 I just returned from a fabulous trip to Brazil, and while I could not take our readers along, I can introduce you to Brazil's own multi-award winning producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist, Sergio Mendes and his latest album set to hit the streets on February 28, 2020, Sergio Mendes - In the Key of Joy released on the Concord Records label. |
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 American Jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer Chick Corea has over 20 Grammy awards to his name and 63 nominations, so it came as no surprise to learn that his latest album, Chick Corea The Spanish Heart Band - Antidote, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. The 11-track release on the Concord Jazz label is 74-minutes of pure listening pleasure. Special guests joining Chick Corea and The Spanish Heart Band (Marcus Gilmore, Carlitos Del Puerto, Jorge Pardo, Niño Josele, Steve Davis, Michael Rodriguez, Luisito Quintero, Nino de los Reyes) on this stellar release include vocals by Ruben Blades, Gayle Moran Corea, and Maria Bianca. Come the 62nd Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, I will be cheering for a win for Chick Corea The Spanish Heart Band - Antidote. |
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 Contemporary Instrumental Jazz fans are in for a time travel treat from the band Spyro Gyra with their latest album, Spyro Gyra Vinyl Tap released on the Amherst Records label. Spyro Gyra, comprised of Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman, Julio Fernandez, Scott Ambush, and Lionel Cordew take the listener back to the 1960s and 1970s by covering some of the best songs from that period. By giving them an instrumental Jazz interpretation and arrangements, the songs feel fresh and fun. Guest musicians Gary Schreiner, Michito Sanchez and Skip Martin join the band on a stellar release from Spyro Gyra. The album hits the streets in October 2019. |
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 Tad Robinson - Real Street is a perfect Soulful Blues harmonica-driven album released on the Severn Records, Inc. label to help you ease into Autumn as it hits the streets in September 2019. The 10-track release is a well-crafted blend of original music and four select covers that will have you in the mood for dancing to the Blues. Tad Robinson and his band, Charles Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Howard Grimes, Kevin Anker, Marc Franklin, Kirk Smothers, and Devin B.Thompson deliver the musical goods on a Soulful Blues release that deserves recognition. |
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 Philippe Saisse Trio - the BODY AND SOUL sessions Remastered takes the listener down an instrumental memory lane of memorable songs by Steely Dan, Lennon and McCartney, James Taylor, Jorge Ben, Boz Scaggs, and Johnny Green to name but a few. The Philippe Saisse Trio - the BODY AND SOUL sessions, remastered, is 12-tracks of exceptional music by Philippe Saisse on piano, Fender Rhodes, and keyboards, David Finck on bass, and Scooter Warner on drums and percussion. |
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 Adam Holt: Kind of Blues is a 10-track Blues and Southern Rock album released on the Zenith Records label featuring 9 original songs written by the multi-talented singer, songwriter, guitarist Adam Holt, and a great tribute to Bob Dylan on the band's cover of Lay Lady Lay. Joining Adam Holt are bandmates Owen Finley, Greg Deluca, Donnie Sundal, Lee Yankie, Mark Welborn, and Pierre Robinson, with John Keuler layering in additional guitars. The release hits the streets on May 24, 2019, making it the perfect musical backdrop for the summer (or anytime) months. |
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 The Phil Madeira: Crickets album is one of the best instrumental Jazz piano releases that I have come across in quite a while. Featuring the multi-talented award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer Phil Madeira on piano, Bahsaan Barberon saxophones, Aaron Smith on drums, Roland Barber on trombone and trumpet, James Hollihan on electric guitar, and Chris Donohue on upright bass, the Phil Madeira: Crickets album is one for Jazz collectors' collections. |
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 Brazilian band, the Blues Beatles deftly combines the band's love of the Blues with their passion for the Beatles, and their 9-track release, Blues Beatles 2017 goes beyond a tribute and delves deeper into showcasing and melding two distinct styles and imprinting it with their own indelible mark; namely Blues and Beatles music. With songs: A Hard Day's Night, Eleanor Rigby, You Can't Do That, Stand By Me, I've Got A Feeling, Ticket To Ride, Yellow Submarine, The Word, and Help, the album is a standout. |
