Mattias Roos new single featured on Soul&Jazz&Funk.com

March 22, 2021 by admin

If you enjoyed the JD Time Machine’s ‘Celebrate’ you may have noticed that the lovely keyboards came courtesy of Swedish piano man MATTIAS ROOS. For his own latest single, Mr R has teamed up with star jazz guitarist Paul Brown for a catchy, smooth jazz work out, ’Commercial Free’. There’s nothing earth shattering about the disc… it is unashamed smooth jazz after all. But it does allow Mattias and Paul to trade tasty riffs and licks in a most endearing way. It’s out now on Sky Town Records and, of course, it comes “ad free”!

AD FREE ZONE….

Soultracks.com: A shining final recording from Ronny Jordan

February 14, 2021 by admin

(February 11, 2021) Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” is one of the definitive protest songs of the 1960s. The tune was inspired by a specific protest – the closure of a Los Angeles night club. However, because of the lyrics that paint a picture of young people protesting injustice being judged by the old people in the establishment and harassed by law enforcement, and because it was released in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war, “For What It’s Worth” became an anti-war anthem. In fact, plenty of people think the song is about Vietnam.

Like other socially conscious songs from that era, ranging from “Blowin’ In the Wind” to “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud),” “For What It’s Worth” has aged very well. The current era of social awareness and unrest was in its early stages when the late, great guitarist Ronny Jordan used his six string to record an unfinished instrumental version of the 60s anthem prior to his tragic death in 2014. U-Nam and Jordan had been friends and collaborators for years.

U-Nam and producer Vernon Clark tracked down the original tapes in hopes of completing the song so that it could be included on album Cool Guitars that is due to drop in February. The updated version gives the track an element of funk and an instrumental conversation between Jordan, U-Nam and bassist Alex Al – a legend in his own right who has provided the bottom for just about everybody. U-Nam’s reimaging of the song honors his late friend and brings back a song that is both timeless and timely. Check out “For What It’s Worth” here.

By Howard Dukes

https://www.soultracks.com/first-listen-cool-guitars-for-what-its-worth

First Amazing Review of Andrey Chmut “Soulmate” Album on Smooth-Jazz.de

August 6, 2020 by admin

Ukraine based saxophonist Andrey Chmut has already introduced himself to the smooth jazz community with his debut album Smoothability (2018). Only two years later he presents the successor Soulmate (2020) on the same label Skytown Records.

For his second project he falls back on the proven crew of scenic musicians as listed below. Andrey has written and arranged all tracks. The introducing Night Townfeatures a modern dialog between Andrey and keyboardist Alex Logvinenko which perfectly assimilates in taste and presentation to the American smooth jazz style.

Listening to Dance with Me you get the impression of hearing Peter White in action. Indeed, Gennadii Bondar’s brilliant playing on the acoustic guitar shows many parallels to the iconic guitar player.

With Funky Talk Andrey can show his virtuoso skills and give full steam ahead. After & Aftermakes it clear that Andrey’s style can certainly be compared to that of Marcus Anderson. Arranged with nuances, he serves sax harmonies on a layer of hip-hop beat.

Away from any fashionable wackiness, Andrey celebrates the beauty of a melody on Blessed Day. The up-tempo Wake Up serves explosive hipness. Paradox takes it to the next level with a rocking hip hop beat and a distinctly Ukrainian touch.

But Andrey can also take it very carefully. With Soulmate he gives the gentle vibrations a chance. The grippingly sweet If Only I Could Fly has the romantic hook which excels the tune to something special. At the end Andrey serves us with Beloved Routine exhilarating food that justifies enthusiasm.

Andrey Chmut’s Soulmate is an extraordinary album, which can easily compete with the old masters of the genre. His music justifies great expectations.

Check it out on Smooth-Jazz.de

New review of U-Nam “Each Days a Gift” – EP on soulandjazzandfunk website!

July 11, 2020 by admin

Earlier this year smooth jazz/soul guitarist U-NAM released an intriguing album…. ‘U-Nam Goes Big Band’. The LP was a collaboration with Estonia’s Lutz Krajenski Big Band and the repertoire was made up of well-known Estonian pop songs. Sounds odd… yes, but it worked and worked so well that U-Nam went on to issue four of the tracks in a set of new, innovative remixes on EP

One of the original album highlights was a Latin-tinged, lounge jazz kind of thing – ‘Each Day’s A Gift’ which featured the vocals of Steve Brookstein (remember him from the first X Factor?). Now U-Nam liked the message in this song so much (a reflection on the way we’re shaking off the shackles of Covid 19) that he went back into the studio and remixed it yet again…. this time with soul man Tim “TiO” Owens at the mic and between them they’ve transformed the song from a smooth jazz outing to a solid modern soul groove that has hints of George Duke mingled with classic EWF!

The new mix is the centrepiece of U-Nam’s latest EP… which offers 6 versions of ‘Each Day’s A Gift’… the two vocals mixes and the Benson-esque instrumental and their respective radio edits. It’s released July 13th

IT’S A GIFT!

Another fabulous review of U-Nam UGBB album on Souandljazzandfunk.com website!

