We experienced a slight slowdown in new releases in June. That is not unusual for that time of year and we still have lots to play. In July the trend was upward as momentum is once again building and should continue through November.
On July 15th a fantastic new album was released from record producer turned performing guitarist Paul Brown. As a producer he was a part of over 50 number ones for other Smooth Jazz Artists. Since becoming a performer he has now charted nine Billboard number ones. His new album is titled Promised Land. As with his previous albums, this album includes songs that feature some of the many artists he has worked with over his career. I am playing the first track from his new album, a soulful groove titled Secret Sauce featuring the swinging horns of Greg Vail and Ron King.
Our next artist, saxophonist Mike Phillips, has been a performer since 1993, mostly out of the spotlight as a sideman. He has played with a bevy of artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tom Braxton, and Jill Scott. July 8th he released an album titled simply Mike Phillips. Our first listen to this great new album is his song Crusin’ On Sunset.
At age five, Slim Man saw Louis Armstrong perform and told his Dad “That’s What I Want To Do” He studied the trumpet for ten years and taught himself how to sing, and play the piano and guitar as well. His first album release in 1995 charted a top ten hit. His latest music, released July 8th is a single titled 3 AM.
Last year saxophonist Randal Clark released his debut album Imaginary World. For two decades he has been an honored educator, currently a professor at the University Of Utah in Salt Lake City. Before that release he was not known by the public but well known to many Smooth Jazz artists that he became acquainted with playing at Jazz festivals and other venues. Some of those artists contributed work to his debut album and he was signed to and played at the Catalina Island Jazz Festival last year and will return to play at that festival again this year in October. July 8th he released a new single titled Stargazer that I will play for you.
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