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 Multi-award winning singer, songwriter, and Soul-Blues musician, Matt Andersen sets the pace with his latest release, Halfway Home By Morning, a 13-track Blues album released on the True North Records label. Add the incredible vocals of Amy Helm and The McCrary Sisters, along with musicians Steve Dawson, Mike Farrington, Jay Bellerose, Jim Hoke, Charles Rose, and Steve Hermann to the mix, and this is a release that you will want to add to your Blues collection. |
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 Listening to Live At Little Gem Saloon: Basin Street Records Celebrates 20 Years, with Jason Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Dr. Michael White, and Davell Crawford will have you wanting to book an immediate trip to New Orleans to listen to more great Jazz; it's that good. Celebrating Basin Street Records' 20th anniversary, the 9-track Jazz release includes top New Orleans musicians Jason Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Bill Summers, Dr. Michael White, Davell Crawford, Oscar Rossignoli, Jasen Weaver, Gerald Watkins, Yoshitaka "Z2", Kevin Morris, Jerry Barbarin Anderson, Ronald Markham, Gregory Stafford, Seva Venet, Devone Allison, Jameison Ledonio, Shelly Spruill II, and Leshawn Lee. |
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 Singer, songwriter, musician Bob Baldwin takes on The Beatles in his latest project, Bob Baldwin Presents Abbey Road and The Beatles, a sensational 12-track urban-jazz album that shows the legacy of the British band and the talents of Bob Baldwin. Add featured vocalists CeCe Peniston and Lori Williams, and saxophone great Euge Groove for good measure and the release really flies. |
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 Getting into the Christmas spirit is easy with a little holiday cheer from Erin Harpe & The Delta Swingers: The Christmas Swing. The 10-track Blues album featuring Erin Harpe, Jim Countryman, Matt "Charles" Prozialeck, and Chris Anzalone with Special Guests: John Juxo and Richard Rosenblatt released on the VizzTone Label Group /Juicy Juju Records/Squirrelygirl Music is a mix of new and old-time favorites that are sure to get your holiday party started in style. |
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 Southern Blues Rock singer, songwriter, master guitarist Alastair Greene takes time from touring with the band to speak with Luxury Experience about his new release, Alastair Greene - Live From The 805 recorded in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California, about on the road touring, and life in general. Life is looking good for the multi-talented Alastair Greene. |
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 Listen up Alastair Greene fans! I just listened to the new Alastair Greene Live From The 805, a 2-Disc, 20-track album that is going to rock your Southern Blues Rock world; it did mine. Released on the Rip Cat Records label, Alastair Greene proves his mettle as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, along and his band mates, Jim Rankin on bass and Austin Beede on drums. Recorded live in Santa Barbara, California in front of a sold-out show, the 94:30-minute release has great energy and drive.
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 British Blues rocker singer, songwriter, guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor has a killer new album, Wild, which hits the streets on August 31, 2018. Joanne Shaw Taylor co-wrote 9 of the 11-tracks on the Wild release, and fully does justice to 2 great covers, the Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington song, Wild Is The Wind, and the George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward song, Summertime. Joanne Shaw Taylor struts her stuff with her powerful vocals and proves her mastery as a top Blues Rock guitarist, as well as songwriter. This release is one that you will want to add to your collection. |
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 Fans of early Blues music are in for a rare treat with Rory Block - A Woman's Soul - A Tribute to Bessie Smith released on the Stony Plain Records label. For her latest release, multi-award-winning Blues singer/songwriter/musician Rory Block pays tribute to the legendary Blues singer, Bessie Smith known as the Empress of the Blues, with songs from the 1920s and 1930s. For this 10-track release, its all Rory Block, with no outside distractions and the result is something wonderful. |
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 Singer, Songwriter, Blues Rocker Dana Fuchs has a killer new album out, Love Lives On, released on her own record label, Get Along Records. The 13-track release is Dana Fuchs at her best, a heady mix of songs that hit you hard, songs that caress and give you hope, and emotionally charged lyrics that will leave you crying, laughing, and hitting the replay button to relive the magic of Dana Fuchs - Love Lives On.
