ACMJ International Blog

Janey Clewer / Fallen For Brazil

Janey Clewer's new solo effort “Fallen For Brazil” has finally arrived! Currently, you will get a limited pre-release CDR version printed for the fans while the artist looks into label options. Janey has composed a beautiful collection of neo-Brazilian styled songs that will thrill your senses and stir your soul. There is one cover of “This Masquerade” an all-time personal favorite of Janey’s. She caresses each song with effortless, seductive vocals that exude an intimacy that is undeniably Janey. Every track is drenched with timeless string arrangements and the incomparable John Patitucci on bass. Also featured is the vocal magic of Marc Jordan on the duet “ Make Her Mine” and Michael Sembello sings haunting Portuguese background vocals on “The Summer Wind”. The CD also features the awesome acoustic guitar work of her husband, Bruce Gaitsch, flutes by Dave Boruff, vibes by Alex Poston and trumpet by Nick Newman. The timeless string arrangements of Boh Cooper and Janey brush each song with beautiful strokes of color. The string players are Nashville’s finest led by David Davidson, concertmaster of Orchestra Nashville. Josh Abbey, producer and engineer for Russell Watson, mixed Janey’s CD in NYC, NY. Open your finest Malbec, sit back and let your ears take you on a passionate musical journey to Brazil and beyond.

Here is the words from Janey;

Hello friends and fans! I would like to inform you that my new CD “Fallen For Brazil” is finished and available at cdbaby.com as a limited pre-release. It will be on iTunes and other digital servers very soon.

Click on the following link and it will take you right to the page where you can hear clips of each song and purchase the CD: http://cdbaby.com/cd/janey/

For more pictures and news, visit my official website at http://www.janeyclewer.com

For those of you who have already purchased this CD or any other CD of mine, thank you very much for your support!

Janey Clewer

• Release Date: January 15, 2009 (Limited Pre-release)
• Producers: Janey Clewer and Bruce Gaitsch
• Janey Clewer: Lead & Background Vocals, Piano and Keyboards
• Musicians:
• • Guitars and Percussion Programming: Bruce Gaitsch
  • John Patitucci: Bass
  • Violin: David Davidson, David Angel
  • Viola: Monisa Angel
  • Cello: John Catchings
  • Flutes: Dave Boruff
  • Vibes: Alex Poston
  • Trumpet: Nick Newman
  • Background Vocals: Michael Sembello
  • Duet Vocal on "Make Her Mine":Marc Jordan
• Tracks:
  1. Ooh, Ooh
  2. I Should Let Go
  3. The Summer Wind
  4. Too Good To Be Real
  5. Picture This
  6. This Masquerade
  7. Make Her Mine
  8. Shangri-la
  9. Fallen For Brazil
  10. Coup de Grace
  11. Ooh, Ooh (single mix)

Ryo Okumoto / Makin' Rock

The 2009 first release of "Light Mellow Choices" will be the Japanese hard-fusion masterpiece, Ryo Okumoto's 2nd leader album "Makin' Rock".

Osaka born Keyboard player, Ryo Okumoto became known in Japan when Ryo toured with a Japanese group called "Creation" and recorded on their album "Best of Creation" in 1978. The next year Ryo toured with the legendary, "Kitaro" and recorded on Kitaro's album, "Live in Parco." In February 1980, Ryo's first leader album, "Solid Gold" with Canyon Records was released. He recorded this album at Air Studio in London with well-known musicians including Richard Baily (drummer for Jeff Beck). Only 2 month later, Ryo released his 2nd leader album, "Makin' Rock", which was recorded at Sound Labs Studios in Hollywood, having the best musicians : David Foster, Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro and Neil Stubenhaus.

Since 1994, Ryo Okumoto has been best known for his lasting tenure in the American progressive rock group Spock's Beard, but he has done a lot of different things before he joined. His track record includes recording sessions and live performances with pop and R&B artists like Peabo Bryson, Phil Collins and Aretha Franklin on the one hand. Some of AOR/Melodic Rcok freaks might recall his 2002 solo effort "Coming Through" again featuring Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips and Bobby Kimball.

If I would discribe the music on "Makin' Rock" album very simply, it would be a kind of hard-progressive fusion, which I feel is very close to Karizma's or Los Lobotomys'. Someone says that the perfectness of the album outstrips Greg Mathieson Project's legendary live session recordings "The Baked Potato Super Live" (1982) featuring both Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather. Steve Lukather also dedicated his songwriting talent on 2 tunes and, Jay and David also arranged several tunes. Therefore, it should be worth buying for all of TOTO / Airplay fans.

