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Greg Carmichael, founding member of seminal guitar driven contemporary jazz ensemble Acoustic Alchemy, is a true survivor. He regrouped after the passing of band co-founder Nick Webb 20 years ago, and now, with longtime partner Miles Gilderdale, creates some of the group’s most compelling and diverse music ever on 33 1/3, the title reflecting on the band’s age. Recorded in the wake of Carmichael’s wife experiencing a life-threatening bout with meningitis and the loss of their long-time friend and manager, Steward Coxhead. The first studio album in seven years is a collection that darts by design, across a stylistic map from the assertive world-fusion fun on the opening track, “East of Babylon” to an exhilarating nod to fallen guitar hero, Chuck Loeb with “Carmen’s Man.” In addition, it includes a Steely Dan-esque pop/blues tribute to Walter Becker, “Blues For Mr. Mu,” while the album also brushes on Latin, classical and contemporary sonic realms, it also includes a full band collaboration “The Girl With A Plan,” a title inspired by global radio pioneer and decades long companion, Sandy Shore. With a fresh, new energy, their trademark melodic chemistry created by an alchemy of nylon and steel guitars shines brightly through.  

In addition to playing for the Obamas, performing with Ne-Yo, working with orchestras and touring Africa, Marie Antoinette is quickly making the mystical sound of the harp a dynamic lead instrument in Smooth Jazz. Two decades after “That Thing” won two Grammys for Lauryn Hill, the jazz/funk performer – currently a touring member of the all-female ensemble Jazz in Pink - takes the enigmatic artist’s socially conscious doo wop/hip hop anthem to a fresh and transcendent, urban jazz meets classical level. From her forthcoming album, ALL MY STRINGS, Mariea swirls her dreamy, stringed melodies around the tune’s trademark synth riff, and artfully builds towards a soaring interaction with a hypnotic string ensemble. It’s a timeless tune about equality, self-awareness and self-value, with a message as essential now as it was 20 years ago!

Because it’s all we need... because it’s the answer and because it never fails. These are only but a few of the reasons why our favorite songbird, Grammy nominated vocalist Sylvia Bennett, wishes us Love on her latest outing of recorded musical bliss! I WISH YOU LOVE is simmering to the brim with delicious contemporary musical treats. Dipping into her collection of favorites from the classic songs that she’s romanced over the years in several languages; this intentional album of love songs blazes a new trail for our tireless, crooning crusader... the lusciously arranged set by longtime producing partner, Hal S. Batt, is all in English and features some amazing special guests including the one and only bass master, Nathan East on an impeccable cover of “Its Impossible” and Chart-topping Smooth Jazz trumpeter Rick Braun on a highly enjoyable run of “C’est Si Bon,” or as we like to call it, “C’est Si Braun.” Really it’s all you need to get by. Love that is… and this wonderful assortment of love songs falls into that category as well. Find out for yourself!

One of the most groundbreaking, virtuosic bassists in contemporary jazz for over 30 years, Brian Bromberg’s eclectic 25 album catalogue – including his latest smash THICKER THAN WATER - has included five #1 Billboard hits and over a dozen Top 10 singles. This year, he achieved the amazing feat of having a clip of his live performance of his latest single, “Minneapolis, 1987,” with his Unapologetically Funky Big Bombastic Band score over one million views on Facebook. The studio version of that unbridled, relentlessly funky jam is just one of the many highlights on the new collection, which finds Bromberg artfully balancing coolly soulful, infectiously in the pocket urban tinged Smooth Jazz with exotic excursions, moments of soft-spoken eloquence and an unadorned bass only improvisation where he struts his deepest, most artistic stuff.   

One of the edgiest, innovative and explosive performers in the sweet spot where Smooth Jazz meets contemporary R&B, saxophonist Eric Darius breaks new ground by launching his own label (SagiDarius Music) for his perfectly titled new album BREAKIN’ THRU. With two Top Ten Billboard singles in the mix, the collection hits on all cylinders, from slammin’ funk sizzle to power ballads and a blistering Latin fire. Ensuring a continuously crackling urban crossover flow, the multi-faceted collection was co-produced by Darius and two of today’s hottest R&B sound masters, Rodney Jones Jr. (Chris Brown, Mary Mary, Mary J. Blige) and Butta N’ Bizkit (John Legend, Ne-Yo, Miguel, Ledisi). In addition to a gorgeous track with Brian Culbertson, Darius includes poppin’ vocal features by two next-gen R&B hipsters MAJOR and Ollie Gabriel. 

A top vocal coach for J Lo and musical director for Gladys Knight who's also backed everyone from Beyonce and Mavis Staples to John Legend and Michael Lington, pianist, vocalist, arranger and composer John Fluker's hypnotic, ambient electronica piano driven new single "All About That Time" has fascinating origins. The track is a rhythm intensive remix (by Grammy winning engineer Elliott Peters) of the new age-oriented title track that Fluker recorded on his album 11:11. The intoxicating, slightly jazzier, funkier result features unique beats created by Fluker, backed by the subtle tight basslines of Isaias Elpes, Lee Ritenour's regular touring bassist. With the release of "All About That Time" Fluker makes an inspiring transition from successful new age artist to breakthrough Smooth Jazz artist.

