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Tony Adamo Reviewed by L.A. Jazz Scene’s Jim Santella
UrbanzoneRecords
Franki La Mantia
Pop songs with R&B horns make Tony Adamo’s STRAIGHT UP DEAL sizzle with excitement. He sings with the bold character of a man who knows how to entertain, recalling pop singers Tom Jones, David Clayton-Thomas and Brook Benton as well as jazz singers Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy. His program, however, goes well beyond the pop and R&B arena into Jazz interpretations of standards such as “Milestones,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” ”Stolen Moments,” “In the WineLight,” and “Speak Low.”
The band, which includes horns with guitars, bass, keyboards and drums, gives Adamo a solid foundation from which he wails soulfully. Several guests help to make the session come alive: trumpeter Eddie Henderson, tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts, guitarist Jerry Stucker, baritone saxophonist Doc Kupka, and alto saxophonist Melecio Magdaluyo.
Adamo swings up front on “Hey Lou” with persuasive jazz-talk, settles down for “Autumn Leaves” with a straightforward ballad approach, curls up with “ Lolita” in a romantic way, croons “Speak Low” with a delightful spin, cries “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” with funk dreams on his mind, and creates a lovely program rich in the jazz tradition and fun to be with.
Jim Santella, L.A Jazz Scene – 12-1-08
Tony Adamo and Steve Gadd Groovin’ High
Franki LaMantia/Urbanzonerecords
San Francisco, CA
Dr. Groove, Steve Gadd was groovin’ high on two of singer/songwriter, Tony Adamo’s new tunes, “Cold Duck” and “Ecstasy.” Jerry Stucker, Adamo’s long time producer got these hot tracks from Gadd. The Groove Dr. set the pace with a smooth, funky pulse around Adamo’s voice building a wall of chilled out grooves that permeated the recording studio. This new and extraordinary drum sound fused Adamo’s funky sensibility and rhythmic singing style with Gadd’s in the pocket drum precision. You just might find a couple of hits here. These two new songs will be on Adamo’s new CD release in ‘09.
Steve is one of the most in-demand and influential drummers in the world. This master drummer has played or recorded with the likes of Chick Corea, Paul McCartney, Al Jarreau, James Brown, Lee Ritenour and Stevie Wonder just to name a few.
Music critics have said the following about Adamo:
“Impressive is an understatement. Adamo’s stylish and signature vibrato tinged voice adds a truly bright dimension to all he endeavors to be set to song.” Ronald Jackson of Jazzreview.com
“Tony Adamo’s voice is like Lou Rawls fronting Tower of Power.” Stuart Hamilton of Amazon.co.uk.
“Tony Adamo’s STRAIGHT UP DEAL CD reveals the vocal talents of a superior singer.” Edward Blanco of Ejazznews.com.
Info on Tony Adamo: www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo and CDBaby
CD Title: Straight Up Deal
Produced by Jerry Stucker
Style: Soul / Funk Jazz
Review by Ronald Jackson-Jazzreview.com
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Jazz vocalist Tony Adamo struts back with his silky, charismatic, and, as I’m sure many ladies will confirm, seductive vocals on this clever new release Straight Up Deal. While I’ve classified this recording as smooth jazz, it really serves up equal doses of funk, smooth jazz, and R&B. There are also elements of island rhythms and cool, piano-bar jazz. A true cornucopia of coolness in each genre.
I first became quite interested in Adamo’s talents after hearing his croonings with funkster/former Herbie Hancock 1Head Hunter bassist Paul Jackson. Impressive is an understatement. His stylish and signature vibrato-tinged voice adds a truly bright dimension to all he endeavors to set to song.
On this album, Adamo calls in the Tower of Power horns, Paul Jackson, Ernie Watts, Eddie Henderson, and Freddie Washington, just to name a very few. The additions toss more color on this vibrant canvas. This project includes a cool rendition of the classic “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “In the Winelight,” which calls to mind the omnipresent spirit of the great Grover Washington Jr., and “Hey Lou,” a tune on which he and Paul Jackson also groove on Jackson’s Funky Fingers album. There’s also new vibrant funk like “No Strings.” Adamo consistently lights it up, showing his grasp of the various genres and his ability to manipulate, caress, and mold them into what fits for him…and us. I’ve seen that other reviewers of this album are a bit partial to the rhythmic, island-flavored “Lolita.” I must join the chorus of favorable reviews of this cut, as well as many of the other selections. It’s a contagious little number. In fact, the entire diverse project has a considerable amount of magnetism to it. Well done, indeed. Straight Up Deal is Produced by Jerry Stucker
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Profile: Musician
