Bradley Leighton - Groove Yard

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:27
Size: 97,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:00)  1. Mojave
(7:38)  2. Groove Yard
(6:21)  3. Fotografia
(6:48)  4. Dona Maria
(6:11)  5. Bahia
(7:27)  6. Road Song

Brazilian jazz doesn't necessarily have to be soft, lyrical, caressing, or gently melodic. The innovative saxophonist Ivo Perelman, for example, has combined Brazilian rhythms with free jazz and has been greatly influenced by Albert Ayler and post-1965 John Coltrane; at times, Perelman can be downright blistering. But in many cases, Brazilian jazz is, in fact, lyrical and gently melodic and those words easily describe what Bradley Leighton does on Groove Yard, his first album as a leader. The West Coast flutist doesn't play Brazilian jazz exclusively on this 2003 release; his interpretation of Wes Montgomery's "Road Song," for example, is more Afro-Cuban than Brazilian. But Brazilian songs dominate the 42-minute CD, and they're songs that inspire Leighton to be especially lyrical  including Ary Barroso's "Bahia," Duduka Da Fonseca's "Doña Maria," and two Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions: "Fotografia" and "Mojave." Leighton, thankfully, isn't one of those jazz musicians who plays warhorses exclusively. When it comes to Brazilian music, some of the lazier jazz artists refuse to do their homework they insist on playing nothing but the most beaten-to-death warhorses and are too lazy to unearth the lesser-known gems of prolific composers like Jobim, Ivan Lins, Dori Caymmi, and Milton Nascimento. But Leighton isn't lazy; "Mojave" is one of Jobim's lesser-known songs and while "Fotografia" is better known than "Mojave," it hasn't been totally beaten to death the way that "Corcovado," "The Girl from Ipanema," and "One Note Samba" have been beaten to death. As lyrically as Leighton plays on Groove Yard, he still knows how to be funky; soul-jazz is a major inspiration, especially the soul-jazz of Herbie Mann and Hubert Laws (two of his main influences). Leighton isn't a groundbreaking or terribly original player, but he's talented, warm, and expressive and those qualities serve him well on this solid, if derivative, outing.~Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/album/groove-yard-mw0000222188

Personnel: Bradley Leighton (flute, alto flute); Bob Magnusson (double bass); Jaime Valle (guitar); Mike Wofford (piano); Duncan Moore (drums); Allan Phillips (percussion).

Groove Yard

---

Bradley Leighton - Back To The Funk

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 52:45
Size: 84,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:32)  1. Runaway
(5:08)  2. Flow
(4:29)  3. Back To The Funk
(4:30)  4. Midnight Affairs
(5:56)  5. Clear Blue Skies
(4:42)  6. Special Lady
(3:43)  7. Sunday In San Diego
(3:59)  8. Make It With You
(4:53)  9. Ready For You
(4:53) 10. Soul Moon
(4:53) 11. Love Light In Flight

Back to the Funk is an intentional throwback to early-'70s funky jazz, the type of music performed by flutist Herbie Mann and a little later by saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. The R&B-ish grooves are catchy if predictable and the backup band is solid, with flutist Bradley Leighton in the lead nearly all of the time. Nothing unusual happens, but Leighton plays well over the vamps, sounding enthusiastic and reasonably creative within the genre. While eight of the 11 selections are recent originals, this could very easily be an album from 1972. Fans of that era's funky music will want to pick this one up. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/back-to-the-funk/id91059200

Personnel: Bradley Leighton (alto flute); Scott "Tempo" Kyle, Scott Kyle (trombone); Allan Phillips (piano, keyboards, percussion, drum programming); Cecil McBee Jr. Back to the Funk songs (bass instrument); Evan Marks (guitar); John Rekevics (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Brad Steinwehe (trumpet); Duncan Moore (drums).

Back To The Funk

---

Bradley Leighton - Soul Collective

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:29
Size: 97,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. It's On!
(4:46)  2. Rock Me Softly!
(4:31)  3. She's Gone!
(3:56)  4. That Man!
(4:46)  5. Ode to Billy Joe!
(6:01)  6. Wake Up Call!
(3:54)  7. Undercover!
(5:08)  8. Café Con Leche!
(4:26)  9. Keep That Same Old Feeling!