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 Brazilian Jazz pianist, composer Ricardo Bacelar brings exciting rhythms and a host of talented musicians to his latest project, Ricardo Bacelar - Sebastiana. This sumptuous 15-track release brings together the creative talent of Brazilian, American, Venezuelan, Cuban, Columbian, and Argentine musicians and singers to create a release that is as tasty and satisfying as a bowl of Brazilian feijoada with its delicious mélange of instrumental compositions, and songs sung in English and in Portuguese. |
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 The Queen of Blues Rock Dana Fuchs took time to speak with Luxury Experience about her new release, Love Lives On, her own record label, Get Along Records, and life in general. Since her debut album in 2003, Dana Fuchs keeps on growing as an artist and always keeps audiences and listeners delightfully surprised. |
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 Blues Rocker singer songwriter musician Ally Venable shows a maturity and talent beyond her nineteen years writing all of the music for her 10-track release, Ally Venable Band - Puppet Show released on the Connor Ray Music label. Joined by band members Elijah Owings on drums, and Bobby Wallace on bass, and special guests Gary Hoey, Lance Lopez, Eric Steckel, and Steve Krase, the release is outstanding and makes the Ally Venable Band one to watch. |
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 Mike Zito - First Class Life released on the Ruf Records label is a masterful release for Blues singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Zito .Joined by Lewis Stephens, Matthew Johnson, Terry Dry, and Bernard Allison, the 11-track release showcases Mike Zito's rich story telling lyrics, the talent of the musicians, and has enough chops to keep you repeatedly hitting the replay button. The release hits stores on May11, 2018. |
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 With his latest release, Mud Morganfield - They Call Me Mud released in March 2018 on the Severn Records label, Mud Morganfield, son of the late Blues master Muddy Waters, proves the apple did not fall far from the talent tree, as a singer, songwriter, and Blues musician, with 12 exceptional tracks that will make Blues fans want to pick up a copy a give it several listens. |
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 Looking to Jazz up the Christmas holidays? Dave Koz and Friends - David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White - 20th Anniversary Christmas album released on the Concord Music Group is perfect to create a festive atmosphere. For the past 20 years, Dave Koz and friends have helped Jazz fans celebrate the holiday season. For 2017, Dave Koz teams up with friends, pianist David Benoit, trumpeter Rick Braun, and guitarist Peter White to create holiday magic on the 11-track album. Joined by special guest vocalists Gabriel Orengo, Selina Albright, Javier Colon, Kenny Lattimore, and Jeffrey Osborne, Dave Koz and Friends - David Benoit, Rick Braun, Peter White - 20thAnniversary Christmas is the perfect accompaniment for holiday parties or just sitting by the Christmas tree with your special someone. |
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 Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist Casey James took time from touring to speak with Luxury Experience about his new fabulous release, Strip It Down, as well as about his life. From learning to play guitar at age 13, to being a finalist on American Idol, to his musical journey through life, Casey James is clearly an inspired talent who looks ahead and builds on each experience; he is also an extremely nice person. |
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 Casey James hits his mark dead-center with his new 14-track Blues release, Casey James - Strip It Down, produced by Grammy® Winner Tom Hambridge. Joined by Ron McNelley, Tommy McDonald, Delbert McClinton, Pat Buchanan, Muscle Shoals Horns, Tom Hambridge, and Wendy Moten, former American Idol finalist Casey James proves his talent as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. |
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 Broadway star Telly Leung is a "triple threat" - a theater term for someone who can act, sing, and dance. With a host of top-Broadway shows under his belt, including his current role in the hit Broadway musical - Aladdin, as well as television appearances including the role of Wes the Warbler on Glee, he is someone who continues to prove his mettle. Telly Leung takes time from his busy schedule to speak with Luxury Experience. |
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 Alastair Greene - Dream Train is a mélange of Blues and Southern Rock across 13-tracks of excellence with original music written by Alastair Greene featuring the trio of Alastair Greene, Jim Rankin, and Austin Beede, with an illustrious line-up of special guests including Walter Trout, Mike Finnigan, Dennis Gruenling, Debbie Davies, and Mike Zito, released on the Rip Cat Records label. If you love Blues and Southern Rock, you are going to love this release, I sure did! From start to finish Alastair Greene - Dream Train delivers the musical goods.
