Second album Moving in the Right Direction Count Basic made an international name for itself in the sector of sophisticated pop music with a jazzy touch and has been compared to bands like the “Brand New Heavies“, “Jamiroquai“ or “Incognito“. In this field, almost no compilations exist that didn't include one of Peter Legat’s melodious songs. The album included a cover version of Maze's "Joy and Pain" that topped the NAC radio charts within just five weeks, hit #23 of the Austrian album sales charts, and several airplay charts all over the world. Right from Count Basics' early days there was a friendly connection between Peter Legat and Austria's own turntable and remix celebs Kruder & Dorfmeister. This resulted in more than seven remixes to be released on the Count Basic "Remix Hit Collection" in July 1996, and made Count Basic the "most remixed" artist by K & D.
This album, originally released on Verve Forecast in 2009, is a collection of new songs related to summer and it's influence on Kurt Maloo's songwriting. A fresh combination of jazzy melodies and light grooves, that carry his distinctive, soothing voice. Kurt Maloo is a former painter who made his first musical appearances in the mid 70s with “Troppo”; a nine-piece experimental art-punk band, of which he was a founding member. After his first solo single “Giant Lady” and the innovative EP “Luna, Luna & The Notorious Maloo Home Works“ he joined forces with Felix Haug (later 50% of Double), and formed with the addition of a bass player a trio called “PingPong”. During the 1981-1982 period they played at several European festivals and released their sole album “From Exile.”
Known for his mariachi-inspired easy listening sound, trumpeter Herb Alpert is one of the most successful instrumental performers in pop history. He is also one of the entertainment industry's canniest businessmen, having co-founded A&M Records – a label that ranks among the most prosperous artist-owned companies ever established – with partner Jerry Moss. Collection includes: The Lonely Bull (1962); South Of The Border (1964); Whipped Cream & Other Delights (1965); !!Going Places!! (1965); What Now My Love (1966); S.R.O (1966); The Beat Of The Brass (1968); Rise (1979); Fandango (1982); Bullish (1984); Keep Your Eye On Me (1987); Classics, Volume 1 (1987); Steppin' Out (Featuring Lani Hall) (2013); In The Mood (2014); Come Fly With Me (2015).
The Best of Chuck Mangione collects various tracks from the smooth jazz pioneer's '80s Columbia recordings. While not as influential as Mangione's '70s output, his '80s albums retain much of what made him so popular an artist – catchy hooks, lush production and his clear, crisp trumpet sound. Included are such standout tracks as "Journey to a Rainbow," "Love Bug Boogie" and "Memories of Scirocco." Oddly, a live version of "Land of Make Believe" and the single version of "Feels So Good" make it on to this collection. These '70s hits don't really belong here, but should satisfy casual fans looking for his most popular recordings alongside his mid-career stuff.
According to the press biography disseminated with advance copies of Gato Barbieri's Peak Records debut, The Shadow of the Cat, he was nearing 70 at the time of this release (previous published accounts would have put him at only 67) and this is the 50th album on which he is either featured or is the leader. One cannot, then, reasonably expect the old cat to have learned new tricks. Nor has his new label required him to; the company, run by contemporary jazz guitarist Russ Freeman, specializes in a melodic, commercial style of jazz. Producer Jason Miles (whose previous clients include Miles Davis and Luther Vandross) seems to have aimed at re-creating the sound of Barbieri's mid-'70s albums for A&M Records…
With an unusual amount of time on his hands during a year of lockdown, saxophonist/composer Steve Cole found himself pondering the difference between our authentic selves and the illusions we project to others. On his new album, Smoke and Mirrors, Cole offers up an intimately personal reflection of his own true self, free of trickery or sleight of hand.
The first collaboration between guitarist Cory Wong and alto saxophonist Dave Koz, 2021's ebullient and funky Golden Hour maximizes the best aspects of each performer. An established crossover jazz star, Koz has a style that brings together pop lyricism with a rhythmically infectious brand of R&B. Wong, a prolific artist in his own right, has worked on a variety of genre-bending projects, including albums with funk collective Vulfpeck and keyboardist Jon Batiste, with whom he recorded the Grammy-nominated 2020 new age album Meditations. Produced by Wong, Golden Hour finds the duo bringing all of their previous experience to bear on a set of original, primarily instrumental songs. Backed by a full rhythm section and horns, Koz and Wong's music evokes a classic, late-'70s and early-'80s soul vibe, but with a sleek, contemporary energy.
Smooth jazz keyboardist Dan Siegel has been helping to shape the genre since his recording debut in 1980. Born in Seattle and raised in Eugene, OR, Siegel started taking piano lessons at age eight and was fronting a rock band at 12. After attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, he received a degree in composition from the University of Oregon and began recording his own works.
