August - 2020

Aug 31, 2020

CLIFTON DAVIS, Never Can Say Goodbye

One of the most indelible R&B/pop hits of the 70s, “Never Can Say Goodbye” – penned by Clifton Davis - was originally recorded by Isaac Hayes but became a classic thanks to versions by The Jackson 5 and Gloria Gaynor. After a stunningly diverse, decades long career as an actor (“Amen,” “Madam Secretary”), Broadway and touring show performer (“Aladdin,” “Wicked”) and minister, the songwriter records it himself for the first time as the title track of his lushly produced debut

Jonathan Widran

Aug 31, 2020

GIADORA, "One Last Thing"

On “One Last Thing,” Giadora’s latest and most compelling track to date, the L.A. based alt pop/soul singer/songwriter builds thematically and vibe wise on her two earlier seductive hipster singles “Twisted” and “Naïve.” Already a master at creating sultry, hypnotic musical moods and painting bold, intimate narratives about vulnerable places in the soul, she uses the dreamy flow of a quickening acoustic guitar harmony, swirling atmospheres and laid-back beats to slowly, stead

Jonathan Widran

Aug 23, 2020

BEAUTIFUL DUDES, Nite Songs

Nothing to do with the long running soap opera, but when you listen to their edgy and blistering, hauntingly dystopian yet defiantly hopeful EP Nite Songs, you can’t help but love the bold, Beautiful Dudes who’ve been lighting up the world from Nevada City, CA since their 2016 self-titled debut. Considering the emotional heft and intensity of these six distortion-filled gems – from the dark, 80’s Brit-rock flavored barnburner “Nothing But the Black” to the scorching dream/nig

Jonathan Widran

Aug 20, 2020

JOHNNY BRITT, Mo Jazzin

One of the key moments of Johnny Britt’s career happened in the early 90s when was turned down for a Sade tour. While the multi-talented singer, songwriter, trumpeter composer and producer had previously spent three years as a musical director for the Temptations, he chose to step into the spotlight and, inspired by the music of Sade and Miles Davis’ posthumous release Doo-Bop, formed the trumpet-rapper duo Impromp2 with L.A. rapper Sean E. Mac. Why is that significant as we

Jonathan Widran

Aug 18, 2020

AXIOM, Starburst

Starburst? What’s that, you say? Exotic and eclectic, high octane jazz fusion Axiom named their first album in over a decade after fruit chews? OK, so the colorful album cover lets us know that brothers Pete (guitars) and Phil Templer (drums/percussion) and their explosive all-star ensemble have more celestial ideas in mind. To that end, the rocking and freewheeling opener “Vaporware” (a favorite opener at their live shows) soars mightily to high heaven and easily flowing tun

Jonathan Widran

Aug 18, 2020

HOLLAND PHILLIPS, A Momentary Pause

In any other year, a review of A Momentary Pause, the latest transcendent album by Holland Phillips, would focus on his early projects in the 90s and how incredibly prolific the multi-talented composer, pianist and keyboardist has been since launching the second phase of his career in the genre in 2014 with Redemption. Since then, he’s released projects at a torrid pace, earning airplay on New Age stations, sleep radio, airline in-flight programs and even TV and film. He’s al

Jonathan Widran

Aug 17, 2020

DAVID SILLS, Natural Lines

At first glance at the credits and when you hear the seamless yet dynamic interaction between the sax and flute of veteran, internationally renowned reedman David Sills and the distinctive voices of storied guitarists Mike Scott and Larry Koonse, you might think he created by insightful design this fresh, revolutionary idea of infusing a swinging jazz ensemble with dual axes. Since both have recorded extensively with Sills in the past, it seems like a logical extension of the

Jonathan Widran

Aug 17, 2020

PAUL BROWN, Ones Upon a Time

Throughout his extraordinary career as one of contemporary urban jazz’s premiere hit makers and producers, Paul Brown has engaged in his share of cover tunes – starting with Boney James’ versions of “Creepin’” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” and including gems like Rick Braun’s “Use Me,” Boney and Braun’s “Grazin’ in the Grass” and George Benson’s sensual spin through the jazz standard “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise.” The key to turning these into instrumental hits has been a keen e

Jonathan Widran

Aug 17, 2020

aliensdontringdoorbells, Arrival

Sometimes the coolest band monikers come from the most unlikely places – or long-ago throwaway comments you can’t get out of your mind. For the deeply soulful, compulsively melodic, often tempo shifting, sparkling pop meets edgy rock with a splash of blues UK and U.S. based trio of Dorian Foyil (vocals, guitar), Adam King (lead and backing vocals) and Christian Pearl (keyboards, backing vocals), the name aliensdontringdoorbells came from Dorian. Some years ago, he and his the

Jonathan Widran

Aug 17, 2020

BLAKE AARON, Color and Passion

In the current digital and streaming era where consumers have more options than ever as to how they consume music, artists in many genres often opt for releasing singles or EPs instead of full albums. It’s a way for them to keep fans consistently engaged, with a few months, weeks or days between releases as opposed to waiting a year or more for new product. For the most part, however, smooth jazz artists seem more inclined – at least so far – to go old school, releasing full

Jonathan Widran

Aug 13, 2020

ROB C, "Mas Alla De La Existencia"

It’s always inspiring to experience the dynamic twists and turns as up and coming artists continue to develop their voice and showcase different sides of their artistry. I first caught the extraordinarily melodic and rhythmic gifts – and innovative sonic energies – of Chilean-born, Los Angeles based composer/keyboardist Rob C in 2019, when the pop-rock/electronica artist released his infectious and inspiring debut single “Broken Promises.” His songwriting was spot on, but bec

Q&A with Ariella McManus and Nicolaas Kraster of Ariella

Jonathan Widran

Aug 12, 2020

Q&A with Ariella McManus and Nicolaas Kraster of Ariella

Tell me about your new single “Terrified.” What is it about and how does it reflect where you’re at personally and as a duo right now? Ariella: When I first wrote the song, it wasn’t one of my favorites – which is funny because it’s grown into this meaningful, intense expression over time after Nicolaas came up with this beautiful chord progression. The song emerged from a time when we were arguing about a lot of things, and it came from an honest place. But we’re no longer t

THE JW VIBE

Music That Sticks To My Soul

CLIFTON DAVIS, Never Can Say Goodbye

GIADORA, "One Last Thing"

BEAUTIFUL DUDES, Nite Songs

JOHNNY BRITT, Mo Jazzin

AXIOM, Starburst

HOLLAND PHILLIPS, A Momentary Pause

DAVID SILLS, Natural Lines

PAUL BROWN, Ones Upon a Time

aliensdontringdoorbells, Arrival

BLAKE AARON, Color and Passion

ROB C, "Mas Alla De La Existencia"

Q&A with Ariella McManus and Nicolaas Kraster of Ariella