Well, . . . that was one loooong hiatus!! Ok, well some kind of very long timeframe. Nevermind what it was, and never fear, as we are back!! I will never stray too far from “SMOOTHE”. I did, however, venture more deeply into that Del Mar, Ibiza, Smooth Lounge sound, and the likes thereof. Fascinating, to say the least. Aandra, DJ Maretimo, Vladi Strecker, Schwarz & Funk, and Blank & Jones, par example. Welcome to MY version of the world called “Jazz Adjacent” (JA). This iteration is a more laid-back form of SMOOTHE, if you will. Perhaps waaay laid-back. Just so you know, Vol. One, is followed by Vol. Two, AND Vol. Three! Yes – three looong sets of some of the very best laid-back jazz that my feeble mind could curate.
First, an insight. Aandra. A virtual leader in the world of “JA”, at least in my version. Now, space the letters out like this: A andra. Into the space that separates the first two A’s, insert the letters “lex”, and voila – Alexandra, as in Alexandra Hampton. I know – too kewl for school, right??!! She is a mastermind in the “JA” world (is there a “mistressmind? I wonder). Let’s describe her, without labelling her, as Composer, Producer, Instrumentalist, Musical Curator, DJ, and (perhaps in her own words) Vision In Sound. Go ahead, say it!! Berklee College Of Music (Boston)! As they say, “What are they feeding these kids?!”. If there were failures that were produced by Berklee, I have no idea as to whom they are. I would say enough about “Aandra”, but there is never enough to be said. Nonetheless, I am moving the focus to the other artists in the room.
Guru Sax!!! “People Can’t Stop Chillin’ (Ambient Del Mar Café Mix) That saxophone is out of this world! It’s already on repeat. From Schwarz & Funk, we have “Late Back”, one of my perennial faves and a veritable personification of the term JA. So, DJ Maretimo blesses us with “In Your Smile” (though some might have offered up other, more well-known options). Speaking of so many choices, Vladi Strecker steps up with “First Dance (Opening Mix)”, true to his very own inimitable style. I think that almost any JA playlist should include “Chillnight”. Even as I say that, any offering will do just fine. It’s by Mazelo Nostra – and yes, kewl beans.
As I am so fond of saying “Tell the DJ to shut up and play some music!!”. I know that it’s been a while, but say it with me “Bottle of red? Check. Comfy accommodations? Check. Well go ahead – that “play button” isn’t gonna hit itself!!”.
Jazz, jazz, and nothing but jazz. Well, maybe some Jazz Adjacent.
copyright jblackstarr for SMOOTHE
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