Chris West – Surprise Trilogy 2

This is the second album of three in the Surprise Trilogy series. The Surprise Trilogy is a project that Chris West has been working on since mid 2008. The initial idea was a more organic, straight ahead follow-up album to his funky/acid jazz first release, Jazzmanic.

As he was slowly recording the songs for consideration (recording 2-3 songs at a time, once a month), he realized he had written a lot of songs over the years, and wanted to record them all, if for nothing else, to archive. Eventually, Chris decided to record and release them all as The Surprise Trilogy.

Notable guests on Surprise Trilogy 2 include saxophonist Jeff Coffin, trumpeter Rod McGaha, and Nashville based Halfbrass. Track 8, Rude Awakening, features Chris’ saxophone quartet.

Be sure to read Jack Silverman’s article about Chris West and Surprise Trilogy 2 featured in the Nashville Scene.

Visit the Chris West Store to listen to Surprise Trilogy 2 and other recordings in his catalog.

Chris West – Surprise Trilogy 1

This is the first album of three in the Surprise Trilogy series. Most of the nine original tracks are in the style of traditional jazz and pull from Chris’ straight ahead jazz genre influences, as opposed to the modern/funky jazz style of Jazzmanic, Chris’ debut album.

Notable guests on Surprise Trilogy 1 include trumpeter Rod McGaha (Surprise 1), saxophonist Don Aliquo (Kenny), saxophonist Jeff Coffin (Mr. Grossman), and New Orleans style group Halfbrass (Where I Got My Groove Back).

Visit the Chris West Store to listen to Surprise Trilogy 1 and others in his catalog.

Valerie Borman – Better Days

Vocalist, Valerie Borman, has released Better Days, the follow up album to her successful debut, It’s Good To Be Loved.

On this album, Valerie displays incredible range, both vocally and musically, revealing even more of her pop vocal background as she belts over three octaves throughout these eleven original contemporary country tracks.

Listen to Better Days at Valerie’s store page here.

gschmitt – The Year in Pictures

Century Music Group artist, gschmitt, has released his debut album, The Year in Pictures.

According to g, none of the tunes were contrived or planned to be written; they, in many ways, just happened. The album is a range of sounds that go with a range of emotions that came about through simply living, listening and experiencing.

g’s eclectic musical background comes out in many ways on this album. On songs like “Muddy Water,” “Without Your Love,” “Castles” and “Old Love,” there is a distinct jazz element, while others such as “One More Day” and “It’s Alright; A passing” could have easily been found on a straight rock record.

For more about gschmitt, check out his website.

Chris West – Jazzmanic

This debut album, from Chris West, features super funky grooves incorporated with a unique, Wayne Shorteresque compositional approach utilizing several horns for lush harmonies. MMW meets Wayne Shorter meets 70’s Miles Davis meets Groove Collective meets Herbie Hancock

For more visit Chris’ website.

Lee Gibson – Somewhere other than Here

This debut album, from Lee Gibson, features a well-rounded collection of country with hints of everything from traditional country to Texas Americana to more modern contemporary country.

For more about Lee, check out his website.