jazz2love

  New Release:  The Litteral Truth from Paul Litteral Label: Outrageous8 Records Release Date: August 15, 2025 Artist Website: www.plitteral.com Label Website: Outrageous8.com Leader and trumpet player Paul Litteral garnered fame in the rock 'n' roll arena but his latest release The Litteral Truth moves beyond the pop/rock palette, incorporating hues of soul, R&B, funk, reggae, and smooth jazz.  His work embodies a union of warm flavors that simmer, sizzle and soak the listener in frothy undulations.  The reggae accents sewn into the funky grooves of "Ghostown," penned by Jerry Dammers, drench the arrangement in exotic bubbles.  The blend gives the track a psychedelic aura reminiscent of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, as the penetrative tone of James Orbison's timbres brandish a haunting voicing.  The sultry vocals of Angela O'Neill firmly grip and caress the lyrics through "Use Me," written by Bill Withers, as the billowy ripple...

Album:  What Is? Artist:  Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band Label:  Self-Released Artist Website: russanixter.com Arranger-improviser Russ Anixter shares his affinity for big band music gelled with pop/rock, blues funk, R&B, and jazz on his 2025 release What Is?   A self-released collection of Anixter's arrangements that rework an assortment of jazz and pop standards, the music is performed by his 11-piece Hippie Big Band with special guests Steven Bernstein on slide trumpet and Oz Noy on guitar.  The result blends decades of American culture from Anixter's retooling of Tower of Power's "What Is Hip," sounding like a theme song from the 1970's TV program Kojak to the cajun/New Orleans flavored jazz of "Dixie Chicken," penned by Lowell George of Little Feat and Martin Kibbee.  Bassist Steve Count and drummer Scott Neuman play in tandem, providing a firm base for the horns, which move freely and expressively.  At one point in "Dixie Chicken...

Album:  Green Lights Artist:  Troy Roberts Label Name: Toy Robot Music Website:  troyroberts.com Record Label address:  toyrobotmusic.com Facebook:  @TroyRobertsMusic Instagram:  @mistertoyrobot Bandcamp link:  https://troyroberts.bandcamp.com Typical of saxophonist and leader Troy Roberts is his indelible skill to form dynamic conversations with his bandmates.  Uniquely individual of himself is his proclivity to be both a stimulant and to be stimulated, exploring multiple ways in which he interfaces with his musicians.  His saxophone turns thoughtful and pensive in his musings along "The Question," then moves with a whimsical flair through the title track, and pivots to a suave and lofty voice as he helms the melodic course of "By Your Side," all from his latest release Green Lights . Marking his 16th offering as a bandleader, Green Lights presents Roberts's innovative collaborations with John Patitucci on bass, Paul Bollenback on guitar, a...

Album:  Conspiracy Deliracy Artist:  Andrew Binder Label:  Self-Released Website:  andrewbindermusic.com Conspiracy Deliracy , the creation of bass player, composer and leader Andrew Binder, makes interesting commentaries about American culture both conceptually and musically.  A fusion of bop, blues, funk, improvisation, and cool jazz, many of the arrangements are reharmonized contrafacts, reimagining original works and revealing the inner workings of Binder's mind and ingenuity.  His music makes commentaries about current events and popular impressions fashioned from whittling improvised phrases, structured motifs and bop-inspired patterns that bridge traditional jazz with a modern day mindset. Examining “Mandela Effect,” named after South Africa's late president, Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013, the music is a light, fluffy assemble as the delicate feathering of Brian Stark's flute is encircled by Binder's soft bass pluckings. “Rush for Area 51” is styl...

Album:  In the Moment Artist:  Ella & The Bossa Beat Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.ellaandthebossabeat.com In the Moment  from Ella & The Bossa Beat is comprised of nine original songs composed by Ella Borges and her band, which features her father, Magrus Borges, on drums and percussion.  Ella sings in both English and Portuguese in a backdrop tinted in shades of R&B, soul, smooth jazz, bossa nova, and sonic pop.  The starry-eyed imaginary radiating from the brushed percussive strokes and elevating strings along "Dreamer" have a sonic pop hue reminiscent of Billie Ellish's penchant for stirring contemplation and Lewis Capaldi's fondness for intimating emotion through nuanced vocals. She muses, "When did I come to love this little dream / I think it started when I learned how to talk / And now it's bigger than me / It was not long ago / That I heard... if life's not about chasing my dreams / Then what will I hold on to when there's n...

