Wednesday, June 29, 2022

ERIC ESSIX · AIN'T NO SUNSHINE ft RUBEN STUDDARD

ESSENTIAL/LIGHTYEAR

In 1995, after playing a concert for students at Huffman High School in Birmingham, AL, Eric Essix met a young Ruben Studdard. Ruben’s fellow students persuaded him to sing and Eric listened in amazement and said “young man that voice will take you wherever you want to go in the music industry.” Eight years later, Ruben became the second winner of the hit television show, American Idol!

Eric and Ruben have, over the years, discussed one day working in the studio together and, when considering possible collaborations for his new album “Stride”, Eric knew he would be the perfect person to sing his arrangement of the Bill Withers classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine”.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

PATRICK BRADLEY · SONG OF MAY ft. DARREN RAHN ·RADIO SINGLE·

Patrick's Song Factory


Setting the tone for Exhale is the album’s title track which rolls out on a celestial sequencer groove with majestic chordal progressions and bubbly synth bass. “‘Exhale’ was clearly the lead single since 2020 has been a tough year for us all,” Bradley shares. “The original title was ‘Soffrito,’ inspired by me cooking Bolognese with my grandson and explaining that it takes all day. He shouted, ‘All day Bolognese!!’ Looking up the recipe, I saw that soffrito is the key ingredient and thought, ‘What a beautiful word.’ When Darren and I worked on the song together, it grew into something more. Then when we entered the COVID world, my wife suggested I call it ‘Exhale.’

Patrick and Darren’s shared Christian faith buoyed beautiful, heartfelt numbers such as “Completely Yours,” “Song of May” and “Lighthouse” (featuring some signature tasty guitar by Allen Hinds). More forthright in terms of inspiration is “In the Heart of the Seas” which shifts between piano-centric verses and guitar driven choruses.

Monday, June 27, 2022

RAGAN WHITESIDE · THRILL RIDE ·RADIO SINGLE·

Randis Music


Billboard #1 flautist, vocalist, and composer Ragan Whiteside is back with an exciting new single, "Thrill Ride" - the title track to her upcoming 6th album release. Teaming up with veteran hit producers Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin, Ragan delivers a performance that is sure to get your summer started right. Joining Ragan on the track is Rich Harrison a.k.a the artist RAH on drums and Phil Hamilton on guitar.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW Ep. 285


Playlist:

Russell K Shores – Breezin`
Russell K Shores – Big Chief
Fred Dinkins – R.L.
Dee Brown – Make Up Your Mind
Lou Guldemond – In Time

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

PAUL TAYLOR · FRIDAY@5 ·RADIO SINGLE·

Peak Records



Over 25 years into a stellar, multi-faceted career that’s found him continually pushing the sonic boundaries of what’s possible in contemporary urban jazz, saxophonist Paul Taylor brings us his highly-anticipated new recording And Now This on Peak Records.

And Now This, fully created via the exchange of digital files between the Las Vegas based Taylor and his longtime musical compadre, collaborator, co-writer and producer Dino Esposito, features the saxman’s ongoing exploration of an expansive range of dynamic danceable grooves and intricate pop/electronica vibes. The ten tracks fully reflect the way Taylor began moving forward in his personal and creative life, as if to say, in his words, “we’re coming out of the pandemic, this is what I’ve been creating, we’re kicking it back into high gear and we are more open-minded in our approach to music than ever.”

Monday, June 20, 2022

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW Ep. 284

Playlist:


Juan Carlos Mendoza – A Peaceful Place ( Ft. Nando González)
Paul Eerhart – Ceylon
Lou Guldemond – Long Island
Jonathan Fritzen – The Grand Moment
J. Walker Jr. - Velvet Rose
The Smooth Jazz Alley – Deep Into You (Ft. Blake Aaron)
Ryan La Valette – Highway 10
JJ Sansaverino – Ready and Willing

Friday, June 17, 2022

DAVE KOZ · SUMMERTIME IN NYC ft. BRIAN McKIGHT

Just Koz Ent.


In a recording career that spans three decades, saxophonist Dave Koz has racked up an astoundingly impressive array of honors and achievements: nine GRAMMY nominations, 12 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, performances for multiple U.S. presidents, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. A Platinum-selling artist, the California native is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host and instrumental music advocate.

Monday, June 13, 2022

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW. Ep. 283


 

Playlist:

Various Artists - Feel Like Making Love
John Tropea - That's the Way of the World
Jesse Thompson - It Doesn't Matter
Ryan La Valette - Room For 2
Mark Carter - Swingtown
Christian de Mesones - In His Vision
Dave Koz - Summertime In NYC (Ft Brian McKnight)

Thursday, June 9, 2022

WALTER CHANCELLOR JR. · TIME 2 CHILL ·RADIO SINGLE·

Earfone Records
April 25, 2022


Professional saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, educator, arranger, mentor and music producer. Walter Chancellor Jr. has been a mainstay in the Twin Cities contemporary Jazz and R&B music scene for the past 25 years. After constant touring during his formative years he decided to relocate to musically successful Minneapolis from Des Moines, Iowa and lessen the necessity of so much traveling to perform.

