Vocalists Dianne Reeves | When You Know

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African American, Blue Note Records, Female Jazz vocalist

We’re enthralled by this new endeavor by the incomparable Dianne Reeves titled “When You Know.” Check it out and you want believe your ears as the talented Ms. Reeves holds her own as one of the most distinguished female vocalists in thirty years. – V Bop’

Dianne Reeves, "When You Know"

In her first Blue Note album of new material in five years—and her first since providing the award-winning soundtrack to George Clooney’s 2005 film Good Night, and Good Luck—Dianne Reeves, one of the premier vocalists in the world, returns with When You Know, a stunning array of performances of old and new standards along with an infectious, uplifting new original.

When You Know is produced by George Duke and backed by cream of the crop players in jazz, featuring: Billy Childs, Geoff Keezer, Steve Wilson, Romero Lubambo, Russell Malone, Antonio Sanchez, Lenny Castro, and Karen Briggs.

Each song on the album has its own personality, lyrically and musically, and received an individualized interpretation. Reeves points to her collaborators for helping her achieve that goal. “The musicians on When You Know have such broad palettes, and they place their individuality into the music in such a musical way.“ Case in point: Childs arranged the lyrical gem “Just My Imagination,” the signature Motown tune for the Temptations, which Reeves delivers in a dreamy state of euphoria. “Dreamy is right,” remarked Reeves. “It’s that time in high school when you’re looking at that cute guy on the other side of the classroom lost in the daydreams of a life together.” – Dianne Reeves.com

A Photo That Can Steal Your Online Credentials?

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Internet Security, Technology

“InfoWorld reports on a new potential ploy for stealing Web user’s private information: Researcher has found that by placing a new type of hybrid file on Web sites that let users upload their own images, they can circumvent security systems and take over Web surfers’ accounts. ‘They call this type of file a GIFAR, a contraction of GIF (graphics interchange format) and JAR (Java Archive), the two file-types that are mixed. At Black Hat, researchers will show attendees how to create the GIFAR while omitting a few key details to prevent it from being used immediately in any widespread attack.'” – Slashdot:News

In the Spotlight with Poncho Sanchez | Raise Your Hand

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Jazz, Latin Jazz, Soul Music, Video

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez has served up and impressive catalog of vibrant music over the years including “Do It, Out of Sight, Latin Soul, Afro Cuba Fantasy and Congo Blue.” Today, we’re delighted to roll out the red carpet for Mr. Poncho Sanchez is our first spotlight artist at The Urban Flux with a video interview from the fine folks at Concord Music. – V Bop

Poncho Sanchez | Making Raise Your Hand from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Poncho Sanchez, Raise Your Hand

On paper, the teaming of Latin-jazz veteran Poncho Sanchez with Stax legends Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones, and Steve Cropper on two Floyd classics may have looked like a nifty way to expand Sanchez’s audience while promoting Concord’s re-launch of the Stax and Volt labels. But the cover versions of “Knock on Wood” and the title track are little more than agreeable (Sanchez handles lead vocals, with Floyd in support). And if you’re looking for a lively remake of the Motown classic “Shotgun,” you’re better off with jazz upstart Don Byron’s recent version than the one here featuring one time James Brown saxist Maceo Parker. The rest of the album mainly sticks to the pop-influenced sound in which the conga-playing Sanchez has long specialized–a sound that in combining airy melodies and arrangements and tight grooves reflects both his California roots and his debt to New York greats including onetime labelmate Tito Puente. A solid guest vocal by salsa and salsatron star Andy Montanez might have been even better had he recorded with the band rather than back home in Puerto Rico. – Lloyd Sachs [Amazon.com]

S.M.V. | Thunder [Review]

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African American, Bass Guitar, Fusion, Jazz, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten

S.M.V. - "Thunder"

Out of the shrink-wrap, this outstanding collaborative effort by the three amigos, maestros of their instrument in the universe Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten collectively brings on a colossal of unadulterated “Thunder” to their first time outing together on Heads Up International. Major kudos to Heads Up Records for stretching and bending the boundaries with this project by marrying the voices of three of the most esteemed artists in the music business today regardless of genre.

I know, you think why on earth would these guys of this talent endure the pain of trying to work out their elusive schedules to record this record? Was it their ego? Perhaps? But unlikely, because they have earned their stripes and garnered a very strong fan base to fool around with immaturity.