Aliso Viejo, CA (Top40 Charts/ Great Scott Productions) Celebrating his birthday today while fondly remembering his father, who passed away on this date in 2007, keyboardist Patrick Bradley knows how precious life is and he plans to make the most of his time here despite incessant, spirit-crushing struggles. The jazz fusion artist is making an inspired, life-affirming musical statement with today's release of Under The Sun, his second album for which he wrote or co-wrote all eleven songs that were produced by jazz fusion pioneer Jeff Lorber.
Although Bradley's primary instrumental voice on the disc is his mellifluous piano, he also deployed his formidable prowess on keyboards, organ and Mini Moog synthesizer. Seamlessly knitting improvisational modern jazz jams, spacey progressive rock tethered to searing guitar riffs, shimmering pop sensibilities, danceable funk, and seductive R&B grooves, a masterful collective of musicians brought the vacillating moods, frequently altering tempos, complex rhythms, and intricate layers of instrumentation to life. Bradley and Lorber surrounded themselves with the adept talent and positive energy gifted freely by saxmen Dave Koz and Eric Marienthal, flugelhorn and trumpeter Rick Braun, guitarists Dwight Sills and Michael Thompson, bassists Alex Al and Nate Phillips, drummers Tony Moore and Dave Weckl, horn section work from David Mann, and the soulfully hypnotic voice of Irene B.
While reading Ecclesiastes during a period of reflection and introspection after losing both parents in the same year, the spiritually-minded Bradley experienced a cathartic change in perspective, a resurrection that taught him to rise above the sorrows in order to appreciate the abundance of joy life offers and to make a difference with his fleeting days in spite of the endless challenges. Underscoring that message is Under The Sun's opening track, "Straight Path," which has been the No 1 most added and has garnered the No 1 most increased plays at radio stations across the country.
Bradley is assembling a band to perform music from Under The Sun in concert this summer.
Below are highlights from some of the initial album reviews:
Smooth Jazz Daily: "It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best contemporary jazz that has come out of America over the last few years. Every song features his impressive good taste on keyboards and his writing talent. To enlist the production talent of Jeff Lorber and the great chops of some of America's top musicians was a great move. The future of contemporary jazz is safe with guys like this around."
The Smooth Jazz Ride: "Bradley converted his sorrow into this masterful display of hope, adventure, and spirituality via his faith in a very special way, slightly atypical when you think of the usual spiritual or inspirational projects. Full of laughter, joy, and serenity, Bradley lets go on some of the sweetest melodies and uplifting up-tempo grooves you could ever hope to hear on a well-done contemporary jazz production... There are too many joy-filled, melody-filled, funk-filled, inspiration-filled pieces here to single out each and every one...Suffice it to say that Bradley's concept and motivation worked very well indeed. A marvelous endeavor that should prove to be universally impressive."
Smooth Jazz Therapy: "Under The Sun by keyboard player Patrick Bradley signals a return to his jazz fusion roots and with eleven all original compositions plus a wonderful line-up of supporting musicians, the entire project shimmers with a groove that is entirely pleasing. In fact, the caliber of those involved is quite remarkable...Under The Sun represents a real 'who's who' of the best that contemporary jazz has to offer. The project strikes a fine balance between highlighting the performing and songwriting talents of Bradley while providing the space for this enormously gifted cast of musicians to flourish."
Jazz Lynx: "Although the project was 'born during times of difficulty' Bradley found solace in his faith and so there's 'a sense of celebrating all that life has to offer' that permeates the record throughout...From an effort that resonates with great melodies, the buoyant "Into the Sunset" leads us into our appreciation of a highly noteworthy disc!"
