Paul Brown: The Funky Joint (2012)

One of the challenges of being a mega-successful producer and artist whose talents run deeper and more diverse than what you're known for is trying to find a few spots to showcase that deeper soul in the midst of the in the pocket stuff fans and record labels expect. No surprise that Brown's inviting his favorite musicians and fans to enter a realm called The Funky Joint on his sixth solo CD. He's been making smooth jazz funkier and more dynamic for years, scoring over 50 number one radio hits for genre stars like Boney James, Euge Groove, George Benson, Norman Brown, and Larry Carlton. From the mid-2000s on, he's scored his own share of solo hits as a grooving, old-school leaning electric guitarist. He lays the foundation of this infectious, well played set with crisply rendered tunes like the retro-flavored, easy grooving title track (colored beautifully by the rising sparks of the Jerry Hey horns) and the balmy meditation "Say It Like It Is." He shines an ample spotlight on some brilliant collaborators, from newcomer Jonathan Fritzen ("Tuff Times") to saxmen Euge Groove (who enters the party better late than never on the silky and sensual "From the Ground Up"), and Darren Rahn (the power ballad "Ya Dig"). There's more creative jazz spark, however, on the numbers he does with Boney James and Marc Antoine (the Stanley Turrentine-flavored "As Clear as Day") and keyboard legend Bob James (whose cool runs play off Brown's energetic strumming on "Backstage Pass"). But the emotional centerpieces that transcend all the cool funk and jazz are the tracks where Brown digs deeper into blues and complements his guitar lines with his increasingly emotional lead vocals. "Love Don't Come EZ" tells us how to make love work, and the simmering closer "I Get a Feeling" takes the guitarist's artistry to a realm previous jazz/rock/blues efforts have paved the way for. The fact that Brown earned a nomination for "Best Vocalist" at the 2011 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards (where he had the chance to sit in with Carlton) speaks volumes about his ability to create richly emotional songs in a multitude of ways. The joint is funky, but the blues is where Brown's heart is. -- Jonathan Widran ~ AllMusic.com

Tracklist:
01. The Funky Joint [3:32]
02. As Clear As Day (feat. Boney James) [3:44]
03. Montreux [4:18]
04. Say It Like It Is [3:34]
05. Love Dont Come EZ [3:48]
06. Tuff Times (feat. Jonathan Fritzen) [3:57]
07. Backstage Pass (feat. Bob James) [3:26]
08. Ya Dig (feat. Darren Rahn) [4:36]
09. From The Ground Up (feat. Euge Groove) [4:44]
10. I Get A Feeling [4:04]
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Masato Honda: Accross the Groove (2008)

The former member of group T-Square - saxophonist and flutist Masato Honda is one of Japan’s all-time hottest contemporary jazz musicians. He is also a master of the EWI. Across The Groove is collaboration with the superstars of Fourplay - an unexpected and pleasant surprise for the jazz fans.

Tracklist:
01. Captain Giovanni [4:52]
02. Ha-Ru-U-La-La [5:50]
03. Heart Of Zipangu [6:23]
04. Stephanie [6:31]
05. Cool Bounce [6:12]
06. Diversity [7:08]
07. Prairie In The Morning [6:09]
08. Ocean Avenue [5:07]
09. Friends Of My Life [5:54]
10. My Ballad [7:23]
Personnel:
Masato Honda - Saxes, Flute, Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Keyboard, Guitar
Bob James - Piano, Keyboard
Mike Miller - Guitars
Nathan East - Bass
Harvey Mason - Drums
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Bob James & Jack Lee: Botero (2009)

Without question the best recording that Bob James and Jack Lee have done together as a duo. Along with the first fourplay release, and the absolutely gorgeous compact disc, "Restless" this is the best recording I've heard from Bob James since "Grand Piano Canyon". Track 6, "The Wind Comes" is a slice of pure contemporary jazz heaven. It is a shame that this disc has not been released in the US. ~ Stephen Randolph

About JACK LEEBorn in Seoul Korea, Jack absorbed the sounds of rock guitar heroes such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck before discovering the jazzier sounds of Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell, and Miles Davis. At 17, he traveled to the United States to pursue his passion and later enrolled as a computer science major at Columbia University. A stint as a disc jockey at the well-known station WKCR-FM exposed him to an extraordinary breadth of jazz music. Being a student in New York allowed him to experience first hand the living legends of jazz in the city's renowned clubs, and also enabled him to study first-hand with such guitar luminaries as Larry Coryell, Emily Remler, Bill Connors, and John Scofield.

With roots planted firmly in his Asian heritage, technique and sensitivity honed by his schooling and experience in New York, and with a singular voice propelled by an intense desire for a more complete artistic expression, Jack combines formidable technique with a penchant for gentle, flowing lyricism that makes his music eminently appealing to both musicians and non-musicians alike on his latest release ‘ Asianergy’. Jack’s music always has the combination of jazz, Brazilian, Rhythm & Blues, pop, funk, and Asian influences which leaves a deep emotionally satisfying impact upon the listener. The Project Band ‘Asianergy’ is founded along with the multi percussionist Lewis Pragasam (leader of ‘Asiabeat’ band). The concept of this group is Unique blend of all musical possibilities with emphasis on the rhythms of Asia, and to explore the sonic capabilities from the music of the world.

