Jonathan Butler - "Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)" - Mack Ave
Legendary singer-songwriter Jonathan Butler traveled back to his home country of South Africa to craft his most exciting and deeply personal album to date. Featuring producer/bassist Marcus Miller, Ubuntu is a reintroduction of Butler’s life story, going back 60 years to his upbringing in apartheid-era Capetown, which shaped his world view, prompted years of advocacy and instilled the ideology of ‘Oneness’ (Ubuntu). Featuring special guests Keb’ Mo’ and Stevie Wonder on harmonica, the new album serves both as a rebirth of musical creativity and reconciliation with systemically biased history to forge a brighter future.
Tony Saunders - "Loving You Is Easy" - Baja/TSR
Tony Saunders new Jazzy/Cool album “The Romance Continues” showcases his musical theme of love. The album includes 15 tracks featuring many top Smooth Jazz musicians contributing to the production. Tony, along with his co-producer and writing collaborator Michael Mani have delivered a prolific and infectious collaboration of catchy tracks that are sure to become radio and streaming mainstays. This is Tony’s second album on the Baja/TSR Records label.
ThreeStyle - "Best Things In Life" - Welovemusic
Best Things in Life – New single by ThreeStyle feat. Magdalena Chovancova & Robert Fertl From its divinely soulful, melodic and grooving core, award-winning #1 Billboard Smooth Jazz charting group ThreeStyle presents its new powerful and energetic single „Best things in life“. Soulful and funky, groovy and strong-minded. Featuring Robert Fertl on guitars & production, twin sisters Magdalena (saxes, keys) and Gabriela (drums), James L. Manning’s bass grooves and Lew Laing on keys.
Rhythm Tribe - "Holding Onto The Night" - VRL Muzic
VRL Muzic recording artist Rhythm Tribe, now made up of a multi-generational Latino family with over 100 years of a musical legacy, has now defined Neo Soul – Latin Fusion, which is a style of music that they have developed. Beginning with their first single “Holding Onto The Night,” which is a fusion of Neo Soul, Afro Beat and Puerto Rican rhythms. Brisa Guzman-Sanchez takes the lead on this emotional journey singing about a past lover still means so much. Their sound combines the unique guitar artistry of Thomas and Mason Guzman-Sanchez, held together with the insatiable rhythms of Esau Garcia, the incredible upright bass mastery from Karthik Suresh topped off with the drumming, Louie Pereira. This sextet of real musicians actually recorded live in studio, which gives their recordings a special magical spark.
Deepak Thettu - "As Long as It’s You" - Sodara Music
Now that we’ve been introduced to Deepak Thettu… He invites the listener on a soulful jazzy ride with his vibrant new single, “As Long As It’s You.“ With its irresistible bounce and memorable hook, “As Long as it’s You” is going to engage the listener and have them humming along to the infectious chorus. The ace production work of Judah Sealy is on display as he combines subtle yet poignant sonic tapestries that perfectly complement Thettu’s smooth, rich guitar textures. The melody is the star here however, as Thettu aims to convey a message “when I play the chorus on my guitar, I hear the words: morning, noon and day and night, everything’s gonna be alright, As Long as It’s You.“ I wanted to write a song that celebrates the daily interactions with our favorite people in life, with our loved ones that make every day memorable leaving a lasting an impression for a lifetime.“
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach – "SunSeeker" ft. Marion Meadows - Windtunnel Records
Gabriel Mark Hasselbach has mad skills across the jazz spectrum, with his signature flugelhorn, flute and trumpet sound. He is his most prolific and inspired in the contemporary jazz field, earning him 11 Billboard hits so far. “SunSeeker” is his first release since his 2022 Jazz Awards Nominated Album of the Year ‘Tongue & Groove’ which spawned three singles and brought him his latest chart action. “SunSeeker” is the soundtrack to a top-down trip to the beach, a private jet to Cannes, or a cruise to Hawaii and Marion Meadows’ soprano sax adds the salt on the rim of a poolside musical margarita!
Kenny Rocket - "Cool Giant" – Morris Music
Lifelong guitarist Kenny Rocket, born and raised in Detroit, MI, sets his sights upon reigniting the optimism and soulful embrace of uplifting smooth Jazz, with his intoxicating and joyous new single ‘Cool Giant’. Featuring a fully loaded production of keys, live horns, bass, strings and live drums, ‘Cool Giant’ follows the guitarist extraordinaire through an enchanting performance that’s as melodically distinct as it is skillful. Kenny masters the space with humility and purpose, lifting the mood and in the process showcasing his masterful guitar abilities at the forefront of a euphoric, summer-ready soundscape. Kenny’s eclectic repertoire of favorites has resulted in a uniquely compelling, colorful, and timeless original style, allowing the soulful jazz groove of ‘Cool Giant’ to hit the scene with a memorable balancing of nostalgia and outright creative flair.
Tanya Nolan – "Like Water" – ArtsessionZ
With summer on the way, we can use a smooth slow jam for those upcoming warm and hot days as well as sultry nights. Galveston, Texas native Tanya Nolan brings us her new single that could contribute to the summertime soundtrack, “Like Water”. As on her previous R&B hit, “Pace Yourself,” Tanya teams up with soul vet Raheem DeVaughn in the songwriting department for “Like Water.” The tune starts with the chorus with Ms. Nolan telling her lover, “Don’t let mama wait too long…” while giving the legendary Sade a shout out. The musical flow is soft, smooth and slow with a lush string arrangement as well as well-placed rain sounds – a Quiet Storm groove meets ASMR. Tanya’s voice is sweet and supple, nice and light, without “over-souling.” The backing vocals support Ms. Nolan’s lead nicely. “Like Water” flows like a calm river or ocean waves on a warm day or cool evening.
Walter Beasley - "Funk Foot" – Affable Records
“Funk Foot,” featuring Phil Davis, is a studio recording based on a live performance by Grover Washington Jr. in the late 1970’s. Despite being lesser-known, this song offers a smooth and powerful interpretation in its delivery. We sincerely hope you enjoy it and express our gratitude for your support.”
Steve Cole - "One, Two!" – Mack Avenue
Steve Cole’s exhilarating new album, Without a Doubt, his first outing with producer and songwriter partner Adam Hawley, finds Cole taking the opportunity of this fresh start to approach his music with the open mind of a beginner and the confidence of a veteran at the top of his game. Without a Doubt is a breezy affair that packs a high-energy punch. The album is chock full of memorable melodies that could be easily retooled as hits for the likes of the Commodores or Earth, Wind & Fire. In a sense , that brings Cole full circle to some of his earliest musical experiences. Cole’s longtime producer David Mann also returns, adding horn arrangements and reeds to “C’mon Y’all” and “One, Two!”