April 13, 2020 by admin

The prolific soul-jazz guitarist U-NAM returns to the fray with a new collection that marks a new and exciting direction for the genial French born musician. You see, for his just released 11 tracker, he’s enlisted the support the renowned Lutz Krajenski Big Band, and the LP title says it all…. ‘U-Nam Goes Big Band’. Yep, this is an unashamed tribute to the great days of the big band and swing era.

The story behind the album begins in Estonia… where, a few years back, producer Mikk Targo began to compile a list of what was generally regarded as the best one hundred songs Estonia has ever produced. He whittled the list down to a manageable album-filling size and released the collection in 2016. However Targo wanted to bring the music to a wider audience, and, a big fan of U-Nam, he drafted in the guitarist to bring in newer, fresher, jazzier flavours and feelings to the work… the result is ‘U-Nam Goes Big Band’ where the sound is ever big and joyous with U-Nam revelling in the challenge fronting the band creates.

The album begins in proper swing style with the brash ‘Something Right’ and the jaunty ‘Blink An Eye’. Elsewhere there are delicious Latin flavours in ‘Each Day’s A Gift’ and ‘The One’. There are gentler moments too (‘Saaremaa’) and a couple of intriguing vocals. ‘The Dance Must Go On’ featuring Susanna Aleksandra is classic lounge jazz while ‘Each Day’s A Gift’ brings Steve Brookstein back from the cold!

So, yes quite a cocktail… Estonian music, a big

STRIKE UP THE BAND

New great review of “U-Nam Goes Big Band” on Smoothjazz.de

March 26, 2020 by admin

Guitarist U-Nam is commonly known for his skillful reinterpretation of the style of George Benson and Nile Rodgers, which runs through many of his albums. His recourse to the funky music of the 70s and 80s is also popular. But with his new album U-Nam Goes Big Band(2020) he now falls back on the traditional big band music as known from Duke Ellington or Glen Miller.

The album is based on a collaboration between U-Nam and the Lutz Krajenski Big Band. The band leader Lutz Krajenski has already performed with Tom Jones, Ulrich Tukur, Roachford, Inga Rumpf, Udo Jürgens, Randy Crawford, Jasmin Tabatabai, Mousse T and more. One can therefore speak of a pronounced tendency towards popular music, which has been translated into the language of jazz.

U-Nam performs on this album lead and whawha guitar, Lutz “Hammond” Krajenski acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes keyboards and band leader, Thorten Benkenstein, Phillip Kacza & Nicolas Boysen trumpet and flugelhorn, Gunter Bollmann & Andreas Barkhoff trombone, Sebastian Hoffmann bass trombone, Bjorne Berger & Fiete Felsh alto sax, Gabriel Coburger & Ben Kraef tenor sax, Bjorne Berger, Fiete Felsh, Gabriel Coburger & Edgar Herzog flute, Bjorne Berger clarinet, Edgar Herzog bass clarinet, and baritone sax, Sandra Hempel rhythm guitar, Peter Gall drums, Herve Jeanne double bass & electric bass, Rainer V. Egestoff mouth harp & vibes, Ricardo Padilla & Denis Benarrosh percussion, Susanna Aleksandra & Steve Brookstein vocals.

The album opens with the swinging positive-minded Something Right. A jazzy improvisation develops from the well structured guitar playing, as we are familiar by U-Nam. In the Blink of an Eye is an Estonian evergreen by Arne Oit (music) and Harold Payne (lyrics), that reminds us of the transience of life. So it’s a thoroughly contemporary piece. Various soloists rise from the Big Band to support U-Nam and the melody.

The One is a further evergreen by Arne Oit (music) and Philip Cody (lyrics), an ode to the Chosen One who brings sunshine to the day. The Latin tinged melody showcases U-Nam in a truly unaccustomed musical environment. Each Day’s a Gift is a song by Ulo Vinter (music) and Liz Vidal (lyrics). Listen to U-Nam’s wonderful swaying interpretation.

Another piece taken from the Estonian songbook is Dance by Uno Loop (music) and Pamela Phillips Oland (lyrics). The perfectly orchestrated realization reminds me of George Benson’s early days. The World to Me is an Estonian song by Evald Vain (music) and Allan Dennis Rich (lyrics). A cheerful love ballad, which through U-Nam’s guitar is transformed into a sparkling liveliness.

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia. The song by Uno Naissoo (music) and Alan Roy Scott (lyrics) is about a memorable moment of love gone too soon. U-Nam decorates the lovely melody with numerous escapades.

The Dance Must Go On by Arne Oit (music) and Liz Vidal (lyrics) is an Estonian evergreen which received as the previous songs an Estonian Evergreens Revival through the recording by the Lutz Krajenski Big Band in 2017. On their website the makers of this album have documented the complete process. This song features vocalist Susanna Aleksandra, a Los Angeles based Estonian jazz singer, lyricist and composer. U-Nam fits skillfully into the arrangement.

Arne Oit (music) and Philip Cody (lyrics) are the creators of Beautiful, Beautiful. A jubilant song about the beauty of the adored and the joy of being together. That’s where U-Nam’s guitar performance matches the picture perfectly. When You Fall in Love, written by Raimond Valgre (music) and Pamela Phillips Oland (lyrics) is also a languishing ballad of a lovesick man. U-Nam gives it the right pizzazz.

