TDK LIFE ON RECORD

TDK Life on Record has announced the retail availability of its anticipated new line of premium audio equipment in the United States and Canada, following a successful debut at Austin's The FADER FORT by FIAT. The bold new line, which has received a number of positive reviews in 2011, features 2 and 3 Speaker Boomboxes; a 360-degree Sound Cube; two Belt Drive Turntables; and audiophile-quality Headphones. In addition to online availability in the United States and Canada, shoppers will find the 2 Speaker Boombox on the shelves of Best Buy stores throughout North America, with additional in-store availability set for April 2011.  With a majority of the new TDK Life on Record audiophile products available today at Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com and Canadian retailer Future Shop (both in stores and online), the Turntables will be available throughout the region in April. Additional retailers will also begin offering selected products in April, including J&R, La Curacao, Sears.com and Nebraska Furniture Mart.

This new line of premium audio equipment from TDK Life on Record blends the warm experience of analog with the precision and convenience of digital technology. The integration of a unique visual equalizer – a "visual heartbeat" – brings the music to life, driving the listening experience by creating a strong visual connection with the music. Featuring generous controls and fine tuning features, the products let listeners control and customize their listening experience. Each product embodies hi-fidelity sound and combines clean, striking designs with precision performance to enhance the music experience.

"In designing the new TDK Life on Record premium audio products, we hoped to create bold products that connect what people love about analog with the convenience and style of new digital technology," said Steve Swenson, Global Brand Manager for TDK Life on Record. "The response to what we created has exceeded our expectations. With the products on shelves for people to discover, we are excited to hear about their first-hand listening experiences with the new line."

The new lineup of TDK Life on Record audio products includes:

Boomboxes -TDK Life on Record brings this original music culture icon back to life – combining dynamic sound performance, premium surfaces and features that let you customize music your way. Like the music itself, the TDK Boombox is an out-loud expression of your musical identity. It is the perfect combination of digital precision and analog ideals, recalling a time when music was tangible and tactile, as well as warm and vibrant. An innovative equalizer gives the music a visual heartbeat, while touch-sensitive buttons and generous controls deliver simple and intuitive interaction. Digital data streaming allows premium audio decoding and playback while charging Apple iPod and iPhone devices.

3 Speaker Boombox -Availability: Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com and Future Shop/Futureshop.com. A dedicated, high excursion 6-inch subwoofer driver and two 6-inch coaxial drivers deliver dynamic, full range sound and a striking, retro look.

2 Speaker Boombox - Availability: Best Buy and Future Shop/Futureshop.com. Two powerful six-inch coaxial drivers deliver balanced, full range sound while the integrated handle and tailored shoulder strap make the boombox easily portable.

Inputs for both 2 and 3 Speaker Boomboxes include USB, 3.5mm and auxiliary ports for connections to an iPod, iPhone, smartphone or USB flash drive. Users can also plug in a guitar or microphone and mix with other music sources.

Sound Cube - Availability: Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com and Future Shop/Futureshop.com. The Sound Cube Audio System is designed to fill your space with sound. Refining the hi-fi audio system to its most essential parts, the Sound Cube is a movable and sharable centerpiece for out-loud expressions of personality. This audio system's compact, sleek frame belies both its powerful sound, and its advanced capabilities. As a showpiece, the Sound Cube is as visually arresting as it is sonically impressive, with sound ports on each of its four sides delivering 360 degrees of sound. With its tailored handle and lightweight and solid frame, the Sound Cube begs to be seen and shared with the world. Two powerful 5 1/4-inch coaxial drivers deliver full range sound. Play your iPod/iPhone music while charging using the USB to 30 pin Apple cable. Inputs include USB, 3.5mm and auxiliary ports for connections to an iPod, iPhone, smartphone or USB flash drive. Users can also plug in a guitar or microphone and mix with other music sources.

Belt Drive Turntables - Availability: Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com and Future Shop/Futureshop.com. TDK Life on Record brings the warmth of analog into the modern age with these advanced belt drive turntables. A perfect balance of performance and style, the exposed belt drive isolates the platter from motor noise, and is continuously monitored by an optical speed sensor and is adjusted to a perfect 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. The uniquely illuminated tone arm and graphic equalizer provide the warmth and visual heartbeat to the modern, yet classic design, along with the freedom to use almost any stylus and cartridge from standard to truly premium through a universal connection. The TDK Life on Record USB Belt Drive Turntable is the essential next step in the vinyl revival. With an integrated pre-amp, USB output, cable and included software (for Windows® OS), listeners can import/convert tracks from vinyl to MP3 format on the fly with minimal effort. By simply dropping the needle on the USB Turntable vinyl owners can archive an entire record collection to digital format.

