Chuck Thompson

The Hitmaker is back! With over 30 top ten smooth jazz radio hits to his credit, including an incredible 20 #1s, Chuck Loeb is truly an icon and pioneer of the smooth jazz genre. As lead guitarist and producer of the super-groups Fourplay and Jazz Funk Soul as well as leader of his own all-star touring ensemble, Chuck performs in front of hundreds of thousands of fans every year and his popularity continues to grow. "Unspoken" features guest appearances by smooth jazz superstars Brian Culberston, Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Eric Marienthal, plus the great Will Lee (of David Letterman fame). In Addition, the album features vocals by Carmen Cuesta (Mr. Loeb), whose sensuous vocals have resulted in her own growing fan base.

The Hitmaker is back! With over 30 top ten smooth jazz radio hits to his credit, including an incredible 20 #1s, Chuck Loeb is truly an icon and pioneer of the smooth jazz genre. As lead guitarist and producer of the super-groups Fourplay and Jazz Funk Soul as well as leader of his own all-star touring ensemble, Chuck performs in front of hundreds of thousands of fans every year and his popularity continues to grow. "Unspoken" features guest appearances by smooth jazz superstars Brian Culberston, Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Eric Marienthal, plus the great Will Lee (of David Letterman fame). In Addition, the album features vocals by Carmen Cuesta (Mr. Loeb), whose sensuous vocals have resulted in her own growing fan base.

With the release of their classic 1974 debut, I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, Richard and Linda Thompson set an unbelievably high standard for themselves. Although containing many of the same attributes, their follow-up, Hokey Pokey, doesn't quite reach the lofty heights of its predecessor, but then again not many records do. The Thompsons, from the opening Irish fiddle derivation of a Chuck Berry riff, through Linda's exquisite performance of "A Heart Needs a Home," to their cover of Mike Waterson's "Mole in a Hole" which closes the record, once again create a timeless amalgam of folk and rock. Recorded at the time of the Thompsons' conversion to Islam, Hokey Pokey comes across a bit lighter than Bright Lights.

After spending time on the road after the release of their self-titled debut Jazz Funk Soul, the superstar trio of Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb and Everette Harp booked more studio time, with the goal of capturing their dynamic onstage energy and flow on a follow-up release. The brilliant result may be called MORE SERIOUS BUSINESS, but these legends also have a blast, let loose and jam. Combine Harp’s soaring sax, Loeb’s brilliant inventive guitar and Lorber’s super funky piano, and the result is serious fun – percussive and punchy one minute, sweet and sensual the next. Combined, the three have amassed an incredible 50-plus #1 Smooth Jazz radio hits, including two from their debut as Jazz Funk Soul. There are sure to be a bunch more now that they’re getting down to MORE SERIOUS BUSINESS.

Tracks 1-3, 5, 7, 10 & 12 were recorded in June 1952 and featured Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray on tenor sax; Gerry Wiggins on piano and organ; Red Callender on bass; and Chuck Thompson on drums. Gladys Bentley contributes vocals on track 5, and Maurice Simon plays baritone sax on track 10. Tracks 4, 6, 8 & 9 were recorded in November 1946. They feature Wardell Gray on tenor sax; Dodo Marmarosa on piano; Red Callender on bass; and Chuck Thompson on drums. Track 11 was recorded in April 1947 and features Wardell Gray on tenor sax; Erroll Garner on piano; Red Callender on bass; and Jackie Mills on drums.