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Review: Craig Chaquico - Follow the Sun
June 28, 2009 – Any major talent has to pay some dues, whether it be playing the small dark metropolitan clubs or on the banks of the steamy Muddy Mississippi River.
World Class guitarist Craig Chaquico has paid his dues in the music industry and played on all the stages.
After being hit by a drunk driver at age 12, Chaquico began playing guitar for healing therapy and by 14 was playing guitar professionally. Two years later he impressed Paul Kantner enough to start jamming with Jefferson Airplane. That lead to gigs with the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Carlos Santana and CSN&Y. Eventually asked to join Jefferson Starship in 1974, his guitar riffs were heard on radio stations globally with headlining tours which led to 15 years of mainstream international mega fame. When Starship broke up Chaquico reinvented himself becoming a Grammy Nominated Smooth Jazz/New Age artist with his exemplary acoustic guitar resulting in over one million CD sales as a solo artist. Ten excellent solo CDs resulted with the last being his Christmas disc “Holiday” back in 2005. More |
Review- Jonathan Fritzen - VIP
June 27, 2009 - A wave of fresh air from Sweden came last year onto the Smooth Jazz stage with “Love Birds,” the debut album of 26-year old pianist Jonathan Fritzen. This year this musically refreshing Scandinavian breeze is back with the latest release of Fritzen’s second highly anticipated album, “VIP.”
And believe it or not, young Smooth Jazz piano star Brian Culbertson has found a genuine contender in Jonathan Fritzen. “VIP” deserves its title; it’s a first class piano anthem with eleven sizzling original compositions. As for the title, Fritzen told this writer: “I wanted a very solid name with attitude because I thought that reflected the music on this album. It is also an easy title to remember. Actually, one idea we had for the cover was making VIP turn into «Very Important Piano», but I am happy it ended up the way it did.”
Fritzen’s last effort, “Love Birds” was a “one man show,” as the musician dealt with everything, from composing, performing to producing. More
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Review: Philippe Saisse - At The World’s Edge (by Paul Ericson)
May 5, 2009 - I have always read liner notes on CDs closely and found some great artists in doing so, such is the case with French born keyboardist/pianist Philippe Saisse. His impressive credits include sideman work with Gary Burton, David Bowie, Al DiMeola, Al Jarreau and David Sanborn just to mention a few. Saisse’ success has garnered world wide acclaim and now with his 8th CD, ‘At The World’s Edge’ his stylish keyboard work will once again garner new fans. More |
Review: Zap Mama – ReCreation (by Ronald Jackson)
April 25 2009 - I have to admit that I don’t visit the area of music that some might regard as an obvious left turn off “Smooth Jazz Ave” as often as I could, but when I do, I usually run into a special treat! Sure, I’ve spent a little time in the land of world music, but this is world music with the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure, and the eclectic result is a production full of extraordinary substance, taste, body, and beauty. More |
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Review: Oli Silk—The Limit’s The Sky (by Ronald Jackson)
April 19, 2009 - O.k., so The Limit’s The Sky is no longer just hot out of the studio. It’s been around for a couple or so months…but HOT it is nonetheless. Keyboardist Oli Silk’s second colossal hit album should have come as no surprise, as talent like him is generally no fluke but more like that brewing storm or a tornado in the making. More |
Review: De’ Nate’—Reminisce (by Ronald Jackson)
April 16, 2009 - I’ve listened to and reviewed a wide spectrum of pretty impressive artists and releases over the past few years, and I always marvel at the new and exceptional finds. Here is yet another. This is a truly atypical, exceptional, and superior collaboration with such a special inner touch and reach that it almost defies adequate description. More |
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Review: Gabriel (Mark Hasselbach) – Cool Down
April 8, 2009 – It’s often been asked, what ever happened to the cool in Smooth Jazz? That ‘top-down,’ slick, wind in your hair, melody based driving music. Sure, Smooth Jazz has enough grooves to kill the biggest shaded cat but, where’s the cool? How do you loose that? Also, where has the soul gone? More |
Review: Ronny Smith – Just Groovin
April 6, 2009 - Baltimore-born guitarist Ronny Smith is back to the Smooth Jazz stage with his brand new CD ‘Simply Groovin,’ set to be released in May 2009. It’s his fifth album and displays great musicianship with a fine balance between sophisticated rhythmic grooves and fluid melodies. On this one you’ll find lots of original tunes and two covers. More |
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Review: Richard Elliot – Rock Steady
April 4, 2009 - The questions have been asked of almost every exceptionally accomplished individual in whatever field they may be situated: “Where do you go from ‘up’?” “What do you do now?” In the case of mega-star saxophonist Richard Elliot, who has been a mainstay and a beacon for excellence.More |
Review: Jackiem Joyner – Lil Man Soul
April 3, 2009 - The title of sax sensation Jackiem Joyner’s upcoming release, Lil Man Soul, suggests that the relatively new saxophonist has “graduated” or matured from his early musical infancy to what he represents here on this latest effort. More |
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Review: Paul Jackson Jr. - Lay It Back
April 2, 2009 - He is one of the most successful guitarists ever, with a bio that includes his work on American Idol and the number 1 album of all time – ‘Thriller’ from Michael Jackson. Then there is the fact that he has played on over 1000 albums from a library list of legends of the music industry. More |
Review: Novello—B3 Soul
April 2, 2009 - John Novello, a former member of the progressive jazz rock group, Niacin, which produced tunes under Chick Corea’s Stretch label in the 1990s, has expanded the dynamic of jazz here with his interpretation of how the great Hammond B3 organ sound can be further introduced in that most interesting combination of jazz, soul, and funk. More |
Review: Shaun Labelle – Desert Nights
March 19, 2009 - Veteran producer/multi-instrumentalist Shaun Labelle, at the urging of so many of his cohorts and others in the business--particularly his close friend/”big brother,” saxman Everette Harp--steps out of the shadows on this classy and funky “conversation” with listeners. Desert Nights sweats profusely and gyrates criminally as it takes its time to deliver as much aural sensations as possible. More |
Review: Boney James – Send One Your Love
March 12, 2009 - Since the 1992 release of his debut album ‘Trust’, the playing of sax superstar Boney James has been closely associated with the tender skill of seduction. The title track from that CD is a case in point and by the time of his third release, the aptly titled ‘Seduction’, his art in this respect had become extremely well developed. More |
Review: Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman - Modern Art - Peak Records
March 10, 2009 - Media is changing at unparalleled speeds and we’ve all been affected. We listen differently now, we buy online and we don’t always wait for the concert. Touring costs are astronomical and bands are breaking up. . More |
Review: Darren Rahn – Talk of the Town
March 10, 2009 - Canadian-born Darren Rahn is the epitome of the success story many aspirants in the music business imagine for themselves. His grasp of the principle of disciplined hard work, coupled with the dedicated mastery of his art (via study at the University of Northern Colorado). More |
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