Headphones - Availability: Amazon.com and Future Shop/Futureshop.com. The TDK Life on Record High Fidelity Headphones re-imagine the personal listening experience. For the professional and the aficionado, the ST800 headphones prioritize function, comfort and craftsmanship alongside technical superiority, high fidelity and sonic range. With metallic detailing and genuine leather accents, they are visually stunning, exuding a sense of casual luxury while the multi-directional cup design delivers optimal fit and comfort. Sonically tuned by the TDK Life on Record Audio Research Lab, the ST800 headphones deliver authentic sound, optimized for any genre, at any volume. High-performance 50mm drivers deliver amazing clarity and range. On-ear volume and mute controls are always within your reach, and an in-line equalizer with visible display lets you adjust bass and treble levels separately.

U.S. Pricing:

$499 - 3 Speaker Boombox

$399 - 2 Speaker Boombox

$299 - Sound Cube

$399 - USB Belt Drive Turntable

$299 - Belt Drive Turntable

$249 - Headphones

SIMPLY RED - FAREWELL: LIVE IN CONCERT AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

In 2010, after 25 years of success, Mick Hucknall announced his decision to disband Simply Red and in 2011 took the band on a final tour of the world – a celebration of all that they have achieved, and a final farewell to the band's many fans. To mark the end of Simply Red's career, Capitol/EMI will release a concert album and film of one of the band's final and most spectacular gigs on this tour, shot against the backdrop of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Titled Farewell – Live In Concert At Sydney Opera House, the concert will be released on CD/DVD on May 17; the audio will be available for digital download on the same date. This beautifully filmed concert features the band performing a host of their hits, spanning the length of their career, and is combined with an exclusive, previously unseen interview with Mick Hucknall.

The seeds of Simply Red were sown in Manchester in the early 1980s. Mick Hucknall had formed the punk band Frantic Elevators and, after they disbanded, he put the first Simply Red incarnation together. Simply Red introduced themselves to the world in 1985 with the hit single "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)," a Valentine Brothers cover taken from their debut album Picture Book which also featured the U.S. number one "Holding Back The Years." They went on to release a further nine critically acclaimed and commercially successful studio albums, reaching sales of more than 50 million. Propelled by Hucknall's voice and passion, Simply Red are unique among their peers and have an ability to effortlessly glide between their own highly original material and totally exceptional covers of other people's songs that suddenly become their own. During the course of their career, they played 1100 concerts and performed in front of more than eleven million people. They have been awarded three Brit Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, the MOBO Special Achievement Award, and a World Music Award.

SIMPLY RED: Farewell - Live In Concert At Sydney Opera House

CD

1. Out On The Range
2. Your Mirror
3. Heaven
4. Enough
5. For Your Babies
6. You Make Me Feel Brand New
7. If You Don't Know Me By Now
8. It's Only Love
9. Sunrise
10. Come To My Aid
11. The Right Thing
12. Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
13. Stars
14. Fairground
15. Something Got Me Started
16. Holding Back The Years

DVD
1. Out On The Range
2. Your Mirror
3. Jericho
4. Heaven
5. To Be With You
6. Enough
7. For Your Babies
8. You Make Me Feel Brand New
9. If You Don't Know Me By Now
10. It's Only Love
11. Sunrise
12. Come To My Aid
13. Fake
14. The Right Thing
15. Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
16. Ain't That A Lot Of Love
17. Stars
18. Fairground
19. Something Got Me Started
20. Holding Back The Years

