25TH STREET BAND (JAZZ BAND)

The Seven Thousand Mile Stage...
The 25th Street Band serves up a mix of melodic jazz fusion that ranges from lyrical smooth jazz to hard-driving jazz funk.
It's unusual for a British band to release a West Coast Jazz album, and very rare to find top international players appearing on an independent release, but the most unique aspect of the 25th Street Band's album, "The key of H" is this... throughout the entire recording and production, the rhythm section never got within seven thousand miles of the rest of the band.
But then - this isn't your average rhythm section...
On drums and bass are two of the world's top session players. Guesting from LA is drummer Tom Brechtlein (Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Robben Ford), and bassist Hussain Jiffry (Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick). Their sessions were recorded in the USA, and they appear on three tracks as a result of using the latest digital recording technology and collaborating via the internet.
From the UK... saxmen Mornington Lockett (Jimmy Smith, Ronnie Scott) and David Bitelli (Airto Moreira, Jimmy Witherspoon, Robert Cray, Dudu Pukwana) play prominent roles. The spotlight also falls on the young trumpet player Henry Armburg Jennings, who at only eighteen years has already shared the stage with such eminent players as saxophonist Pete King and Oscar Peterson's sideman, Martin Drew.
South America is represented by the Latin singer Jandira Silva. Known throughout Brazil, from her role fronting the Jose Cabaleira Band on national TV, she performs the ballad Vem Dançar.
At the heart of the 25th Street Band are Russ Klinger and Dave Radnor. They're the writers, the arrangers and the producers. They play keyboards and guitars and instrument programming.
Many reviewers have already commented that The Key Of H sounds big... but then, with a stage that stretches from London to LA that's hardly surprising.
 

25TH STREET BAND - THE KEY OF H (2007)

From lyrical smooth jazz to hard-driving jazz funk

more tracks can be heard on Vinilemania's Radio Channels

Hi Pietro  Just to say - thanks again for giving our music some airtime, it really is appreciated. We have just had a monster review in the current issue of Abyssjazz magazine. I'm taking the liberty of reprinting it here for you in full.

Kind regards from London.

All the best. Russ Klinger

www.25thstreetband.com

www.myspace.com/25thstreetband

From Abyssjazz Magazine May/June 08 issue...

London has done it again!

London has long been known as a cultural centre for music, having played a role in many popular music movements. It has been the place where all kinds of music streams merge. Its numerous famous venues have also been the launch pad for countless aspiring artists. One group for which this melding is most evident is the 25th Street Band, created by Russ Klinger and Dave Radnor. Calling upon their expertise in guitars and instrument programming, these musical masterminds wrote, arranged and produced all of the music on their latest release, The Key of H. This fan-tab-u-lous musical offering includes guest appearances from drummer Tom Brechtlein, bassist Hussain Jiffry, sax men Mornington Lockett and David Bitelli, trumpet player Henry Armburg Jennings, and Latin Singer Jandira Silva.

The album opens with Hollywood, a forceful contemporary jazz tune. It features a bass intro by Hussain Jiffry and a magnificent horn arrangement by Mornington Lockett. Klinger's guitar riffs mellow the mood to create a sensual vibe.

Painting a picture in song was accomplished by 25th Street with the contribution of Henry Armburg Jennings's melodic flugelhorn solo on the song West Coast Highway. Ooo-we-baby, it's sweet!

Sundown is a good example of the character of the 25th Street Band, a combined effort by all the musicians to show us what they are working with. These boys be jammin' ya'll.

Featured vocalist Jandira Silva sizzles in the Brazilian flavoured Vam Dancar. This ballad with a Latin touch sounds and feels sooo gooood! Ms Silva rides out on the music and the bass is banging. Check it out!

Crusade features Russ and Dave in a relentless funky keyboard duo. The dynamic, uplifting and entertaining performance compares to groups like The Rippingtons, Spyro Gyra, Dostero and The Yellowjackets. My personal favourte, The Long Way Home, is a mood altering epic tune presenting the musicians in intense interaction while leaving the listeners in adulation. Beautifully written and arranged, The Long Way Home is definitely a heart thang from the 25th Street crew to you.

The closing rendition of Vem Dancar has David Bitelli on sax and Dave Radnor on keys with Russ Klinger on guitar performing the instrumental way and spirit of this serene song.

London has done it again! The Key of H raises the smooth jazz bar another octave.