Trey Daniels - "Inner Light" (TD Music)
True to its forward-thinking title, EVOLVE places Trey in the spotlight, primed for a major breakthrough with a multi-faceted vibe. In addition to his core retro-meets neo soul/funk trademark sound – he and his producer, keyboardist Paul Anderson focus on sizzling horn textures, mystical exotica, touches of blues and gospel and even a splash of classical music. There are tracks on EVOLVE primed to follow in the smooth jazz charting footsteps of “86th St.”, which hit the Billboard top 30. His second single, “Inner Light” opens with a dreamy synth wash intro and eases into a coolly flowing laid back grooves fronted with a silky and sensual sax melody. It’s a passionate, soul-transporting ballad featuring edgy and dynamic horn textures and old school Rhodes harmonies. You can catch Trey on The Anita Baker Farewell Tour, at least for as long as that lasts!
D Mills - "Pain" (DMillsJazz)
Artist/producer/composer D. Mills is noted for his outstanding jazz and R&B compositions. A talented musician, D. Mills plays the guitar, piano and bass guitar. At the age of fifteen he traveled the US playing bass guitar for the legendary gospel singer Shirley Caesar. As an outstanding professional, Mills has a gift for composing hits, such as “Touch”, “Give Your Love To Me” and “Manhattan 2.0” that’s still being played currently on Music Choice, iHeart Radio, Allen Kepler’s Smooth Jazz Network and Smooth Jazz Florida. His very first album Undercover Life, reflects both his artistry and other aspects of his life as a New York City Detective.
Quiana Lynell - "Move Me No Mountain" (CMG)
Her voice can envelop a room. Whether it is booming from a concert stage on a live-wire Friday night or vaulting sky high over a subdued sanctuary on a Sunday morning, her effortless, sugary tones wrap audiences up tight and never let go. Even still, Baton Rouge jazz singer and songwriter Quiana Lynell believes the loudest voice a creative can have is the one inside her own head. “We edit too much,” says the Texas native, who relocated to Baton Rouge to major in music at LSU 15 years ago and never left. “Don’t edit or question yourself like that. We are our own worst critics sometimes.” Not letting perfect stand in the way of good is something of a mantra for the vocalist who was raised up in a household of singers where chores, meals and bedtimes were accompanied by a cappella choruses. Lynell sang praise music at church and later competed as all-state at the highest levels of high-school show choir across Texas.
Reza Khan - "Drop of Faith" ft. Nils (Painted Media)
Khan’s latest full length album Next Train Home reflects the multi-talented performer’s ultimate expression of an artistry that is all about exploration, not limitation, by following a multitude of passions and vibing with contemporary jazz greats, while Khan’s core acoustic and electric lines are front and center on every tune- sometimes alternating on the same track. One of the most emotionally revealing songs is “Drop of Faith” – a bright free flowing slice of tropical-tinged dream funk that begins as a balmy ballad and then grooves up for Khan’s breezy, up-tempo acoustic guitar melody. Perhaps the most “smooth jazz” flavored of any tune on the album, the track was produced by veteran hit maker Nils, who also contributes his sizzling electric guitar with a high energy guitar solo. Philippe Saisse contributes hypnotic synth harmonies and atmosphere, while percussion master, Gumbi Ortiz keeps the grooves hopping with his intense percussion – including a solo percussion outro. The result is a fresh groove, with thoughtful melodies that is sure to liven up springtime playlists.
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach - "Way After 8" (Windtunnel Records)
This is Gabriel’s most radio friendly release ever, and includes his nine Billboard hits (minus his three with Bob Baldwin), plus other new and overlooked funky~smooth tunes. Radio Gold includes tracks from Told Ya So, his 2011 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards ‘Album of the Year’, plus a never before heard gem, written with George Benson, featuring the iconic, late guitarist Ronny Jordan.Gabriel was working on “Way After 8” a few years back, before guitarist Ronny Jordan’s untimely death. It took a while to get all the clearances, but here it is in all its glory, a testament to the magic of the Gabriel/Ronny combination! This is a tune that George Benson/Ronny Jordan co-wrote, and it really lets the guitar sing, and leaves plenty of room for Gabe’s tasty and emotive flugelhorn and flute.