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 Eliane Elias - Dance Of Time marks Brazilian Jazz pianist, singer, songwriter, composer's 24th album. Released on the Concord Music Group label, this outstanding 12-track release has already earned two Latin Grammy® nominations for Best Latin Jazz Album and Best Engineered Album. The album celebrates the music that influenced Eliane Elias while growing up in Brazil, as well as the 100th anniversary of samba, so put on your dancing shoes and get ready for romance with this spectacularly brilliant release sung in English and Portuguese.
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 Writing about music since college, when I saw the book, Leo Fender: The Quiet Giant Heard Around The World written by Phyllis Fender and Randall Bell, I knew that it was a book I wanted to read, as guitarists have long cherished Fender guitars. Written by Leo Fender's widow, Phyllis Fender, and Randall Bell, who grew up in the same neighborhood as the Fenders, and whose father worked for the Fender company, the book is filled with fun, personal anecdotes and photos that humanize the creative genius who left his mark on the world and forever changed the sound of music and electric guitars.
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 Seattle, Washington based instrumental Jazz Fusion band, the Polyrhythmics has a new album out, Polyrhythmics - Caldera and it is delectable! This talented 8-piece band brings a cohesive and freshness to this instrumental release that has a cutting-edge vibe that they recorded live with all members playing concurrently, which for the listener has the feel of sitting in a concert venue. The band wrote all 12-tracks on the release and it is definitely worth giving it many a listen.
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 Patrick Bradley - Intangible marks the third release combining the talents of keyboardist Patrick Bradley and Jeff Lorber, and fans of instrumental Fusion Jazz are going to love this 10-track release. Joined by an impressive list of musicians: Paul Jackson, Jr., Michael Thompson, Adam Hawley, Jimmy Haslip, Andrew Carney, Gary Novak, and David Mann, make this a release you will want to add to your collection.
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 The Milligan Vaughan Project is the latest musical journey of vocalist Malford Milligan and Blues Rock guitarist Tyrone Vaughan with the debut of their 11-track release by the same name, backed by a host of excellent musicians including Chris Maresh, Brannen Temple, Michael Ramos, David Grissom, Mike Cross, Jeff Hayes, Kenneth Furr, Jay D. Stiles, and Jorge Castillo.
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 Washington, DC based Blues& Roots band, The Nighthawks: Mark Wenner, Paul Bell, Johnny Castle, and Mark Stutso, have a new release out entitled, All You Gotta Do, on the EllerSoul Records label. As a fan of Blues harmonica, I really appreciated this stellar 12-track release. A combination of new songs written by the band, as well as some old-time favorites, give The Nighthawks - All You Gotta Do, the right mix of play for an enjoyable listen.
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 Four-time Grammy® nominated Jazz Saxophonist Boney James has a fabulous new release entitled Honestly out on the Concord Music Group label. Boney James collaborated with Brandon Coleman, Jairus Monee, Malcolm Eric Murray, David Bonilla, Denise White, Dana Johnson, Tim Carmon, Francois Dean, Jr., Herman Jackson, Eric Roberson, and Darrell Smith to write 9 of the 10 songs on the release, and together with a talented ensemble of musicians, and vocalists Avery* Sunshine and Eric Roberson, they have created a noteworthy release destined to gain critical attention.
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 Southern Blues Rock Sarasota, Florida band, Tucci, consisting of Steve "Doc" Tucci, Michael Tucci, Shawn Murphy, and Harry DeBusk, have a stellar hit with their latest 11-track release, Tucci - Olivia, featuring legendary guitarists Larry McCray and Dan Toler, and special guests Donnie Richards, Ira Stanley, Dan Ryan, and Bob Dielman.
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 Delta Wires - Born In Oakland is a Blues treat right out of the box with trombones, saxophones, and trumpets blazing away. Add in some fine harmonica by bandleader, Ernie Pinata, some saucy lyrics, and you have a modern Blues album worth giving many a listen. The 7-piece band, Delta Wires: Ernie Pinata, Tom Gerrits, Richard Healy, Tony Huszar, Gerry Jonutz, David Bowman, and John Christensen may be "Born in Oakland" but they have their hearts firmly planted in the Delta Blues.
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 Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado - Change My Game is 11-tracks of big-band Blues excellence by the 8-member band. Released on the Ruf Records label, this Danish Grammy award-winning Copenhagen-based band comprised of Thorbjørn Risager, Peter Skjerning, Emil Balsgaard, Soren Bojgaard, Martin Seidelin, Hans Nybo, Kasper Wagner, and Peter Kehl takes their latest release to new heights.
