The New Jersey Kings - Party To The Bus Stop

The New Jersey Kings are actually the James Taylor Quartet, under a different name. It all started when they signed to Polydor, who were very controlling in the directions that the James Taylor Quartet could go. They had to work with musicians they didn’t want to work with, so they did this project under a pseudonym to satisfy themselves. Then the label wanted them to release the stuff, so that was okay. It’s always been a different hat that they can wear if they choose.

"Party to the Bus Stop" is the first of 3 albums released under James Taylor Quartet's pseudynom.

1. Monkey Drop
2. Get Organized
3. Solid
4. Sweet Cakes
5. Sweet Shirley
6. Latin One
7. All Wrapped Up
8. Charlie's Groove
9. Solid [Alternate Take]




James Taylor Quartet's Website

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Bird - Double Chance

Bird is one of Japan’s biggest names in jazz. Her fusion of jazz, R&B, bossa nova, swing, and house has won her a fanbase all her own. She began doing folk-type music in 2002, but after almost a year of hiatus, her single Warabigami was released. This time bird went for a reggae feel. With her latest single Sparkles, she has gone back to her jazz roots but has mixed in disco as well.

In July 1999, her debut album was released and sold 700,000 copies. bird was given the Japan Gold Record for newcomers. Months later in October, her first national concert bird tour 1999 live! was sold out.

Double Chance is Bird's fourth album released on October 8th, 2003. It was produced by Takao Tajima and features songs by Earl Cooper, Jesse Harris, Ivan Lins, and Daisuke Kawaguchi. Inside the case is a multi-colored color pencil of which you can color the booklet with. The cover of Double Chance is an outline of bird's 16th single Chance, also featured on the album.

01 - Chance
02 - Haikyo No Dancehall
03 - Fukurami
04 - Viva Spa
05 - Spider
06 - Yomigaere
07 - Kidoairaku
08 - Miageta Sora E
09 - Ai Ketsuidamono
10 - Hikaru Anata

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Gota - Day & Night

After setting the smooth-jazz world ablaze in early 1999 with his second Album, Let's Get Started, drummer and studio musician Gota Yashiki returns with another solid album that effortlessly bridges the gap between the English acid jazz-funk movement and the American smooth jazz scene.

From the sly reference to Curtis Mayfield on "Around the Corner," to the obvious Tower of Power tribute on "What's Up, Charlie," Gota waves the 1970s funk flag high throughout Day and Night. He also keeps a prevailing acid-groove bed, with a smooth-jazz sheen as a covering.

"Sweet Emotion" is a perfect example of Gota's mix. It starts off with a motif straight out of Stevie Wonder before Gota's perfectly programmed percussion kicks off a funky midtempo beat that immediately leads to a sweet sax line that builds into a radio friendly hook taken in unison with a synthesizer that leads to a nice melodic guitar solo.

Former Brand New Heavies keyboardist Neal Cowley shines throughout as Gota spreads his musical wealth around among some great players from the U.K. Even though the last track is a ballad, this is a record that builds in intensity and emotion from the first few smoother tracks to the latter more acidic stuff.

1. Cruisin' Your Way
2. Around The Corner
3. All Together Now
4. Unforgettable Feeling
5. Sweet Memories
6. Day & Night
7. Sunnyside
8. Sweet Emotion
9. What's Up Charlie?
10. Chase In The Urban Jungle
11. In The Past

Gota's Homepage
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J.A.M - Jazzy Joint feat. Jose James (video)

J.A.M is Josei, Akita Goldman, and Midorin from Soil & "Pimp" Sessions.

Jazztronik - Samurai (video)