MARCO ALBANI Chronos Delta Top

Guitarist and composer Marco Albani comes to us by way of the Mediterranean. The Roman born musician layers his music with dazzling textures from this region as well as sounds from South America. Marco has managed to absorb the warmth and energy of these locations into his music to create a dreamy listening environment. Marco’s approach to the music is through his study of drums and percussion, so while the nylon string guitar is his primary instrument, the feeling is deep and rich. His influences are many, but he sites three guitarists of import to him: they are Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and the “painter” Pat Metheny. Like Metheny, Marco Albani’s style is vibrant and cinematic. CHRONOS features beautiful, moving melodies and rhythms that showcase unusual instruments such as the charango, bandoneon and kamanja, creating a world-fusion sound that will surely transport the listener. Marco’s website says that CHRONOS “is permeated by the idea of a global, ethno-world music…” Thus providing an opportunity to “travel” through the rhythm and melody. There is a passionate combination of music, melody and movement on this project. I have to say that this is a delightful discovery and it is reaffirming our vision to reach around the world to introduce new music on SmoothJazz.com, which is indeed a global platform for music enthusiasts. Marco sums up the collection of songs as, “a personal route through style and composition to a space-time dimension without boundaries.” Bravissimo, Marco! ~SANDY SHORE

THE ALLURE K*I*S*S SmoothLounge Ent

K*I*S*S, the debut release from The Allure, is a soulful blend of vocal perfection and instrumental excitement swirled together with persuasive lyrics. The engaging collaborative features critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Laura Chandler and nu jazz, lounge and chill composer Waldino (Walter Liskiewicz). The two were introduced by Internet Radio pioneer and producer Sandy Shore (SmoothJazz.com + SmoothLounge.com). Shore says, “I’ve worked with Laura for many years, we’re very close and I have a deep connection with her music. After developing a solid relationship with Waldino and producing several of his solo releases he and I starting talking about expanding the depth of his music vocally and lyrically and I knew exactly who to call.” K*I*S*S is the result of that phone call… a storm of song files and jotted notions in email began to fly between Chandler’s San Francisco, CA studio and Waldino’s Jackson, MI studio. The prolific Liskiewicz met his musical match in the adept chanteuse, who cleverly spins a colorful lyric covering the full spectrum of life, love and healing and delivers the words with sensual profundity over soulful rhythms that are at times vibey and loungey. Laura’s voice is sweet and articulate… think Weekend Players, Everything But The Girl and Zero 7. K*I*S*S delivers 12 sumptuous tracks that will leave you wanting more. ~Bridgette Vespa

KEITH ANDREW Contemplation KeithAndrew.com

What first struck me about Keith Andrew’s latest CD, CONTEMPLATION, was the vitality and vigor to the music. Every song has personality and a unique character all its own. Originally from Baltimore, Keith first picked up the guitar at 10 years old. His musical passion was fueled by exposure to the fertile and abundant San Francisco music scene when he moved there with his family as a teenager. Heading to Los Angeles to further this ardor he had the opportunity to study guitar with such masters as Robben Ford, Joe Pass, Buzz Fieten, Scott Henderson and Joe Diorio. After college (where he earned several awards from the National Association of Jazz Educators for outstanding musicianship), he attended the Guitar Institute of Technology where he eventually became a staff instructor. Additionally, Keith joined forces with keyboardist/composer Morris Beeks to form the Jazz/R&B band Himalaya. Now, back in San Francisco, his music has grown and developed with him. Keith Andrew draws from the diverse Bay Area culture to incorporate world music flavors into his style of jazz for a musical voice that is imaginative and varied, but highly accessible. The album’s lead track, “Today’s The Day” is delightfully invigorating, catching and holding the listener’s attention from the first note. “Cool Breeze,” the recordings one vocal is evocative and captivating; Keith melds his guitar work seamlessly with John Mize’s haunting vocals. If you’re looking for staid and boring, move on… if instead you want music that will kindle your senses, CONTEMPLATION is for you. ~BETH LEWIS