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

PHILLIPE SAISSE · LOST WORDS ft. MARC ANTOINE

Bandar Log
April 25, 2022


In 2021, Philippe Saisse took a dynamic stylistic detour into the world of lo fi hip hop jazz on “Shift,” a contemporary throwback to his days working with Arif Mardin and Chaka Khan which is still receiving major airplay on SiriusXM’s Watercolors and is included on Spotify’s influential playlists State of Jazz and 21st Century Jazz.

The ever innovative and adventurous keyboardist/ composer returns to his trademark global fusion vibe on his new single “Lost Words,” a vibrant and infectious, multi-genre track that taps into his passion for lush orchestration (drawing particular inspiration from the beautiful string arrangements Johnny Mandel created for Brazilian legend Joao Gilberto in the 70s), Caribbean-African flavors, romantic Brazilian rhythms and harmonies and snappy flamenco magic courtesy of guest guitarist Marc Antoine.

Driven by a powerful synergy with some of his most trusted go-to collaborators – acoustic bassist David Finck, drummer Maurizio Zottarelli and percussion master Gumbi Ortiz (whom the keyboardist has worked with for years in Al Di Meola’s band) – Philippe creates a uniquely soulful journey from an initial feeling of dreamy melancholy to a later sense of bright and hopeful joy that perfectly parallels our collective experiences during the pandemic era.
The intriguing title “Lost Words” speaks to its origins as one of several demos that he was working on as collaborations with Al Jarreau in the years before the legendary singer’s passing in 2017.

VEL LEWIS & MICHAEL GARVIN · PLAYTYME ·RADIO SINGLE·

Garvel Music
April 18, 2022


Vel Lewis and Michael Garvin joined forces in 2020 and Garvel Music was born. Their new single "PlayTyme" is destined to burn radio waves worldwide!

Vel Lewis is an award-winning Hammond Organ Company artist whose music can be found listed on many popular recordings and well-known TV shows: The Sopranos, Mad About You, Friends, Wife Swap USA, and many more. He has performed numerous shows around the world with soul legends Dionne Warwick, The Delfonics, The Futures, and has shared the same stages with the Stylistics, the late Phyllis Hyman, and Earth, Wind & Fire and many mire.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

PAUL JACKSON JR. · LOVE LIKE THIS ·RADIO SINGLE·

M and P Music Factory
April 18, 2022


Grammy nominated and owner of six #1 smooth jazz radio singles himself, Paul Jackson Jr. has been featured on recordings with top superstars such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Luther Vandross, Barbra Streisand, and childhood friend Patrice Rushen. He's also recorded with some of today's biggest stars including The Weeknd, Zendaya, and Daft Punk.

Paul has scored music for many successful television shows and movies and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, American Idol, The Academy Awards, The Emmys, The Kennedy Center Honors and on multiple Grammy appearances with Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo, Lionel Richie, and Chance The Rapper. Paul has also performed on the soundtracks for major motion pictures such as "La La Land", "Get On Up", "Zootopia", and "The Color Purple".

Monday, June 6, 2022

FOLLOW ME 87.6 RADIO SHOW Ep. 282


Playlist

Rod best – Cool Change
Chris”Big Dog” Davis – Quiet Storm (Ft. Najee)
Bobby Lyle – What Kind Of World
Cameron Sankey – What You Won`t Do for Love
Lynn Cannon – l Feel for You!
Tim Bowman – Through The Fire
Papik & Alfredo Bochicchio – Breezin`
Chris Standring – Change the World
Marhid – Hunch (Ft. Gianni Vancini )

Thursday, June 2, 2022

FRANK PIOMBO · MERCY, MERCY, MERCY ·RADIO SINGLE·

Frank Piombo Music
April 11, 2022


Frank Piombo, Multi Award Winning Contemporary Jazz Guitarist/Composer and International Recording Artist. Member of the Recording Academy. Sound Exchange. BMI, and the International Singer-Songwriters Association. Inducted into the 2020 Indie Music Hall of Fame. Nominated in 2019 and 2020 by the “East Coast Music Hall of Fame.”

Frank Piombo’s portfolio is an impressive one. Appearing as lead guitarist and vocalist alongside Sidewalk Symphony, The Fantasy Band, Stepping Out, The New Prince Band, US & Co, the Original Infernos; and sharing the stage with the likes of The Duprees, The Mello Kings, Vito and the Salutations, and Vito and the Elegants, Frank has proved to be much more than a jazz guitarist.