http://www.simplyred.com/

MARK HARPER – THE MARK HARPER PROJECT

Mark Harper is a seasoned guitarist, performer, and multi-platinum award winner, who is introducing yet another side of his creative abilities to the world. Mark began his professional career at the young age of 12. He continued to practice and develop his style while playing with various bands in the Flint area. During this time, Mark had to balance his love for music with his ever-increasing athletic abilities. In the end, when push came to shove, he “leaned” toward the notes. Now the notes have scripted a musical journey that is reflective of his heart and soul. The early musical influences in his life were as varied and as accomplished as Mark himself is proving to be. Those influences include people such as: George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Al McKay, Phil Upchurch, Kenny Burrell, Lee Ritenour, and Larry Carlton. Through the years Mark was able to gather influences from different genres of music as well. His style is reflective of those influences and can be heard in the music he has contributed to; i.e., Kirk Franklin’s, The Nu Nation Project, Tom Braxton’s Bounce, and Tower of Power’s Great American Soul Book. In addition to these projects, Mark can be heard on many others. Mark has also had a broad live stage presence, having performed with: Kirk Whalum, Toby Keith, Charlie Pride, Ronnie Laws, Yolanda Adams, BeBe Winans, and Phyllis Hyman. As Mark begin to transition his career he spent 6 years as a member of the Wayman Tisdale band. He then went on to be the lead guitarist for the famed funk sensation, Tower of Power. Now Mark is launching his sound with his own band. The unique sound of Mark can be heard and experienced on his new release, The Mark Harper Project. This project captures Mark’s creative, technical, writing, and production abilities. The release offers 11 new songs and fresh arrangements of two classic songs: One Less Bell and Sailing. Mark is also the leader of The Mark Harper Acoustic Band. The Mark Harper Project and The Mark Harper Acoustic Band are exciting to see and listen to. The Acoustic Band, specializing in Jazz, Latin Jazz, CuBop, and other styles of music, provide the listener raw excellence with great musical imagery. The Mark Harper Project band provides that same imagery through Cool Jazz, Smooth R&B, and wonderful vocal ballads. Mark says, “To me music soothes and is often a vehicle G-D uses to heal. It is my desire to allow Him to use me as an instrument to provide comfort, joy, and healing in the life of others. I believe it is my purpose in life to reflect all that he has to offer through the gifts and talents He has given me, with the chief one being my guitar.”

SMOOTH JAZZ NEW YORK 2011 CONCERT SCHEDULE

Smooth Jazz New York has announced it's an all-star line up for the 2011 Smooth Cruise Series, now in its 14th year aboard The Spirit of New York cruise ship.  Offering hot contemporary jazz with cool Manhattan skyline views, the Smooth Cruises sail every Wednesday night from June 29th thru August 31st. Each week, the luxurious Spirit of New York plays host to two shows at 6:30pm and 9:30pm, embarking from Pier 61, Chelsea Piers. Featuring longstanding contemporary jazz favorites and acclaimed newcomers, the series has something for smooth jazz fans old and new and has become a New York City summer tradition. This summer's roster includes ten shows featuring 14 of the world's greatest jazz acts in an intimate setting, every Wednesday evening from June 29th through August 31st with 2 Shows/sailings at 6:30pm and 9:30pm. "We're excited to offer fans both old and new a diverse line up featuring some of smooth jazz's most prolific artists; innovators who have really crafted this music genre over the last two and three decades -- plus newcomers who have embraced the style in their own unique ways," says Bill Zafiros, co-founder of Smooth Jazz New York.

THE 2011 SMOOTH CRUISE SCHEDULE:
June 29: Jonathan Butler
July 6: Bobby Caldwell
July 13: Spyro Gyra
July 20: Jazz Attack featuring Gerald Albright, Peter White, & Rick Braun
July 27: The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman
August 3: Najee
August 10: Kirk Whalum & Jeff Golub
August 17: Norman Brown & Richard Elliot
August 24: Rachelle Ferrell
August 31: Pieces of a Dream

http://www.smoothjazznewyork.com/

NEWSBITS…THE E FAMILY, BONEY JAMES, TOWER OF POWER, AIRBORNE…

The E Family - Now And Forever
The Latin sounds of the Escovedo Family (Pete Escovedo, Sheila E., Juan Escovedo and Peter Michael Escovedo) is set to break down the doors with their all new project, only made available exclusively on their website entitled, The E Family - Now And Forever. The collection of songs will feature some of the hottest names in music! George Duke, Raphael Saadiq, Joss Stone, Israel Houghton, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gloria Estefan and many more. Cheers to the Escovedo's for keeping the groove going!

Tower Of Power - 40th Anniversary The Fillmore Concert

Two disc (CD + DVD) release from one of the seminal bands of the Soul and Funk scene of the late 60's, early 70's, Tower of Power has been funkin' the house since 1968. This live concert CD and DVD is loaded with extras, and includes original band members Emilio Castillo, Doc Kupka, David Garibaldi, Rocco Prestia, Mic Gillette, Greg Adams, Skip Mesquite, Chester Thompson, Lenny Pickett, and Bruce Conte. There are two additional bonus features on the DVD that are also must haves. One is the "East Bay Tour," with Emilio, Doc, Rocco and David Garibaldi taking the fans on a tour of their old stomping grounds.

