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REVIEW - Kennard Ramsey – Somos – 5 out of 5
 October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk.
There is something that happens to a critic after many years of writing reviews. The writer either ends up loving everything they hear, and God knows most Smooth Jazz reviewers are shameless flag-waivers, or the critic needs to hear something with inventive originality – something that paves a new road. This album has all of the latter.
Kennard Ramsey is a successful film composer who has worked on such projects as “Ted Bundy,” “Ringmaster” and the TV shows “Knots Landing” and “Lincoln Heights.”
This whole project has a world-music feel wrapped around cool contemporary Jazz. The opening track kicks off like a Peter Gabriel album, dark, moody and mysterious. “Neo Shaman” serves as a great introduction to an artist ready to shake up the genres that he effortlessly flies through. The tune is melodic, pretty and the toe-tapping quota wasn’t lost on my ears either. The great Stanley Clarke also does an incredible bass solo.
Guest vocalist Chiwoniso handles “White Owl” a tune inspired by a dream that Ramsey had about a carnival of people passing through turnstiles possibly in New York. It’s got a Sade vibe that could make this a single.
“Loved Right” is the type of tune much needed in the Smooth Jazz format. It reminded me of the great work that Bernie Williams has been doing in the last few years. It has many hooks for radio but it’s all in its sense of cool that brings the track top-notch. Like much of Ramsey’s catchy film work I’d be proud to have this catchy little ditty as my soundtrack.
The proof in the different angle this album takes is best demonstrated on “This Time,” how Ramsey’s guitar and DJ Maga Bo’s drum programming almost sound like one instrument. The tune, about warm summer nights, demonstrates that pretty doesn’t have to be generic or derivative.
The gorgeous “Interlude (for Ian & Lucy)” is dedicated to his children and really portrays the innocence of those building block years when mortgage and savings were not in our vocabulary.
As we begin our new “star” ratings system today for album reviews, we all turn this corner on Smooth Jazz Now with a great beginning. 5 out of 5, yeah, we kinda like this one! – by John Beaudin
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February 21, 2012 - As it was stated during the Grammy Awards, "We've had a death in the family." Now our own Jazz family is remembeing Whitney Houston. 
February 21, 2012 - Shock, disappointment and horror are some of the many words fans used to describe Whitney Houston’s untimely death last week (February 11, 2012). My family and I were outside a Starbucks when one of our radio listeners texted me with, at first, the rumor. 
February 12, 2012 - As expected it was a huge night for Adele at the Grammy Awards. The singer, from Tottenham, North London, England, walked away with six trophies including "Song," "Record" and "Album of the Year." 
February 12, 2011 – More information is surfacing concerning the death of Whitney Houston. Sources close to the investigation say that the singer was found in the bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. Her face was underwater. 
February 11, 2012 – Whitney Houston has died according to her publicist. The singer, who was 48, passed away today according to Kristen Foster but it was unclear how the singer died. According to some sources, Houston died at the Beverly Hilton hotel. 
Feb 10, 2012- Skilled guitarist Peter White is set to release his 13th upcoming album, ‘Here We Go’ on March 13, 2012. This British-born musician released his debut album in the 1990’s and has been one of the core artists in Smooth Jazz ever since. 
February 10, 2012 – It’s no secret that Steve Lukather, like many of us, is a huge Beatles fan. It was announced this week that the Toto guitarist and founding member will join Ringo for the famous tour to begin in Niagara Falls Ontario on June 14th. 
Jan 31, 2012 - Good news for all the Norah Jones fans out there! The singer is set to release a new album in spring called 'Little Broken Hearts.' This will be Jones' fifth studio CD and she will be joined by producer and musician, Danger Mouse who is notably the backbone for the project. He also co-wrote many of the tunes with her. 
– Not many groups have stood the test of time like Airborne. Coming in around the time that the NAC format was really starting to cook, 1988, this outfit grew with every project, gig and album. Having just released their most powerful album yet, New Horizon’s, it looks like the world is ready for this, a full dose of positive, social conscious fusion. We sat down with the band to chat about all the twisting, yet beneficial roads taken. 
– The smart ones in life know that it’s not how you fall down in life that counts but how you get up. Zach Bandolin has had his fair share of topsy-turvy moments but the guitarist keeps swinging. 
- French Smooth Jazz guitar sensation Emmanuel Abitebol, more known as U-NAM, came to fame with his widely acclaimed somophore album ‘Back from the 80’s’ released in 2007. 
October 20, 2011 – This is no ordinary album. In fact, there is nothing normal about this album and that’s what makes this one of the most perfect projects that’s ever come across my desk. 
– On her third album Colbie Caillat has decided to strategically give us an uptempo summer-vibe. It still sounds like her smash debut “Coco” but this time it’s Colbie with caffeine and it’s positive and fun
– There are not too many things in life as deliciously lazy as Michael Franks voice. The guy could chill out someone on deaths door. Seriously, angst has no place on a Michael Franks record – he’s good at one great thing..making you feel good! 
- Programming Smooth Jazz Radio has allowed me to discover talent over the decades and follow the twists and turns in their career. Such is the case of saxophonist Steve Cole an artist whom has played on numerous number #1 Smooth Jazz hits and been a regular spin on most smooth jazz radio stations play lists. 
– There’s always been an understated value to everything that Sade does and sameness to her entire repertoire. That quality of old wine has served the singer/band well… until now. Unlike Norah Jones who has, at least, tried to mix-up-the-pot, Sade really needs to stop wearing the same dress to every party. 
– Well, one things for sure, Mindi Abair is not shopping on Main Street anymore. As they say, “run away from the past and eventually it will run into you.” 
