Candy Dulfer appeared in the smooth jazz scene
with a big bang. Her debut album Saxuality (1990) sold more
than a million copies worldwide and scored a Grammy nomination. She
founded her first band called Funky Stuff, that's still the
name of her band, by 14 and her debut album was recorded by 19 and
published by 21. Her greatest hit Lilly Was Here (with Dave
Stewart) reached # 11 on the Billboard Top 100 and #1 in the
Netherland radio charts. You should see this tune on You tube and
Candy's other videos! Candy performed with Prince, Madonna,
Blondie, Van Morrison, Marceo Parker, Pink Floyd, David Sanborn, Chaka
Khan, Aretha Franklin, Joe DeFrancesco and more.
Candy Dulfer's new album is a return to her funky
roots. Her jazz style is unique and nonconformist. "I think one of the reasons why my career has
gone so well, and continues to go well after all these years," says
Dulfer, "is because I make this really strange mix of all the music I
grew up with, even if it doesn't always make sense. I'm not afraid to
put jazz and R&B and house music into what I'm doing. For some people,
this sounds crazy, but most people just like it."
I had the opportunity to attend her
concert in
Düsseldorf this year and was deeply impressed by the presentation of
her new album. The album is available in Europe since June and will be
released in the States in September on Heads Up International. I
promise you that is not the every time smooth jazz you listen on radio
stations.
The funk explosion starts with the powerful
Candy. The similarity to Prince's music is flabbergasting. No
wonder, the tune was written by keyboardist Chanced Howard. He was
from 1997 to 2004 member of Prince's group and is also keyboardist of
Morris Day's band "The Time". He also toured
with Candy on her 2006 European tour. "We instantly clicked, not just
as musicians but as friends. He's a great musician, but he's not just
into musical showmanship. He's also every interested in making good
songs", comments Candy.
L.A. Citylights has an old-fashioned paint
of soul and Motown sound. Mix in some vinyl crackle or fake distortion, add some relaxed drum beats, horn arrangements and guitar
chords, then you have the right background for a soulful sax story,
audience will eagerly listen to.
A musical box like intro with a dodgy EQ opens to
Music=Love and Candy's sax bursts out again Reggae-wise. Chance
Howard sparkles in some gritty dirty vocals.
La Cabaña is the name of an old
fortress located in the harbor entrance of Havana, Cuba. But foremost
it's a superior mix of Salsa, Garage Sound, Merengue Hip Hop in the
style of Proyecto Uno (Greets to Gail Jhonson) and funk, blending
seamlessly to one of the most danceable tracks of this year. I swear
you dance!
11:58 is a good example for Candy's own
imagination of smooth jazz. A hooking melody perfectly phrased.
Keyboardist Thomas Banks sets original accents with special drum
effects and the song is rounded up with Candy's spacey Rhodes sounds.
Summertime is not a cover of Gershwin's
song but a creation of Candy, Thomas Bank and guitarist Ulco Bed. Bass
and rhythm are a reminiscence to Rapper's Delight. The song is
featuring Candy as phenomenal lead singer. The tune also encompass Jan
van Duikeren's awesome horn arrangement in the tradition of Tower of
Power.
Sunny beach, gently wind, a cool drink, just
chilling around. That's the mood of Soulsax. "It's something
that a lot of Dutch people never get experienced back home - the whole
laid back vibe," comments Candy. The reggae Smokin' Gun is
going right in the bullet. Rhythm and melody are melted to a
hypnotizing essence.
If there is somebody who smoked the funk than
it's Candy Dulfer. Back To Juan has the same classic funk
structure like Pick Up The Pieces. But the tune also encompass
some epic bridges. Unbeatable is Candy's dynamic sax solo.
If I Ruled The World shows a further
aspect of Candy's musical work, the spicy mélange of strings and horn
arrangements.
The slow contemplative and gospel like
Everytime gives time for some recreation. Smooth sax and silky
vocals for an extensive balance.
Candy Dulfer's Finsbury Park Café 67 has
already enriches several smooth jazz compilations. First released on
her solo album Right in my Soul this song became a major smash
at all the smooth jazz stations across the USA. The song also reached
the Number 1 position on the R&R Smooth Jazz chart - making it the
most played smooth jazz song in the USA. My kudos!
Congratulation Dave Love for getting Candy to
your label. The best advertisement for Heads Up International one can
imagine. Sax sales.
