Luisa Maita “Lero Lero”

Brought to us by our friends at Cumbancha records, Luis Maita is a native of Sao Paolo. Sultry, seductive and infused with that inimitable samba swing, her music embodies the modern spirit of Brazil. “Lero-Lero” has a contemporary vibe with influences from alternative pop and chilled out electronic music with an acoustic foundation deeply rooted in local samba and bossa nova. Her sensual yet soulful voice begs comparisons with everyone from Billie Holiday and Sade to Feist, St. Vincent and Cat Power. Hailing from a country overflowing with musical talent, Luísa Maita rises above the fray as one of the most promising young singers of her generation.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Rigmor Gustaffson “Alone With You”

Rigmor’s 7th CD “Alone with you ” went straight to no. 1 on the jazz chart when it was released in Sweden, and was awarded with a Swedish Grammy for Best Jazz Record 2007. This is her fourth CD on the German label ACT and it contains all original compositions. A piano trio is used on all tracks; Jonas Östholm on piano, the fabulous Lars Danielsson on bass and Eric Harland handling drums and percussion duties while some songs also involves guitarist Max Schultz. Effortlessly cool vocals with backing that never drags this is the perfect soundtrack to ease away the troubles of the day. Sublime Scandinavian style.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Room Eleven “Six White Russians and a Pink Pussycat”

Evenings spent browsing in the twilight world of independent European contemporary jazz are lonely, often fruitless periods of my life. However, occasional gems make it all worthwhile! Room Eleven is a band that came into existence because of a simple note pinned on a notice board at the Conservatorium in Utrecht. With this, their debut album they demonstrate their catchy mixture of jazz, pop, funk, blues and a touch of folk. Whether a strict jazz lover or a young pop fan, in the end you will be won over by the songs. One magazine poetically described Janne Schra’s voice as ‘a juicy green meadow, just after sunset, covered in fresh dew.’ As one radio DJ put it: ‘She seduces you, moves you and makes you happy, all in one sentence.’ There is another European album available but as of December 2009 Room Eleven is no more so enjoy this, perhaps their finest hour.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Jose James “Black Magic”

Any of you that are familiar with his first album “The Dreamer” will be as excited as i was to learn of this new Jose James release. For those of you that haven’t yet had the pleasure seek this out. Nestling somewhere between jazz, soul and lounge his soft and sweet vocals melding all together into one gorgeous listen. Brought up in Minneapoils on hip-hop and a graduate of NY jazz school with a raft of talent around him and behind the scenes this deserves much success. Quality.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Silhouette Brown “Two”

Five years ago, Silhouette Brown released their eponymous first album displaying their West London sound on a simply superb set of songs and grooves. And now they’re back and although their sophomore album, released on their own 2000Black label, may not win any prizes for the title, this is a brilliant follow-up. Silhouette Brown is the name of the venture from Kaidi Tatham (Bugz in the Attic) and Dego (4hero) and “Two” features the unmistakable vocal talents of Philadelphia’s Lady Alma. Having appeared over the years on countless club classics from Sylk 130’s “When the Funk Hits the Fan” to Soul Dahmma’s “Happy” and 4hero’s “Hold it Down” she holds down these tracks and takes the listener to new territory; a very special journey, well worth the fare.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Victor Davies “Hear the Sound”

Although we are constantly searching the new releases for all the very best sometimes in our wanderings we come across something that has passed us by. Such is this 2006 album from Victor Davies. Released on his own Afro Gigolo label, “Hear the Sound” is a blend of Brazilian, Latin and jazz based Soul. The album continues the tradition of artists such as Terry Callier, Jon Lucien and Gilberto Gil while also seeing Victor give a nod to his soul roots with tunes that recall the Isley Brothers and Curtis Mayfield. For an artist who has always been proudly independent of other musicians, this album is noteworthy for including Victor’s first duet track ‘Comigo (With Me)’ which was recorded in Paris with Brazilian star Bebel Gilberto. Sit back, relax and enter his calm and tranquil world.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Soul Harmonics “These Times”

This is another quality release from Freestyle Records, home to such luminaries as Chaka Khan, Me’shell Ndegeochello and Ursula Rucker.  All the way from Australia comes Perth based uber-producer Flow Dynamics (Dave McKinney) with a new soulful house project, Soul Harmonics. “These Times” achieves the perfect blend of genuine, acoustic soul and jazz music with cutting edge 21st century production techniques. With elements of soulful house, 80’s dancefloor soul and some jazzier touches the beats and the bass lines keep it all supremely club ready. The overall groove is deeper and has a more of a live feel than many productions out there using live instrumentation including flute, trumpet, lots of great percussion and soulful vocals.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Angela Johnson “It’s Personal”

