July 21, 2018 | sobczakd
Contemporary jazz-R&B funkster Brian Culbertson has had love on his mind essentially since last Valentine's Day. Inspired by the occasion of his twentieth wedding anniversary last fall, the keyboardist began writing thirteen new songs about a year ago dedicated to his wife, Michelle, which make up his "Colors of Love" album that was released on Wednesday, Valentine's Day, by BCM Entertainment. Substituting the live band instrumentation customary of his recordings, Culbertson crafted an intimate set of ardent acoustic piano melodies using sensual synth grooves and textures.
The long anticipated second album is finally here. Guitarist Adam Hawley is a gifted performer, sideman, and educator, known for his lithe, groove-oriented approach to contemporary jazz and R&B. After working steadily for over a decade with many marquee jazz and pop artists, Hawley launched his solo career with his breakthrough 2016 debut album, Just the Beginning, which featured three chart-topping smooth jazz singles. And the new single - Can You Feel It? featuring Marcus Anderson - is already climbing up the Billboard chart. The album features a distinguished array of talent, i.e. Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, Darren Rahn, Marcus Anderson and Greg Manning to name a few.
With eight of his own compositions, plus two top-notch reinventions, ‘Personal Touch’ from writer, producer and multi instrumentalist Vincent Ingala is the breath of fresh air that long time smooth jazz fans have been craving. Indeed it is arguably Vincent’s most complete album to date and affirms the meteoric progress he has made since 2011 when his debut recording ‘North End Soul’ first hit the streets. It was a collection that marked him out as one to watch and, since then, Smooth Jazz Therapy has watched his development with delighted interest. Personal Touch’ is Vincent’s fifth solo CD and right from the opening bars of the extremely edgy title cut there is little doubt he has lost none of his ability to effortlessly deliver a succession of joyously radio ready tunes.
It has been 30 years since the release of Albright's debut album Just Between Us. This anniversary project is a reflection of some of Albright's favorite music that he has written over the past decades. Although the songs are action-packed with new and unique arrangements, spearheaded by Albright, Chris Big Dog Davis, and James JRob Roberson, this CD is one of Gerald Albright's finest releases to date. Albright says that the big, multi-faceted sound of the album, particularly his use of multiple flutes, is a throwback to the way he came up in music. Because Albright’s musical muse has taken him to so many fascinating locales along the contemporary R&B/urban jazz spectrum, he’s joyfully defied easy categorizations.
Soprano saxophonist Marion Meadows, with longtime producer Chris “Big Dog” Davis, conjures a relaxed atmosphere on Soul City with tight beats and polished sonics in the forefront. The talented guests include contrasting guitarists Norman Brown and Peter White, as well as singers Will Downing on the breezy “Samba de Playa” and Peabo Bryson on a soulful cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” But the streamlined funk and dark harmonic color of “Consequences” highlight Meadows on his own—less adorned, sounding just as strong.