A decade after first dazzling the Smooth Jazz world with their combined talents on the hit debut ALWAYS… Bay Area married couple George and Tracy Franklin – collectively known as GTF,  a powerhouse ensemble, deliver an intoxicating mix of soul-sensual ballads and tight urban jazz with an edgy funk twist on their chart-dominating, sophomore release, CROSS PATHS. Iconic jazz great Bob James joins in on the fun and exuberance... While the deeper joys emerge from George’s lush bass lead and vocal stylings, Tracy’s background vocals and the explosive energy of band members, drummer Ron Otis (Earl Klugh, Kem, Aretha Franklin), percussionist Juan Escovedo (of the legendary Escovedo family) as well as GTFers John Rekevics, Richard “Blitz” Livoni and John Cain. 

Truly embodying the concept of “old musical soul” at the ripe age of 23, multi-talented UK based singer songwriter Joe Hurworth beautifully blends old school, big production R&B with graceful low-key acoustic sensibilities on his second EP FOLLOWING YOUR HEART. Everything starts with his thoughtful, sensitive songwriting and a supple, emotive voice that draws as much inspiration from legends like Al Green and Michael McDonald as it does from contemporary greats Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran. A passionate storyteller who weaves his tales in a multitude of styles, Hurworth is aces as producer as well, bringing lively funk grooves, sizzling brass accents and even hypnotic dance grooves to his guitar and keyboard grounded tracks. 

While building an incredible multi-faceted career that has included being a top BMI composer, with over 10,000 performances in U.S. and European television and solo albums dating back to the mid-90s, keyboardist/composer Phil Klein has dreamed of finding the right time to record his own version of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless The Child.” An all-time favorite. “God Bless the Child Reimagined,” a colorful, lightly funky R&B/jazz driven vocal version featuring dreamy atmospheres, a hip horn arrangement, cool synth effects, a punchy sax solo and lush female backing vocals. Poignantly bringing eras of American History together, Klein has also created a timely video. One that shines a spotlight on the current state of emotionally charged race relations. The heartwarming video is a reminder that prejudice is taught and that children left to their own devices...are colorblind.

Anyone who's ever obsessed over doubts about a prospective romantic partner's true feelings or intentions will immediately connect with emerging indie singer/songwriter and pianist M'Lynn's new single "Paralyzed." An instantly infectious follow-up to her sultry debut track "T.F.I.L.," the hypnotic song's lyrics may be about a feeling of being helpless, but its seductive grooves, cool atmospheres, subtle horn textures and brief bass and guitar solos flow free and easy. Currently enrolled in the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music songwriter program at the Frost School of Music in Miami, the Dallas born performer is a fresh new talent in the subtle jazz-soul vein of Sade and Norah Jones, yet with a mystical and ethereal vibe all her own.

Steeped now in his incredible fourth decade of contemporary urban jazz excellence and non-stop hit making, Grammy nominated saxophonist and flutist Najee finds exciting new ways to groove and mingle with the Smooth Jazz elite and up and comers on his perfectly titled 18th album CENTER OF THE HEART. Showcasing his amazing flute prowess more than ever before, he’s got everything from in your face, funky originals and elegant sultry ballads to an imaginative, danceable Maxwell cover and a transcendent twist on a Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick classic. A thoughtful instrumental storyteller, Najee shares the seductive narrative here with multi-talented rapper son Superb Clawson, Darren Rahn (a spectacular flute-sax jam), Greg Manning, Kenny Lattimore, Demonte Posey and emerging bass virtuoso Blair Bryant. 

After recording sensual bossa nova versions of Beatles and Michael Jackson for producers in Brazil and Japan, Brazilian singer Lulu Joppert had a brilliant idea. Joining forces with pianist Marcos Ariel and arranger/multi-instrumentalist Marco Antonio Santos, she formed the cleverly titled trio Pop’n Bossa to create sophisticated bossa re-imaginings of hits by contemporary pop singers. First on the trio’s list is Bruno Mars, and they work their dazzling 24K magic on five of his most notable tunes on their infectious, percussively exotic, self-titled debut. In addition to presenting colorful twists and uncovering new emotions stirring in tunes we thought we knew, the EP is also an exciting showcase for Joppert’s alternately sultry and soaring vocals and Ariel’s adventurous ivory playing. 

Since graduating from Ithaca College of Music in 2018 with a degree in voice (Opera believe it or not), ultra-hip pop, R&B and jazz influenced, Pittsburgh based singer/songwriter Stephen Rothhaar has been unstoppable. He follows his indie-acoustic EP HUMANS with the engaging, pure pop, ultra-danceable debut full length album MOMENTS. Helping take Rothhaar’s spirited soul sensibilities and instincts for creating infectious light pop gems to the next level is producer Nate Harasim, who fashions a slick, multi-faceted sonic landscape full of lightly funk contemporary beats, bright jazzy guitar jangle and a sensual seductive flow. In addition to showcasing Rothhaar’s multi-faceted artistry, the album includes impressive guest spots by globally acclaimed bassist Nathan East, chart-topping contemporary jazz guitarist Nils, vocalist Monica Notaro and the popular Detroit-based rapper K-Squeez.       

Encapsulating the carefree days of summer, guitarist Will Sumner, delivers a brand new original collection ranging from coast-driving Smooth Jazz and slow grooves to exciting Latin rhythms on RIDE THE WAVE. The prolific, Southern California composer  follows the lead of similarly, beachy themed collections, such as COAST DRIVE, PIER GROOVE and the craftily titled ENDLESS SUMNER. Drawing on an eclectic background that includes performing with Prince and Yanni and composing symphonies, Sumner infuses his signature sound of sensual rhythms and hypnotic melodies with a variety of genres and textures including blues licks and steel pans. RIDE THE WAVE concludes with a rock and soul tinged vocal take on a patriotic classic that will light up the 4th of July!