Andy Narell

More often than not, the steel pans are used for playing the traditional sounds of Trinidad. Andy Narell has successfully utilized them in a variety of non-traditional ways. On the ambitious and highly eclectic fusion release Slow Motion, elements of everything from Afro-Cuban salsa to Brazilian samba to African music are fair game for the adventurous, even visionary improviser (who is also heard on electric keyboards).

With this strong, mainly Latin influenced debut, add a chapter on Erquiaga to the book of smooth and breezy, and slightly exotic, smooth jazz guitar. Produced by Andy Narell and featuring Narell's steel pans on one cut and the jamming support of Peter Erskine, Jimmy Johnson, Bob Sheppard, and Mitch Forman, this collection goes down smooth and easy. There are moments of frenetic inspiration, but for the most part, it's more of that nice and easy pop jazz with Latin spice. An impressive debut from an artist we unfortunately didn't hear enough of as the '90s rolled by.

Latin, jazz, pop and rhythm and blues accents fuse this third album by guitarist/composer and arranger Ray Obeido. Contributions from a seasoned cast of players include Kenny Kirkland, Andy Narell, Louis Conte, Dave Garibaldi and many others. It's guitar playing that will give you a fresh outlook of what this instrument can do.

Biréli Lagrène - Electric Side - 2008
Label: Dreyfus Jazz | MP3 VBR~256 Kbps | 105 MB
Genre: Jazz/Fusion

Bireli Lagrene's New Album
Electric Side, the new album by guitar great Birli Lagrne, finds the artist reconnecting with his jazz/rock persona, in the spirit of his 1980's collaborations with Jaco Pastorius. The sound is an exciting and unique update on contemporary jazz sounds, featuring wonderful new Bireli Lagrne compositions, and an incredible cover of Herbie Hancock's “Jack Rabbit." For the recording, Birli has recruited bassist Hadrien Feraud, the “young Jaco" (John McLaughlin) and winner of 2008 DownBeat Critics' Poll (Rising Star, Electric Bass). Also with him are Franck Wolf from the Gipsy Project on saxophones; also Andy Narell on the steelpans, Damien Schmitt on drums, and some sample touches by DJ Afro Cut-Nanga.
Electric Side is a thrilling look at Birli's plugged-in persona', a fusion/jazz/prog delight that will appeal to fans of Birli, Jaco, McLaughlin, Steely Dan, Weather Report, King Crimson, Zappa, and so forth.

Grand Jazzman, Biréli Lagrène a joué avec les plus grands, tels Didier Lockwood, Richard Galliano et a obtenu des récompenses prestigieuses, parmi lesquelles les Django d'or, les Victoires de la Musique.

When two musical elemental forces come together, something extraordinary is created. Guitarist U-NAM is known by his solo projects The Past Builds The Future (2005), Back From the 80's (2007), Unanimity (2009), Weekend in L.A. (A Tribute To George Benson) (2012) and C'est Le Funk (2014). Saxophonist Shannon Kennedy received attention with Angel Eyes (2005) and in 2007 with Steppin Up and Never My Love. Now both reveal their collective debut under the group name Groove LTD. releasing the album First Class. The duo is joined by keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen, vocalist Maysa Leak, percussionist Paulinho DaCosta, drummer Michael White, bassist Dwayne Smitty Smith , Neo-Soul singer Myron Davis, steel drums master Andy Narell, as well as many more. Groove LTD. opens the album with First Class and covers its name with glory…

This album has an extremly lively blend of streight ahead jazz and tropical island sounds. The playing is top notch and tight. While the rhythm section keeps the grooves mellow and movin' the rest of the band can get your head spinnin' with blazin' runs and wicked sincopation.

This CD exposes the listener to the various aspects of caribbean music and is a learning tool to discover what the various cultural influences from around the world have had on caribbean culture,and guess what?This CD is just the tip of the iceberg as far as caribbean music is concerned,because there are many more styles of caribbean music out there just waiting to be discovered.