Album:  Urbanessence Artist: Tito Carrillo Label: Origin Records Website:  www.titocarrillo.com Urbanessence is the second solo album from trumpeter/composer Tito Carrillo, fusing elements of pop, blues, funk, soul, and Latin swing, all the cultural flavors Carrillo has been exposed to and performed.  Comprised of nine original scores composed by Tito and one original by Phillip Kocheril, the recording is a pleasing ride through multi-shaded landscapes and multi-shaped arrangements. Accompanying Carrillo are Troy Roberts on tenor and soprano saxophones, Ben Lewis on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, Jay Sawyer on drums and cymbals, and Victor Gonzalez, Jr. on congas.  The slow burn of "Fire and Ice" showcases a dynamic drum solo that wilts away into the gentle musings of Carrillo's trumpet and Roberts' sax, entangling and moving in tandem.  Following along the slow burn theme is "Bliss Point," projecting a reflective mood tinseled in the willowy toots of Carril...

Album:  Parabbean Tales Artist:  Iwan VanHetten Label:  Blue Canoe Records Website:  http://www.iwanvanhetten.com/ UK based trumpeter, keyboardist, musical director, composer/songwriter, arranger, and producer Iwan VanHetten delights listeners with his latest offering Parabbean Tales .  Born from the concept of combining Caribbean-influenced music with particles of contemporary cool jazz and R&B/funk, VanHetten creates a synthesis that rouses his creativity as he plays with an enthusiasm that is infectious.  His experiences as a stage perfomer, playing beside such notable artists as Sister Sledge, The Pointer Sisters, Jimm Haslip, Jools Holland, and Paul Turner (Jamiroquai) to name a few, has honed his sharpness to conjure up verses that come from his soul.  He leads his ensemble, consisting of Russell Ferrante on piano and keyboards, Will Kennedy on drums, Lenny Castro on percussion, Andy Narell on steel pans, Bob Mintzer on saxophone, and on bas...

Artist:  Brian Hudson Album:  Ahaya Label:  Lakeside Sound Website:  https://www.brian-hudson.com Cooking up an elevating hybrid with components of funk, rhythm and blues, pop/rock, and jazz roots, Brian Hudson produces an attractive commodity rife with spirit and soul for his 3-track EP Ahaya .  A bandleader, drummer and composer, Hudson maintains a magnetic appeal through the 3 scores, imbued with a contemporary vibe at every level from its core to its morphing layers. Supported by Adam Nitti on bass, Randy Hoexter on keys, Sam Skelton on saxophone, and Anthony Papamichael on guitar, Hudson achieves a smooth jazz sonorous that propels joy from start to finish.  "Luna Sea" opens the recording with a elegant, funky beat shrouded in ruminating saxophone toots and a steady guitar riff.  The lyrical phrasing in Hoexter's keys coasting along "Caladesi" is layered in the extemporaneous versing of Papamichael's guitar riffs, effectively creating a cheerful a...

Album:  Into the Night Artist:  Eric Goletz Label:  Consolidated Artists Publication (CAP Records) Website:  jazzbeat.com/?project=eric-goletz                   facebook.com/EricCGoletz Trombonist, keyboardist and composer Eric Goletz shows his affinity for different styles of music on his latest release Into the Night from smooth jazz to funk, blues, pop/rock, and Cuban/Latin swing.  The listener is exposed to various musical influences, making for an iridescent ride. The candlelight ambience of his original work "After Hours" is buffered by the Latin-flavored gyrations of the title track and the  funky jazz swells of "Steppin' Out."  In each, the bristling notes of Goletz's trombone drive the tracks, bopping, purring, and blaring at various degrees.  His magnetic playing keeps the tracks moving and evolving, galvanizing the other instruments and cauterizing th...

Album:  Tres Libre Artist:  Dan Moretti Label:  Roots Grooves Records Website:  www.danmoretti.com International saxophonist and composer Dan Moretti showcases his affinity for improvised jazz, Latin-infused funk, and ambient blues on his latest release Tres Libre .  Moretti's original compositions range from the contemplative musings of "The Missing Breath" to festive and bustling romps like "Jim Brown's Cousin."  Moretti’s twentieth album, Tres Libre displays his depth as an improviser and performer. Opening with the funk-induced merriment of "Jim Brown’s Cousin," Moretti's alto sax soars above the bustling beats of drummer Marty Richards and bassist Marty Balliou, generating a jaunty groove. Moving forward, the floating musings of Moretti's sax give "Mumbo Jumbo" a smooth blues sheen as the palpitating splashes in the drumming and Ray Gennari's bass project a gentle simmer in the belly of the track. “Pandeiro-Funk” injects...