Tracklist:

1. Sphere [6:30]
2. Oblivion [8:13]
3. Botero [4:54]
4. Lovers In Moonlight [6:17]
5. April [5:19]
6. The Wind Comes [7:33]
7. Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow [6:02]
8. Luiza [4:45]
9. Dream With You [6:17]
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Bob James: Obsession (1986)

As usual, Bob James is joined by an all-star cast on this 1986 release. Steve Khan, Marcus Miller, Randy and Michael Brecker, saxophonists Andy Snitzer and Kirk Whalum, Jon Faddis, and vocalist Lisa Fischer all lend their talents to this R&B flavored recording. The seven tracks blend smoothly together, delivering something approaching the more packaged and produced '90s Bob James sound.

Tracklist:
01. Obsession 6:04
02. Gone Hollywood 6:11
03. 3 A.M. 5:24
04. Rousseau 6:01
05. Rain 6:53
06. Steady 5:41
07. Feel The Fire 4:32
Personnel:
Bob James - keyboards, programming
Marcus Miller - bass
Michael Brecker - saxophone, EWI
Steve Khan - guitar
Kirk Whalum - saxophone
Jon Faddis - trumpet
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Andy Snitzer - saxophone
Nicky Moroch - guitar
Lenny White - drum Programming
Michael Colina - programming, drum programming
Sharon Bryant - Vocals
Renee Diggs - vocals
Lisa Fischer - vocals
Vaneese Thomas - vocals
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Harvey Mason: Stone Mason (1982)

Rare album of the fantastic drummer Harvey Mason who played with the best jazz funk musicians during the 70s. This album was only issued in Japan and was produced by Lee Ritenour and Harvey Mason. This LP includes a killer modern soul tune "What goes around" and a good remake of Donny Hathaway's song "Someday We'll All Be Free".

Tracklist:
A1 It All Comes From You
A2 Appassionata
A3 Autumn Flow
A4 Grusin's Groove
B1 What Goes Around
B2 Love Letters
B3 Hot Summer Nights
B4 Someday We'll All Be Free
Personnel:
Backing Vocals – Arnell* (tracks: B1), Deon Estus (tracks: B2), G. Kronstadt (tracks: B2), Harvey Mason (tracks: B1, B2), J.D.* (tracks: B1), King Floyd (tracks: B2), Pages (3) (tracks: B3), Ray Parker* (tracks: B1)
Bass – Abe Laboriel* (tracks: B4), Anthony Jackson (tracks: A3, A4), Gary King (tracks: A1, A2), Scott Edwards (2) (tracks: B1), Welton Gite (tracks: B2)
Drums – Harvey Mason
Engineer – Don Murray, Humberto Gatica, Joe Jergenson*, Keith Seppanen, Peter Chaiken
Flugelhorn – Kenny Mason (tracks: A3)
Guitar – Cash McCall (tracks: B2), John Tropea (tracks: A2), Lee Ritenour (tracks: B3, B4), Ray Parker* (tracks: B1), Steve Kahn (tracks: A1 to A4)
Lead Vocals – Karen Floyd (tracks: B2), Kelly McNulty (tracks: B1), Lisa Nemzo (tracks: B3)
Lyricon – Rod Zantey (tracks: A1, A2)
Marimba, Bells [Orchestra] – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1)
Percussion – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1, A3, A4), Jack Ashford (tracks: B1)
Piano – Bob James (tracks: A1, A2)
Piano [Accord] – Bernard Wright (tracks: A3, A4), David Paich (tracks: B3), Teuneson Stevens (tracks: B2)
Piano [Fender] – Bob James (tracks: A1)
Piano [Rhodes] – Dave Grusin (tracks: A3, A4), David Foster (tracks: B4), Sylvester Rivers (tracks: B1), Teuneson Stevens (tracks: B2)
Producer – Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour (tracks: B3)
Recorder – Phil Ayling (tracks: B4)
Saxophone [Alto] – Dave Boruff* (tracks: B2)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Tom Scott (tracks: A2)
Synthesizer – Bob James (tracks: A2), Dave Grusin (tracks: A4), Harvey Mason (tracks: B1, B2), Ian Underwood (tracks: A1), Jeremy Lubbock (tracks:
A1, B4), Jerry Peters (tracks: B1, B2), Steve Pocaro* (tracks: B3)
Synthesizer [Keyboard Bass] – David Paich (tracks: B3)
Vibraphone – Harvey Mason (tracks: A3, A4)
Vocals – Harvey Mason (tracks: A1), Stephanie Spruill (tracks: B4)
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Bob James / Keiko Matsui: Altair & Vega (2011)

Bob James and Keiko Matsui's Altair & Vega is a solo piano album performed by a duo, and for the most part, that means what it sounds like, two jazz pianists seated together at one keyboard playing four-handed parts. On the James-composed title track (which refers to two stars that pass each other only once a year), previously recorded and released on the 2001 James album Dancing on the Water, Matsui takes the upper part of the piano and James the lower part in a piece that sounds more new age than jazz.

Tracklist:
01. Altair & Vega 6:52
02. Frozen Lake 6:43
03. Divertimento "The Professor & The Student" 6:55
04. Midnight Stone 6:07
05. Invisible Wing 4:30
06. The Forever Variations 13:17
07. Chorale From Cantata BWV 147 3:20
Personnel:
Bob James - piano
Keiko Matsui - piano
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