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Release date: 30 June HEADS UP
YELLOWJACKETS / MIKE STERN Life Cycle CD HUCD3139
ditto ditto SACD HUSA9139
The new recording by the Yellowjackets, two-time GRAMMY winners and cutting-edge purveyors of innovative and eclectic jazz for more than 25 years, features Mike Stern, the virtuoso guitarist who has established himself as the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarist of his generation. The studio recording showcases all five musicians’ individual and collective virtuosity as instrumentalists and songwriters and is the first Yellowjackets recording in 15 years to feature a guitar player.
Release date: 26 May HEADS UP
VICTOR WOOTEN Palmystery CD HUCD3135
Electric bass virtuoso Victor Wooten is a GRAMMY nominee and the only three-time winner of Bass Player magazine’s Bass Player of the Year award. The legendary solo artist and longtime collaborator with Béla Fleck makes his Heads Up debut with this mesmerizing 12-song set – a recording that boasts a long list of special guests including Richard Bona, Mike Stern, Alvin Lee and Keb’ Mo’.
Release date: 31 March HEADS UP
DIANE SCHUUR Some Other Time CD HUCD3138
Vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur returns to her jazz roots celebrating the music of her parents’ generation. Included is a varied selection of familiar jazz standards and she gives an expressive, straightahead interpretation of these classics from the Great American Songbook. SEE MORE
STANLEY CLARKE The Toys Of Men CD HUCD3128
The virtuoso bassist Stanley Clarke examines the emotional sweep of war on this new studio recording which features guest appearances by vocalist/bassist Esperanza Spalding and percussionist Paulinho da Costa. ‘The Toys of Men’ also includes acoustic bass interludes that provide a stirring counterpoint to Clarke’s more well known fiery electric bass attack.
NAJEE Rising Sun CD HUCD3129
Smooth jazz saxophonist Najee mixes his trademark soulful soprano with dynamic touches of flute and alto. He’s joined by some of the best session players and collaborators in the business including vocalist Phil Perry and James Lloyd
(Pieces of a Dream).
SPYRO GYRA Good To Go-Go CD HUCD3127
ditto ditto SACD HUSA9127
Trailblazers in the jazz fusion movement of the mid-1970s, Spyro Gyra is still the most original and most revered jazz fusion group in the world. “Good To Go-Go” is an edgy mix of melody, rhythm and song-writing that merges jazz with elements of R&B, funk and rock.
HIROSHIMA Little Tokyo CD HUCD3123
Comprised primarily of Asian-American musicians, the contemporary jazz group Hiroshima has spent nearly three decades straddling Eastern and Western cultures. Their multicultural journey continues with ‘Little Tokyo’ on which they employ traditional Japanese instruments, such as taiko drums and kotos, as well as saxophones, keyboards and electric bass.
ANDY NARELL Tatoom CD HUCD3122
Steel drum pioneer Andy Narell innovates once again as he continues to explore how steel pans fit into a jazz bands. On ‘Tatoom’ Andy plays all the steel drums which have been multi-tracked. The rhythm section is provided by Mark Walker and Jean Philippe Fanfant on drums and Luis Conte on congas and percussion. The line-up is completed by guest soloists Mike Stern on guitar on two tracks and David Sanchez on tenor sax on another.
CHUCK LOEB Presence CD HUCD3117
For his debut release on Heads Up, master guitarist Chuck Loeb has chosen an eclectic mix of music: originals, collaborative efforts with other musicians and covers of contemporary material by the likes of Steely Dan and James Taylor. The musicians include some with whom he’s worked for many years as well as the latest line-up of his working band.
WALTER BEASLEY Ready For Love CD HUCD3116
Saxophonist/vocalist Walter Beasley’s latest recording is filled with a variety of soulful grooves and infectious melodies that showcase the countless shades of his rich musical tapestry. Along with Beasley’s own production on five of the eleven tracks, the album also includes a number of noteworthy guest producers, including Phil Davis, Lil’ John Roberts and James Lloyd.