CHILL FACTOR 5 Sun Flower Jazz Electronfarm Records

One of the most exciting nu music ensembles of the decade… bridging the gap between live instrumentation and modern electronica which involves real, improvised jazz solos and rich, sophisticated textures with urban and world influences. Brothers Maurice and Steve Oliver began their journey to create this global blend of soulful, ambient nu jazz as “Rhythm Method” and toured and recorded together for ten years under this name. The desire to take the production to a “new level” combined with the fact that imitators began incorporating their Rhythm Method brand name called for an internal restructuring and Electronfarm Records and Chill Factor-5 were born as the new concept going forward. SUN FLOWER JAZZ continues the search into new realms of ethnotrance and ambient grooves. According to modern alchemist Maurice Oliver, “we use Spiritual as our guide and traditional ethnic music as our base.” Influenced by 1970’s psychedelic bands (Pink Floyd, Santana) as well as electronic composers (Jan Hammer, Brian Eno Robert Fripp). Maurice Oliver implements a well-crafted assortment of styles on SUN FLOWER JAZZ… deep, stimulating and relaxing is what you’ll take away from this brilliant audio excursion. Chill Factor-5 is on the precipice of the Nu Music movement and in fact, leading the way in organic, spiritual renderings of what we like to think of as higher-consciousness music composition. We recommend purchasing the ENTIRE album as it is truly a journey from start to finish offering a similar experience to Buddha-Bar and Café Del Mar compilations. You won’t be disappointed! ~SANDY SHORE

FIONA JOY HAWKINS ICE Little Harley Music

There’s nothing like an emotion-stirring piece of piano music… now imagine ten of them. That’s what’s awaiting you on Fiona Joy Hawkins' enrapturing new release, ICE – PIANO SLIGHTLY CHILLED featuring rhythmic piano chill music. Classically trained as a pianist, the Australian composer is on the cutting edge of contemporary music that plays well in the World lounge – meaning that listeners all over the globe will find something to attach to in this very personal and inspiring music. She’s charted at the tippy top of New Age music charts with her previous releases and is now piquing the curiosity of chill, electronica and lounge enthusiasts everywhere with ICE – PIANO SLIGHTLY CHILLED. Fiona has the keen ability to synchronize her visual art (original, dazzling, colorful mixed abstracts are available on her website) with her musical compositions. Fiona says, “The idea of synchronicity has always intrigued me, colours, ideas and emotions all have corresponding sounds which are a description of everything I see and feel.” ICE – PIANO SLIGHTLY CHILLED is cinematic, elevating and enthralling… at first listen we knew that we had discovered something deluxe and delightful. Truly tapped in as a conduit to the creative source, Ms. Hawkins has captured our hearts with songs like the entrancing “Frosted View,” the dramatic “Winter Cold,” the delicate and swirling “White View,” and the sensual, Jane Siberry-esque “Crystalized Love.” Chill out at your earliest convenience to Fiona Joy Hawkins’ slightly chilled piano and prepare for deep lounging and relaxation. ~SANDY SHORE

DON IMMEL Long Way Home Elemental Music

You might think parades, comic relief and big band… but you probably don’t think of sexy when you consider a trombone. That’s about to change… Don Immel is single handedly bring sexy back to the trombone! Quite honestly, I’ve never been more impressed with a recording where trombone is the lead and in fact, let me just say that LONG WAY HOME is one of the most impressive works I’ve heard in 2008 thus far. Immel’s style is rich and sophisticated… as well as uber hip to the point where his trombone sounds more like a robust flugelhorn if you will, offering a creative texture to the artist’s inspired ideas and melodies. Don has played with artists as diverse as Chris Botti and Elvis Costello which may have influenced the smooth alternative blend on LONG WAY HOME. The former University of Washington (Seattle) professor now makes Europe home as he plays and tours extensively in Denmark. He promises to relocate to SmoothJazz.com country on the Monterey Peninsula when he explodes internationally, but I don’t think he realizes, that may be sooner than later. Songs on this collection are ideal for film soundtracks… Don’s take on Led Zeplin’s “Whole Lotta” literally left me speechless the first time I heard it… featuring a killer vocal from Chandry Moore. Incorporating elements of jazz, chill, pop and neo-classical LONG WAY HOME is phenomenal and proof positive that Smooth Jazz is flourishing with spirit and ingenuity. ~SANDY SHORE

