LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Present Tense Official Website) - Climbing the Smooth Jazz &
Music Choice Charts with Breakthrough LP "Smooth Talkin'" and Singles "Smiles" and "Smooth Talkin'"
The nationwide radio campaign for Present Tense Jazz's release of their second CD "Smooth Talkin'," is gaining wide acceptance in the radio community. Currently over 60 stations and syndicated programs are airing the singles 'Smiles,' and 'Smooth Talkin'. Present Tense Jazz is No. 5 on the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts, No. 36 on the Smooth Jazz Top 50, and No. 29 on the Music Choice Smooth Jazz Charts.
The independent grass roots project, produced by Richard J. Frank and Ronnie Kaufman, features 12 original compositions plus a unique arrangement of Steven Tyler's (of Aerosmith fame) classic 'Dream On.'
All of the primary tracks - piano, bass, and drums - were simultaneously recorded live in a sound studio. Smooth Talkin', featuring Eric Marienthal on sax, and Alex Acuna on percussion, has been charting briskly on smooth jazz stations and is currently on radio stations and syndicated programs from California to Maine and Washington to Florida. The Los Angeles based ensemble is excited to present its refreshing "smooth jazz jam band" sound to the world.
"We've created a fresh and organic groove jazz sound to 'advance' the current smooth jazz medium," states producer/bassist/composer Richard J. Frank. "We are a band first and foremost. Present Tense Music is about creating accessible compositions that groove hard - in a jam band style."
Music Connection Magazine sums it up, "Each musician in this group can stand on his own, and all are allowed to shine singularly. In fact, each instrument is so much a part of the total sound that without any one piece it would change significantly."
Rather than imitate other smooth jazz artists, Richard and Ronnie approach this project in a much more 'live' fashion - certainly a different twist to the many bands of this genre today. "All of the primary tracks - piano, bass, and drums - were simultaneously recorded live in a sound studio. So what we created is a tight, interactive experience," states Ronnie Kaufman. He continues, "With Richard utilizing the upright bass in non-traditional playing style, and acoustic drums and piano, in combination with smooth R&B grooves, a unique sound emerged."
