Composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Farish announced the release of his sixth full-length album “Wonderfall.” The album, featuring 16 new originals compositions by the Dove award-winning musician, is being released on Farish’s label, RYTONE Entertainment, and published by Farish Music International (BMI).

In addition to being available through all major online retailers, the single “Holding Hands” is being made available as an mp3 download for a limited period. “Holding Hands” is the hit song that premiered on the smash Midas/EMI release, ‘The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz”. The compilation, featuring Ryan’s song alongside Jazz superstars Chick Corea, Dave Koz, Peices of a Dream and Najee, reached #1 on Billboard’s Jazz Album Chart.

“‘Holding Hands’ is a relaxing, ambient number with a memorable piano line and soothing breakbeat sounds. This peacefulness remains throughout the song and one cannot help the sense of feeling empowered by the music. By the time the choir vocals chime in, you will be hooked into a serene listening experience.” - MusicDish

Ryan Farish’s Holding Hands

About Ryan Farish
From his first music lessons at the age of four, to his studying music performance at Old Dominion University and music business at UCLA, to his recent releases - Everlasting & Selected Works - composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Farish has clearly been making a musical splash.

Ryan Farish first launched his artist career, back in 2000 on the former mp3.com. Ryan almost instantly became one of the most popular and downloaded artists in the history of the mp3.com era. Having received over 1.8 million downloads from his website on mp3.com, Ryan Farish (at age 28) ranked as one of the most popular artists of all time on the legendary mp3.com. Many of his tracks held the coveted #1 spot for months at a time, over 38 different times reaching #1 for their genre, and his cds sold to almost every corner of the earth.

Ryan Farish’s music has been featured on The Weather Channel’s “Local on the 8’s”, which led to TWC commissioning an original score/theme for their primetime TV show “Storm Stories”. Ryan has also been honored to have his music featured as part of the “Freedom Towers” documentary.

www.ryanfarish.com
www.myspace.com/ryanfarish

Different people, places and things inspire us all and music holds a special kind of goodwill that we all seem to understand when we listen, particularly when the performing musicians let you know that some of that mojo is part of the entire picture on a project.

The Scene is a very consistent recording and all instrumental. It is filled with the sounds of contemporary jazz that is suitable for any music fan, even those that may not be a jazz listener; there are plentiful instances of fine musicianship on the recording to appreciate. In addition, some special guests add their share to the mix and overall quality of this project. Joe Lovano (tenor sax on tracks 1, 3, 6, 7) a name everyone knows that is familiar with jazz, is featured prominently and his touch and presence makes a difference in the way this duo deliver their music. Clearly, adding someone of Lovano’s pure musicality to the mix is going to bring everyone to the next level and that is exactly what happens here. In addition, Jay Anderson (bass) and Victor Lewis (drums) step in to add their expertise and chops to round out this fine session.

Nine tracks make up this collective musical brilliance filled with varying degrees of tempos and textures. The music takes you on a textbook journey of the jazz palette with grace and precision, literally on every track. Besides the contemporary foundation from which the trio works you also get a taste of fusion, smooth ballads, and some stinging and well place guitar leads from Stryker’s six-string, not to mention some of sweetest sax playing from Slagle and Lovano.

Perhaps the most gratifying thing about listening to this music is the outright simplicity of presentation, keeping in mind that jazz is complex in comparison to other genres. This is a purposefully adventure down the multi-hued roads of jazz and it fits into one nice slice of audible aptness. The production value is outstanding and the sound is crisp and clear with the bottom end holding up nicely without interfering with the importance of each instrument.

This is a very good session from men with their heart in the right place, now that is what it is all about…and exactly why this recording works so well. If you are looking for some nice jazz that will be appropriate for any setting or mood, this is your CD.

Artist: The Stryker/Slagle Band
Title: The Scene
Genre: Jazz
Label: Zoho Music
Website
Source Link

Tracks:
1. Skee
2. The Scene
3. Six for Teo
4. Two Sense
5. Kindred Spirits6 Hopewell’s Last
7. Brighter Days
8. Fingers In The Wind
9. Strikology

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Seattle, Washington — WildLife, Gary Paul Bryant’s 10th CD, is quickly climbing jazz and world music charts, airing on more than 100 radio stations from Australia to Europe to the U.S. and topping 120,000 streams and downloads in recent weeks on Soundclick.com alone. Yet, you’ve probably never heard of him.

