Ray Anthony – "U Got Dis" – Sonic Werks
Albuquerque trombonist & keyboardist Ray Anthony & his Powerslyde band are back with their second single “U Got Dis”, the title track from their powerful sophomore project. Led by Anthony’s buoyant energy and infectious lead trombone melodies, “U Got Dis” offers reassurance via Anthony’s feisty trombone melody, Nils’ edgy electric guitar solo, rising horn textures and a classic soul-jazz keyboard solo, which in combination with the trombone, is a clear throwback to the magical vibe of The Crusaders.
Ann Hampton Callaway - "Stealin' Away" - Shanachie
World renowned Tony nominee, New York Cabaret Award “Best Jazz Vocalist” winner, and Theater World Award winner Ann Hampton Callaway delivers a must have not just for jazz and cabaret, but for lovers of great music the world over! Finding Beauty, a stirring collection of original compositions and collaborations by this brilliant Women Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, overflows with warmth, passion and intimacy, revealing the inner feelings of this great artist! Special guests include Melissa Manchester, Kurt Elling, Tierney Sutton, Liz Callaway and more!
Curtis Haywood - "City Lights" - Megawave
Curtis Haywood creates another studio gem, bringing his smooth’n saxxy style to the front. With three solo albums receiving critical acclaim and steady airplay, Curtis is in demand at International jazz festivals. A child prodigy, Curtis Haywood moved from trumpet to saxophone at an early age. He studied at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts and Boston’s Berklee College
Belton Mouras Jr. – “Gentle Angel” - Belton Mouras Entertainment
Composer/keyboardist and producer Belton Mouras, Jr. newest release truly expresses inspiration straight to your heart with the eloquent and sweet tender blends of his stirring and emotional keyboard melody. Saxophonist Otis Mourning adds his deep breathtaking expressions of a pure gentle spirit of passion penetrating into your soul. Gentle Angel provides that wondrous inner heartfelt musical experience that will continue to resonate blissfully within long after the music has stopped playing.
Shaun LaBelle – "The Groove" ft. Everette Harp & Stokley - Sony
Sony music recording artist Shaun LaBelle is back with his latest single, “The Groove”. The song is exactly what the title says it is, a total groove with beautiful melodic melodies with a catchy hook that just makes you feel good. This exciting and funky cut from his new album features his close buddies, Everette Harp, Gerald Albright, Jeff Lorber and Stokley, formerly of Mint Condition and now #1 R&B solo artist. LaBelle, a multi-Platinum Producer, Brit Award winner (British Grammy) and former Jody Watley Bassist, was hired by George Duke back in the early 90’s. Shaun co-produced Everette Harp’s very first record and together, Shaun and Everette have collaborated for more than 30 years including producing four of Everette’s solo albums. Shaun and Stokley also share the same multi-decade history of writing and producing together.
Lisa Bellamy - "What The World Needs Now" ft. William Fluker - Nsypre Music Group
Dr. Lisa Bellamy is a gospel jazz artist, song writer, vocal coach and motivational speaker. Lisa’s ‘Share the Light’ album features a timeless classic song titled “What The World Needs Now”, a familiar tune with an upbeat, soulful, smooth, and gospel jazz sound. Lisa is a veteran in the music industry as a solo gospel Jazz artist whose bright spirit is infectious. She loves sharing her faith, music, and ministry globally. This year she received the 2023 Holla Back Award for Song of the Year in New Haven, Connecticut and two Rhythm of Gospel Awards in Dallas, Texas. Her vocal range covers 5 octives and her sound soothes the soul and ear. “What The World Needs Now” has a blend of gospel jazz melodies and jazz infused sounds of trumpeter, William Fluker.
Charles Moorer - "Keeper of My Soul" (instr) - 4CMusic
Charles Moorer is making a mark with his smooth, silky and infectious fusion of gospel and contemporary urban jazz. Anchored by Moorer’s sweet, warmhearted, yet powerful funky bass jamming, “Keeper of My Soul” can be appreciated for its heartfelt sharing of the Gospel message yet sets itself apart from most albums in the genre with its incorporation of urban jazz vibes and explosive performances by an array of contemporary jazz greats. The hypnotic opening bars of “Keeper of My Soul” remind us that this uplifting and funky bass driven music is equally appealing to people of faith and secular audiences alike. After the intro, the track continues with dreamy atmospheres inflected with Johnny Britt’s inimitable flugelhorn, Chuck as bass lead steps forward to deliver the emotional, infectious chorus that emphasizes producer Nils’ smooth guitar and production work and more of Forman’s dynamic piano improvisations as well.
Bona Fide - "Lunch With The Queen" - Oui, Oui Music
Lunch with the Queen is the scintillating new single from Bona Fide. The tune has a unique flavor, with a dash of Paul Simon’s Graceland, and a splash of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It’s a royal romp that features Peter White on guitar and Philippe Saisse on piano. The musical dialogue between these two stellar musicians is truly magical. The pulsating bass line, played by Slim Man, propels the song along like a safari moving across the Serengeti. From the compelling congas in the beginning, to the tuneful melody played so brilliantly by Peter White, to the climactic bridge—featuring Peter on accordion – Lunch with the Queen is a joyful jaunt that’s irresistible from start to finish.
Dave Buehler – "Walkin’ Home" - Foresthill Music
“Walkin’ Home,” Buehler’s debut smooth jazz single produced by Nils who also plays guitar on the track, draws on the powerful sense of melody expressed in his new age works and the funky, freewheeling and jamming, R&B-inflected vibe. The keyboardist works his struttin’, swirling melodic magic over a tight, buoyant, ultra-infectious pocket groove and Nils’ dynamic bluesy synth lines, tasty electric guitar licks and subtle atmospheres, with some clever, hypnotic vamping chords between verses. Named for the feeling it gave Buehler of walking home from work or the park, the track brings a fresh, piano centric energy to smooth jazz. Compositionally, it’s up there with the music of his genre heroes like Gregg Karukas. “I gave Nils a basic track, a chord structure and outline of what I wanted to play on the piano, with the rhythm track created on a drum machine. He did a fantastic job on the production, contributing his incredible guitar vibe and hiring the powerful rhythm section of bassist Jerome Randall and drummer Gorden Campbell.
J. White - “Always” - JWhite Entertainment
“Always” was written in a moment of reflection for J. White, in which he decided he will always enjoy writing and performing music. No matter what ups and downs J faces, it’s always about the love of the music and his saxophone first. “Always”, features J. White’s signature smooth and soulful saxophone style over a memorable groove co- written and co-produced by Lew Laing (who also co- wrote Norman Brown’s latest #1 hit single). J. White’s music is without a doubt soulfully driven and technically motivated, intertwining the sounds of Smooth Jazz with a hint of Straight-Ahead to deliver a sensual, harmonic, and melodic sound and he is creating his own destiny with his unique, all-around talent.