DWAYNE KERR Higher Calling Dmanns Music Group

Where shall I start as I share my enthusiasm for this sophomore release from one of the most talented flutists in Smooth Jazz today? I think I’ll begin by saying that Dwayne Kerr has been playing flute in Erykah Badu’s band since 1998. Ms. Badu says this: “As I watch my friend in amazement, the high tones and trills become part of me, helping me to grow onstage. I don’t know which is sweeter, his tone or his soul.” After listening to this album and researching Dwayne’s background and temperament, I can appreciate her dilemma. HIGHER CALLING (Biblically inspired) is absolutely captivating, by design. Mr. Kerr’s created a project that’s mostly mid to up tempo, with feel-good vibes and catchy melodies that, as he puts it, “you would whistle or hum to yourself.” Highlights include the first radio hit, a fresh and stunning read on Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” with Erykah guesting on wordless vocals. Then there’s the rich and captivating “Being with You,” featuring beautiful interplay between his flute and his friend Kirk Whalum’s tenor sax; and “Chillin’,” featuring the virtuoso guitar work of Matt Marshak. I also really like both the full and unplugged versions of the John Mayer hit “Daughters.” There are those rare occasions when all the elements of an album project come together so beautifully that the finished ‘whole’ is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Such is absolutely the case with Dwayne Kerr’s HIGHER CALLING. I give it my highest recommendation! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

LAWSON ROLLINS Infinita Infinita Records / Baja TSR

INFINITA is calling my name… I think it’s calling yours too. A warm, sun washed, Spanish-infused guitar collection of tunes complemented by an all-star ensemble of internationally renowned musicians. It’s impossible to resist the ethnically diverse grooves that drive Lawson Rollins’ new multi-cultural solo debut (available May 20th). You may know the virtuoso guitarist from his acclaimed work with the Latin group Young & Rollins. INFINITA features musicians from the Middle East, South America, Europe and the United States, including the legendary Brazilian singer Flora Purim, Persian-American producer/musician Shahin Shahida (Shahin & Sepehr), multi-platinum selling producer Dominic Camardella (Ottmar Liebert) and Grammy winning violinist Charlie Bisharat among others. This outstanding album is a richly decorated tapestry of jazz and World Music. Honestly, this project sneaks around the walls of both genres, pushing the boundaries even further. There’s such great depth to all eleven tracks, don’t be surprised if INFINITA takes up permanent residence in your car CD player or dominates the Most Played list on your iPod. From the loungey, “Café Jobim” featuring Purim, to the rich groove of “In Motion,” to the cinematic, Middle Eastern-influenced “New World Raga,” Lawson Rollins carves out his solo place in the eclectic world of nu music. ~SANDY SHORE

JIMMY SOMMERS Sunset Collective Gemini/ARTizen

The only thing hotter than Jimmy Sommers’ new release SUNSET COLLECTIVE is Jimmy Sommers. Easy on the eyes, easy on the ears… The calm, cool and collected man about jazz has a solid new release here on his own Gemini Records. The smooth saxophonist surrounds himself in good company on his first full length album in some four years. SUNSET COLLECTIVE features neo soul artists Rahsaan Patterson, Vikter Duplaix, Macy Gray, Paul Oakenfold, DJ Spinna and Ginuwine as well as Smooth Jazz mainstays Paul Brown and Brian Culbertson making for a slick glide and groove listening experience. Sommers is what we call a crossover artist… meaning that he traverses between radio formats as his appeal intrigues both Smooth Jazz fans and Urban Adult Contemporary listeners. The first radio single, the jazzy “Happy Hour” (featuring guitarist Paul Brown) is briskly mingling it’s way up the SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Chart. Top 50 comes easy for a guy who was voted one of People Magazine’s Top 50 bachelors… duly noted in the jammin’ duet with Macy Gray, an updated remix of “Lovelife.” (Side note: Macy Gray has a brand new album out this year as well called BIG.) Other stand out tracks on this recording include the loungey and vibey “Beginnings, “ the alluring and sensual, “The Now” featuring Vikter Duplaix on vocals, the sexy cover of “Besame Mucho,” and the vibrant “Kickin’ It” featuring Brian Culbertson. Twelve tracks make up SUNSET COLLECTIVE, plus two bonus tracks. Jimmy’s back and we’re gonna party! ~SANDY SHORE

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