Inside MusiCast

SEAWIND. The name in the LA music scene is legendary. Maybe it was the smooth jazz sound in the 70’s that captivated people. Maybe it was the monster musicians who were playing in the band. Maybe it was the lead singer’s sultry and sexy vocals. And maybe it was all about timing. But SEAWIND made it’s presence known starting with a gig at the famous Baked Potato in LA in front of some of the most heavy-hitting people in the music biz. And that was the beginning of the SEAWIND sound that eventually took the LA music scene by storm. When Bob Wilson connected with Larry Williams, Jerry Hey and Kim Hutchcroft, and a few others musicians, he never realized that today the SEAWIND sound would be alive and well. But it is. On this episode of Inside MusiCast we chat with Bob Wilson, founder of the group that today needs no introduction to music aficionados.

Like his brilliant ability to scat his way through a tune, Al Jarreau’s musical career has been a colorful journey of constant creation, discovery and rediscovery. His vocal style is a unique artistry that is unmistakable. From his early beginnings in the 60’s performing in a small jazz trio in San Francisco that included the late George Duke, Jarreau’s career has delivered 15 studio albums, as well as several live albums, compilations and collaborations. Inside MusiCast kicks off 2014 in style, as we’re pleased to welcome Al Jarreau.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast we’ll explore an album that was recorded and produced in 1995, but failed to get support from its label and fell flat in terms of its overall sales.  Aside from the record label snub, this album was a diamond in the rough – a true blue-eyed, late 70’s soul album that was the right album at the wrong time. The album is “Musically Adrift” by band mates Barney Hurley and Gavin Dodds, otherwise knows as Samuel Purdey. Influenced by the likes of Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and Earth Wind and Fire, “Musically Adrift” revisits this great genre of music and the ten original tracks stacks-up with the likes of these iconic predecessors. Today on Inside MusiCast we welcome Barney Hurley from Samuel Purdey to go inside the magic of “Musically Adrift”. 

Dominic Miller is riding his own wave of success. Although he’s Sting’s primary guitarist since 1990, Miller is clearly a musician who has made his mark on delivering his own sound while bringing a wide breadth of cultural experiences to the collaboration table.  He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, spending his first ten years there. Soon, he and his family relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, where he took interest in the guitar with a little encouragement from one of his older sisters. He had found his passion. He went on to study music formally in the US and also in England, where he met other musicians who would become lifelong collaborators, such as Mike Lindup of Level 42. After playing in various groups during his teens and beyond, his first real break came when he worked on Phil Collins’ ‘But Seriously’ album. That was all it took for Sting to take notice of his extraordinary guitar playing and sound. Before long, Sting’s ‘Soul Cages’ album was released and Miller was launched into the global spotlight as a serious player. As one who has a passion for Brazilian, Spanish, and classical music, Miller still finds time for self-expression with his own solo work that is expressive, yet technical. Inside MusiCast welcomes Dominic Miller.

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we welcome back two of our past guests – Jeff Lorber and Jimmy Haslip – to discuss their new Jeff Lorber Fusion collaboration “Hacienda.” Jeff will also announce the winners of the “Hacienda” CD contest. We’re pleased to welcome back Jeff and Jimmy to Inside MusiCast!

Marc Jordan considers his life as a conduit of the arts. It includes sound, sight, and form. But as a musician, song writer and producer, he has worked with the best. It all started when as a young musician, he landed in LA where his musical road would cross with Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz at Warner Brothers. That was the beginning of a solo career what has honed Jordan’s career as a singer, songwriter, and producer. But his creativity didn’t stop there. He has honed his skills as an actor and painter too. Inside MusiCast welcomes the complete artistry of Marc Jordan.

The name Gary Katz is legendary in the music world. It’s synonymous with the music of Steely Dan, as you well know. He admits that his longevity as a sought-after producer has nothing really to do with his musical abilities…but his “ears”. He’s a pro in knowing how to help good artists become great artists and also how to make every record a great album. That’s what has made Katz one of the best producers in the biz for years. Case in point: Steely Dan. Need we say more? As an A&R guy in his early career, he helped sign Jim Croce, Dire Straits, Prince, Rickie Lee Jones, and Christopher Cross. IMC welcomes an ever-present force in music, Gary Katz.

You may not be familiar with his name, but Phil Kenzie’s contributions to the world of music are many and in some cases iconic. Phil has performed and recorded with some of the most well known artists in the history of rock, such as Al Stewart, Rod Stewart, Kenny Loggins, David Bowie, the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Karla Bonoff, Jackson Browne, the Rocky Horror Picture Show and even the Beatles. On today’s episode of Inside MusiCast, we chat with Phil about his start in the business and his rise to become a first call sax player.  We also discuss his connection to George Harrison and the Beatles, his incredible story about a 1937 Selmer alto sax he used on his iconic solo on Al Stewarts’s “Year Of The Cat” and how Rod Stewart stole him away from Al Stewart. Inside MusiCast welcomes the incredibly talented Phil Kenzie.

On this episode, we bring you the West Coast sounds of the State Cows. The band, created by the Europe-based musical team of Daniel Anderson and Stefan Olofsson, doesn’t hide behind the fact that State Cows has been influenced by the many West Coast sounds that emerged in the 70s and 80s. In fact, they flaunt it on their new release called The Second One. After crossing paths with West Coast greats such as David Foster, Jay Graydon and others a few years back, the duo began to compose music that was always close to their hearts. The music has become an extension of their upbringing and influences throughout their lives. The simple truth is that there is a fresh purity of how they interpret West Coast music…and they keep it alive with the release of The Second One. Andersson and Olofsson have delivered a true AOR record that will find you listening to the whole album at one sitting. We should know, we’ve listened to it and it’s worth the investment. IMC is glad to welcome the dynamic team of the State Cows! Welcome Daniel and Stefan!

On this episode of Inside MusiCast, we’ll take you inside the world of musician, composer, arranger, author and founding member of Chicago and the California Transit Authority, Danny Seraphine. Danny’s career has spanned nearly five decades and he’s considered one of the greatest drummers in the rock and pop era. His jazz-rock drumming style was a prominent piece of the Chicago sound for 23 years until his departure in 1990. Danny left music behind him for a 15-year period until he was pulled out of seclusion in 2005 to play a benefit gig. That was the spark that led him back into the music scene and to the creation of his new band, CTA – California Transit Authority – whose new album “Sacred Ground” was released in April 2013. Danny was also inspired to release a book, “Street Player – My Chicago Story”, which helped him make peace with his past and reflect on his tenure with Chicago. Inside MusiCast welcomes Danny Seraphine.