The Smoothication Experience

This week we feature the amazingly talented Hala Taha. Hala is the host of one of the top podcasts in the world, Young and Profiting, where each week she interviews some of the brightest minds in the world which has included Seth Godin, Mark Metry, and Ryan Serhant ―turning their wisdom into actionable advice you can use in your everyday life no matter your age, profession or industry.  If you love self-improvement and want to become the best version of yourself her Young and Profiting podcast is one you definitely need to download. 

Hala on this episode brings us her Top 5 Smooth that includes Michael Jackson, Anderson .Paak, Peach Tree Rascals, Pharrell, and Beyonce. We also learn about Hala's life as a super smooth singer before Young and Profiting where she recorded under the name Hala Berry. We end the show with a special smooth surprise with one of Hala's songs  “Baby I Love You” produced by the talented producer Harry Fraud. 

Welcome to our new series called Undercover Smooth! What is Undercover Smooth you may ask? It’s those super smooth tracks that you never knew existed from some of your favorite smooth artists. Each week we’re going to channel our inner Sherlock Holmes and dive into the smooth artist archives to help you discover some of our favorite undercover smooth songs from some of your favorite smooth artists. It’s our opportunity to breathe life into some of those forgotten smooth songs that deserve a second look. 

This week we feature the multi-talented Shanice and five of her best Undercover Smooth songs - You Were The One, I'm Cryin', Fall For You, Don't Wanna Lose You, and Love Will Follow (with Kenny Loggins). 

Welcome to our new series called Undercover Smooth! What is Undercover Smooth you may ask? It’s those super smooth tracks that you never knew existed from some of your favorite smooth artists. Each week we’re going to channel our inner Sherlock Holmes and dive into the smooth artist archives to help you discover some of our favorite undercover smooth songs from some of your favorite smooth artists. It’s our opportunity to breathe life into some of those forgotten smooth songs that deserve a second look. This week we go undercover with Justin Timberlake and his Man of The Wood’s album which has three super undercover smooth bangers - Wave, Montana, and Breeze Off the Pond.

We are joined by Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and guitarist, Joshua Paul Thompson who has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Surface, Freddie Jackson, The Temptations, Stanley Jordan, Babyface, Maxi Priest, Alicia Keys, Xscape, Tyrese, George Benson, Case, and Joe. 

Joshua is responsible for writing and producing one of the smoothest songs in the history of smooth, Joe’s  "All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do)" and we learn the inspiration of how this smooth masterpiece was created. 

We also discuss some of the other smooth smash hits he’s created including Joe & Case's “Faded Pictures”, Babyface's “Reason For Breathing”, and George Benson’s “Black Rose”.  Additionally, we discuss his top 5 smooth which includes Herbie Hancock's “Chan's Song (Never Said)”, Quincy Jones's “Velas”, and Bobby Caldwell's “What You Won’t Do For Love”. 

Fan favorite Daniel Tirado joins us once again for Around the World of Smooth where he presents us a top 5 smooth which includes Barry White, Billy Idol, Sweet Micky, Change, and Kavinsky. The talented actor, stand-up comedian, musician, and writer delights us with his eclectic, off-beat, and unusual song selections but once again delivers the smooth. If you love to laugh this is one episode you don't want to miss! 

Ali Jackson one of the greatest drummers in the world joins to take our audience on a history of smooth. He is an award-winning musician, composer, arranger, educator, and percussionist who spent several years touring and recording with a diverse group of musicians before accepting the role of Drum Chair of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra which was founded by Wynton Marsalis. 

Ali has performed and recorded with a multitude of artists including Wynton Marsalis, Jon Batiste, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Bobby McFerrin, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Harry Connick, Jr., Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, and Gerald Albright. 

As a bandleader, Ali has recorded five albums, including Amalgamations, Wheelz Keep Rollin’, Big Brown Getdown and the Yes! Trio album. 

During this episode we discuss some of the most influential songs in smooth including: 

Ahmad Jamal “Poinciana”

Dave Brubeck “In Your Own Sweet Way”

Duke Ellington “Mood Indigo”

George Benson “Breezin’”

Kool and the Gang “Summer Madness”

Grover Washington “Mr. Magic”

Antonio Carlos Jobim/Elis Regina/Tom Jobim “Aguas de Março”

Quincy Jones “Secret Garden”

The talented and super smooth writer, producer, and singer Le Flex joins us to discuss his top 5 smooth which includes George Benson, Lionel Richie, Babyface, and James Ingram. His sound is a mix of 1980s-influenced synth pop with a sprinkling of soul and house, think George Michael, Imagination, and Stock Aitken & Waterman mixed together with Babyface. Le Flex has a worldwide audience that stretches from Moscow and St Petersburg all the way to Los Angeles via the Far East and South Korea. 

The talented and dynamic artist Bernardo Rodriguez, who is also the Creative Art Director for the Smoothication Experience, joins us for a very special episode where he discusses the art of smooth. We learn about how the smooth of Luis Juan Guerra influenced him as a young child growing up with Dominican roots to him presenting hosts John & Rob the perfect song to convey the mission of the Smoothication Experience. 

Influencer, Educator, Actor, Musician, and Pastor David Jefferson Jr. joins us for his current take on the world of smooth. He also anoints hosts John and Rob as the chosen ones to spread the gospel of smooth!

Entrepreneur and social advocate Yasmin Tavakoli surprises and delights us by channeling her inner smooth. She surprises us with some Persian smooth as well as some undercover smooth, but saves the best for last with perhaps the best smooth song in the history of smooth in George Michael's Careless Whisper.