In 2007, Detroit based guitarist Dee Brown graced the urban jazz realm with a hip and tasty debut album with a prophetic title, No Time to Waste. He wasn’t kidding, and now, while closing in on 15 years grooving up the Smooth Jazz charts, he’s also performed with all the top artists in the genre – Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Bob James, Paul Taylor, Paul Brown, Jessy J, Brian Culbertson, Najee, Spyro Gyra and the late Al Jarreau. For good measure, he’s also worked it with soul legends like Ohio Players, Jeffrey Osborne and his homegirl Aretha Franklin.
Brown’s latest album – and third on Innervision Records – Deep Secrets is the latest expression/manifestation of a multi-faceted musical character than stems from an intrinsic spirituality that’s never been afraid to ask the right questions. Yes, and some of those find him “inquiring” about the deep secrets of God, especially in the wake of his mother’s recent passing. He’s got some powerhouse divinely appointed help on this excursion from special guests like Lin Rountree, Blair Bryant and Merlon Devine – with lots of star power behind the board with mixes by Blake Aaron, Darren Rahn and Nate Harasim.
Brown's passionate multi-faceted exploration for the most part finds him getting funky and romantic, sometimes all at once as on the recent single “Love You Too” and “Tie the Knot”). Yet he’s just as likely to go into meditative, contemplative mode (“Controlled Passion”) and incorporate his passion for gospel music, as on the live version of “Praise is What I Do,” featuring Gerard Brooks and Merlon Devine.
Many of the tracks were directly inspired by Scripture, but even secular listeners will love his alternately edgy and silky string vibe and the enticing mix of dance floor gems and breezy ballads - including the slo jam closer “Pretty Girl (Skylar),” where Brown affectionately name checks his first grandchild.
Listen to Deep Secrets here: https://songwhip.com/dee-brown/deep-secrets