George Benson Weekend in L.a.

The success of Weekend in L.A. no doubt prompted producer Tommy LiPuma and Warner Bros. to give George Benson another double album (now on one CD) – and this, like its three Warner predecessors, also went Top Ten. It is also, alas, slicker, more romantic in mood, and more bound by perceptions of formula than the others, fussed over in three different studios in earnest search of another hit single (the dance-tempo cover of L.T.D.'s "Love Ballad"). Most of the touring band, including Ronnie Foster, Ralph MacDonald and Phil Upchurch, is back, and Claus Ogerman's soft symphonic touch provides most of the backdrops, with Mike Mainieri supplying the orchestra on three tracks. Even at this point, the great guitarist is still given much room to burn – the balance between instrumentals and vocals remains close – and Benson comes up with some tasty stuff when the rhythm section pushes him on "Nassau Day" and "You're Never Too Far from Me." Ultimately there is just enough jazz content amid the velvet soul to keep guitar buffs interested.

French guitarist/producer U-Nam is again standing tall and looming large on the smooth jazz scene with another creative gem called C’est Le Funk. In addition to dazzling us with his graceful and funky instrumental work (and one funky delivery with vocals from Tim “TiO” Owens), the album is loaded with strong production and presence. Wasting no time putting the groove into high gear from the start, the guitarist leads off with a driving track called “Smoovin’,” continues plowing ahead with the party groover “Something’s Up” and strutting right through the super-funky, hook-rich title track which features Nivo Deux (Nivo Deux is actually a project organized by U-Nam and wife Shannon Kennedy focusing on the incorporation of 80’s Pop, Smooth Jazz, and Electro-Funk).

Paris born guitar virtuoso Emmanuel “U-Nam” Abiteboul always had a great affinity for funk. This passion runs through his entire life's work and reaches its peak with the California Funk Machine. Volume I is a collection of selected pieces of funk history that brought it the greatest success and had a decisive impact on it.

Billboard Chart-Topper Jazz Artist U-Nam is back with a brand new album “Surface Level”. U-Nam says: "I’m very excited about this new album and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it and recording it. The album has a mix of everything I love, Funk, Smooth Jazz, Soul and a little bit of new influences. I had the help of my usual team and friends on this album, plus some new faces: Shannon Kennedy (Sax,Flute), Dwayne “Smitty” Smith (Bass), Denis Benarrosh (Percussion), Ramon Yslas (Percussion), Fran Merante (Drums), JFly (Drums), Bill Steinway (Piano), Christian Martinez (Trumpet), Maria Grig (Violin & Alto), Raymond Gimenes (Strings Arrangement), Kim Chandler (vocals) & Tim Owens (Vocals), but as well my very good friend Bob Baldwin, and my new “Protégé” and Skytown Records new artist Valeriy Stepanov."

Monty Alexander - Jamento (1978) {Pablo OJCCD-904-2 rel 1996}
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© 1978, 1996 Pablo Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-904-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

Monty Alexander's Jamaican heritage is combined with his bop-oriented piano on this date to create some enjoyable music. This was his first recording to make use of a steel drummer (Vince Charles), and Alexander also uses an oversized rhythm section with Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin, bassist Andy Simpkins, both Duffy Jackson and Roger Bethelmy on drums and percussionist Larry McDonald. The repertoire (which includes four Alexander originals and George Benson's poppish "Weekend In L.A.") is mostly obscure, but the interpretations are lively and full of spirit.

100 Greatest Breakfast Songs the name the fine gift and an excellent opportunity again to make a musical voyage, and for someone and to make discovery of new performers tells for themselves, the songs checked by time, collected in one place for judges of music.