New Artists

Welcome to the Smooth Soul New Artist Page:

Check out some new faces (and new talents) that are heavily featured on Smooth Soul. These stars are on the rise:

If you're listening to smooth soul, these are some people you will get to know, and hopefully, appreciate as much as we do. As always, we welcome your feedback.

John Marcus -

Mr. Smooth Al/Capone:
Al/Capone is a high energy six-piece smooth/pop jazz band based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their music, a mixture of jazz, R&B, funk, fusion, and Latin, is contemporary and melody driven while always remaining true to its jazz roots. Don't be confused by the word, "smooth". These guys can really play. This could be our sleeper pick for 2009. Check it out, now in heavy rotation. This could be our sleeper pick for 2009. Check it out, now in heavy rotation.

Jazz/Vocal

Imani Zubeh:
This well respected and well traveled Pianist/Keyboardist has played with Cheryl Lynn, Ray Parker Jr, Chante Moore, Keith Washington, Wendy Moten, & Phil Perry (among others). He says "Its been a long time coming.", and he's very pleased to have finally completed a solo project. You'll be pleased, too, once you give it a listen.

Contemporary Jazz

Jameelah - Jameelah's World:
She started singing at age 6; comes from a musical family; combines Neo-Soul, & Jazz. This Kansas City native is smooth, sensual, and cerebral. A new point of view from an adult. You can't beat that. Check out her music in our rotation. You're going to love what she does with "What's Goin' On". Promise.

Neo Soul

Dwele- Sketches of a Man:
Born Andwele (translated from Swahili, meaning God has brought me) Gardner, Dwele is one of my favorite artists, overall. Truly a legacy artist, with repsect in his works for musical traditions, while also carving his own uniquepath into the void of the unknown. Don't know him? Get to. Dwele's new CD, "Sketches of a Man", comes not a moment too soon. As always, this neo soul brother runs deep in the rotation.

Neo Soul

Phillip Brooks:
Jazz pianist, keyboardist, and producer. Former music director with Wayman Tisdale. His new release, "Just Between Us", is a touch of old school and a silky compositional chemis-try sure to be the musical elixir for the summertime blues. This is definitely one of the best CDs of 2008, at this point. Check our Mr. Brooks in heavy rotation.

Contemp Jazz

Antonio Allen:
From the Atlanta, GA. Jazz scene, Antonio Allen started playing sax at age 8. At age 14, he started his own band. While still quite young, he met and opened for Stevie Wonder, Al B Sure, Peabo Bryson, Jermaine Jackson, and Jean Carne. Now, with the release of his second album, Antonio Allen is Forever & Always in the rotation at smooth soul.

Contemp Jazz

Angela Johnson:
Former lead singer of Cooly's Hotbox, with two critically acclaimed albums to date, Angela Johnson follows the example of Patrice Rushen as she engineers one of the finest recordings in recent years, featuring Rashaan Patterson, Maysa, Eric Robeson, and Julie Dexter. A woman's touch is gold, and worthy of very heavy rotation.

Neo Soul

Walter Christopher:
He is a Balladeer by choice who sings and writes with the soul that many say has been missing in today’s music. The CD release date will be late summer. Be sure to catch Walt Chris on tour this summer with “SOULED OUT," an African American Music Festival Tour. In the meantime, the single, "heaven" receives heavy rotation on smooth soul. For more info on Walter, visit his website by clicking here.

R&B

Shableek (sax):
Hailing from Charlotte, Shableek's debut CD is bound to move and groove you. The young talent wrote, produced, and performed all tracks on the album. His unique style is often considered both edgy and raw, combining R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul. Looking for something different? Don't look. Listen to the Saxativity of Shan "Shableek" Richardson. Now in rotation.

Urban Jazz

Dwayne Kerr (flute):
His masterful mix of sounds and grooves is the memorable variable that makes flutist Dwayne Kerr a rising figure in contemporary music today. His new CD, Higher Calling, is a maturation of an artist that has evolved over several years in both the live setting and in the studio. Check out his current single, "Smooth" in the rotation.

Contemp Jazz

Dee Lucas (sax):
Lucas has been an in-demand musician for the past 12 years and has steadily increased his fan base since the release of his well-received 2004 debut CD, Remembrance, a tribute to the great George Howard. He has opened for Roy Ayers, Gerald Albright, Warren Hill, Boney James, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, the Yellowjackets, Michael Franks, Ronnie Laws, and Pieces of a Dream.

Contemp Jazz

Ragan Whiteside (flute):
Ragan began her musical studies when she was 5 years old, after her parents discovered she had perfect pitch. She's a gifted songwriter and a very talented stage performer. You can check out some of that perfect pitch in our rotation, and be on the lookout for Ragan Whiteside!

Contemp Jazz

Keyan Williams (sax) Brooklyn, NY native. Started playing at age 8. Musical influences include Grover Washington Jr, Charlie Parker, Coltrane, Wes Mont-gomery and Stanley Clarke. Over his years playing, Keyan has also had the honor of sharing the stage with Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, and Junior Cook.

Contemp Jazz

Keep checking back for more, and as always, we welcome your feedback. Thanks for checking us out.

J.M.