J. White - "Driven" (TCB Records)
J. White delivers his first singe, entitled, “Driven” from the upcoming album, “Fearless”. With an infectious melody and hook, Driven gives the Contemporary Jazz listener a perfect mix of soul, melody and passion behind the Saxophone. Originally from Detroit, now based in Phoenix, J. White in demand both locally and nationally and he has shared the stage with Regina Belle, Cece Peniston, Adina Howard, Selina Albright, Jeffrey Osborne, Najee, Bobby Blue Bland, & Dave Hollister just to name a few. After taking runner up at the Warren Hill Sax Summit in 2013, J. White has continued to make his musical mark at many Jazz festivals and venues. With the release of his latest single entitled, “Driven” under TCB records, J. White is primed to become a force in Jazz circles.
Fostina Dixon - Vertical Alignment (Fossiebear Inc)
Fostina Dixon’s soulful, jazzy, funky, gospel sound is as unique as it is mesmerizing. One of the few female jazz instrumentalists to front her own band, Winds of Change, the saxophonist, composer, vocalist and educator’s comeback album in 2016, Here We Go Again has garnered complimentary reviews. Her new single, “Vertical Alignment”, written by Fostina‘s husband Todd Kilgoe, is more soul stirring and passionate. This ballad is seductive and shows Fostina‘s unique improvisational style. A full CD is expected to be released after the release of “Vertical Alignment” later this year.
Latrese Bush ft. Eric Essix - "The Best" (Burn Bush Entertainment)
The Collection is a compilation of masterfully produced and beautifully written songs and remixes presented by the inspirational R&B Jazz songstress, Latrese Bush. This beautifully crafted album takes you on the proverbial love train ride through the ups and downs of love. The artist has garnered a reputation for singing beautiful love songs. She possesses the rare skills of great vocalists before her that are able to float seamlessly from R&B, Jazz into Gospel genres. If you love the music of Anita Baker, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross you will love Latrese’s music. She’s an admitted love optimist. You will find songs on The Collection like the quintessential wedding songs “The Best” and “Love I Can Sing About” that demonstrates what most men and women want – “to be shown the kind of love you only dream of” and to be so “unbelievably swept up in [someone’s] charm”. Latrese says “my songs are my prayers for the blissful love experience I deserve and hope to have”.
Karla Harris - "Cherish" (KH Music)
‘Bewitching’ is the word used to describe “Cherish”, the new single from exquisite vocalist Karla Harris that lushly reimagines the Association’s 1960s megahit. Acclaimed producer/composer/keyboardist Trammell Starks creates a rich, contemporary version of the tune, combining its magnetic melody with delicious jazz sensibilities, a definitive groove and velvety instrumentation. Joining Harris and Starks are celebrated musicians Lil’ John Roberts (George Duke, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson), Sam Sims (Boney James, Dave Koz, Michael Jackson), Sam Skelton (Jeff Lorber, Elton John, London Symphony) and renowned session guitarist Chris Blackwell. Harris is an alluring new voice on the smooth-jazz scene whose music features an aural quality all its own, and “Cherish”, the first single from her forthcoming album Certain Elements is a breakout romantic slow jam perfect for the cool days of fall.
ThreeStyle ft. Magdalena Chovancova - "Adriatic Flow" (WLM Records)
Quickly following up after their #1 hit “Ready To Go”, ThreeStyle is back with their second single from Reason’s To Love, “Adriatic Flow”. ThreeStyle truly personifies Smooth Jazz with killer originals and a sophisticated, modern spin with their signature blend of smooth, nu, funk, soul and chill jazz! Threestyle was founded by German guitarist Robert Fertl and Czech Republic’s Magdalena Chovancova who plays saxophone and flute for the ensemble and they collaborate with many notable players including Jimmy Haslip, Nils, 2x Grammy winner Paul Brown, Gail Jhonson and more. This duo is really making a splash! #1 on the US Billboard Charts, #1 on the US SmoothJazzNetwork Top 20, #1 on the US Groovejazzcharts, #1 on the Wave.fm Charts. Winner of Hollywood Music In Media Award and Akademia Music Award.