There was a time period from the late 70s to the late 80 when looking at album credits was at least as important as the music of the main artist. Background vocalists were especially important to me when picking up records from formerly unknown artists. Paulette McWilliams was singing lead and background vocals on albums…
Brazilian soul, funk, jazz, AOR maestro Ed Motta returns with his new album “Behind The Tea Chronicles” October 20th on the German MPS Records. First single “Safely Far” already asks for more. Its subtle groove and slick production enhance Ed’s robust and yet pretty versatile and steady voice.
New York-based singer, songwriter and pianist Jon Regen has come up with “Satisfied Mind”, his most well-rounded set which has become a highly entertaining 10-piece since its release on July 11th. I’m sitting in our tiny little house in the Dutch countryside in the middle of nowhere, listening to “Son Rise” (Jon is father of…
Combining hip-hop beats with neo-soul, funk, and all sorts of soul, LA-based producer, songwriter, and Grammy Award winning performer Shafiq Husayn has come up with a brilliant melange on “So Gold”, four years after his equally fantastic “The Loop”. Collaborating with The Dove Society, a collective of artists, musicians, and creative-minded individuals located in the…
We’ve just received the latest single by The 7 Day Weekend. Alan Evans, founder of the group Soulive, and Kris Yunker, will release their highly anticipated new album “Dream Fantastic” later this year. “High” is the latest single off the album and features Boston-based singer Sonya Rae Taylor who soars through the mildly grooving track…
40 years into his career, singer, percussionist and guitarist Nanny Assis recently released “Rovanio” (which is his real first name) on In+Out Records. The St. Petersburg Orchestra and Randy Brecker on flugelhorn open up the subtly swinging “No Agora”, an excellent introduction to Nanny’s Brazilian-flavored influences. Ron Carter originally wrote the tune (as “Mr. Bow…
The man who gave us immortal songs like “A Rã”, “Lugar Comun”, “Café Com Pão”, or the unforgettable “E Menina”, has died yesterday. He was 88. Rest In Peace and Power Joao Donato. He wrote “Minha Saudade” with João Gilberto, was musical director for Gal Costa, recorded with lots of jazz greats like Ron Carter,…
Bossa Nova singer, pianist and composer Leila Pinheiro released her very first album in 1983. Simply called “Leila Pinheiro”, it features Ivan Lins, Joao Donato, Lincoln Olivetti, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Toninho Horta. Leila later worked with Roberto Menescal, collected numerous awards, did shows with partner and friend Ivan Lins, and a tribute show to…
Trumpeter, bandleader and composer Matthew Halsall will release “An Ever Changing View” on September 8th on Gondwana Records. Composed in Wales and in Bridlington, he wanted to create a feeling of “openness and escapism”. If you check out his new single “Calder Shapes”, an homage to American sculptor Alexander Calder and one of the greatest…
Tom Findlay (of Groove Armada) and James Alexander Bright have finally released “Everything Is Slow” on Athens of the North, their debut album after teasing it with several singles in the past months. The ultra sexy “Slow Dance” is featured here as well (it already came out in late 2021). I think this is the…