--=[ Darren Motamedy 2 ]=--

The Smooth Jazz genre is dominated by one instrument: the saxophone in all his variations. The protagonists are among others Nelson Rangell, Richard Elliot, David Sanborn, Derrick James, Steve Cole, Kirk Whalum, Najee, Dave Koz, Bryan Savage, Steve Finkle, Gerald Albright, Marion Meadows, Kenny G, Everette Harp, Grover Washington jr., Andy Snitzer, Walter Beasley, J. Spencer, George Howard, Art Porter, Jimmy Sommers, Mark Johnson, Boney James and I could write further names on and on. So it becomes comprehensible that it is not easy for an artist to become generally accepted in this genre as a sax player. Darren Motamedy has succeeded in reaching the peak.
He started playing jazz with a 1920's silver "Holton" alto saxophone, one that he still owns and treasures to this day. He focused his energy playing the tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet, and flute. But as a universal musician he is familiar with synthesizers and percussion programmings too.

Darren Motamedy was born in 1959 in Los Angeles California and is of Iranian and German French-Irish decent. "My family moved around quite a bit as a youngster," and in 1968 while living in Taiwan that Motamedy realized that he was intrigued with music. "One of my classmates offered to play his clarinet for our class during show and tell when I was in the fourth grade," Motamedy reminisces. "He squeaked and squawked, and captivated our entire class’s attention with his song. "I was constantly in trouble, and for the first time in my life I discovered a way to get attention without getting grounded!!!




















Darren Motamedy - Square One (1991)



















Darren Motamedy - It's All Good (1999)


















Darren Motamedy - Dangerously Close (1994)

Tracklistings are in the comments section.

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--=[ Erykah Badu ]=--

Erykah Badu - Baduizm [1997]

Badu and her large turban appeared out of nowhere in early 1997, on a murmuring, romantic album that trod the median between old-school soul and contemporary electronic R&B. Badu's songs, especially the hit "On & On" and the catchy "Certainly," recall Sade in their polished, subtle sexiness. Badu almost never raises her voice--save the occasional "ooh-wee!" exultation--but she skillfully uses repetition and chanting to empower her words. Later portraying a beautiful swamp queen, she was one of the only good things about the movie Blues Brothers 2000.




















Erykah Badu - Baduizm [Special Edition][2007]

Erykah Badu hit the national scene 10 years ago with a smash album out of the box, keyed by her unforgettable debut single and video, On And On. Her unique look and jazzy/hip-hop sound lit up urban culture, and Baduizm sold more than five million copies. This Special Edition adds rare promo-only remixes and live material, plus her Curtis Mayfield-written track from the film Eve's Bayou.




















Erykah Badu - Live [2009]




Tracklistings are in the comments section.

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--=[ Jacksoul 3 ]=--

Jacksoul - Resurrected (2004)

As tribute to the late Haydain Neale, this was Jacksoul's third outing.

The list of tunes is in the comment section

read more “--=[ Jacksoul 3 ]=--”

--=[ Jacksoul 2 ]=--

Jacksoul - mySOUL [2006]

At 39 years of age Juno Award-winning artist Haydain Neale of jacksoul passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, after a very private seven month battle with lung cancer.

On a beautiful, sunny morning with his wife Michaela, daughter Yasmin, brother-in-law Shawn Hudson and friends Davide DiRenzo and Jennifer Hyland by his side, Haydain passed away peacefully.

Throughout his rehabilitation after a car accident in August 2007 and during his illness, Haydain always maintained a positive spirit.

The group Jacksoul formed around the middle of the '90s in Toronto, Canada. Members are lead singer and founder Haydain Neale, guitarist Justin Abedin, bassist Dave Murray, keyboardist Brent Setterington, saxophonist Adam Leo, and drummer Roger Travassos. It is Neale, though, with his powerful vocal abilities, that is the driving force behind the group. The music Jacksoul offers fans is a mixture of funk, jazz, soul, and even rock, that makes it hard to label it in one style line of a genre.