Although hers might be a new name to you, 2010’s Dome release “It’s personal” is Angela Johnson’s seventh album in a career that already covers 17 years. Formerly a singer with Cooly’s Hot Box she has also written songs recorded by her soul peers Conya Doss, Seek and Reel People. “It’s Personal” sees her return to a more up-tempo dance oriented sound with her powerful vocal backed with some tight musicianship. Culling the funky sounds of that twilight period between the end of disco and the height of the funk era the albumrediscovers the rhythmic grooves, propulsive basslines, and memorable chords that once poured from live instruments instead of technology. Tracks such as the lead single “Better” and “Hurts Like Hell” fuse warm harmonies and infectious hooks with great lyrics. As well as solo material the album also features collaborations with Josh Milan of Blaze and the ever popular Eric Roberson.

Kent Harris Music Styling

Dr Rubberfunk “Hot Stone”

Ex DJ Simon Ward aka Dr Rubberfunk started recording music in the late 90’s and released his first record “Harry Guitar” on Southern Fried Records founded by Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim in 2001. Now signed to Jalapeno Records the Doctor has delivered another slab of infectious funk goodness; it may not change the world but it might make you dance! Harking back to the late seventies heyday of funk this is stripped back, honest to goodness groove with a little bit of jazz and soul thrown in to keep things from feeling flat and with vocalists of the quality of Andrew “Cuddly Toy” Roachford this is no bad thing.

Kent Harris Music Styling

MUSIC STYLING SIGNS JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL DUBAI

Dubai’s premier lifstyle destination.

Vibrant and luxurious, Jumeirah Beach Hotel has given itself completely to the pleasures of the life, and the senses of every guest who stays in the resort.

SOFITEL

Following on from the Sofitel Music and Arts event we have successfully installed Music Styling into Sofitels in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Macau, Chongqin and Dongguan.

Music Styling was asked by Sofitel Hotels to put together a special play list for these very special events, the music was described as “outstandingly succesfull” I decided on a nice collection of subtle contemporary Latin Jazz.

Great chefs (Dompteurs des Fournaux) rewarded with Michelin stars, are artists in gastronomy. They excel in their field like other famous artists. You travel with them on a journey of discovery of flavors. Their passion and soul are the secrets that you will experience in their culinary presentation - when you look for it! 

But gastronomy offers more. Gastronomy means conviviality in a world where every moment has to be efficient. It brings people and cultures closer together.

It also offers a nestling ground for creativity, understanding and co-operation. Last but not least, gastronomy and other art expressions reinforce and inspire each other.

The initiative was taken by the management of hotel Sofitel the Grand Amsterdam and Lise Goeman Borgesius, author and culinary journalist. Their mutual goal was to combine know how, creativity and facilities to organize an event where culture, food, wines and art are united.

During these events the chefs will prepare their signature dishes. Private gourmands as well as companies will be able to participate in this wonderful gastronomical experience.

Sofitel is organizing this unique gathering of star chefs: to stimulate and to surprise the taste buds of the attendees in an authentic way.

WORLD CIRCUIT RECORDS

Another great label who is helping Music Styling create some of the best and most unique music backdrops for our customers

World Circuit – a short introduction

World Circuit Records have established their reputation by producing some of the finest world music albums of the past two decades, specialising in music from Cuba and West Africa.  The label is best known for the GRAMMY winning Buena Vista Social Club album, which is the biggest selling world music album of all time, and led to the phenomenal rise in popularity of Cuban music. The Buena Vista series continues with solo albums from the GRAMMY winning Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Rubén González, Guajiro Mirabal, and the innovative albums from Cachaíto López and Angá Díaz, which take Cuban music into the new millennium and beyond.  Ten years after the legendary New York concert World Circuit release Buena Vista Social Club At Carnegie Hall in October 2008.

World Circuit’s African artists enjoy equal prestige, with Malian bluesman Ali Farka Touré’s GRAMMY winning Talking Timbuktu album recorded with Ry Cooder being the album that brought the label international acclaim.  Malian diva Oumou Sangare, the legendary Orchestra Baobab and musical maverick Cheikh Lô from Senegal have emerged as major stars at home in Africa and around the globe.  World Circuit’s acclaimed Hotel Mandé Sessions has generated incredible critical praise, the trilogy comprises of the GRAMMY winning duets album from Ali Farka Touré and kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté, Toumani’s pan-African Symmetric Orchestra, and Ali’s final posthumous solo recording ‘Savane’.  With these albums World Circuit continue to set the standard with their beautifully produced and packaged albums of the highest quality.


By Dave McGuire