Gary Paul Bryant’s WildLife - musicdish

Recording from his home studio north of Seattle, Washington, Bryant reflects an evolving reality of today’s music industry, where artists who take advantage of new technology can build dynamic careers outside the mainstream.

“People are surprised to find that you can have a strong international fan base and a satisfying career operating in your own niche, a bit below the pop culture radar,” said Bryant.

After an early experience with the traditional corporate recording industry, Bryant began marketing and publishing his own material in the 1980s, a time when producing an album on your own could cost as much as buying a house and marketing meant hauling hundreds of vinyl albums to radio stations and retail outlets.

Then came the 1990s with new recording technology and, of course, the Internet. Music web sites like iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster gave musicians access to worldwide audiences and gave fans an unprecedented selection of genres and styles. Tech-savvy songwriters willing to adapt to the new medium found that making a living through music was no longer an unlikely dream. Bryant’s affinity for technology soon moved him from acoustic pianos and guitars to music workstations, sampling software and digital distribution.

“What really made it interesting for artists is that, in addition to all of the recording and performance gear going digital, support services like CD production, digital distribution and promotion were adapting to the technology in a big way,” said Bryant. One such company, CDBaby.com, founded in 1997 by musician Derek Sivers, has paid more than $80 million directly to artists.

Bryant’s first album, Just a Word, was digitally remastered and released as an anniversary edition in 2004. Seattle Times music critic Patrick MacDonald summed it up: “Exceptional piano work!”

In May 2005 came Imaginary Piano, a high-energy collection of jazz motifs, followed by a collection of original and classic Christmas piano solos, Midnight Clear.

Melding power rock with jazz and classical music, his 2007 project, Big World, reached the No. 1 Jazz spot at SoundClick.com, was featured Jazz selection at Garageband.com and made the Top 10 Jazz playlist at Broadjam.com.

Wildlife, released in August 2008, includes 13 upbeat instrumentals that combine classical, rock and jazz elements. It’s available from iTunes.com, CDBaby and other digital outlets. For information, visit http://www.GaryPaulBryant.com

Gary Paul Bryant’s piano stylings add the perfect amount of snazzy class on “One Cool Squirrel.” Complete with the steady, pulsating beat of the high hat and stunningly swift sax melodies, the track sends listeners on a trip to New Orleans at night, mesmerizing both their eyes and ears with the classy tone of the city as they visualize street musicians and shining lights.
http://www.wildlifethecd.com

I found this collection refreshing. The way Tuck & Patti present the songs of The Great American Songbook makes each one new and all their own. At times, the standards do not seem to hold that recognizable sound or reference, which again makes the entire listen a joy and something different even though it is the dreaded “cover” album. They escape all the traps and clichés and produce a beautiful album with two voices, the guitar of Tuck and the silky smooth vocals of Patti.

Tuck plays an electric guitar the way one would pluck an eight string acoustic and it sounds like an acoustic in a most convincing way, with the exception of times he uses the electric’s capabilities by inserting a fader effect that finds a place in most of the songs. It turns out to be pleasing without becoming a hindrance to the process the couple is adventuring to accomplish.

What more can be said about the 10 tracks that get the treatment here from Tuck & Patti? You will recognize the names but will be surprised how much different they all sound now thanks to the ingenuity and creative genius of this unwavering pair.

Artist: Tuck & Patti
Title: I Remember You
Genre: Jazz
Label: T & P Records
Tuck & Patti Website
Source Link

Tracks:
01. I Remember You
02. In a Sentimental Mood
03. Deed I Do
04. Very Thought of You
05. When I Fall in Love
06. Foggy Day
07. It Might as Well Be Spring
08. Old Devil Moon
09. Embraceable You
10. With a Song in My Heart

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Artist development and marketing firm MusicDish announced that four new acts have signed on to its roster over the last month, including 2008 GMA Dove Award winning Ryan Farish, gospel singer Desmond Pringle, jazz fusion artist Gary Paul Bryant, and NY rocker Tim Young.