In 1996 Jacksoul released its debut album, Absolute. Success came almost instantly, with encouraging reviews pouring in from music critics. A sophomore offering, Sleepless was completed for 2000 under the Vik./BMG label. It was produced by Jon "Rabbi" Levine and carries tracks like "Don't Tell Me," "Never Give Your Love Away," "Let Me Call You Baby," "I Remember," and "I Know What You Want." The lead single, "Can't Stop," from the second album found its way on to the music charts almost over night, helped out some by the exposure the music video for the tune gained the group on MuchMusic, Canada's version of MTV.


R.I.P. Haydain




* Another Great Colinb Post *

Tracklisting is in the comments section.

read more “--=[ Jacksoul 2 ]=--”

--=[ Darren Motamedy ]=--

Darren Motamedy – Don't Cha Know (2008)

Performances with The Rippingtons, David Lanz, Greg Adams from Tower of Power, opening for Chris Botti, Ray Charles, Grover, Keiko Matsui, Boney James, Michael Lington, Tower of Power, Larry Carlton...Motamedy has done it all.
Funky, Fresh, Urban Contemporary and hot! "Love You Just So Much" sets the album in motion with an Urban Backbeat that needs accompaniment only with a glass or red and a couch for two! This album glides seamlessly from track to track, and includes an amazing version of Luther's "Dance With My Father", and a fat fresh version of summertime! The title cut, "Don't Cha' Know" (that she's my baby) is a standout dance track that will make ya' get your groove on. Double Cache' will take you back in time to the days of Groove Holmes, and "Going's Gruv" will set you in the back alleys of old school jazz......This is it! 13 cuts, all strong and ready for the smooth jazz airwaves and your living room stereo!

Tracklisting is in the comments section.

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--=[ Charles & Eddie ]=--

Charles & Eddie - Chocolate Milk [1995]


Charles & Eddie's follow-up to their international hit Duophonic is much like its predecessor, featuring a set of polished, melodic pop/rock material with a slight hint of dance-pop, best illustrated by the single "Jealousy."



















Charles & Eddie - Duophonic [1992]

Random encountered in the subway Charles Pettigrew and Eddie Chacon founded the most sensational pop draft 92 - year - Charles & Eddie. The most popular song from the album "Would I Lie to You?" 2 weeks led to the British charts and reached 13 in America.

Charles and Eddie - Would I Lie To You
by ptidavid

* Major Props 2 Esosojos 4 Chocolate Milk *


Tracklistings are in the comment section.

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--=[ People Under The Stairs 2 ]=--

People Under The Stairs - The Om Years [2CD][2008]

A two-disc collection featuring fan favorites and a disc of B-sides and rarities never before released on CD. The first ever Om retrospective of dusty breaks and funky rhyme classics from The P (as fans know them). Called "the dopest of dope" by hip-hop fans the world over and featured in every magazine, website, blog, and radio station you know, The P stand as one of the greatest hip-hop groups ever.




















People Under The Stairs - Or Stay Tuned [EP][2003]

People Under The Stairs are back with all new party jams reminiscent of the good times of roller skates and fresh fades. "Or Stay Tuned" is guaranteed to take you back to the soulful hip hop days you've missed!





Please support the artist by purchasing these CDs!

Tracklistings are in the comments section.

read more “--=[ People Under The Stairs 2 ]=--”

--=[ Joy Denalane ]=--

Joy Denalane - Born & Raised [2006]

Beautiful work from Joy Denalane, a german singer who has worked with Tiefschwarz, Youssou N'dour and Common. Born & Raised, although musically more focused than its predecessor, manages to preserve the multiplicity and dynamism Joy Denalane fans have grown used to. Teaming up with husband / producer Max Herre as well as songwriter Sékou Neblett, a long time friend and colleague, Joy has crafted a true masterpiece, with a timeless mélange of late sixties Soul, contemporary Hip Hop / R&B, Gospel, and heart felt ballads!!



















Joy Denalane - Mamani [Limited Edition][2002]

Joy Denalane, is a German singer-songwriter, known for her mixture of soul, R&B, and African folk music with lyrics in German and English. Denalane joined the FK Allstars, which also consisted of Afrob, Gentleman, Sekou, and Brooke Russell, among others, and went on tour with them for more than two years. Later on she signed a contract with Four Music (founded by Die Fantastischen Vier) and began working on her debut album Mamani, which was released in June 2002 and debuted at number eight on the German Albums Chart. Inspired by African roots, the album was primarily produced by husband Max Herre. In total Mamani spawned six singles, including the lead single "Sag's Mir", the socially critical track "Im Ghetto von Soweto" (featuring South African flugelhorn legend Hugh Masekela), and "Kinderlied", a song dedicated to her oldest son Isaiah.

