Category: Smooth Jazz

BODYLINE - MAGICAL ROOFS

12/18/2016

Now this is the kinda stuff I love coming across. I don't even know that it's intended to be Christmas or winter related, but it twinkles like mystical snow on Christmas Eve and that's good enough for me.

Bodyline is a Vaporwave/Chillwave artist, apparently from Italy though releasing music through DMT Tapes FL and Verbatim Consciousness Recordings in Florida. "Magical Roofs" comes from an entire 12-song digital album, "Twinkly". Like all of their music, "Twinkly" is free (if you ever see a "buy" button or shopping cart, just click on it with no fear and it'll take you somewhere to download free).

I'm sure it's a real stretch to say "Twinkly" has anything at all to do with Christmas. But that doesn't stop me. "Magical Roofs" is the track that said Christmas to me more than any of the others--a light combination of twinkle and soul. "Double Glow" is another nice New Agey track. And "Wandering Heart" is an excellent Ambient piece. Grab "Magical Roofs" or the entire set free from Bandcamp. Or don't. But I think you're missing out on something cool and original.

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TIM COOPER & DAVID COOPER - JAZZ TO THE WORLD

12/9/2016

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1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. One Small Child
3. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
6. Silent Night
7. Do You Hear What I Hear?
8. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
9. What Child Is This?

DR. DAVID COOPER ON FACEBOOK
MOUNT PARAN CHURCH (ATLANTA)
DOWNLOAD FREE FROM MOUNT PARAN

If somebody wants to offer me up a free album of Christmas Jazz, I don't ask too many questions. "Jazz To The World" was originally released in 2008 and features Tim Cooper on the piano, Dr. David Cooper on guitar, and Johnathon McAdow on percussion. Nowhere that I can find is it said that Tim and David are related, but that's certainly a conclusion one could reach. David Cooper is the Senior Pastor at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta and he's certainly not above using his musical gifts to spread the Word of the Lord. Indeed, there's a Jazz To The World concert/program coming up at Mount Paran on December 14. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available (just sayin').

As both a way to call attention to the event and as a seasonal gift, "Jazz To The World" is being offered as a free download through the church. And it's just a one-touch download--nobody is asking for your name or email address. "Jazz To The World" is largely on the mellower side of the street, though they do kick it up a notch or two on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". It's definitely Jazz, though--not warmed over Sunday morning Gospel or light Pop--and very good Jazz at that. From an initial listen, I'd say "Silent Night" is the only track, here, that I'd give solely to the Smooth Jazz category but, for that song, it was the perfect choice. While the other tracks could play in a Smooth Jazz format, they'd fit in just as well next to Dizzy, Miles, J.J. Johnson, and Christian McBride. The Coopers are basically in that Wes Montgomery sweet spot that plays well everywhere. And my personal favorite is easily "Do You Hear What I Hear?" but I am a bit biased because their rendition filled a gaping hole of long standing in my current Jazz mix that I've been trying to finish for two years. You might say that track was heaven sent. As I said, somebody offers me a free album of Christmas Jazz, I'm not asking any questions. Neither should you. Just head over to Mount Paran and get it.

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ZOE JACK - LET IT BE FOR CHRISTMAS

12/2/2016

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I was about to write this one up for the front page piece (that I still haven't finished) and I was looking for audio or YouTube. And I discovered the tune was available as a free download. And I'm thrilled to death about that because this is one of those tunes I could see some of my readers taking a pass on. And you really shouldn't.

Texas born Zoe Jack has been singing since she was 2, but she's only just breaking out to a wider audience. A lot of her music and performing has been in the Gospel field. But "Let It Be For Christmas" is indicative of what she's doing now, which is a combination of Gospel and Jazz. And I sure want to add my voice in saying I really hope she continues down that path. She was born for just this kind of music (well, that's my opinion, for whatever its worth).

You could say that "Let It Be For Christmas" is Smooth Jazz. But it is so much more Jazz than your usual Smooth Jazz fare. Listen to how Zoe uses her voice towards the end of the song. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is a Jazz singer. And you can tell she's using her voice that way because it feels right, not because "that's how we did it in rehearsal". By the way, I believe that's Kirk Whalum on the sax. The pair will be performing A Gospel According to Jazz in Texas over the next few nights (at least). I wish I could be there. You'll find performance dates and other news at Zoe's website and Facebook page.

Zoe Jack's "Let It Be For Christmas" is available for free download via ReverbNation. So you've got no excuse for not getting it. And, if you'd prefer to buy it, I'm sure that would make Zoe very happy. You'll find it pretty much everywhere, so it shouldn't disrupt your usual music shopping routine.

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The FREE List

Here we hope to direct you to some of the Christmas music on the web that can be yours absolutely free. We will not direct you to mp3 or sharity sites, here, but only to artist sites, label sites, and other authorized and unquestionably legal locations.

BODYLINE - MAGICAL ROOFS

TIM COOPER & DAVID COOPER - JAZZ TO THE WORLD

ZOE JACK - LET IT BE FOR CHRISTMAS

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