Each artist will be supported by a customized mutli-pronged marketing campaign incorporating a mix of PR, syndication, online street and viral distribution. Marketing will be coordinated a variety of platforms, from its business music portals and syndicated network to MP3 blogs, webradio and groups/forums. For more information, visit http://www.musicdish.net/marketing/

Ryan Farish
Grammy nominated, 2008 GMA Dove Award winning songwriter/producer/composer Ryan Farish, first launched his music career on the first generation mp3.com, where his music quickly took to the masses obtaining a whopping 1,800,000+ downloads of his trademark, electronic-jazz-world music.
http://www.ryanfarish.com

Desmond Pringle
Tommy Boy Gospel artist Desmond Pringle is a passionate vocalist with a unique brand of balladry — and one of the most talented songwriter/producers in gospel music today. Whether delivering his signature-smooth ballads, thought provoking lyrics or energetic choir songs, Desmond has already taken his place among the ranks of great gospel artists of his generation.
http://www.desmondpringle.com

Gary Paul Bryant
Veteran jazz fusion artist Gary Paul Bryant has released his latest (10th) album “WildLife.” Applying the rock energy of artists like Joel, John and Keith Emerson with lighter touches of Jazz and New Age artists like David Arkenstone and David Lanz, Bryant creates a unique blend of rock, pop jazz and world music that’s very unique and appealing.
http://www.wildlifethecd.com
http://www.garypaulbryant.com

Tim Young
Rocker Tim Young, veteran to the New York music scene, has been performing in Manhattan for years. Tim Young’s third CD The Cost features twelve new songs and a brand new version of his own tune “Renegade” from RED. On the album, Tim takes guitar, bass and drums and puts them together in a classy classic kind of way to create music that envelopes not only rock, but also country and folk influences woven into the fabric of rock ‘n roll.
http://www.timrocksweb.com

MusicDish, LLC has been at the forefront of the digital music sector, publishing some of the industry’s leading music magazine, including MusicDish.com and Mi2N.com, as well as dynamic white label content solutions. MusicDish also offers artist development and label management support, combining saturated online marketing with business networking and consulting.
http://www.musicdish.net

Recently featured on the iTunes music store, BFM Digital and SRI Records announces Ray Brown Jr’s new album, “Friends And Family”. The new CD is an all-star duets album with Ray joined by Dionne Warwick, Jane Monheit, James Moody, Dr. John, Freda Payne, Melba Moore, David “Fathead” Newman, Sophie B. Hawkins, Paul Williams, Maria Muldaur, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terry Gibbs, Sally Kellerman, Dave Somerville, Haylee and Kim Hoyer. “Friends And Family” was produced by Shelly Liebowitz.

Born in New York City, Ray Brown Jr. was raised in a family of musical royalty (the son of singer Ella Fitzgerald and legendary jazz bass player Ray Brown). “Friends and Family” reflects the amazingly diverse musical pedigree that Ray possesses.

Original and unconventional arrangements and song choices set the tone and unique style of this release. Friends And Family shows a completely different dimension of Ray Brown, Jr. with these artists who have come together to create this historic album.”

It also includes two very special tracks:

* Haylee (Ray’s daughter) doing a duet with her Dad on Grandma’s first hit “A Tisket A Tasket”

* A live version of “How High The Moon” with Ray joining his mother (Ella Fitzgerald) and father (Ray Brown).

“What pleased me the most was seeing the talent of Ray Brown Jr. hold up so well with all these brilliant and different sounding artists. As a result of his versatility and the unique arrangements of the songs, we were able to capture a wide variety of flavors, which I think offers something for everyone on this album,” says producer Shelly Liebowitz.

To honor our veterans, a portion of the proceeds from the download sales of the duet by Ray Brown Jr. and Dr. Lonnie Smith on “Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy” will be donated to the National Veterans Foundation.

The album will be available at all digital outlets via SRI’s digital distributor, BFM Digital.

About SRI Records
SRI Records and SRI Jazz (www.srirecords.com) are divisions of the SRI Entertainment Group. It is our mission to bring great music to the public at reasonable prices. The core audience for our music is the baby boomer generation, but by no means is it limited that group alone. Our record companies market recordings by major artists, many of which have never before been available. We offer the opportunity for established artists with completed albums to be distributed and retain ownership of their masters. We also produce and distribute recordings by talented new artists. The management of SRI Records is made up of experienced music industry professionals. SRI can provide private label CDs for companies that require them for premiums and give-a-ways.