• Label : Vivid Sound, Japan <VSCD3376> (Original: See Saw / Pony Canyon, Japan <C28R0053>)
• Rerelease Date: January 21, 2009 (Original Release: April 21, 1980)
• Ryo Okumoto:  Fender Rhodes Ryo Okumoto; Piano, Fender Rhodes, Obx, Arpsynthesizer,Vocorder＆Vocal
• Musicians:
• • Drums: Jeff Porcaro
  • Bass:Neil Stubenhaus
  • Guitars: Steve Lukather, Jay Graydon
  • Piano: David Foster
• Tracks:
  1. Keep On Rockin'
  2. Crystal Highway
  3. Solid Gold
  4. L.A.Express
  5. Freedom
  6. Original View Plus
     
  7. Mystery White
  8. Morinig Joint

KeCraig... the new project featuring Keith Howland (Chicago) and his brother Craig

Keith Howland, the current guitarist of the band Chicago, has just released his new project CD, just before starting Chicago Japan Tour. The project is called as "KeCraig", which is a brotherly jam between Keith Howland and drummer Craig Howland, his brother. The Howland brothers went into Keith's home studio over the Thanksgiving holiday and recorded the bortherly jam sessions with only guitar and drums. The result was beyond their expectation, thus Keith added some bass, “KeCraig” was suddenly becoming a legit project. Jeff Babko layed down some killer keys that glued the project together and produced the final result. As far as I have heard MP 3 clips, I am sure that there must be huge energy all through the album. Really COOL fusion album, never smooth jazz...

Keith explains about this project as follows; "The new project is called "KeCraig" and features my brother on drums, Wheeler Castlebridge on bass, and the great Jeff Babko on keys. All instrumental and ranging from rock to jazz, this one is truly an improvisational jam that feels very live....cause it was. "

Label: GraceNote Records, USA
Release Date: March 28, 2008
Tracks: 1. Snake It Tuggly 2 Bugman 3. Mr. Muain 4. Kaflooey 5. Bujutie 6. What Are You Helmets Looking At? 7. Not So Sure 8. I Hate Heat 9. Dad!10. Clean Martino

Marco Taggiasco / This Moment

Early January of 2005, Marco Taggiasco, Italy based arranger and producer appeared in front of me with his first solo album "Thousand Things" recroded in Feb. 2004 featuring young gifted vocalist named Andrea Sanchini. I wrote on this blog that the first track "Never Too Late (For Love)" on the album reminded me of Eric Tagg's melodies and that the voice of Andrea Sanchini is very similar to that of Bill Cantos. Thus, it did not take a long time before the record became a little cult item mostly in Japan and Northern Europe.

On April 10, Marco Taggiasco will release his 2nd solo album "This Moment". You must be very excited to hear who participates in this forthcoming CD. Recording sessions have been done in Rome, Copenhagen and L.A. The album counts two unreleased tracks written by ERIC TAGG and a remake of Orleans' oldie "You've Been Runnin'". Most of the tracks are performed again by Andrea Sanchini. Surprisingly, ERIC TAGG features on the opening track, coming back in the studio after 10 years of absence! Among the special guests' names pops up the one of David Pack, delivering an incredible performance on the title track. Acclaimed Danish/American singer-songwriter Anne Marie Bush features on the touching adult-contemporary ballad April In My Heart. Her new album’s release is expected at the end of spring and will contain a song produced by Marco. "I wanted the album to be representative of different sides of my work" - Marco explains - "and having such great talents performing on this record gave me the best chance to do it.They are the real stars in this project". This Moment will be available on CD Baby and iTunes starting from April 10. Until the release date, I recommend you to visit Marco Taggiasco's official web to listen to sound clips from forthcoming album!

Marilyn Scott / Every Time We Say Goodbye

Marilyn Scott's Japan-only new studio CD has arrived! The album entitled "Every Time We Say Goodbye" features 10 American standard songs with a bunch of stellar jazz musicians. Marilyn spent 3 days in New York City in late August 2007 recording this straight-ahead 4 beat jazz vocal album only for Japan. You might remember that Marilyn released an album "Nightcap" in 2004, covering eight jazz standards such as "Stardust", and if you love "Nightcap" album, this is another one for you.

