Michael Lington
Over 25 years into one of contemporary jazz’s most storied and exhilarating careers, #1 Billboard charting saxophonist Michael Lington is as passionately expressive and sonically innovative as ever. The Danish born artist’s upward trajectory now leads him, on his new single, to vibe with a bona fide “Moon Goddess” – a vibrant and explosive, hard grooving, and emotionally empowering track showcasing the intuitive dynamic he creates co-writing and co-producing for the first time with famed saxophonist, producer and horn arranger David Mann. With a loose, freewheeling and soulful energy reminiscent of classic Contemporary jazz albums by CTI Records, the high intensity track marks Lington’s continued collaboration with legendary guitarist Paul Jackson Jr (whose infectious jangly funk intro and later solo are highlights) and first ever session with veteran jazz/R&B drummer Michael White. “Moon Goddess,” a nod to Ramsey Lewis’ “Sun Goddess,” will appear on Lington’s upcoming EP, Looking Ahead (Released in May), his first set of new recordings since 2018 Silver Lining....
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Michael Lington
Over 25 years into one of contemporary jazz’s most storied and exhilarating careers, #1 Billboard charting saxophonist Michael Lington is as passionately expressive and sonically innovative as ever. The Danish born artist’s upward trajectory now leads him, on his new single, to vibe with a bona fide “Moon Goddess” – a vibrant and explosive, hard grooving, and emotionally empowering track showcasing the intuitive dynamic he creates co-writing and co-producing for the first time with famed saxophonist, producer and horn arranger David Mann. With a loose, freewheeling and soulful energy reminiscent of classic Contemporary jazz albums by CTI Records, the high intensity track marks Lington’s continued collaboration with legendary guitarist Paul Jackson Jr (whose infectious jangly funk intro and later solo are highlights) and first ever session with veteran jazz/R&B drummer Michael White. “Moon Goddess,” a nod to Ramsey Lewis’ “Sun Goddess,” will appear on Lington’s upcoming EP, Looking Ahead (Released in May), his first set of new recordings since 2018 Silver Lining.
Howard Hewett is one of the most gifted vocalists in the Post-Marvin Gaye era of pop R&B. Hewett got his mainstream break as the male vocal lead in Shalamar. His tenor voice mixed beautifully with the bright vocals of Jody Watley, the dancing skills of Jeffery Daniels and the writing and production of Leon Sylvers III. The group gave the world feel-good dance favorites The Second Time Around and A Night to Remember, the baby-making classic For the Lover in You, as well as a number of beautiful B-side ballads like You Can Count On Me and Somewhere There’s a Love. When Watley and Daniels left the group in 1983, Hewett continued to lead Mickey Free and Delisa Davis in the reconstituted Shalamar. This version of the group was best known for soundtrack contributions on Footloose and Beverly Hills Cop with Dancing in the Sheets and the Grammy-winning Don’t Get Stopped in Beverly Hills, respectively. Subsequent projects have solidified Hewett’s place in the high ranks of R&B balladeers by writing and collaborating and lending his voice within an intimate group of crooners, including George Duke, Quincy Jones, James Ingram, Anita Baker, Prince and Stanley Clarke. With Elektra, he released Forever and Ever (1988- Once, Twice, Three Times), Howard Hewett (1990- Show Me) and Allegiance (1992- Can We Try Again). Later work shows increasing authenticity as Hewett rips song lyrics straight from his soul. It’s Time (1994- This Love is Forever), written and produced almost exclusively with long time friend and collaborator Monte Seward, displays all the vulnerability involved in falling and staying in love. In 2001, Hewett released the all inspirational album The Journey, where he shows us that his faith can’t be separated from his heart and soul. Hewett continues to seduce audiences and eardrums as he is constantly touring and intermittently releasing new music.
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