Inside MusiCast

While Inside MusiCast has focused on bringing you the legendary musicians who have helped to shape the world music, were always keeping our ears peeled for the next generation of musicians who will keep this spirit alive and ongoing. On todays episode, we turn our attention to the Los Angeles based jazz, funk and soul trio, Organ Freeman. While the bands name might make you snicker, their music will definitely put a smile on your face and a new groove in your soul. The fresh, new band is starting to make a name for themselves in Southern California and the Bay area, so we though wed help spread their music and their story. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome organist and key bassist Trevor Steer of Organ Freeman.

Call it divine intervention, but when Shawn Lee and Andy Platts met for the first time back in 2008, they knew they had a special musical chemistry. This duo from the UK each had their own path carved in the music scene; Andy with his band Mamas Gun and Shawn who had a deep run in various bands, including studio work in LA and a mix of renowned solo projects, such as his Ping Pong Orchestra. Yet, they discovered that they each had a passion for West Coast AOR that led them to their first album project as Young Gun Silver Fox, titled West End Coast an album that has caught the attention of all of us at Inside MusiCast and West Coast lovers across the globe. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Shawn Lee and Andy Platts from Young Gun Silver Fox.

Great musicians make great albums, but when you add a world class recording engineer and producer to the mix, you can take your project to another level. For nearly six decades, this is exactly what Al Schmitt has done for the world of music. Since the late 1950s, Al Schmitt has engineered and produced thousands of album projects for some of the most well-known artists in the world, such as Henry Mancini, Sam Cooke, Jefferson Airplane, George Benson, Steely Dan, Toto, Michael Franks, Pablo Cruise, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Tower of Power and so many more. Als approach to recording and producing music is as much about simplicity as it is about technicality. His ears and his instincts are the heart of his craft, as well as his ability to be the musician's best friend in the studio. At 85 years young, Al Schmitt continues to be a first call engineer and his plate is full for the coming year. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Grammy award-winning engineer and producer, Al Schmitt.

When we last spoke to Keiko Matsui in March of 2011, she had just released The Road, which featured an incredible lineup of musicians, such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Richard Bona, James Hara and Kirk Whalum. Since then, Keiko has released another solo project titled Soul Quest, as well as teaming up with the legendary Bob James for their album Altair & Vega. Outside of the studio, Keiko is a passionate and relentless world traveler, bringing her music to her fans all over the world. In doing so, she captured an incredible performance in her native country of Japan that has recently been released as a CD/DVD combo titled Keiko: Live In Tokyo. Its her first live release in many years and it features past Inside MusiCast guest Kirk Whalum and guitarist Chuck Loeb. Here to talk to us more about this project is Keiko Matsui.

The influence of West Coast AOR runs deep in the souls of many career musicians. Ask any studio or touring musician about their inspirations and youre bound to hear an answer that would include the talented players who laced the liner notes of the great albums from the 70s and 80s. Tim Cashion is no exception. For the past 15 years, Tim has provided keyboard and vocal support to the legendary band Grand Funk Railroad. Prior to that, he has toured with the likes of Takanaka, Robert Palmer, Jon Secada and Bob Seger. Yet deep in his musical soul there lied a passion for West Coast AOR. In 2005, Tim began to explore this musical path and created the tracks that became his personal Sargent Peppers titled Find Us On The Dial. The album sat in silence until now. To tell us more about this incredible album and the unique story about its release is Tim Cashion.

Peter Friestedt is one of Swedens premiere musicians and guitarists. Having studied music at several conservatories in Sweden, Peter eventually landed in Los Angeles to study at the Los Angeles Music Academy. There he studied under Frank Gambale and his guitar staff, but sometimes education will only get you so far. Peter wanted his music in the hands and ears of Bill Champlin, so he borrowed a friends car, drove to Bills house and delivered a cassette tape that contained some of his music. This was the start of Peters LA Project - his first album project that was eventually distributed all over Europe and garnered the attention of his peers and fans worldwide. It also catapulted Peter to various projects over the past two decades - his latest being the recently released CWF album that features Champlin and Toto vocalist, Joseph Williams. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome both Peter Friestedt and Bill Champlin.

Tom Canning. You know him best for his excellent writing, arranging and for his amazing keyboard touches on most of Al Jarreaus music. But the native New Yorkers music career started well before Al, when he performed and recorded with John Klemmer, Freddie King, T-Bone Burnett and others. But as we all know, it was an unsigned Al Jarreau who hired Canning as his music director in 1974 and the rest is history. You know the tracks, Roof Garden, Breakin Away, Never Givin Up all containing Cannings masterful arranging and performing. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tom Canning.

Sometimes being an incredibly talented musician is only half the battle when you want to make it into the music industry. Drummer Tom Brechtleins rise to success is the classic tale of hard work, perseverance and self-promotion. From his big break of landing a steady gig with Chick Corea in 1978, he has gone on to perform with some heavyweights, such as Wayne Shorter, Al Dimeola, Jean Luc Ponty, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Christopher Cross and many others. Over the past eight years, Brechtlein has toured extensively with Kenny Loggins and has also found a new niche with teaching drums and percussion. Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome Tom Brechtlein.

Bill Maxwells talents stretch far beyond his drumming skills. Over the years, the Oklahoma native has become a first call LA session drummer, arranger, composer, and producer whose career began in a blues band and continued to a producer/drummer role with Andra Crouch and The Disciples. His career blossomed as he collaborated with artists such as Luther Vandross, Kirk Whalum, the Crusaders, Freddie Hubbard and The Winans. Bill has recently played the role as music director for performances at the White House by playing for President Obama and the First Lady. His abilities and discography are vast and we welcome Bill Maxwell to Inside MusiCast.

Jimmy Haslip is a renaissance man who hasn't let boundaries define him. As an original band member of the Yellow Jackets, his pronounced influence over the past 3 decades is seen in musicians today. He has demonstrated an uncanny ability to deliver a groove in not only fusion, but also Latin, pop and international genres. Haslip today has evolved from musician-composer to an in-demand, producer extraordinaire. Inside MusiCast welcomes back Jimmy Haslip.