Contemporary Jazz; soulful, funky and spiritual with an infusion of southern music influences; gospel, blues and R&B.

11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, JAZZ: Jazz Fusion



Details:
Eric Essix and Essential Recordings announce the nationwide release of "Somewhere In Alabama". Formerly signed to Zebra Records (distributed by Warner/Electra/Atlantic), this marks the artist's tenth album of new music and his first on Essential following two successful national releases (Small Talk & Southbound) in the past five years with Zebra. Eric's style and sound embody the southern influences that inform his playing and composing. He continues to explore this direction on his latest offering that is heavily laden with gospel, R&B and blues references in a contemporary jazz setting.

The album features a cover of Alabama native, Lionel Richie's hit, "Easy" and a very eclectic treatment of the civil rights march anthem "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" that mixes hip-hop grooves with Eric's jazzy approach to the melody. Eric also includes a very gospel rendition of the Hall & Oates classic "Sara Smile" that has been a staple in his live show for over a decade.

"Somewhere In Alabama's" real strength, however, lies in its seven original compositions all penned by Essix. The songs run the gamut stylistically opening with the funky, soul inflected "Sweet Tea" to the "straight out of the church" title track and closing with the driving Tower of Power influenced "Brown Town". Eric's guitar floats above the well crafted production throughout the albums 55 minute running time often "George Benson" smooth and silky, but at other times revealing his rock and blues influences with snarling, high powered, distortion laced solo's. If you have never heard of Eric but like the music of Norman Brown, early Robben Ford or Chuck Loeb, "Somewhere In Alabama" may be the destination you've been searching for!

For more info please see Eric's website at:
www.ericessix.com