Jay Soto - Stay Awhile (2007)

In my review of Jay Soto's debut album (2005) I wrote: "Jay Soto's debut album Long Time Coming is his pavestone of virtuosity for a hopefully not so long way to musical celebrity." With Stay Awhile Jay has definitely made the second step in this glorious direction. On Jay's new album are many talented musicians: Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn, Mel Brown, Jeffrey Osborne, Michael White, Mario Mendivil, Michael Lington, Gary Meek, Frank Selman, Marlon Macclain, Freddie Fox, Byrne Donaldson and Jason Rahn. Jay 's dream was to be signed by a major label for spreading words and his music. Now he has signed with the nuGroove record label and will release his second album on May 29, 2007.

Jay produced two tracks of his album himself, the other tracks were produced by Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn (Wayman Tisdale, Jonathan Butler), and Mario Mendevil( Nelson Rangell). Every artist has influenced the album with his own style and chops. “Most of the songs on both albums are representative of who I am as a person. I self produced the first one, and wrote all of the songs. I did the songs from the ground up, created the progression of the melody, and had a say in just about every aspect of the album,” says Soto.

Much experience as a musician and the right feeling for arrangement and melody are necessary condition to create impressing music. Jay Soto has this great talent as he showcases on the title track Stay Awhile. A master of the guitar he plays the main theme with elegant ease and accelerates his performance until the fade out.

On Just Like That which Jay produced with Darren Rahn he plays short riffs supported by an hip hop beat. The guitar motif is repeated and prolonged by his keyboard.

Make It Happen is not Jay's wish but the third song which he created in collaboration with keyboard-legend Jeff Lorber. The tune is featuring Gary Meek not on sax but on flute. Michael White is guest-musician on drums. Inconspicuous but efficient. The synth bass plays a dominant role on this tune.

How I love good soul music. Jeffrey Osborne is one of my eternal heroes. You immediately recognize his typical and unique voice. Love Has Found A Way has the potential of a great hit, definitely a winner." To get Osborne for this album was one of the highlights of my career. He was one of the singers that I grew up listening to as a kid. He is one of my favorite voices ever. Darren Rahn produced that particular track, “Love Has Found A Way.” I had been considering singing it myself, but thought why not try to get a singer with a name so I just threw it out there (to the others). I told Darren that it would be really cool to have someone like Jeffrey Osborne on the CD and Darren told me he had just done something (a recording) with him last year. Darren said he would see what he could do and left Jeffrey a message. I was jumping up and down within an inch of the ceiling!”, comments Jay.

Smooth Jazz is positive music, Slammin' is expression of Smooth Jazz. Soto describes Slammin' as, “the most energetic tune on the album". No wonder that this tune will be the first single release of the album.

Grooveland is the second tune produced by Jeff Lorber featuring Gary Meek on sax. Jay Soto shines on guitar. He is definitely one of today's top notch guitarists.

Listening to your favorite music while driving your car is a cozy pleasure. Midnight Drive featuring Darren Rahn is the best fodder for your drive.

When do we have some time for Daydreamin'? Is listening to music a luxury? This tune gives you the best argument to answer this question with a loud No. Jay Soto's guitar play is exquisite like a ballade of a medieval troubadour.

Holding On was created by Mario Mendivil and Jay Soto. This is tune has a nice shuffle beat programmed by Mendivil supported by Freddie "Champagne" Fox on rhythm guitar. Marion Mendevil is musical director of the formation Shining Star and also played as bass player with jazz guitarist Curtis Reid.

Send One Your Love was originally written by Stevie Wonder as score for Michael Braun's documentary Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants (1979). Sax player Michael Lington and Jay Soto have often performed together, the ideal connection for this song. Awesome when the rhythm fades away and Jay plays the final tones.

Jeff Lorber creates a Hi-Hat-shuffle beat combined with a deep bass for City Slicker. Based on this rhythm Jay plays the main theme while Gary Meek adds the secondary layer on tenor sax. Forget this technical analysis when you listen to the hooking magic of the music.

With Jaywalking we are approaching the phenomena of producer Paul Brown. His chops have earned him two Grammy Awards and an impressive string of more than 40 number one hits on Radio & Records' smooth jazz chart. Also onboard a famous sax player pushing the song with hot chords.

Jay Soto's titled his second album Stay Awhile. There are twelve reasons to fulfil his wish and I do it with great pleasure.