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REVIEW - STEVE COLE - “Moonlight”
Artistry Music
 February 24, 2010 - 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.
Cole’s previous five CDs were tailor-made for the airwaves and his climb has been swift. Now he returns with his label debut for Artistry Music and the CD “Moonlight,” a collection of some classic songs and standards. In some ways it’s a return to his roots of strings and woods wrapped around this killer punch that’s served as a wakeup for other sax players. This guy has always broken new ground by making Smooth Jazz sound alive.
His distinctive saxophone eases into this album of memory-tunes with lush orchestral arrangements from Michael Cunningham to find that spot where sonic enchantment happens.
The disc opens with the title track written by John Williams’ and displays Cole’s sax gliding effortlessly over the sea of dreams that’s locked firmly in all of us. It’s a place where the music and the listener become connected. Such a wonderful opening to a well thought out project with clever subtle interplay between piano and Steve’s sax.
`Undun,` the first single from the project, was a rock favorite of mine from Randy Bachman and The Guess Who. Here Steve’s stellar sax eases through a track. The interesting part is how this artist can breath new life into a tune that has been played million times by Classic Rock Radio. It reinforces my belief in the greatness of the power of a good song and its ability to inspire creativity.
`Cry Me A River` is another that has been covered countless times, and again, Cole`s re-jigs the emotions of the song via some great arrangements and passionate playing.
The disc ends with two timeless pieces of contemporary music with `The Look Of Love` followed by `Long And Winding Road` Steve’s sax accompanies you through the decades with music we should know the words to by heart. The melodies on the entire disc constantly remind us of the friendliness of great songs that touch each individual on a personal basis. On his new CD Moonlight Saxophonist Steve Cole has painted memories for all Smooth Jazz fans to enjoy…and…make new ones to. – by Paul Ericson
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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.” 
