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Contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler finds “Tranquility” on a new album produced by GRAMMY winner Paul Brown

“Crescent City Strut” earns Billboard’s Most Added and Most Increased Plays single status NASHVILLE (3 February 2021): Like a trusted friend, contemporary jazz guitarist Les Sabler finds that playing guitar brings him tranquility, especially when the noise of the world becomes too much. He can disappear by slipping into an electric guitar groove and find calmness while exploring a nylon string guitar riff. While sheltering in place in his Nashville home during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and as civil unrest erupted, Sabler quieted his mind while getting to know the vintage Gibson Johnny Smith guitar model recommended by his producer, two-time GRAMMY winner Paul Brown. The resulting album, “Tranquility,” a soothing cocktail of cosmopolitan jazz, soul-powered R&B grooves, and mellifluous pop instrumentals, dropped last Friday on the New Vista label. After tracking two songs last February in Brown’s Los Angeles recording studio, work on the 10-track set, Sabler’s eighth album and first since 2014, had to be put on hold. When the project resumed in July, they were joined by the socially distant bassist Roberto Vally, drummer Gorden Campbell, percussionist Lenny Castro, Lee Thornburg (trumpet and trombone), and saxophonist Greg Vail. Sabler and Brown teamed to write eight songs for the set, collaborating on compositions with Shane Theriot (“Crescent City Strut,” “City Rhythm,” “Three Dee,” “Estelle's Dance” and “Tranquility”), Lew Laing (“Keep Pushin’” and “Where Has She Gone”) and Jeff Carruthers (“Easy Moves”). The seeds of “Tranquility,” which hit No. 7 on Amazon’s New Releases in Jazz chart, were planted nearly two years ago when Sabler wrote, recorded, and released “In The Light.” He re-recorded his guitar parts for the slick cool jazz single that spent three weeks at No. 1 at WAVE.FM in Sabler’s native Canada. While in lockdown last May, Sabler issued “Keep Pushin’” as a single. It was the first track recorded using the guitar suggested by Brown. Sadler's 1967 instrument has an expressive tone that gives him a new sound on an electric guitar reputed for bringing high-quality amplification and high-quality acoustic sound together for the first time. The guitarist describes the chill groove with a sweet melody as a song that is “a subtle call for resiliency and the unwillingness to let up on the drive to press on during challenging times.” Theriot’s New Orleans heritage informs Sabler’s new single, “Crescent City Strut,” which has earned Billboard’s Most Added and Most Increased Plays honors in recent weeks. Like the Crescent City itself, the tune offers mystery, intrigue, and seductive allure marked by crafty guitar play amplified by lush horn section work. Another “Tranquility” highlight is “Estelle's Dance,” an exquisite dalliance on a nylon-string guitar that has already received over 800 plays on YouTube. “Tranquility” concludes by revisiting George Benson’s “Sunrise,” an apropos selection that ends the disc with the striking rays of hope and promise of a new day. Below are excerpts from a couple of album reviews: “A memorable musical experience from start to finish, Tranquility is a modern-day, instrumental jazz classic.” – Roots Music Report “Les Sabler's album Tranquility offers a select collection of exquisite guitar pieces that are rarely found.” – Smooth Jazz Daily For more information, please visit http://www.lessabler.net.

International recording artist Navasha Daya to release a single from the forthcoming album Legacy (A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron) Musician pays tribute to her late cousin and iconic 