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 Instrumental Jazz lovers will want to add Oriente López - Aguas Profundas (Deep Waters), a stunningly vibrant 13-track instrumental Latin Jazz release featuring the Oriente López Trio Oriente López, Itaiguara Brandão, and Mauricio Zottarelli, joined by special guests Paquito D'Rivera Luis Felipe Lamoglia, Hendrik Meurkens, and Romero Lubambo, to their collections.
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 New Orleans native son, Davell Crawford plays some fine Jazz piano on his album - Davell Crawford - Piano In The Vaults, Vol. 1 released on the Basin Street Records label. Recorded between 1998 and 2013, the 13-track release is a treasure trove of great New Orleans Jazz piano music enhanced by Davell Crawford's impressive vocals and piano work. Highly recommended for fans of New Orleans music.
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 The 13-track Jazz
release Alex
Webb & The Copasetics - Call Me Lucky released on the UK Splash Point Music, LTD label features
some of the today's top Jazz talents including Alex Webb, Lianne
Carroll, Raphaël Lemmonier, Miles Danso. Alex Davis, Andrew
Cleyndert, Fabien Marcoz, Sophie Alloway, Andy Chapman, Jean-Pierre
Derouard, Sue Richardson, Freddie Gavita, Winston Rollins, Denys
Baptiste, Nathaniel Facey, Jo Caleb, Ayana Witter-Johnson, Andres
Ticino, and Cherise
Coryna. Jazz lovers, hang onto your seats as this release will blow you
away. Stunningly brilliant!
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 The latest release by Carmen Lundy - Code Noir is a melding of African influenced sounds from across genres such as Jazz, Blues, Funk, Bossa Nova, and more. Code Noir shows Carmen Lundy's mastery of writing passionate lyrics that blend seamlessly with alluring melodies.
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 Rachael Sage, the multi-talented American Pop Rock singer, songwriter, and musician has a brand-new release Choreographic, released on her Indy label, MPress Records. The 13-track release proves that 13 is a lucky number as the release is as sparkling as her lovely voice. An "artist's artist" in addition to being a singer, songwriter, and musician, Rachael is also an artist, graphic designer, dancer, actor, and choreographer, when actors are thought to be a "triple threat" if they can act, sing, and dance, Rachael Sage's creativity and ability explodes off the charts.
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 Swedish songwriter, singer, musician Jade Ell and Australian saxophonist, singer Sheona Urquhart take time to speak with Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta of Luxury Experience about their latest project, Ell & Hart, and their two new singles, Hotel of Hearts, and Hushabye Mountain. Talent times two is incomparably brilliant!
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 The Cary Morin - Cradle to the Grave
release is simplicity at its best; the 11-track release is a blend of Blues, Folk, and Roots music and
features just Cary Morin's vocals and his acoustic guitar, and that is more
than enough to enchant and engage the listener with his deft mastery of finger-picking
guitar and the storytelling lyrics of his 8 original songs.
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 The legendary John Mayall - "The Godfather of
British Blues" once again "delivers the goods" on his latest
release, Talk About That, on the Forty
Below Records label. The 11-tracks of pure blues pleasure featuring John Mayall,
guitarist Rocky Athas, bass
guitarist Greg Rzab, and drummer Jay Davenport, with a guest appearance
by guitarist Joe Walsh will have you
talking about the release, Talk About That, for a long time.
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 Although Patrick Zimmerli Quartet - Shores Against Silence was released on November 4, 2016 and distributed by Songlines Recordings, it was recorded in 1992 and only distributed as an underground tape on the New York music scene. For Jazz lovers, the wait was well worth it! Consisting of 6-tracks composed by Patrick Zimmerli, the instrumental release takes the listener on a fabulous journey of Avant Garde, traditional, and modern Jazz.
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 The latest Indie release by Colbie Caillat - The Malibu Sessions, is a tour-de-force and a must have for fans of Colbie or fans of exceptional songwriting and musicianship. The release is a journey through love found, lost, wanting, and living for the now, captured through compelling lyrics and captivating melodies.
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