Label: Venus Records, Japan (TKCV-35419)
Release Date: February 20, 2008
Producers: Tetsuo Hara, Todd Barkan
Musicians:
Piano: Cyrus Chestnut
Guitar: Paul Bollenback
Bass: Gerald Cannon
Drums: Willie Jones III
Sax, Clarinet: Ken Peplowski

Track Listing:
1. Every Time We Say Goodbye (C. Porter)
2. I Got Lost In His Arms (I. Berlin)
3. Lonely Town (L. Bernstein)
4. Detour Ahead (H. Ellis, L. Carter, J. Frigo)
5. Do You Know The Way To San Jose? (B. Bacharach)
6. Autumn In New York (V. Duke)
7. I Love Paris (C. Porter) 8. Cry Me A River (A. Hamilton)
9. Caravan (D. Ellington, J. Tizo)
10. Somewhere(L.Bernstein)

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Patti Austin / Patti Austin (1984) Reissue!

This must be also one of the long-awaited CD reissues. 1984's self-titled album "PATTI AUSTIN" is her follow-up to her 1982's smash hit pop album "Every Home Should Have One" including #1 pop hit single "Baby Come To Me" duet with James Ingram for Quincy Jones' Qwest label. Patti enjoyed good chart action and significant airplay with the singles "It's Gonna Be Special" and "Shoot the Moon", both of which were written by Clif Magness and Glen Ballard. Speaking of "Hot! In the Flames of Love" and "Star Struck", both penned by Narada Michael Walden got high attention R&B and dance chart and thus she established her firm position in the R&B field.
This album had been reissued once in 1991 only for Japan but have been out-of print for very long time. In the summer of 2007, Mosaic Records will reissue this album under their Contemporary Reissues series presenting the definitive versions of the most important recordings in contemporary jazz and Adult Contemporary Music.

Label: Mosaic Contemporary, USA (Original Release: Qwest Records)
Release Date: August 24, 2007 (Original Release: 1984)
Executive Producers: Quincy Jones, Ed Eckstine
Producers: Narada Michael Walden, David Pack, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard, Ollie E. Brown, Quicy Jones

Tracks:
1. It´s gonna be special
2. Rhythm of the heat
3. All behind us now
4. Hot: In the flames of love
5. Change your attitude
6. Shoot the moon
7. I´ve got my heart set on you
8. Fine fine fella (Got to have you)
9. Starstruck
10. Any way you can

Lee Ritenour /RIT 24bit digital remastering reissue now available!

Everybody knows that there are many albums of Lee Ritenour to be reviewed. Having said so, among AOR/Westcoast lovers, this album should be the highest priority CD to be listened because of its production with David Foster. Otherwise, this is the best Eric Tagg featured albums. Mr. Briefcase", the opening track of this album is really the masterpiece tune. Generally, this album is well-known for "Is It You"? which reached #15 position on the US chart.
This album has been reissued on CD several times. Probably, the first reissue was done in 1994 by Discovery Records, USA. Therefore, most of this blog readers seems to possess this album already on CD like me. And there is not necessary for you to read how this album is awesome. Comparing 2007's 24 bit digital remastered CD with the 1994 release, the 2007 CD is far better in terms of clearness and powerfulness. Worth considering whether you will replace this masterpiece now!

Label: Warner Music Japan (WPCR25049) (Original Release: Elektra Records, USA)
Release Date: June 27, 2007 (Original Release: 1981)
Producers: David Foster, Harvey Mason and himself
Lee Ritenour: Guitars, Vocoder Vocals, Guitar Synth.
Musicians:
Drums: Harvey Mason
Keyboards: David Foster, Michael Boddicker, Greg Phillinganes, Richard Tee, Greg Mathieson
Bass: Abrahama Laboriel, Louis Johnson, David Hungate, John Pierce
Drums: Jeff Porcaro, Alex Acuna, Rick Shlosser
Percussion: Steve Forman, Paulinho Da Costa
Trumpet, Flugel Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Finley, Gary Grant
Trombones: Lou McCrary, Charles Loper, Bill Reichenback
Vocals: Bill Champlin, Eric Tagg
Strings Arangement: Johnny Mandel