Legacy (A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron) Musician pays tribute to her late cousin and iconic artist BALTIMORE, MD- Internationally renowned singer soul-jazz vocalist Navasha Daya embarks on a tribute album to her late cousin entitled Legacy (A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron). The first single, “The Liberation Song (Red, Black, and Green)”, will be released on January 18, 2021, exclusively on www.bandcamp.com. “The Liberation Song (Red, Black, and Green)” written by Gil Scott-Heron with additional re-arrangement by Navasha Daya, features Daya on vocals and features Grammy Award-winning composer and saxophonist Gary Bartz. “I chose ‘The Liberation Song (Red, Black, and Green)’ as the lead single for this project because it is a timeless reminder of where we have been and where we must be. It is a reminder to remember and honor those names, known and unknown, who sacrificed and fought for our freedom. It is also a reminder of the work that still must be done today,” says Daya. For this album, Daya is choosing songs that are personal to her, revising them in her own style, such as “The Bottle”, “The Liberation Song (Red, Black, and Green)” and “Who’ll Pay Reparations on My Soul?” "My forthcoming album is my personal tribute to my cousin, the late great Gil Scott-Heron, and the specific family lineage that we share. This project is a fulfillment of a promise kept and an ancestral dedication. My family has always been proud of Gil’s artistic success and the music and literature he created. During cousin Gil and I’s last conversation, he suggested ‘we should do some music together’ and I enthusiastically agreed! Sadly, he transitioned before we could fulfill the original plan,” Daya said. For the lead single, “The Liberation Song (Red, Black, and Green),” Daya features Baltimore-born saxophonist Gary Bartz whose career has spanned six decades. Bartz has played with a Who’s Who list in the Jazz world, including Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Eric Dolphy, and McCoy Tyner. Inspired by the 60’s political movements, particularly the Black Panther Party, Bartz formed his own group in 1970 called NTU Troop, fusing soul, funk, R&B, and jazz with progressive and radical politics, making him one of the most independent and unorthodox musicians of that time. Bartz and NTU Group toured with Scott-Heron in the 1970s. “Having the legendary saxophonist and composer Gary Bartz on my first single for this album is an amazing honor. Mr. Bartz is a master musician and was a pleasure to work with,” says Navasha Daya. The additional lineup on the single includes James King (bass), Nasar Abadey (drums), DeAndre Shaifer (piano), and Moziah Saleem (percussion). “It was important to me to not only include artists who respected and reflected Gil’s energy on the single, but to also include artists who knew Gil personally,” says Navasha Daya. Gil Scott-Heron, poet, musician, and rap pioneer had a career that spanned 40 years, engaging America in the most provocative social and political commentary. His debut album, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, placed him at the vanguard of art and social justice movements. Touted as “the godfather of rap” and “the black Bob Dylan,” Scott-Heron influenced generations of artists and activists such as Public Enemy’s Chuck D and hip-hop artist Talib Kweli. Scott-Heron died in 2011. And as we look around you can see that these messages are still needed during this time of duress, uncertainty, and the search for a moral compass to lead America into a more “warm” and desirable climate. Navasha Daya is no stranger to social justice work. She has presented to the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, the International Feminine Alliance for Rights, the Pan-African Diaspora Women’s Association at the African Union mission to the USA, and presented on Cultural Relevant Education in Hawaii. In addition, she serves her community as Co-Founder and Director of the Healing & Performing Arts of the Youth Resiliency providing programming and services for children, youth, and families in East Cleveland, OH (one of the poorest cities in OH), as well as Baltimore, MD public housing in the Cherry Hill neighborhood in South Baltimore. She is also co-director of the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival, held at Middle Branch Park in South Baltimore. There has been an undergirding excitement about this album internationally. Even the Gil Scott-Heron estate is in support of the project. “. . . I believe Gil would have been proud of Navasha’s commitment to cultural arts and her desire to carry on the family’s legacy of activism for justice and peace . . .” said Rumal Rackley, Administrator of the Gil Scott-Heron Estate. The full album- Legacy (A Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron) is scheduled for release in late 2021 and will feature additional guest artists.

 Singer-Songwriter & Actress BRAVE WILLIAMS Releases Stunning Visuals To The Holiday Classic, “SANTA BABY” and Currently Stars in The BET Original Film, “THE CHRISTMAS LOTTERY”

BRAVE WILLIAMS is currently starring in the BET Networks film, “The Christmas Lottery” as “Nicole”, (the middle Davenport sister). The Christmas Lottery Synopsis: Gerald Davenport has requested that his three estranged daughters, Diedre, Nicole, and Tammy, come together for Christmas for a big announcement. He has won a $10 million dollar lottery! To get their share, the sisters must repair their broken relationship. But when their dementia-stricken mother, Diane, forgets where she hid the ticket, the Davenports are now in a race to find the ticket and fix their family all before Christmas Day. Also Starring: Reginald VelJohnson, Asia’h Epperson, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Lorenzo “Renny” Cromwell, Terayle Hill, Kay-Megan Washington, Phylicia Morgan and includes cameos from Traci Braxton, Allison Seymour, and Rob Gordon. THE CHRISTMAS LOTTERY Will be re-airing on: Monday, December 21st at 7:00 pm (est) on BET on Demand Friday, December 25th at 9:00 pm (est) on BETher Check your local listings for additional airdates.

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Music Video Spotlight: "She" by Wade C. Long

Our music video spotlight is actually a rerelease, from Indie Soul Music Artist Wade C. Long for his song  "She". 
Beautifully shot video but more importantly, check out the lyrics of the song..

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TRACY LIGHTNER, GRANDDAUGHTER OF FORMER TEXAS SLAVE, ISAAC TOLAND, RELEASES ALBUM TO HONOR HIS LEGACY 

