In the past I have frequently reviewed albums of the American Smooth Jazz market, which is obviously dominating this genre. But one should not forget the European Smooth Jazz artists. In the next months I will tell you more about these artists, especially about those with connections to USA. Most of you will know, that JazzFM in London is the birth-cell of the European Smooth Jazz. Without this radiostation Smooth Jazz in Europe would still have a shadow-existence.
European labels have taken great part to this positive development. My thanks concerns to these entrepreneurs who take the risks to investigate in a rather unknown genre. Well, it must be a passion to spend a lot of money for music which will never be designed for the big business. One of these labels is Passion Music. This is their own description of the label:
"Passion Music LTD is a company founded in 1983 by partners Les McCutcheon and Nigel Wright. In the beginning, both Les and Nigel had already enjoyed success with the group Shakatak.
Les had the idea, brought the players together and signed them with Polydor, Nigel taking creative control and becoming an integral member of the group as well as their producer. The fruits of their labour were invested in Passion Music, originally a high energy label called Passion.
Today Passion Music is still at the cutting edge of the contemporary jazz /dance/soul music scene, with artists like the 1998 Mobo live jazz winners the Jazz Steppers on their Passion Jazz label, as well as established acts like Shakatak, through to Future Sound of London, and Howard Hewitt."
Among other incredible fine music artists Passion Music presents the group The Jazzsteppers. The Jazz Steppers are Klay Dumas-Copas, Pat Leacock, Dean Mark and Tony Smith, all of whom have worked as top class session musicians in addition to their work together. Front man and keyboard player Klay has worked with Diana Brown, Jocelyn Brown and Ray Gaskins. Drummer and percussionist Pat Leacock has played with Down To The Bone, Joey Negro and Peter Andre. Bass player Dean Mark has played with Jamiroquai, Roy Ayers, Philip Bent, Noel McCoy and Vivian McKone while Tony Smith has played guitar with Ray Gaskins, Jocelyn Brown and Nelson Rangel. Klay Dumas-Copas has left the group. He isn't to find in the liner notes of the second album. Newcomer is Ashley Kingsley on keyboards.