The album is closed by a vocal version of Each Day’s a Gift featuring singer Steve Brookstein, who is best known for winning the first series of The X Factor in 2004.

The album U-Nam Goes Big Band (2020) encompasses Estonian pop songs, written in years 1945-1980 during the Soviet occupation. The Lutz Krajenski Big Band headed by a world top arranger and big band specialist from Germany, Lutz Krajenski in collaboration with guitarist U-Nam give these songs a finishing touch that makes them contemporary and popular. – HBH –

http://www.smooth-jazz.de/InFokus/U-Nam/U-NamGoesBigBand.htm

RONNY SMITH “RAISE THE ROOF” REVIEW Soul&Jazz&Funk.com

January 27, 2020 by admin

RAISING THE ROOF….

Sunday, 26 January 2020 19:19 Bill B

RONNY SMITH is a US jazz guitarist who’s CV includes work with artists as diverse as The Marvellettes, Melba Moore and jazz drummer Bobby Durham. As a soloist Ron has a number of albums under his belt but right now he’s excited to be releasing his debut collection for Skytown Records – ‘Raise The Roof’.

And that busy, bustling title track gives the flavour of what Mr S is all about and where he’s coming from. He’s a classic jazz guitar man – in the thrall of people like Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, and George Benson. That’s to say his playing is always tight and melodic; intricate and deft, but always accessible and easy-on-the-ear.

Of that garlanded guitar trio, it’s perhaps Benson that Smith’s style is closest to. Hear the Benson-esque flourishes on tracks like ‘Brighter Day’, ‘Me Time’ and ‘On it’ while for different vibes try the big ‘Brazilian Dancer’ (the set’s obvious Latin cut), the loping and lazy ‘Cool Breeze’ or the slower groove that ‘Say Again’. Ronny doesn’t just do smooth though; you want funk? Then try the tough and bassy opener ‘Breaded Funk Well Done’ or the sparse cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Use Me’ That one is one of two covers on the album. The other is a faithful instrumental take on Leon Russell’s wistful ‘Superstar’ – a stately final track.

‘Raise The Roof’ is a consummate smooth jazz guitar album. Ronny’s people tell us that it might well have been called ‘The Ronny Smith Show’ – our man plays guitar, keys and bass throughout he also arranged, produced and programmed everything. Clever old Ron! Out now!

Last Updated on Sunday, 26 January 2020 19:33

http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/news/6736-raising-the-roof.html

Ronny Smith “Raise the Roof” 1st CD review on Smoothjazz-DE

January 27, 2020 by admin

Baltimore based jazz guitarist Ronny Smith has chosen the 20th century as his field of activity. His discography includes the albums Long Time Comin (2001), Laid Back (2002), Got Groove (2006), Simply Stated (2007), Just Groovin (2009), Can’t Stop Now (2013), and Shake It Up (2017). His new album Raise The Roof is scheduled for release on January 27, 2020. The releasing label is Skytown Records.

Ronny has written, arranged, mixed and produced all songs. Two songs are covers. Ronny performs on this album guitar, keys, bass and programming. On track 5 he is supported by Vincent James (drums) and on track 7 by Scott Martin (sax). In the past Ronny assimilated the music of his idols George Benson, Wes Montgomery or Joe Pass. Now he creates his own style. He opens with Breaded Funk Well Done. Ronny presents the finest ingredients of funk like the ducky rhythm guitar, vintage organ chords and his shining guitar.

A Brighter Day is a title that is often used in the smooth jazz world. Ronny’s composition showcases his virtuosity with a lot of guitar running the scales up and down. On Me TimeRonny sketches unerringly with precise chords the appealing theme. At this point it should be noted that Ronny is a proven expert of drum programming, who brings the rhythm authentically across.

With the title song Ronny plays it safe and uses the George Benson style, but in a brisker version. All summed up, Ronny tends towards acid jazz and heats up the audience like you know it from guitarist Chris Standring. On Say Again Ronny shows his jazzy and fluid guitar style with a bluesy touch in combination with a sonic bass excursion.

On It creates an inviting atmosphere with an ongoing flow. Cool Breeze allures with an attractive and colorful Stevie Wonder flair featuring Scott Martin on sax. Brazilian Dancer is an irresistible blend of Latin flavored Bossa Nova and Django Reinhardt style.

Bill Withers has written the song Use Me in 1972 for his album Still Bill. The song is popular in the smooth jazz genre. For example Rick Braun covered it on his album Kisses In The Rain (2001) or Kirk Whalum on #Lovecovers (2017). Ronny successfully replace Bill’s vocals by his guitar, while drums and keys are close to the original. Superstar is a hit, originally written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. The best known interpretation is by the Carpenters in 1971. This version also inspired Ronny to his re-interpretation.

Ronny Smith’s album Raise The Roof really pops from the beginning to the end. Still in full sprint sending goose bumps up and down you soon be aware that this album is destined for a replay.

http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Smith_Ronny/RaiseTheRoof.htm

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