Bradley Leighton is a fine flute player who is a bit reminiscent in tone and style of Herbie Mann. Like Mann, Leighton is often heard in a wide variety of settings, ranging from creative jazz to crossover pop. The music on Soul Collective almost ranges that far, from fine examples of funky jazz to a pair of throwaway R&B vocals. Some of the music seems aimed at the smooth market while other selections would function best as background music for dancers. The musicianship is excellent, the rhythm sections groove, and the horn section (which includes Tom Scott on three selections) is full of talent. Leighton plays quite well throughout. But nothing all that unexpected occurs and the results are a bit too predictable and safe to be all that memorable. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-collective-mw0000784407

Bradley Leighton brings a unique and powerful sound to flute. His style of swing evolved from listening to the big, hi-octane bands of Kenton, Herman and Ferguson in the 60's-70's. His funkiness derives from years of listening to Tower of Power, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Brecker Brothers and countless other soul/R&B acts. He brings a fire and flair not usually heard nor expected from a flutist. Bradley has performed across the US and Asia, as both sideman and bandleader, for over 25 years. His most recent gigs included headlining the Gainesville Jazz Festival and opening for Gerald Albirght at the Greater Hartford Jazz Festival. Bradley Leighton is currently a Yamaha Performing Artist, a teacher and clinician and performing at venues across the United States and in Europe. He's flute coach at Oak Park Elementary in San Diego, CA - the music magnet school. He now resides in San Diego.  http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/bradleyleighton

Personnel: Bradley Leighton (flute, alto flute); Paula Prophet, Katreese Barnes (vocals, background vocals); Evan Marks, Sherrod Barnes (guitar); Tom Scott (saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Tom Braxton (saxophone, alto saxophone); Mic Gillette (trumpet, trombone); Greg Adams (trumpet); Allan Phillips (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Jason Miles (keyboards); Cesar Lozano, Brian Dunne (drums).

Soul Collective

---

Bradley Leighton - Just Doin' Our Thang

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:05
Size: 146,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Sunny
(6:04)  2. Now's The Time
(3:59)  3. Pink Panther Theme
(6:25)  4. Summertime
(6:16)  5. Breezin'
(4:52)  6. Carefree
(5:22)  7. Europa
(6:01)  8. Lazy Summer Days
(5:32)  9. Ain't No Sunshine
(5:29) 10. Deep Sea
(5:22) 11. Easy Morning
(4:46) 12. Speak Low

Just Doin' Our Thang brings me back to the late '60s and early '70s when jazz personalities like Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Mann, and Sergio Mendes were using contemporary pop material and selling records. Jazz music was losing momentum with the competition from the rock revolution and it was not unusual to hear any of the artists on Blue Note, Prestige, and other jazz labels playing Beatles tunes. Flutist Bradley Leighton, from the Pacific Northwest, perhaps has the same idea in mind for his second album. I like the idea of combining his alto flute with an organ trio plus percussion, and the end product is a perfect summertime album. The twelve selections are not entirely pop music covers, but the vibe is upbeat and satisfying. Several of these tunes should be candidates for airplay on smooth jazz radio, including some of the Leighton originals. 35 years ago, everyone was required to sing or play Bobby Hebb's "Sunny," so it now seems like a good way to open this album. The flute provides a perfect counterpoint to the organ funk feel. Likewise, the ubiquitous "Breezin'," which George Benson parlayed into a pop jazz staple during the '80s, is again given a new life by Bob Boss, who delivers some good guitar licks. (Why am I fighting to say "Boss Guitar" here?) For the purists, Leighton and company dig into "Now's The Time," "Speak Low," and "Summertime." ~ Michael P.Gladstone  

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=17758#.Uovjn-Jc_vs

Personnel: Bradley Leighton, alto flute; Rob Whitlock, Hammond B3 organ; Duncan Moore,drums; Bob Boss, guitar; Allan Phillips, percussion and keyboard

Just Doin' Our Thang

---