Featured Tracks Playlist March 2024

Next up is, One Step Closer To You. This cool smooth jazz ballad comes from my 2017 CD 10. One thing that gives this track such a cool feel and sound, is the rhythm section. Something about the way rhythm guitar and keyboards sound, played on the Rhodes electric piano, and the Fender Stratocaster, really give this track its unique sound. The melody on this track is simple but beautiful. I used my Fender Stratocaster for the guitar chords, melody and solo on this track. The piano and Stratocaster solos on this track are so complementary they seem to flow together. This track has such a beautiful atmosphere or sound canvas it just relaxes the soul. Let’s give One Step Closer to You a listen. 

Next up, Smooth as I Wanna Be. This smooth jazz track is from my 2019 CD Smooth as I Wanna Be. This track has a very cool groove and vibe to it. The bass guitar, rhythm guitar and drums set a nice foundation, while the keyboards using strings and flute sounds complete the sound canvas. I added two solos on the track, one keyboard solo using my favorite Grand Piano sound and a guitar solo using my Fender Stratocaster which I also used for the rhythm guitar work. For the melody, I used my Ibanez Hollow Body, to get the fuller tone that only a hollow body can provide. Let’s give Smooth as I Wanna Be a listen. 

Next up is Run with Me. This track is from my 2020 CD Living in Strange Times. The track came about while I was experimenting with different time signatures, in this case 6/8. I found I really love writing in this time signature, it gives lots of room for the music to live. Once I started working on this track, I knew it had to be a conversation between the guitar and the grand piano sound. On this one, I’m playing my Fender acoustic electric guitar for the chords, melody and believe it or not the solo too. On the keyboard side I’m using a Baby Grand sound for the solo and melody and a Fender Rhodes electric piano sound for chords. This is such a cool and fun track. Let’s give Run with Me, a listen.   

Next up is Told Ya. This track is the title track for my 2022 release. Told Ya was named by my wife Cheryl. When she heard the track and just sang out Told Ya. This smooth jazz song has a great groove to it. I’m playing my Ibanez Hollow Body for the rhythm guitar work and the melody on this track. The solo on this track is my Fender Stratocaster. What really gives this track such a great sound canvas, is the mix of Rhythm guitar, Rhodes piano and those subtle horns and strings. This track is so smooth and cool, I just love it. Let’s give Told Ya, a listen.

Next up is, For All the Good Times also from my 2022 release Told Ya. As you may have guessed, I really like songs that are a conversation between instruments, like the guitar and keyboards. In this track that conversation is between the grand piano sound and the Gibson SG. The foundation or sound canvas for this track is the rhythm section, the bass guitar work, “I really was having a blast on “, my Fender Acoustic electric and the Rhodes electric piano sound for chords. Let’s give For All the Good Times a listen. 

Well, we’ve made it to the last track of the playlist, Why Don’t Ya Just Let Us Play from my 2023 CD Life on The Other side. This track is a blues rock fusion song that will get you moving. The track starts off with just a killer bass guitar line, and then builds fast from there. The foundation or sound canvas for this track is the rhythm section, the rhythm guitar, Fender Rhodes chords, bass guitar, staccato horns, and those awesome drums. I used my Gibson SG for the rhythm guitar and melody. For the solo, I used my Fender Stratocaster. I love how the solo sounds at the end of this track, with the horns behind it. Let’s give Why Don’t Ya Just Let Us Play a listen.