Eric Marienthal Street Dance 199

Since the Rippingtons do Russ Freeman's bidding, he hasn't found it necessary to do a full-fledged, regular solo album since he founded the group in 1986. (There have been duo albums with David Benoit and Craig Chaquico as well as a solo holiday record, however.) But listeners "started encouraging me to 'step out' more and to play more guitar," he writes in the liner notes to Drive, and "hence, this album," his first such release since 1985's Nocturnal Playground. That statement is the key to what distinguishes the disc from a Rippingtons album. Although Freeman has called upon a few guest musicians, with Chris Botti contributing muted trumpet work to "Soul Dance," Jeff Lorber keyboards to "Brighter Day," and Eric Marienthal sax to "Anywhere Near You," the tracks are designed as showcases for Freeman's guitar playing, not otherwise leaving room for other soloists.

Something of a smooth jazz oriented answer to the label's 2003 straight-ahead compilation Jazz After Dark, this highly engaging two-disc set features oft-played radio hits that have helped define the genre's generally easy grooves and colorful melodies. For diehard fans, smooth jazz has always been as about much about lifestyle as music, and these tracks will no doubt remind them just why they became devotees. All the early classics (circa mid-'70s to mid-'80s) are here, from Kenny G.'s "Songbird" and Dave Grusin's "Mountain Dance" to George Benson's "Breezin'" and Grover Washington, Jr.'s "Just the Two of Us." These are supplemented by later hits like Boney James & Rick Braun's "Grazin' in the Grass" and Dave Koz's "You Make Me Smile." But it's not simply an objective survey of smoothness at its best. The collection also seems designed to promote artists in the Concord Jazz stable – David Benoit and Russ Freeman, the Rippingtons, the Braxton Brothers, Gato Barbieri, Eric Marienthal, and Cassandra Reed, among others.

At this moment Eugen Botos and Finally are working on their second CD album (Final Definition) which is coming very soon and there won´t be missed some special guests again like: Brian McKnight – R&B singer, Maysa Leak - smooth jazz singer also known as a former singer of British band Incognito, Sheldon Reynolds - singer of Earth Wind and Fire, Eric Marienthal - saxophone player, Angela Johnson - R&B, Jeff Lorber - jazz piano player and producer, Marcus Miller multiinstrumentalist and bass guitar player and many others.

“Dreams To Reality” is the first album released from guitarist and composer Stuart Redd. This album has a very live feel greatly enhanced by the remarkable rhythm section performances of drummer Dave Weckl, bassists Ric Fierabracci, Tom Kennedy and Kim Stone with added spice and liveliness from percussionist Ramon Yslas. You will also hear outstanding keyboard performances from Jeff Lorber and Dave Weckl’s long-time studio partner Jay Oliver. On top of that, add in truly phenomenal solo performances from trumpeter Randy Brecker, and saxophonists Eric Marienthal and Gary Meek.