U-Nam - Surface Level (2016)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, from the one who placed Funk Ave. on the map of France comes another blazer by that household u-nam-surface-cdfunkateer guitarist/producer U-Nam. What can one say about this cat? He obviously eats, drinks, and sleeps jazz/funk in ways many can only imagine. Stepping out all ablaze with fire and color on his latest called Surface Level, the guitar maestro does what has now become customary for him turn the genre inside out and on its ear with the brightest, tightest, classiest, and funkiest of melodies, guitar riffs and hooks. His stratospheric and innovative grasp of what makes a hit a hit is virtually uncanny. Perhaps we should have him wear a cape and deem him to be some kind of jazz superhero. How about it, U-Nam? Up for that? This album is equipped with every manner of groove and hot funk imaginable. Needless to say, the guitar does its own singing and dancing. You need only follow along, as you undoubtedly will with happy feet as you take in such smokers as the lead track Going For Miles, Groove Paradise, Back In Style, a slick cover of Mary J. Blige s Mary Jane (All Night Long), Spice of Life, and the title track...and that s just for starters. There s a track here that, upon seeing its title, may just mislead you into thinking that it s a cover of the old soundtrack The Sound of Music. Do not, repeat, do not make that mistake. This is The Sound of Music U-Nam style. Need I say more? As if this album needed anything more to make it super-attractive, U-Nam pays a wonderful and honorable tribute to one of the true pioneers of acid jazz, the late great Ronnie Jordan with Cool Blue. Yes, so very cool, and it definitely captures the personality of the late guitarist. As I started off by asking: What can one say about this cat? This superhero of jazz/funk. It can only be said that he has to know that we jazzers have been grateful for his entrance into our world some 10 years or so ago. Play on, U-Nam, play on. --Ronald Jackson - The Smooth Jazz Ride

Allow me to preface this by answering what is the most common, if not trivial FAQ surrounding one of smooth jazz music s meteoric stars. The name U-Nam in French translates to one soul . If most didn t know better, it could easily have meant genius . If he and I hadn t become such good social media friends, seemingly in contact on a weekly basis, I likely wouldn t be able to get inside the mind and talent of the French born guitarist, composer, producer, and creator of his own record label, Skytown Records. No sooner are you hooked on a current project, U-Nam is back in the studio working feverishly on and ultimately delivering another explosion album. And like previous superb releases, Surface Level delivers what the fans demand. Following on the success of his Billboard #1 album C est Le Funk, Surface Level, and its 10-track list of original and tribute material again satisfies that sweet zone of fresh groove jazz and delicious throwback funk/RnB/jazz vibes, rhythms, melodies with definitive 80 s nuances. Instantly addictive, Going For Miles (former #1 on Wave.fm s Weekly Top 10) is a left hook of funk dance fever, and while jazz enthusiasts might presume it s a tribute to the great Miles Davis, in actuality it s a tribute to and celebration of the new son U-Nam and his talented saxophonist wife Shannon Kennedy recently welcomed into the world, aptly named Miles. Groove Paradise couldn t be more appropriately titled, because whether by coincidence or not, U-Nam again or orchestrates an oasis of relentlessly melodic guitar and rhythmic amazement back by lush strings and retro soulful flute layering. Spice Of Life (originally recorded by Manhattan Tansfer)is sophisticated and cool, full of swagger with just enough brass to ignite the soul. It has unexpected become a tribute to the one-man song writer machine, Rod Temperton, who sadly passed away in early Fall 2016 after composing some of the biggest hits the world as known including Thriller. Cool Blue takes a more bass-heavy laid back approach in what is a tribute to the enormously revered late jazz guitar legend Ronny Jordan. With Acid Jazz vibes on this particular track, U-Nam recalls how Ronny referred to him as his new favourite guitarist on the scene, a sentiment that he embraces as inspiration. An obvious play on words and punography, West Indeed offers a mid-tempo island reggae vibe with U-Nam s signature guitar sound painting images of a Caribbean sunset as opposed to a raging Sunplash party. If there s one thing Surface Level is justifiably guilty of, it s a defiance of unwritten rules of smooth groove jazz.. U-Nam rewrites any preconceived regulations with infinite creativity, musicianship, and an affinity to hit the right chords and reach the perfect notes to produce a trademark sound that is all his own. I admire the carpe diem style imagery that doesn t go unnoticed on the album cover. It serves notice that the boundary bending electric guitarist intends on seizing many more moments and milestones long before his career ever ends. --Stu Berketo -On-air Host, Wave.fm/94.7 HD2

The grooves here go way past the surface level mighty deep overall, and served up in that fantastic mix of jazzy fusion and club that we love so much from U-Nam! The guitarist just seems to get better and better with each new recording mixing a 70s style of George Benson soloing with well-crafted rhythms that are never too over the top, and which never force the groove so much that U-Nam can't find space to do his own thing! The style's almost like an instrumental version of Incognito, although with more of a jazzy solo instrumental vibe and titles include "Back In Style", "Mary Jane", "Groove Paradise", "Going For Miles", "Surface Level", and West Indeed". --Dusty Groove America