ANTHONY DAVID - #LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION

Soul artist Anthony David is a singer/songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. His single, "Words" featuring India Arie from his album Acey Duey, was nominated in 2008 for a Grammy and several NAACP image awards. He is currently preparing for the release of his new album #LocationLocationLocation. The album includes 6 tracks previously released on his live EP, The Setup, 3 remixes from David’s last studio album, As Above, So Below and 3 new songs. This compilation will certainly quench your needs for soulful melodies well into the new year.

David recently performed at the Give Africa Hope benefit concert in Dallas in September, after which he went to Africa to help distribute supplies in Kenya. He is also involved with the award winning AWOL (All Walks Of Live) Youth Program in his hometown, Savannah, GA. The program’s mission is to promote and provide self-awareness through the use of Poetry, Hip-Hop and Life by providing youth with high quality arts and humanities programs during after school hours.

Upcoming appearances:
12/09/11 – Atlanta, GA, Bar One
12/10/11 – Atlanta, GA, The Ferst Center For The Arts
12/18/11 - Columbus, GA - River Mill Event Center
12/31/11 - Dallas, TX - The Park Inn Love Field

02/11/12 - Akron, OH - EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall

#LocationLocationLocation Tracklisting:

1. Rolling Mojo

2. The Further We Go (feat. Giovanca)

3. Body Language (Wangout Remix)

4. 4Evermore (DJ Kemit Deep House Remix)

5. Reach Ya (Masheen Remix)

6. Let Me In (Live)

7. Find Your Love (Live)

8. Kinfolk/Georgia Peaches (Live)

9. Cold Turkey (Live)

ROY AYERS - KING OF THE VIBES

Roy Ayers could very well be the best jazz/R&B artist around and in his 40-plus years as a vibraphonist, he has produced a string of soul and funk classics, like “We Live In Brooklyn Baby” and “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” that has arguably made him the second-most sampled musician in hip-hop, after James Brown. You may have heard snippets of his music in songs by 50 Cent protégé Tony Yayo (“Fake Love”) or A Tribe Called Quest (“Bonita Applebum”). But while the exposure of his extensive catalogue is enough to boost any man’s ego, the 68-year-old Ayers remains humble and busy. On his latest release, King Of The Vibes, it’s a set that’s got a warm, soulful groove – kind of a contemporary extension of the styles that Roy first laid down on Polydor and Columbia, handled with just the right sort of poise, class, and balance to keep the Ayers legacy strong! If you've heard any of Roy's other recent work, you'll find plenty to love here, too – as Ayers is one of the few who can keep putting out great music of this nature, without falling prey to any contemporary cliches at all. Titles include "Neo Soul Groove", "Virgin Vibes", "Obama Say", "E Funk", "Feel Me", and "Get Some Money".

King Of The Vibes Tracklist

1. Feel Me

2. Obama Say

3. E. Funk

4. Oochi Koochi Koo

5. Emani

6. Virgin Vibes

7. Neo Soul Groove

8. It's A Better Way

9. Everybody's Groovin'

10. B B Bill

11. King Of The Vibes

12. Get Some Money

CHARLES XAVIER - XMAS VIBE

Happy Note Records has just released Charles Xavier’s Xmas Vibe DVD in 5.1 surround sound, allowing listeners to enjoy rich layered, 3D audio sensations. The new age Christmas music album, which was released in stereo last year, is an eclectic and hip perspective on classic and contemporary holiday music.

Captivatingly jazzy and relaxing, Xavier’s Christmas album is a mix of vibrant vocals, rock guitar riffs, piano, iridescent vibes, as well as a technology sampling of chimes and bells. Called enchanting, mystical, and abstract, Xmas Vibe takes the listener on a creative harmonious musical journey through a magical winter landscape in style. "I wanted to create music that uplifts the soul and brings new dimension to the holiday season," said Xavier. “It's not a typical approach to Christmas music, but I think it's innovative. I approached these songs with the intent of doing something new."

Reviews are positive. Longtime DownBeat columnist Frank-John Hadley has reported, “Playing vibes, keyboards, and drums, joined by guitarist Russell Golub and Tina Murray on vocals, Xavier fills his wassail bowl with electronic sounds, samplings, Gary Burton-like abstractions, elements of world-music, quirky allusions to, maybe Gong’s vibes player Pierre Moerlen. A dozen carols and holiday favorites drift together as one trippy soundscape. Recommended.” DownBeat has elsewhere called Charles Xavier a “Rara Avis,” which is Latin for rare bird. Music of our Heart blogger Edward David Jennings called Xmas Vibe “a total sensory experience that immerse audience members in layers of textured sound, allowing the mind to escape to new realms of serenity.”

Lee Mergner of JazzTimes wrote “Xmas Vibe features eclectic and creative interpretations of many traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, such as of John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (The War is Over) and the classic God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” Happy Note Records will donate some of the proceeds from the DVD and CD sales to benefit the Bread & Roses Community Fund, KCSM Jazz Public Radio, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “Through my music and performances, I hope to encourage others to get involved in their communities to help others rise up to their potential,” said Xavier.