Album:  Hit It Artist:  BK Trio led by Brian Kooken Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.kookenguitarpiano.com From mollifying grooves to quick step meters, Hit It from BK Trio led by guitarist Brian Kooken courses through a vast array of harmonic forms across the jazz pallet.  Dripping with imaginative phrasing and organic interaction between Kooken's guitar, Greg Hatza's Hammond B3 organ, and Robert Shahid's drums, the trio's personable style in their communication speaks to listeners in an intimate and friendly manner. Collaborative activity among the members is continually illustrated like in “Always Looking Up” where Kooken's bubbly chords are interlaced in the pulsating drumbeats of Shahid and the deep toned throbbing of Hatza's Hammond organ.  Their exchanges and interplay are animated, moving freely while having the sensibilities to be aware of where each one is traveling and steering them in crisscrossing patterns.  A beautifully relaxing ...

Album:  Stuff I Heard Artist:  Troy Roberts Label:  Toy Robot Music Website:  troyroberts.com Practically a one man show, Troy Roberts' performance on soprano, alto and tenor saxophones is countered by his chord movements on the acoustic bass and electric bass.  His recording Stuff I Heard becomes a dialogue between the instruments his plays supported by a backbeat from Jimmy MacBride on drums.  With all original works featured on the program, Roberts creates a textural variety that showcases his skills as a versatile musician and composer. “Lifeline” is a wonderful addition to Roberts repertoire.  The tranquilizing aesthetics are smoothly orchestrated with Middle Eastern style accents and saxophone phrases that integrate complementing furls.  His saxophone solo slinks gently as the notes nestle into the nooks and crannies of the chord progressions.  Exploring the orchestral colors of the saxophone, the pensive mood of “Prayer of Hope” i...

Album:  Jazz Party Artist:  Delfeayo Marsalis and the the Uptown Jazz Orchestra Label:  Troubadour Jass Records Website:  www.dmarsalis.com On a mission to make music that uplifts, excites, and invigorates in the traditional jazz culture style of New Orleans, trombonist and bandleader Delfeayo Marsalis embarked on his latest offering Jazz Party , creating what audiences perceive to be happy jazz.  Indeed, he accomplishes his mission and delivers to audiences very happy, hot jazz on the recording with the big band splash of jazz music's forefathers. The twittering of the horns through "Blackbird Special" integrates funky swells contoured in Latin swing, and big band panache.  The party atmosphere has a catchy exuberance that is authentic in its delivery as the instruments interlock along the motifs.  The cha-cha rhythm underpinning "7th Ward Boogaloo" has horns trading off solos, entering intermittently and changing the bouncy vibrations that make th...

Album:  Conspiracy Artist:  Rich Willey's Boptism Funk Band Label:  Wise Cat Records Website: www.boptism.com/conspiracy Big Band music with a tinge of R&B blended into the mixture, Rich Willey's Boptism Funk Band makes jolly good music on their new CD Conspiracy .  Track after track is layered in throbbing drumbeats, rotating guitar chords, and a variety of traipsing adventures paved by the medley of horns, which give the compositions multifaceted traits. Bobby Floyd's moaning Hammond B3 organ drives squiggling lines across "Clip Clop Mogul," which alternate with the bevy of horns scrolling a cluster of wiggling motions in a random fashion.  The jazz funk flapping produced by the musicians elevate the listener to that jolly place where the band wants their audiene to be.  Keeping up the merriment is the bopping toots of the horns piping "Adrenaline Rush," fringed in a tooling of twizzling guitar riffs from Dave Stryker. The sunny tone of the h...

Album:  Globetrotter Artist:  Luca di Luzio Label:  Self-Released Website:  www.lucadiluzio.it   Guitarist Luca di Luzio's upcoming CD, Globetrotter  is an assortment of contemporary jazz tunes bridging funk, blues, soul, and Latin music.  Comprised of a few jazz standards and a handful of original works written by Luca di Luzio, a prolific guitar player who studied different styles of music, the recording expresses his personal vision of jazz guitar based on melody and groove.  Joining Di Luzio in his vision are bass guitarist Jimmy Haslip, drummer Dave Wecki, keyboardist George Whitty, and saxophonists Max Ionata and Alessandro Fariselli. From dance-funk numbers like "Jazzlife" and "Elisir" to the soft billows and reflective moods projected in "Smile" and " Buena Suerte," Di Luzio's artistry stems from his vision to make music that is aesthetically pleasing.  "Sunshower," a tune written by Kenny Barron, is a pr...