Boney James - Contact
Urban Soul Jazz Sax Artist Boney James is set to bring the sensual, soulful touch of his brass sax appeal to all of his fans all over the world with another offering entitled, Contact. This time, he has a guest list featuring R&B stars Donell Jones, Letoya Luckett and Heather Headley. We are sure more details surrounding this album will come very soon and we will be right here to bring it to you. It's great to see Boney come back following the car accident suffered last year in May.

Airborne - Back In The Dayze Airborn Anthology

Back In The Dayz - Airborne Anthology takes you onboard a magical and musical journey to a motivating, high energy, intensely creative, yet peaceful serenity of island passion and complex urban emotion where the compassion of Airborne raises up the spirit of humility and reflects the empathy and moral obligation we as people of dignity must adhere to. Inspiring compositions of depth and character by a world class jazz group. Airborne the proclaimed "Musical Peacemakers" of Contemporary Jazz formed in 1988 celebrates years of recordings, jazz festivals, gigs, and the whole ups and downs of being musicians. The members have toured Europe, Japan and across the USA. Airborne has many successful CD's and has received worldwide airplay and international acclaim. Airborne, the multi-cultural contemporary jazz group from New Haven, CT USA is moving forward with their 8th CD Back In the Dayz - Airborne Anthology. This project is a wonderful collection of new material and edited and re-mastered compositions from other Airborne CD's. 

LEON RUSSELL – THE BEST OF LEON RUSSELL

Leon Russell's top 1970s classics have been gathered for a new CD and digital collection, The Best Of Leon Russell, released today (April 5) by Capitol/EMI. In addition to the 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee's major chart hits and album standouts, the 16-track collection features "If It Wasn't For Bad," the lead single from The Union, Russell's 2010 collaborative album with Elton John, and his live performance of "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood" from 1971's Album of the Year Grammy winner, The Concert for Bangladesh. In addition to "If It Wasn't For Bad" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Youngblood," The Best Of Leon Russell features a broad sampling of Russell's album singles and popular songs, including "A Song For You," "Shoot Out On The Plantation," "Delta Lady," and "Hummingbird" from his acclaimed 1970 self-titled album, which peaked at #60 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, "Stranger In A Strange Land" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" from 1971's Leon Russell and The Shelter People, which reached #17 on the Top 200 Albums chart, "Tryin' To Stay 'Live" from 1971's Asylum Choir II, which peaked at #70 on the Top 200 Albums chart, "This Masquerade," "Out In The Woods," and Billboard Hot 100 single "Tight Rope," from 1972's Carney, which hit #2 on the Top 200 Albums chart, Billboard Hot 100 single "If I Were A Carpenter" from 1974's Stop All That Jazz, which reached #34 on the Top 200 Albums chart, Billboard Hot 100 singles "Lady Blue" and "Back To The Island" from 1976's Will O' The Wisp, which peaked at #30 on the Top 200 Albums chart, and his #1 Billboard Country chart single "Heartbreak Hotel" with Willie Nelson, from 1979's Willie & Leon: One For The Road, which hit #3 on Billboard's Country Albums chart and #25 on the Top 200 Albums chart.

On March 14, Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Award for Recording Excellence will be introduced by Elton John. The ceremony was televised exclusively by FUSE on Sunday, March 20 at 9pm ET/PT, 8pm CT. On April 2, Russell and John will performed on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." On June 16, Russell will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York City. Leon Russell is currently on tour and will perform at Stagecoach in Indio, CA on May 1. Additional tour dates will be announced.

http://www.leonrussellrecords.com/

The Best Of Leon Russell [CD, digital]
1. Tryin' To Stay 'Live
2. Shoot Out On The Plantation

3. If It Wasn't For Bad (Elton John & Leon Russell) [from The Union]

4. A Song For You

5. Hummingbird

6. Tight Rope

7. Delta Lady

8. Stranger In A Strange Land

9. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

10. This Masquerade

11. Out In The Woods

12. If I Were A Carpenter

13. Heartbreak Hotel (with Willie Nelson) [from Willie & Leon: One For The Road]

14. Lady Blue

15. Back To The Island

16. Jumpin' Jack Flash / Youngblood (Medley) (Live) [from The Concert For Bangladesh]

 

ADAM CRUZE - MILESTONE

New from drummer and composer Adam Cruz is Milestone. "I've had a vision to do something with my composing for a long time," says Cruz. "But I've also felt a certain ripening needed to happen. This is a big step for me. I've invested a lot of time in practicing and studying, working at my relationship with the piano and developing a compositional voice. I've just turned 40 and I'm happy the record is coming out now. There's a certain amount of growth and maturity that I have gone through, deepening my dedication as a drummer and composer, particularly over the last decade." Comprising eight original compositions, and featuring a true all star band including Miguel Zenón, alto sax; Steve Wilson, soprano sax; Chris Potter, tenor sax; Steve Cárdenas, electric guitar; Edward Simon, piano, and Ben Street, bass, Milestone, which was made possible by a grant by the Aaron Copland Recording Fund, marks a before and after in Cruz's development as an artist.

