Upper Marlboro, MD (Top40 Charts/ Great Scott Productions) After releasing six albums on his own independent label, BASS-mint Records, keyboardist Jeff Logan decided that he would raise the stakes on his "lucky number seven" album. By day, the prolific songwriter, who produces and performs all the instruments on his records including piano, keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion, drums and drum programming, serves as an administrator in the
Prince George's County detention center in Maryland. But his passion has always been music and he humbly devoted the resources to recruit a team of professionals to help bring his jazzy R&B grooves and melodic instrumental pop to the masses. Prior to today's release of the
Black Tie Affair album, the title track and first single has already been played on more than 25 radio stations across the country with new outlets joining the party each week.
Logan has a natural, easy way with melodies, which makes Black Tie Affair appealing and accessible. There is an undeniable charm to the pristine production and unpretentious instrumentation, which provide the perfect ambience for Logan's vibrant melodies and agile keyboard artistry on the ten original songs and two covers that comprise the collection.
Bursting forth with radiant light and playful, quixotic instrumental flourishes, "Sunbreeze" opens the disc. "Black Tie Affair" features an elegant piano and rousing organ duet over a bouncy Go-Go beat. "Smile" shines radiantly when the piano and acoustic guitar dialect unfolds with character and grace. One of two vocal numbers, the laidback groove along with Logan's soulful falsetto make "Smoothology 101" a steamy boudoir romancer. Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Favorite Things" is presented in a formal, recital-like salute amidst eloquent piano and searing organ soloing. A retro electronic groove sets the pace on "Water To Wine." The adventurous "Improvise" vacillates in mood and tempo with a haunting vocal scat thrown in to accent the sweltering, rhythmically astute groove. Perhaps the prize in the cereal box comes in the form of the unexpectedly lilting instrumental take on The Ohio Players' hit "Sweet Sticky Thing." Emerging from a deep bass and drum groove is the buoyant "Noteworthy." "Sand 'N Between" is a graceful dance with heart across a classy ballroom. More falsetto vocals and a thumping bass propel the funky "Stratosphere." A zippy, fun and gleeful flashback reminiscent of New Wave synth-pop, "Elevator Up" ends the affair on a bright note.
A self-taught musician born, raised and still residing in the Washington, DC-Baltimore area, Logan launched his own label in 2002 to release his debut disc, Soulitude, as well as subsequent releases that explored contemporary jazz, R&B, gospel and neo-soul. He looks forward to assembling a band to perform music from Black Tie Affair live. For further information, please visit www.bassmintrecordsmusic.com or www.bssmntrcrds.com.