MICHAEL BUBLE 'CHRISTMAS' ALBUM TOPS THE CHARTS ONCE AGAIN!

Michael Bublé is having a holly jolly holiday season as sales for his Christmas CD have exploded this week to a staggering 292, 501 units (up 29%), keeping the Bublé franchise at No. 1 for a second straight week on Billboard's Top 200 Chart. Sales have now surged past the one million mark. With major TV appearances this week on 60 Minutes and Bublé's Holiday special on NBC as well as his upcoming December 17th appearance on SNL as the musical guest and a co hosting stint on Live! with Kelly on December 15th and 16th, sales are expected to surge through the end of the year. The multi-Grammy winning Canadian superstar has five songs from "Christmas" currently on the radio including "All I Want For Christmas Is You" which remains in the No. 1 spot for a second week. Global sales on Bublé's Christmas have surpassed five million. Though Bublé has had five consecutive multi-platinum CDs since he burst onto the music scene nine years ago, "Christmas" is Bublé's fastest selling album to date. On the international front Bublé has the No. 1 spot in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa, the No. 2 CD in the UK and is Top Five in many major markets. Fans will receive more good cheer from Michael later this month via Zynga's CityVille in their version of "Monopoly Meets Main Street" -- the most popular game on Facebook with 50 million players each month according to AppData.com. The Michael Bublé photo book "Michael Bublé onstage offstage," which includes accompanying text by the artist with photography by Dean Freeman, is currently available in bookstores nationwide.

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL: THE RE-EDITS

This upcoming compilation includes 21 of the hottest Philadelphia Internaitional Records (PIR) re-edits which have been done by PIR enthusiasts from around the world. All fully approved by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff. This set is due for release in January 2012. To coin a phrase from a PIR hit "Statisfaction Guaranteed" is a great way to summerize this collection of classy Philly tracks, here in re-edited and remixed versions by various people from around the globe. Most of your favorite Philly acts and songs are there, but in new upliftning versions you never heard before while still keeping them true to the originals.

Disc 1 - Uptempo Good Time Philly
1. Statisfaction Guaranteed - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Morning Star Re-Edit]
2. Only The Strong Survive - Billy Paul [J*Ski Re-Edit]
3. Save A Place - the Trammps [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit]
4. Free Love - Jean Carn [Victor Rosario Re-Edit]
5. Do It Any Way You Wanna - People's Choice [Keep Schtum Re-Edit]
6. Life On Mars - Dexter Wansel [DJ Mila Re-Edit]
7. Mysteries Of The World - MFSB [J*Ski Extended Re-Edit]
8. Ain't No Stopping Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead [The Noodleman Re-Work]
9 Dance Turned Into Romance - the Jones Girls [DJ Friction Re-Edit]
10. Be For Real - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [Tim MacAllister Re-Edit]
11. Message In Our Music - the O'Jays [Jimmy the Twin Re-Edit] Disc 2 - Mellow Slinky Philly
12. If You Wanna Go Back - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
13. Darlin' Darlin' Baby - the O'Jays [Deep&Disco Re-Work]
14. You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - the Jones Girls [Henry Greenwood Re-Edit]
15. Strategy - Archie Bell & the Drells [Touchsoul Re-Edit]
16. Let The Dollar Circulate - Billy Paul [ScratchNSniff Extended Re-Rub]
17. Easy Money - Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [Todd Terje 2004 Re-Edit]
18. Was That All It Was - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
19. Night Over Egypt - the Jones Girls [Womack & TOT Re-Edit]
20. Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & the Drells [Ed Zone Re-Edit]
21. Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [DJ Apt One Re-Edit]

Disc 2 - Mellow Slinky Philly
1. If You Wanna Go Back - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
2. Darlin' Darlin' Baby - the O'Jays [Deep&Disco Re-Work]
3. You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - the Jones Girls [Henry Greenwood Re-Edit]
4. Strategy - Archie Bell & the Drells [Touchsoul Re-Edit]
5. Let The Dollar Circulate - Billy Paul [ScratchNSniff Extended Re-Rub]
6. Easy Money - Dee Dee Sharp Gamble [Todd Terje 2004 Re-Edit]
7. Was That All It Was - Jean Carn [Morning Star Re-Edit]
8. Night Over Egypt - the Jones Girls [Womack & TOT Re-Edit]
9. Don't Let Love Get You Down - Archie Bell & the Drells [Ed Zone Re-Edit]
10. Wake Up Everybody - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [DJ Apt One Re-Edit]

CLARENCE CLEMONS - THERE'S STILL CHRISTMAS

Two newly discovered Christmas songs recorded in 1981 by the late great saxophonist Clarence Clemons have arrived just in time for the holidays. The special CD entitled There's Still Christmas features Clarence singing tenderhearted lead vocals on the poignant title track "There's Still Christmas" (co-written by Dennis Bourke and the late Stevie Betts), while the second track showcases the Big Man on sax on the holiday classic "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)." There's Still Christmas (Oceangate Records) is currently available on iTunes, Amazon.com and all premium online download destinations as well as through the websites https://bigmanchristmassong.com/ or http://www.backstreets.com/.