* Major Props 2 Esosojos 4 Mamani *

Tracklistings are in the comments section.

read more “--=[ Joy Denalane ]=--”

--=[ Strange Fruit Project ]=--

Strange Fruit Project - Making Art Sound Kool [EP][2009]

Myone, Myth & Symbolyc One (together as Strange Fruit Project) are back. Releasing their first group project since 2006’s The Healing. And what better way to make a “comeback” than dropping a free EP for the fans? Production coming from 9th Wonder, S1, Picnic and Caleb.



















Strange Fruit Project Presents: S1 Music Box [2008]

As the second producer compilation from S1, he opens his "Music Box" to a mix of new and familiar talent, as he continues to influence listeners through his own brand of Hip Hop and Soul music production. Comprised with a variety of urban independent artists, "Music Box" provides you with a soundtrack for life. Through various artist's production and beat battle competitions, S1 has carved out his own style and flavor of music. "Music Box" enters into the next phase of the urban progressive movement. The lead single "Mash", features Big Pooh of Little Brother while his other half, Phonte, display's his multi-faceted talent on the classic joint "Callin Me." Inspectah Deck collabs with westside newcomer Blu to maintain their emcee grip on the game from coast-to-coast. Also, Yolanda Johnson, BET J Soul Artist of the Year, announces her arrival and lets you know who she is on the song "Chemistry." The album also features Tone Trezure, Rah Diggah, Darien Brockington, Bavu Blakes, Mojoe, Kay of The Foundation, Strange Fruit Project, Speech (Arrested Development), The Lifesavas, Tanya Morgan and more. As the "Music Box" winds its way through every track, it forms into one classic influential compilation album that urban music fans can reference for years to come. This release has the strength and talent of past compilations such as Heineken's "Red Star Sounds Vol. 1", DJ Jazzy Jeff's "The Magnificent" and the soundtrack to the movie "Brown Sugar."


Please support the artist by purchasing this CD!


Tracklistings are in the comments section.

read more “--=[ Strange Fruit Project ]=--”

--=[ Ronald Turner ]=--

Ronald Turner & The Fashion Statement - Love Prevails (2006)

Love Prevails is a Nu Jazz oriented genre with a mixture of contemporary jazz mixed with hinted spices of R & B. It blends perfectly to match the moods when loves goes all right and when love goes all wrong. The instrumentality of the musicians is superb as is the songwriting. As a writer, Ronald is not afraid to reach out and grab true jazz chords by the horns. From there, he gently infuses these statuesque, bold, chords into a harmonic submission which makes for an earful of audible pleasures that delights the educated listener to the ecstasy of musical pleasures. There are no excuses to be made in the music where you need to be afraid. It's time for a change in this idiom, and this CD has totally made the change.Love Prevails is the newest release from Ronald Turner And The Fashion Statement. It can be connected to the Nu Jazz movement with some subtleties of smooth jazz. It is a compilation of rich, melodic, original, creations all of which are composed by Ronald Turner. It consists of love songs, funk, and easy going ballads. It's a must have for any Nu Jazz audiophile. Love Prevails fits the Nu Jazz format as it is within contemporary boundaries that maintains a relaxed, jazzy, sound. It sets itself quite apart from the so-called smooth jazz idiom. It's original. It's fresh. It's all good. You can describe it as "ear dessert".



















Ronald Turner & The Fashion Statement - It's All About Love (2003)


It's All About Love Link 2

It's All About Love by Ronald Turner And The Fashion Statement won a 2003 Smoothie award for having the 19th most played independent CD on the Smoothjazz.com network. It is a sexy blend of smooth jazz and love songs, rhythm flavored Latin composites and influential overtones of funk spiced with R & B. You won't be disappointed when you hear the CD.
Ronald Turner is a professional musician, drummer, music arranger, songwriter, producer and the leader of the contemporary jazz group "Ronald Turner and the Fashion Statement".

Tracklistings are in the comments section.

read more “--=[ Ronald Turner ]=--”