In addition to being an active record company, through SRI Entertainment we produce concerts, tours, television specials and other events. Plus we have a video division (SRI Video) for VHS and DVD releases and a music publishing division, Golden Shellsongs Music.

About BFM Digital, LLC
Connecting music to the world since 2004, BFM Digital (www.bfmdigital.com) is an innovative digital distribution company committed to serving the independent music community by helping them maximize their catalog’s potential through global digital distribution. BFM Digital offers labels, artists and content providers access to all major online and mobile store fronts. BFM represents hundreds of catalogs in every genre and works closely with labels to ensure top placements through ongoing promotions with retailers and target campaigns for key releases. BFM is also affiliated with leading global publishing companies such as The Royalty Network, Inc.

San Francisco, CA

Dr. Groove, Steve Gadd was groovin’ high on two of singer/songwriter, Tony Adamo’s new tunes, “Cold Duck” and “Ecstasy.” Jerry Stucker, Adamo’s long time producer got these hot tracks from Gadd. The Groove Dr. set the pace with a smooth, funky pulse around Adamo’s voice building a wall of chilled out grooves that permeated the recording studio. This new and extraordinary drum sound fused Adamo’s funky sensibility and rhythmic singing style with Gadd’s in the pocket drum precision. You just might find a couple of hits here. These two new songs will be on Adamo’s new CD release in ‘09.

Steve is one of the most in-demand and influential drummers in the world. This master drummer has played or recorded with the likes of Chick Corea, Paul McCartney, Al Jarreau, James Brown, Lee Ritenour and Stevie Wonder just to name a few.

Music critics have said the following about Adamo:

“Impressive is an understatement. Adamo’s stylish and signature vibrato tinged voice adds a truly bright dimension to all he endeavors to be set to song.” Ronald Jackson of Jazzreview.com

“Tony Adamo’s voice is like Lou Rawls fronting Tower of Power.” Stuart Hamilton of Amazon.co.uk.

“Tony Adamo’s STRAIGHT UP DEAL CD reveals the vocal talents of a superior singer.” Edward Blanco of Ejazznews.com.

Info on Tony Adamo: www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo and CDBaby

]]> http://bandweblogs.com/guestbloggers/2008/08/25/tony-adamo-and-steve-gadd-groovin-high/feed/ http://bandweblogs.com/guestbloggers/2008/08/23/jude-johnstone-mrsun-review/ http://bandweblogs.com/guestbloggers/2008/08/23/jude-johnstone-mrsun-review/#comments Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:47:08 +0000 muzikman http://bandweblogs.com/guestbloggers/?p=1291

On Jude Johnstone’s third effort Blue Light I discovered a rare new talent that had enormous potential. On Mr. Sun, that potential comes bursting through every song in the most beautiful untarnished way. The session prior to this is what spurred Jude on to get into a creative groove that kept going so they just continued to record and got enough material together to put out this new recording.

This is Jude’s ode to all the musicians that contributed to the sessions and the inspiration to create she found calling to her inside the music. A wellspring of ideas came flowing forth effortlessly just as the music pushed her to croon out the title track and ten more fine compositions after that with heartfelt emotion and spirit.

“Mr. Sun” is as warm as the title-there is something about the song that gives you that special tingly feeling that only a classic song can. It conveys something so strong that no other song could possibly match it. Not to say that this is not a very strong effort, indeed it is. This is the kind of album that needs some attention and will easily find it in due time once these tracks hit the airwaves or find their way in digital formats all over the internet and web radio.

Incredibly, Jude wrote all of these songs, no obligatory jazz standards, covers or nods to influences are on this CD, it is all pure Jude. This is the reason it all works so well, I do not think anyone wanted to do anything different on this project. Again David Pitch (upright bass), Danny Frankel (drums, percussion), Freddy Koella (guitar), and Marc Macisso (sax) show up for the event. In addition to the regulars Dean Parks, Mark Goldenberg (guitar), Jan Osssman (upright bass), Daniel Savant (muted trumpet, flugelhorn), Stephen Bishop, and Maxayn Lewis who provided background vocals step in to help. I had to mention them all because each person played their own quintessential role into making this Jude Johnstone’s masterpiece. If this one does not break her out, well I cannot see how anything else could, it is that good.