Producers Dennis Bourke and Jim Nuzzo helmed the recording session that produced the two never-before-released tracks. Armed with the support of the Clarence Clemons Trust and his son Clarence Clemons III (a.k.a. Nick Clemons), the producers are honored to be a part of this celebrated legacy with this unique release. Bourke and Nuzzo recall, "We were blessed to have the opportunity to share some time with Clarence and record these marvelous Christmas tunes. He poured himself into the project, wearing Santa gear and capturing the essence of the season.

"With his passing in June 2011, we were all saddened to lose this American rock icon. One of the beauties of recorded music is its eternal power to play on long after the artist is physically gone. Clarence has a parting Christmas gift to us all with these soon-to-be holiday classics. Open up your hearts and listen to the Big Man say Merry Christmas to the world."

The Nick Clemons Band recently headlined the sold-out "Clarence Clemons Christmas Songs" CD release party held at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on November 18, and will make two special appearances at the legendary Stone Pony, with a Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 23, and the "Light Of Day" tribute concert for the "Asbury Angels" honoring the musicians and other members of the Asbury Park music scene who have passed on in recent years on Friday, January 13. Honorees include Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Kevin Kavanaugh, Donnie Bertleson and John Luraschi.

Best known for his contributions to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Clarence Clemons recorded with many other artists including Jackson Browne, Aretha Franklin and most recently Lady Gaga and released a number of solo musical projects over his illustrious career.

PROJECT GRAND SLAM RELEASES NEW COVER OF THE HOLLIES HIT, “HE AIN’T HEAVY, HE’S MY BROTHER” TO BENEFIT VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE

Project Grand Slam (PGS), the contemporary electric jazz group, has released their version of the classic Hollies hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, with Special Guest Vocals by Joye Hennessey. The song is dedicated to the victims of child abuse, relating to the Penn State sexual abuse scandal. Like millions of people across the United States and the world, the members of PGS were horrified to learn of the sexual abuse allegations connected with Jerry Sandusky in the Penn State University football program. PGS was completing its new album when they realized that “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” was particularly appropriate to the Penn State scandal. The song’s title was the motto for Father Flannigan’s Boys Town charity, which was created in the early 1900s to help disadvantaged and abused children. The song’s message of support for victims and the abused is consistent with Penn State’s healing efforts following the sexual abuse scandal. Therefore, PGS decided to immediately release “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” as a single, and to donate proceeds from the song to benefit the victims of child abuse. 

The song is currently available for download on iTunes at 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/he-aint-heavy-hes-my-brother/id482770139. The song will also shortly be available for online streaming from Spotify, Napster, Amazon and others.

 

PGS’s debut album, Play, released in 2008, garnered rave critical reviews. A track from the album, “The Captain Of Her Heart”, with guest vocals by Judie Tzuke, was a Top 20 radio hit. In addition, PGS and five tracks from Play were prominently featured in an episode of the hit NBC series, “Lipstick Jungle”, starring Brooke Shields. The core members of PGS are Robert Miller (Electric Bass, Composer), Ron Thaler (Drums, Percussion), and Gilad Ronen (Saxophones, Composer). Each has significant and extensive musical credentials.

Robert Miller plays electric bass and composes. Robert has two albums as leader to his credit: Child's Play (Wildcat Records) and Prisoners of Love (32 Records), both of which received excellent reviews. The former album includes performances by Randy Brecker, Jon Lucien and Anton Fig. His band, The Robert Miller Group, played every major New York area club, graduating to the national festival circuit where they appeared with acts like Bruce Hornsby, Bela Fleck and Kenny Barron. In addition, as co-founder of 32 Records, Robert helped develop this celebrated record label that produced the acclaimed "Jazz For..." series, including "Jazz For A Rainy Afternoon", which dominated the Billboard Jazz Chart.

Ron Thaler plays drums and percussion. Ron is one of the most accomplished professionals in the business, having played on and/or produced more than 75 albums. His impressive credits include work with Al Di Meola, Hiram Bullock, Sarah McLachlan, Alicia Keys, Ashley Simpson, Debbie Gibson, Rob Thomas and Taj Mahal. Ron has also released three solo albums: …Works featuring Ray Anderson, Rufus Reid and Adam Rogers, Grain spotlighting Mike Stern, and Jazzed & Confused: The Led Zep Project including DJ Logic, Dweezil Zappa, and Hendrick Meurkens.

Gilad Ronen plays saxophones and is an accomplished master woodwind multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has recorded for numerous Hollywood films such as Anchorman and Raise Your Voice and the ABC series Eyes. Gilad had worked with some of the greatest living jazz legends of our time, such as Herbie Hancock, Jack De Johnette, Brian Blade, Dianne Reeves, and Kenny Barron to name just a few.







“He Ain’t Heavy” also features guest artists Mike Eckroth (Keyboards), Danny Lerman (Saxophones), Justin Smith (Strings) and Joye Hennessey (Special Guest Vocals). PGS’s follow up album containing “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” and seven other original tunes, will be released in early 2012.

To find PGS on the web:

Official Website: http://www.projectgrandslam.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/projectgrandslam

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/projectgrndslam