Nationwide -- Those Who Matter… is a compilation of soulful classical music that Tracy Lightner composed for her loved ones, and to honor the legacy of Isaac Toland - her great (3X) grandfather who was emancipated in 1865 and donated land for the first church, school, and cemetery for newly freed slaves near Houston, Texas. This collection has dates as late as 1993 to as early as 2020. Her grandmother, Susie Burton, invested years of her earnings to pay for Tracy’s piano lessons. In the end, she would have her train with four instructors. Tracy started playing the piano for her church’s youth choir while in the 5th grade. She continued while attending high school. Soon she performed in city-wide recitals as the closing act. She was a natural and music allowed her the self-expression needed during her teenage years. Each song is lovingly composed with the thoughts of those nearest and dearest to her heart. She was spiritually compelled to leave this part of her talent and artistry as a legacy for her children. Tracy decided that the best delivery for her work would be a complete and honest recording. Each song was recorded in its purest form -she sat at her keyboard and used iPhone’s recording app. There was no remastering, no unnecessary mixing, no addition of altering frequencies or editing… just raw uncut music-filled. This method of recording and releasing music provides for a true life experience that is heard throughout the album. Tracy is an independent artist who researched how to publish her music without the wait for a possible contract with a well-known music label. She researched the journey of the leading Independent recording artist, Chance The Rapper, and followed the route he took. During this COVID pandemic, recording studios are not as assessable. Other popular artists like Megan The Stallion have taken to recording their new releases in the living rooms of their homes. Classical Music Is Great For the Brain. . . "How might music enhance cognitive performance? It's not clear, but the researchers speculated that listening to music helps organize the firing of nerve cells in the right half of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher functions. According to this construct, music — or at least some forms of music — acts as an "exercise" that warms up selected brain cells, allowing them to process information more efficiently." -- Music and Health - July 2011, Harvard Health Publishing Those Who Matter… is available for purchase on Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify.

CONCERNED BLACK MOTHER’S’ ANTHEM: BLACK MOTHERS STILL BOLDLY SPEAK ABOUT THEIR PAIN 

Dallas, TX (BlackNews.com) -- As more and more Black bodies are assaulted by police and Black life is devalued by the justice system, mothers are experiencing great emotional and spiritual trauma. Sheron C. Patterson, mother, author, pastor, releases “Concerned Black Mothers’ Anthem“ to highlight their concerns. “We are mothers of those who are treated as others, or as inferior,” said Rev. Patterson. “There is a national disgust for the presence of Black bodies in public spaces. I have not experienced the tragic death of a son or a daughter in the streets of this nation- yet. There are millions of mothers like me who hold their breath when one of ours exists the front door.” “Concerned Black Mothers’ Anthem” is a spoken word video that is 2 minutes and 34 seconds in length. It features the voice of Rev. Patterson articulating the pain of mothers and encouraging their advancement in the struggle. Gripping images of those killed by police violence completes the project. The video was produced by percussionist and music producer Art Mosley, who also composed the music. The Unity Tribe Music Group performed the music. All rights are reserved. Here is an excerpt: God made us mothers of people who are othered. In the land of the free and the brave, it's our kids winding up in graves. Sheron Patterson’s YouTube page: https://youtu.be/QJFls0ylzWs “Black mothers need a brave beat to keep moving forward in the fight for justice,” Rev. Patterson continued. “This anthem is based on the power and fearlessness of Mamie Till. She refused to keep quiet and wanted the world to know what happened to her son Emmet. Like her, we must keep fighting, and publicly witness the ongoing endangering of our sons and daughters.”

Jessica Ray drops "Fingertips"

MIME Recording Artist, Jessica Ray, releases another beautiful new single titled “Fingertips.” The sweet melodic single takes you on a wave of emotions describing her love; we also see a side of Jessica we haven’t seen before. “Fingertips is such a soulful vibe. The lyrics, written by Felly, gave me the space to sing with Big Bae Energy while the track, produced by Blac Elvis, made me feel like I should be riding along a coastline. So while in the studio the whole tone of this session was old school meets new school allowing me to be chill and free with my delivery. When people hear this, I hope all these elements create a warm sense of love, happiness, and peace.” “Fingertips” is available now on all platforms, in addition to the official music video.
 WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE

AGAPESOUL'S VISUAL FOR "BULLETPROOF" FEATURING TOMMY SIMS DELIVERS MUSIC FOR THE MOVEMENT

Chart-topping Soul/R&B band AgapeSoul has delivered a timely message of hope with the release of the official music video for “Bulletproof” Featuring Tommy Sims. Darryl Anders, visionary leader of AgapeSoul firmly catapults himself into the area of “Soul Music's Poet Laureate” with a strong message of love and music for the movement. Featuring the incredible vocal talents of Tommy Sims who delivers a perfectly natural, spine-tingling, performance for the ages. AgapeSoul has already boasted enormous success over the last 2 years in the world of indie soul music. Written by Darryl Anders and Jackie Clark, the single and visual features a legendary lineup of musicians including award-winning Keyboardist Lynette Williams (Lalah Hathaway, Childish Gambino), Guitarist Errol Cooney (Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson), Drummer Thomas McCree, Bassist Darryl Anders (Ledisi, Tower of Power), Percussionist Ike Arostigui (Armando Peraza, Ron Moton). The song was mixed by Cam Perridge, mastered by Justin Weiss / Trackwork's, and the music video created by Nino Fernandez at www.oninomedia.com. "Bulletproof" is the clarion call, a feel-good anthem that establishes a road map to a world bound together by love. The song exemplifies how the solid groove of a well-crafted soul music track, coupled with thought-provoking lyrical brilliance demands and commands our attention. 

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