Tracks:
1. Mr. Briefcase
2. (Just) Tell Me Pretty Lies
3. No Sympathy
4. Is It You?
5. Dreamwalk
6. Countdown (Captain Fingers)
7. Good Question
8. (You Caught Me) Smilin'
9. On The Slow Glide
10. No Sympathy (Reprise)

David Diggs / Neo Tek Werk

David Diggs, one of the top L.A.-based pop/jazz producers/songwritesr/keyboard players has just released an album entitled "Neo Tek Werk" which followed his 2003 album "Jazzwerk".
Not to mention, David Diggs is well-known not only for his 1985 solo album "Streetshadows" which was a top 10 entry on Billboard's Jazz Album Chart for 26 weeks, but also for his producing works with Quincy Jones, Irene Cara, Brothers Johnson and/or Richie Furay.
This latest album would be a little bit different from his recent albums. However, it is quite natural because David is one of the most versatile music creators. This brand-new CD should not be a Smooth-jazz album but a unique hybrid of jazz on top of trance beats. Someone might say a kind of Ambient Jazz album. The CD features songs and vocals by Rachel Diggs, Antonia Venezia and Andrew Lynch, as well as vocals by Anna Rader & Katherine Ellis. Superstar Brandon Fields makes another appearance on saxophone, along with some amazing guitar solos by Sweden's Tommy Denander. It might not be too much to say that Tommy Denander's guitar solo for this album have entered into the new dimension.

Label: Indiggnant Music, USA (IM0014)
Producer: David Diggs
David Diggs: Piano, Synths
Musicians:
Guitars: Tommy Denander
Sax: Brandon Fields
Trombone: Bob McChesney
Bass: Robbie Diggs
Vocals: Rachel Diggs, Antonia Venezia, Anna Quill, Katherine Ellis, Andrew Lynch
Tracks:
1. Amore Mio
2. Do You Believe In Me
3. The Blacksmith
4. Ethnique
5. Hands Of Time
6. Instant Joy
7. Drum Machines Have No Soul
8. Au Fond Du Temple Saint
9. That Lucky Girl
10. TechTrane

Patrick Yandall / Samoa Soul

Patrick Yandall, one of my favorite talented Contemporary Smooth Jazz recording artist/guitarist, will be releasing his new CD "Samoa Soul" very soon. Patrick Yandall has something different, which is very hard to explain by using my poor power of expression. His groove coming from his versatile musical background R&B, Blues, Latin and Gospel flavors might be the reason why I feel. Patrick has created a beautiful montage of light and mellow melodies with his 7th international release entitled
"Samoa Soul" filled with his talent all through the album.
All songs written by Patrick except Track 4 "Funkin' For Jamaica" and Track 8 "Sailing" written and originally performed by Christopher Cross. Once I finished listening to this album, as you see, I took a time to write about this album even though I do not recently write so much on this blog. It means that this CD is not just a mere Smooth Jazz average level release. Highly recommended one.

Label: Zangi Records, USA (Zng-1300-6)
Release Date: September5, 2006
Producer: himself
Patrick Yandall: Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocalese, Drum and Loop Programming
Additional Musicians:
Andre Mayeux: Keyboards
Nathan Brown: Bass
Tracks:
1. Samoa Soul
2. Fade To Black
3. Londons Way
4. Funkin' For Jamaica
5. Smile For Today
6. Passion Avenue
7. The Beat Generation
8. Sailing
9. Who's The Bossa
10. Back In The Day
11. Dawn Patrol

Another Night At The Baked Potato 2005

Let me inform you of Greg Mathieson's new album The Jazz Ministry / ANOTHER NIGHT AT THE BAKED POTATO" release, recorded live at the Baked Potato on March 11th, 12and April 8th 2005. This double CD's release contains three new tunes and great performances of favorites from the last live album "Mathieson, Laboriel, Landau & Colaiuta / Live At The Baked Potato 2000". For this time, the band "The Jazz Ministry" includes Greg on keyboards, Michael Landau on guitars, Abraham Laboriel Sr. on bass and Abraham Laboriel Jr. on drums.

Label: LMNOP Music, USA
Release Date: April 10, 2006
Tracks:
(Set 1 / Disc 1)
1. The Source
2. Goyo
3. Song For My Grandfather
4. MB
5. Q T π
(Set 2 / Disc 2)
1. I Don't Know
2. Slow Glide
3. Greg's Groove
4. HB "A Nice Place To Live"
5. LMNOP

This exciting double live CD is now available Greg Mathieson's Official Website!