Downbeat is the result of the evolution of Tizer, who have garnered their strong reputation as an electrifying group through tireless touring, both domestically and internationally. The record includes an array of flavors; Afro-Cuban and world rhythms mixed with the best of jazz, rock, classical, and even jam-band influences. Downbeat is a progressive return to the spirit of the 70's best jazz-fusion records; a pristine studio sound and production capturing the live energy and interaction that can only come from a band truly working and playing together! The record includes numerous compositions by Lao as well as collaborative works with the group and features the first single "World In Rhythm," a co-write by Lao & Chieli.
Norwegian duo Röyksopp compensated for the cold climes of their native Tromsø by making some of the warmest, most inviting downbeat electronica of the 21st century, exemplified by early tracks like "Eple" and "Poor Leno." The pair, Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge, both grew up in Tromsø and began recording in the early '90s…
Kooper's seventh solo release opens daringly enough, with his own funky version of "This Diamond Ring," which he transforms completely from its Drifters-inspired origins. Most of the album is in a mid-'70s soul-funk vein, with Tower of Power turning up elsewhere and Kooper trying (with considerable success) to sound soulful on songs like "She Don't Ever Lose Her Groove" and "I Forgot to Be Your Lover." The playing throughout is excellent, with guitars by Kooper himself (who also plays sitar, Mellotron, organ, and synthesizer) as well as Little Beaver and Reggie Young, with Joe Walsh sitting in on one song, and horn arrangements by Kooper and veteran soundtrack composer Dominic Frontiere. The real centerpiece is the epic-length "Hollywood Vampire," which can't quite sustain its seven-minute length. The funkier numbers work, but some of the rest, like "In My Own Sweet Way," don't come off so well. This is two-thirds of a pretty fair album, and only lacks consistency.
Fresh Moods is a musical project by the artist and producer Peter Haubfleisch. It started in 1994 based on the idea to do some productions on his own in contrast to the club tracks he did with the djs. His skills of music production are based on styles like electronic Soundtracks, Downbeat, Ambient, Chill Out, Deep House, Future Jazz, Lounge, or Easy Listening.
Fresh Moods (1997). How could you call a musical flavour which is both relaxing and funky, kickass elegant? What about Power Relax Funk? Call it what you want, it's the music of Fresh Moods that counts. Peter Haubfleisch, the man behind Fresh Moods has skills all over the place…
Originally forming as Pilate in the early 2000s, the Toronto-based rock quartet Pilot Speed changed their name to such in mid-2006 to avoid possible lawsuits as their music spread internationally from their native Canada, especially due to the "litigious nature of the United States" (as taken from a message on the band's website). Pilate were born in 2000 after vocalist and New Zealand native Todd Clark left the music program at the University of Western Ontario where he'd been studying and placed an ad online for potential bandmates. Bassist Ruby Bumrah, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, answered the call, bringing with him fellow alums Chris Greenough (guitar) and Bill Keeley (drums). Citing influences like Crowded House, Radiohead, and U2 for Pilate's especially sweeping brand of melodic rock – not so dissimilar to acts like Keane, Coldplay, and Snow Patrol – they released the six-song EP For All That's Given, Wasted in the summer of 2001. It quickly sold out its initial pressing and established the guys as players in the Canadian music scene.
Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon had been an expatriate since 1963 when he discovered Europe was where the consistently paying jazz gigs were to be found. In 1976 he returned to the States and began recording for Columbia Records and also embarked on an acting career. Sony Legacy repackaged and re-released six Dexter Gordon albums of that era in their entirety with mini-LP sleeves and original cover art: Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard (1976), Sophisticated Giant (1977), Manhattan Symphonie (1978), Live at Carnegie Hall (1978), and Gotham City (1980).