HEADS UP - DVD
YELLOWJACKETS Twenty Five DVD+CD HUDV7112
The Yellowjackets, the leading jazz fusion outfit, celebrate their 25th anniversary with a DVD and bonus CD set that captures two electrifying live performances by the Jackets during their European tour in autumn of 2005.
MIKE STERN Who Let The Cats Out? CD HUCD3115
One of the premier guitarists of his generation, three-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern made three albums with the legendary Miles Davis and toured with Jaco Pastorius’ Word of Mouth band. With his 13th release as a leader Stern continues to blur the boundaries between jazz, funk and progressive rock. He’s joined by a stellar list of musicians including Richard Bona, Roy Hargrove, Anthony Jackson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Kim Thompson, Dave Weckl, Victor Wooten and others.
DOC POWELL Doc Powell CD HUCD3114
Guitarist/composer Doc Powell's displays his passion for acoustic and classical guitar as well as the electric guitar, on which he is usually heard playing. The end result is full of his catchy melodies and grooves together with R & B and rock/jazz influences. Featured musicians include saxophonist Kirk Whalum, and pianists Brian Culbertson and Bobby Lyle.
BOBBY LYLE Hands On CD HUCD3113
Pianist/keyboardist Bobby Lyle’s fifteenth album to date features a unique blend of contemporary jazz classics and acoustic piano
MARION MEADOWS Dressed To Chill CD HUCD3106
One of the most distinctive voices in smooth jazz, saxophonist Marion Meadows performs a set of contemporary melodies over r’n’b rhythms. Musicians joining him on the album include guitarists Chuck Lloeb, Thano Sahnas and Caji Da Bahia.
YELLOWJACKETS 25 CD+DVD HUCD3112
The Yellowjackets, the leading jazz fusion outfit, celebrate their 25th anniversary with a CD and bonus DVD set that captures two electrifying live performances by the Jackets during their European tour in autumn of 2005. Features Russell Ferrante on keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Bob Mintzer on saxophones and drummer Marcus Baylor.
NESTOR TORRES Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace CD HUCD3111
Nestor Torres expands his contemporary Latin jazz sound to include aspects of hip-hop and reggae together with world and classical arrangements on this deeply spiritual recording.
JACO PASTORIOUS BIG BAND The Word Is Out CD HUCD3110
ditto ditto SACD HUSA9110
“The Word Is Out” pays tribute to bassist Jaco Pastorius, the jazz giant who forever changed the role of the electric bass. Featured with the Jaco Pastorious Big Band are special guests Richard Bona, Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, Mark Egan, Peter Erskine, Jimmy Haslip, Will Lee, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Bob Mintzer, Arturo Sandoval, Mike Stern, Toots Thielemans, Gerald Veasley and Victor Wooten. The album features special arrangements of some familiar Jaco gems as well as some of his previously unreleased compositions.
PIECES OF A DREAM Pillow Talk CD HUCD3105
Utilizing their trademark mix of contemporary jazz and urban R&B, Pieces Of A Dream’s founding members, James Lloyd on keyboards and Curtis Harmon on drums, deliver a funky mix of twelve mostly original tracks,
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO No Boundaries CD HUCD3092
The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo crosses borders once again on their brand new CD. Joined by the strings of the English Chamber Orchestra, they perform classic Mambazo songs alongside classical masterpieces interpreted in the inimitable Mambazo style - from an orchestrated version of Paul Simon’s “Homeless” and a striking rendition of Amazing Grace to Bach’s “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” and Schubert’s “Sanctus”.
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO Long Walk To Freedom CD HUCD3109
ditto ditto SACD HUSA9109
New album from world music’s best known choral group. Led by founder Joseph Shabalala,
‘Long Road To Freedom’ celebrates the 20th Anniversary of their ascendancy to the world stage with Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ album. An all-star production, the album features some of the best-known voices of the contemporary music scene joining Ladysmith on new arrangements of some of their best-known songs. Featured guests include Zap Mama, Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Taj Mahal, Emmylou Harris, plus South African’s Lucky Dube, Bhekumunzi Luthuli, Vusi Mahlasela, Hugh Masekela, Nokukhanya, Phuezkhemisi, and Thandiswa.
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