John Fluker J Is For Joy CD

After making his solo recording debut mere months earlier with the instrumental piano album The Sound of Peace, John Fluker returned with a holiday set that, at least in part, is more in keeping with his day job as a background vocalist and vocal coach. J Is for Joy takes a handful of religiously oriented Christmas carols and presents them in R&B/pop arrangements that sound more like the '80s than the 2000s. Starting with "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," Fluker makes like a one-man Boyz II Men, keeping the lyrics but largely forgetting the familiar melody and traditional approach. The same holds true on his original, "Follow the Brightest Star," and four other public domain holiday songs. Then, Fluker reverts to his instrumental self, repeating four of the songs in contemporary jazz/new age versions largely without vocals, concluding with a solo piano on "Silent Night." It's as if he can't help trying to show off all his talents rather than coming up with a Christmas album that's consistent all the way through. ~ William Ruhlmann

Vocalist/Pianist John Fluker takes a break as Gladys Knight's musical director to debut his Vocal Christmas CD "J is for Joy". A collection of beloved Christmas Hymns and Carols are given a contemporary twist reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway and Earth, Wind & Fire and the recent newcomer Michael Buble.In contrast to his earlier successful Number One New Age Reporter Top 100 Airplay Chart instrumental Piano CD "The Sound Of Peace" , John Fluker show's his versatility as a Vocalist as well as a Keyboardist effortlessly blending his training from The University of Michigan School of Music with his Pop, Gospel. R&B and Jazz influences.John Fluker's vocal arrangements with Pop stars such as All-4-One, Jennifer Lopez and Rosalyn Sanchez were just the tip of the iceberg and shine uninhibitedly on "J is for Joy".This CD has been described as "feel good music" and carries the spirit of Christmas beyond the season as with the original song "Follow The Brightest Star" co-written and co-produced with Melissa Vardey. This particular cool commercial track blended with the vocal styling of John Fluker exemplifies Christmas music at it's best, from the first few bars. Each composition on "J is for Joy" is meticulously tailored with unique arrangements never heard before beginning with the jubilant "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" to the quiet and intimate fireside mood of "Away In A Manger". The classic "Joy To The World" gets a hip new "facelift" with Fluker's catchy original chorus. What begins melodically as an ode to the Isaac Watt's Christmastide seamlessly shifts gears into an imaginative revision. You almost never want to go back singing the Christmas Carol in it's original form after hearing this Jazzy Gospel version set over a Hip Hop loop. It all by itself is a classic! Fluker demonstrates his smooth R&B voice on "We Three Kings" and shines dynamically on the piano in the instrumental version as well in classic 'The WAVE" format. As an Arranger, Composer and Producer, John Fluker has worked with the best including the 2006 Grammy Award winning CD "One Voice" recorded by Gladys Knight and The Saint's Unified Voices. It's no wonder that this expressively creative and dynamic musician is headed on his own path towards greatness and achievement.

Recording information: Straylight Studios, Burbank, CA.

Author: John Fluker.

Translator: John F. Young .

Arrangers: John Fluker; Lowell Mason; Melissa Vardey.

Personnel: John Fluker (vocals); Florence LaRue (vocals); Greg Bowden (guitar); Brad Leali (alto saxophone); Melissa Vardey (Clavinet); Matt LaPoint (drum programming).

Audio Mixers: Matt LaPoint; Keith Sterling.