
we have the superb stylized groove of a track called Pinky!
CD: Off The Floor (2009)
Label: Independent
Links:
|
| After Hours ~ Exclusive to our
Site and Select Affiliates : |
| … it's another of our theme shows called Cruisin' Your
Way as each & every spin has the word cruise, cruisin', or some such variation
in its title. So get set to motor with Holloway Cruise, PT Cruiser, and
Cruise Control with 13 travellin' tunes in all. The opening set features
tracks all sharing the same title - so you'll hear Marc Antoine with Cruisin'
- followed by Stan Clarke, Doc Powell, and Les Sabler - all with identically
named selections. Set #2 has Nate Harasim and continues with Gabriel,
Paul Taylor, and Danny McCollim, while Gota the groove activator finishes
it with the tune that lent its name to this segment. Then to wrap it up
we set the final frame on Cruise Control and this time that's with Michael
Dowdle, Tower of Power, Joe Ercole, and Special EFX!
|
Next