For the past decade, Cruz has been a member of pianist Danilo Perez's trio, which also features bassist Ben Street. But, in a business known for brief, constantly changing partnerships, he has chosen to develop and maintain long-standing working relationships such as those with pianists Perez and Simon, saxophonists David Sanchez and Steve Wilson, and the Mingus Big Band. And even before that, Cruz had established his name working with artists such as trumpeters Charlie Sepúlveda and Tom Harrell, saxophonists Chris Potter, Pharaoh Sanders, and Paquito D'Rivera, guitarist Charlie Hunter and, perhaps most notably, touring and recording with pianist Chick Corea. In 2000, he started playing with Pérez, developing a personal and professional relationship that, Cruz says, "has been very transformative" for him. "I've done a lot of growing up while playing with Danilo. He's a very special musician and his uniquely passionate spirit is infectious. Working in the trio this last decade I came to recognize that there was more being asked of me in life as a creative force, as an artist, and I'm really grateful for those challenges.

That maturation is reflected in the music in Milestone, which achieves a rare balance between smart, detailed writing and freedom. Also, while this is a date led by a drummer, the overall sound of the recording, from the design of the pieces to the ensemble playing, reflects Cruz's approach, by which the requirements of the music supersede any other needs -- or, as he succinctly puts it: "music before drums." Most of the songs on the album were written with specific players in mind, and the writing certainly brings out the best from the standout, hand-picked ensemble.

Born in New York City, Cruz is the son of Ray Cruz, a timbalero who played with Mongo Santamaría, Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz. "I used to sit in on his gigs when I was a little boy. Music is second nature to me," reminisces Cruz. His parents separated when he was four, and when his father moved out, he left him a drum kit as a gift. "My father also played drums, and he passed down his interest in the drum set to me. But of course I'm indebted that he couldn't resist teaching me clave, cáscara and basic tumbaos on the congas as well. He also taught me to read music and exposed me to those timeless Miles Davis records of the 50's and 60's that I still cherish today."

Cruz played drums throughout his youth and because he was exposed early on to jazz, Latin music and other styles, he says he never thought about styles or what kind of music he was playing. He studied at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University from 1988 to 1990. There he studied piano with Kenny Barron ("He taught me my first piano voicings," says Cruz) and met saxophonist David Sanchez, who was already making a name for himself on the scene. David proved to be a key supporter for Cruz's career. He then transferred to Manhattan's New School, studying with teachers such as Kenny Washington, Joe Chambers, Louis Nash, Portinho, Maria Schneider and Victor Lewis (who recommended Cruz for the Mingus Big Band job). His time at the school was "a challenge," says Cruz, as his career was taking off, while he was getting calls from Paquito D'Rivera, Charlie Sepulveda, the late pianist Hilton Ruiz. Still, Cruz graduated, receiving his BFA in 1993.

Cruz, who didn't grow up speaking Spanish, is part of a generation of players who happen to be jazz musicians of Latin descent rather than Latin jazz musicians. In fact, he defines himself as a "mixed" American. "It's an interesting thing", he says. " To find a way to integrate and live with all these parts of my heritage, to identify with them all, without feeling like my identity is caught exclusively in any one aspect of my musical heritage". "The clave language is part of my DNA," says Cruz. Perhaps because of, not in spite of that, Milestone features few explicit references to Latin music. Two notable exceptions are "Emjé," paced briskly by a cáscara rhythm, and "Outer Reaches," which hints at a Puerto Rican bomba groove. Cruz is surrounded by strong and original musical personalities, most of them leaders in their own right working precisely in new fusions of jazz and indigenous Latin rhythms. However, Cruz speaks in Milestone with a very personal, original voice.

"That's why I had to take my time honing in to what was truer and more original to myself rather than copying an idiom and just plugging in my notes," he says. "That's why I've been working on this music, off and on, for 10 years. My wife always asks me 'How do you have so much patience?' and I always answer the same way: "Well, it's not right till it's right. And I'll know when it's right". Now, with Milestone, it's right.

UPCOMING ADAM CRUZ APPEARANCES:

June 7-8 - Jazz Standard, New York, NY

June 21 -Scullers, Boston, MA