Much of the early buzz surrounding the release of 'East Bay Soul 2.0' was about how a sensational campaign to raise the $25,000 necessary to record the album hit its target.  However, now it's all about the music.  Make no mistake; this is a collection of the highest order and everything (plus a little bit more) that one would expect from the artistic genius of its creator Greg Adams.  Of course Adams was the founding member of Tower of Power where his signature sound as performer and arranger made the TOP horn section a sought out entity all it's own.  When recently I talked with Greg via Skype from his office in LA I was eager to discover why he had used Kickstarter as the vehicle for funding the project. 

The blistering new album from rising sax-star Aaron Bing is titled 'Rebirth' and in many ways that's exactly what it represents. Bolstered by a discography that stretches back to 2005 and his debut release 'Always' Bing has come roaring back with a collection as good as anything you will hear this year. When recently I got the opportunity to talk with him from his home in Jacksonville, FL I was eager to understand the creative process that underpinned this latest project.

When, in 2009, saxophonist Elan Trotman released the album 'This Time Around' it was his first concerted foray into the realms of contemporary jazz. The follow up 'Love And Sax', which hit the streets earlier this year, further demonstrated the penchant he has for creating an atmosphere through his music that is both relaxing and sensuous. When recently I met with Elan at the Cinnamon Club in Altrincham, UK (where he had just captivated an appreciative the audience with his performance as part of Peter White's touring band) I was eager to learn more about this most interesting of artists and in doing so went right back to the beginning.

A new release from the great Michael Franks is a highlight of any musical year but the advent of the sublime ‘Time Together’ has been rendered that much more special by the fact it has been five years since his previous project, ‘Rendezvous In Rio’, first hit the streets,. When recently I talked with Michael from his home in New York State the topics ranged from the weather, the autobiographic nature of ‘Time Together’, his passion for British television crime drama and many things in between.