Jude goes from slinky late night burners “Baby, Don’t You Call My Name” and “Winding Back My Heart” where she sings, “I can turn myself into a ghost if you want me to,” facing the inevitable loss of her love, to the less musically complicated laments like “So Bad.” Her vocal chords are the main instrument and it all builds into a mountain of feeling and an excellent musical production that this album is consistently from the first note to the last.

Indie jazz simply does not get any better than this.

Artist: Jude Johnstone
Title: Mr.Sun
Genre: Jazz-Blues
Label: Bojak Records
Website
Source Link

Tracks:
01. Mr. Sun
02. Over Easy
03. Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over
04. Echoes of Blue
05. Sunday Evening
06. When My Ship Comes In
07. Baby, Don’t You Call My Name
08. So Bad
09. Winding Back My Heart
10. The Light of Day
11. One For Us

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Contact:

Cheryl Hughey Promotions

cherylhughey@charter.net/314-660-1755

St. Louis, Missouri

Dwayne Kerr (Erykah Badu Flutist) Releases New Video Produced by Kerwin DeVonish (Spike Lee)

Dwayne Kerr (Erykah Badu’s Funky Fluteman) has teamed up with Kerwin DeVonish (Spike Lee producer) to release a new video that was filmed on the beaches of Barbados. Click on the link below to view. Available for preview on YouTube, this scenic video features the single “Smooth” (Top 15 Radio and Records and Top 30 SmoothJazz.com) from Dwayne’s 2008 release Higher Calling.

Higher Calling, which features stellar guest appearances by Erykah Badu and Kirk Whalum has received accolades from reviewers. Susan Frances of the Jazz Review proclaimed, “… makes jazz music Higher Callingas beautiful as it comes…” and Abkar Nour of Smooth Jazz Now declared Kerr “an extraordinary groovy flutist.” Lovingly received by radio, the single “Ain’t No Sunshine” with Erykah Badu reached the Top 10 on Radio and Records.

www.dmannsmusicgroup.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNoCZyAlk9w

More about the artist:

Kerr was hired to play as a band member for Grammy Award-winning Erykah Badu in 1998. While touring with Erykah, Dwayne has played in Africa, Italy, Japan, throughout Europe and Scandinavia, on the all-female artists Lilith Fair Tour and television appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, MTV’s Real World, The Oprah Show, Live! With Regis and BET Live.

While touring and recording with Erykah Badu for the past several years, Dwayne added his sound to recordings including Ms. Badu’s version of the Chaka Khan hit, “Hollywood,” which is on the soundtrack/CD to the Spike Lee movie, Bamboozled, on Motown Records and Erykah’s song, “Today,” which is on the Red Star Sounds compilation CD on Epic Records. Kerr played on Erykah’s latest CD, Worldwide Underground, and her previous CD, Mama’s Gun, on Motown Records.

Raised and still residing on Long Island, New York, Kerr attended New York colleges Nassau Community College, SUNY-Stony Brook and SUNY-Old Westbury, where he was trained classically and in jazz. Kerr is a brilliant flutist who is moving the flute into other genres of music not often explored. Connecting with the audience both in a live setting and on recordings is a trait well-respected by others in the industry. “I’ve seen Dwayne inspire many people all over the world with his sound,” said RC Williams, Producer/co-songwriter Higher Calling and Producer/Songwriter/MD for Erykah Badu.

A by-product of his ascending career, Kerr signed a deal with AKG Acoustics in 2001 to endorse an AKG wireless headset system. When not touring with Ms. Badu, Kerr is active in his venture as a solo artist, most notable having performed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Jazz & Broadway Concert at the United Nations and at halftime of several National Basketball Association games. Dwayne has performed on shows with or opened shows for Erykah Badu, Regina Belle, Roy Hargrove, Marion Meadows, Stephanie Mills, Vanessa Rubin and other noted artists.

“As I watch my friend in amazement,” Erykah said of Dwayne, “the high tones and the trills become part of me, helping me to grow on stage. I don’t know which is sweeter, his tone or his soul.”

The release of Higher Calling is indeed a new chapter in the life of this astounding artist. The making of the project was an organic process that evolved into a musical diary of the musicians involved.

Jeff Feinstein, producer & keys, said, “I think I could write a novel on my experiences with Dwayne and “the cast” of Higher Calling. The most important chapter would be on how much your work can intertwine with life, love and believing in yourself. To me, working on the project represented strong earthly proof of why not to give up on my dreams and God…no matter what.”