Getting his big break as Sam Cooke's replacement in the Soul Stirrers, vocalist Johnnie Taylor may have started out in gospel, but he truly hit his stride (at least as a viable pop artist) when he shifted to R&B and ...

The winner of the sixth season of the NBC reality show America's Got Talent, Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. keeps things light and swinging on his 2011 debut, That's Life. A vocalist in the traditional pop style of Frank Sinatra and ...

Paul Hardcastle's Jazzmasters series reaches its sixth installment with this cool, rhythmic, jazzy collection, which is similar to its five predecessors. The album cover shows a sun setting over water, and that's a good indication that the music is intended ...

Dave Brubeck covers a host of favorite carols on this solo outing. His chime-like "Joy to the World" and striding "Winter Wonderland" are treasures. His festive opening version of "Jingle Bells" contrasts with the weary version signaling the end of ...

Continuing to alternate between his various different guises, Hardcastle 6 is the third album in as many years from jazz-funk pioneer Paul Hardcastle, following 2009's regular solo effort, Zero One, and 2010's sixth installment of the Jazzmasters series. Like the ...

The follow-up to 2009's Good Day, 2012's Here We Go features more of the nylon-string guitarist's relaxed and joyful smooth jazz. Audio Mixer: Jan Fairchild. Recording information: Cookie Jar Studio, Van Nuys, CA; Defrost Music, Encino, CA; Valerian Studio, Sherman Oaks, CA. Photographer: ...

For over 20 years, the collaborative ensemble Fourplay has grown ever more cohesive in its approach to modern jazz. When the three founding members added guitarist Chuck Loeb to the lineup for 2010's Let's Touch the Sky, the group attained ...

After switching his attention to supergroup S.M.V. and two consecutive live efforts, Brooklyn jazz multi-instrumentalist Marcus Miller returns to the studio for his first solo effort in four years, Renaissance. Showcasing a new stripped-down sound and backed by a young ...

As the driving force behind the Rippingtons' diverse but instantly recognizable contemporary jazz sound since the mid-'80s, founder, composer, and guitarist Russ Freeman has always drawn from his technical expertise and passion for new hardware and software to fashion rich ...

Esperanza Spalding's Chamber Music Society reached the number one spot on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart and netted her a Best New Artist Grammy. Radio Music Society is a companion piece to its predecessor. In addition to her regular band featuring ...

Recording information: Bý Studios, Los Angeles (06/2011-07/2011); Bý Studios, Los Angeles (12/2009-03/2010). Photographer: Raj Naik. Arranger: Brian Bromberg. Personnel: Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass, electric bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums). Audio Mixers: Tom McCauley; Brian Bromberg.

Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a ...

After his wildly successful DARE TO DREAM album, the iconic New Age performer Yanni decided to rein in the dense, propulsive, synthesizer-heavy element of his music, opting for a more intimate, piano-led sound on 1993's IN MY TIME. The stylistic ...

Recording information: Kilgore Studios, New York, NY (05/31/2011-06/02/2011); MSR Studios, New York, NY (05/31/2011-06/02/2011). Photographer: Stefan Falke. Arranger: Matt Munisteri. Personnel: Catherine Russell (vocals); Matt Munisteri (guitar); Dan Block (clarinet, alto saxophone); Andy Farber (tenor saxophone); Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet); John Allred (trombone); Mark ...

Recording information: MIXart Studios; Ventura Digital Audio. Photographer: Bruno Robitaille. Arrangers: Susie Arioli; Jordan Officer. Personnel: Susie Arioli (vocals). Audio Mixer: Bill Szawlowski.

Jus' Sangin is 2011 solo album from Tower of Power singer, Larry Braggs, features interpretations of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", Marvin Gaye's "I Want You", Delfonic's "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind)", Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle", Stylistics' "You ...

2012 album from the Canadian Electric Jazz outfit. Off Duty is the sixth release from the Toronto-based groove-chill-jazz group, Four80East. Don t let the title of their latest album fool you after over 20 years, veteran composers and remix producers ...

"The Chairman of the Board" died in May of 1998, yet his music sounds as vital and relevant today as ever. Released on the 10th anniversary of his death--in coordination with a slew of DVD releases commemorating the singer's acting ...

Although the most popular contemporary jazz tends to fall into the "lite" category, trumpeter Chris Botti avoids painting himself into this corner by sticking with an approach more reminiscent of Chet Baker. For his 2004 album, WHEN I FALL IN ...

Michael Buble's third major US release (including the mostly live COME FLY WITH ME) stays on message--this young Canadian loves the lush, swaying music of his parents' and grandparents' generations. Buble's albums, however, are much more than mere back-in-the-day exercises. ...

Boney James comes back from car accident injuries that jeopardized his embouchure and makes his label debut with Contact on Verve Forecast Records. But, really, it's just steady-as-she-goes musically, as the contemporary jazz saxophonist turns in a typical set of ...

While there's no shortage of Glenn Miller collections, there aren't many that rival Bluebird/Legacy's THE ESSENTIAL GLENN MILLER. This two-disc, 38-track compilation covers the peak years of the iconic bandleader/trombonist's career, and includes a welcome handful of numbers recorded with ...

The follow-up to his smash 2009 concert album Live in Boston, Chris Botti's studio album Impressions features more of the cool trumpeter's crossover jazz, pop, and classical stylings. Focusing on Botti's love of melody, Impressions is an aesthetically varied album ...

Track Listing: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; Christmas Song, The; Little Drummer Boy, The; Frosty The ...

Apparently, Etta James' musical career ends with The Dreamer. The legendary vocalist announced a few months back that this would be her final album; she's retiring from music in order to deal with serious medical issues. Co-produced by James, Josh ...