In
my review of Jay Soto's
debut album (2005) I wrote: "Jay Soto's debut album Long Time
Coming is his pavestone of virtuosity for a hopefully not so long
way to musical celebrity." With Stay Awhile Jay has definitely
made the second step in this glorious direction. On Jay's new album are many talented musicians:
Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn, Mel Brown, Jeffrey Osborne,
Michael White, Mario Mendivil, Michael Lington, Gary Meek, Frank
Selman, Marlon Macclain, Freddie Fox, Byrne Donaldson and Jason Rahn.
Jay 's dream was to be signed by a major label for spreading words and
his music. Now he has signed with the nuGroove record label and will
release his second album on May 29, 2007.
Jay
produced two tracks of his album himself, the other tracks were
produced by Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn (Wayman Tisdale,
Jonathan Butler), and Mario Mendevil( Nelson Rangell). Every artist
has influenced the album with his own style and chops. “Most of
the songs on both albums are representative of who I am as a person. I
self produced the first one, and wrote all of the songs. I did the
songs from the ground up, created the progression of the melody, and
had a say in just about every aspect of the album,” says Soto.
Much
experience as a musician and the right feeling for arrangement and
melody are necessary condition to create impressing music.
Jay
Soto has this great talent as he
showcases on the title track Stay Awhile. A master of the
guitar he plays the main theme with elegant ease and accelerates his
performance until the fade out.
On Just
Like That which Jay produced with Darren
Rahn he plays short riffs supported by an hip hop beat. The guitar
motif is repeated and prolonged by his keyboard.
Make
It Happen is not Jay's wish but the third song which he created in
collaboration with keyboard-legend Jeff Lorber. The tune is featuring Gary
Meek not on sax but on flute. Michael
White is guest-musician on drums. Inconspicuous but efficient. The
synth bass plays a dominant role on this tune.
How I
love good soul music. Jeffrey Osborne is one of my eternal heroes. You
immediately recognize his typical and unique voice. Love Has Found
A Way has the potential of a great hit, definitely a winner." To
get Osborne for this album was one of the highlights of my career. He
was one of the singers that I grew up listening to as a kid. He is one
of my favorite voices ever. Darren Rahn produced that particular
track, “Love Has Found A Way.” I had been considering singing it
myself, but thought why not try to get a singer with a name so I just
threw it out there (to the others). I told Darren that it would be
really cool to have someone like Jeffrey Osborne on the CD and Darren
told me he had just done something (a recording) with him last year.
Darren said he would see what he could do and left Jeffrey a message.
I was jumping up and down within an inch of the ceiling!”, comments
Jay.
Smooth
Jazz is positive music, Slammin' is expression of Smooth Jazz.
Soto describes Slammin' as, “the most energetic tune on the
album". No wonder that this tune will be the first single release
of the album.
Grooveland
is the second tune produced by Jeff Lorber featuring Gary Meek on sax.
Jay Soto shines on guitar. He is definitely one of today's top notch
guitarists.
Listening to
your favorite music
while driving your car is a cozy pleasure. Midnight Drive
featuring Darren Rahn is the best fodder for your drive.
When
do we have some time for Daydreamin'? Is listening to music a
luxury? This tune gives you the best argument to answer this question
with a loud No. Jay Soto's guitar play is exquisite like a ballade of
a medieval troubadour.
Holding
On was created by Mario Mendivil and Jay Soto. This is tune has a
nice shuffle beat programmed by Mendivil supported by Freddie
"Champagne" Fox on rhythm guitar. Marion Mendevil is musical
director of the formation Shining
Star and also played as bass player with jazz guitarist Curtis Reid.
Send
One Your Love was originally written by Stevie Wonder as score
for Michael Braun's documentary Journey Through the Secret Life of
Plants (1979). Sax player Michael Lington and Jay Soto have often
performed together, the ideal connection for this song. Awesome when
the rhythm fades away and Jay plays the final tones.
Jeff
Lorber creates a Hi-Hat-shuffle beat combined with a deep bass for City
Slicker. Based on this rhythm Jay plays the main theme while Gary
Meek adds the secondary layer on tenor sax. Forget this technical
analysis when you listen to the hooking magic of the music.
With Jaywalking
we are approaching the phenomena of producer Paul Brown. His chops
have earned him two Grammy Awards and an impressive string of more
than 40 number one hits on Radio & Records' smooth jazz chart.
Also onboard a famous sax player pushing the song with hot chords.
Jay
Soto's titled his second album Stay Awhile. There are twelve
reasons to fulfil his wish and I do it with great pleasure.
