The JAZZHOLE EPK
Jazzhole is a jazz / soul / hip hop collective led by vocalist Marlon Saunders. The celebrated acid jazz pioneers are about to release their 7th studio album, “Moonlight Mile”, recorded at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. The new recording features the singles: The “Love...Life...” (Lord KCB), “Moonlight Mile” (Marlon Saunders) and “Damn I Miss NY” (Michelle Lewis, Rosa Russ and Marlon Saunders).
Listen
Moonlight Mile : 2025
THE JAZZHOLE STORY
While the acid jazz movement kicked off in London clubs during the mid ‘80s, that phenomenon of mixing jazz and hip-hop eventually reached Stateside by the early ‘90s in a wave of bands including Digable Planets, Guru and Jazzmatazz, Groove Collective and others. One of the groups to emerge on the scene in 1994 was Jazzhole, an evolving collective of many of New York’s most accomplished live and studio musicians. While Jazzhole’s roster has changed since their self-titled debut, the band’s core songwriting and production trio Warren Rosenstein, Marlon Saunders, and John Pondel has not.
Maryland native Saunders is the group's main vocalist. Influenced by both gospel and R&B recordings at an early age,
Saunders attended the Berklee School of Music, where he discovered his love of jazz. Saunders eventually found himself singing with such notables as Bobby McFerrin, Michael Jackson, Nine Inch Nails, Billy Joel, Michael Bublé, Stevie Wonder and Sting. Saunders has also released two outstanding solo recordings, Enter My Mind and A Groove So Deep: The Live Sessions.
After working on early acid jazz classics such as Soho's Hot Music and the CFM Band's Jazz It Up, Brooklyn-born keyboardist Warren Rosenstein reached out to guitarist John Pondel (Uncle Festive, Kombo) and Saunders, and the three recruited a number of friends who became recurring guests vocalists and soloists over the next 30 years: rappers Lord KCB (Us3), Ahmed Best (Star Wars, Stomp), Jack Ruby Jr. (Toasters, son of reggae producer Jack Ruby), Ronnie Russ, vocalists Michelle Lewis (Cher, Amy Grant, Todd Terry), and Rosa Russ.
Jazzhole's current release, Moonlight Mile, was the culmination of a road trip that started in Woodstock, making stops in NYC and Nashville, and ended up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Peter Levin (Greg Allman, Blind Boys of Alabama) joined Jazzhole bassist David Inniss and drummer Mark Robohm in tracking at Fame Studios, while trumpet legend Randy Brecker and tabla master Prabhu Edouard added overdubs from remote locations.
The jazz / soul / hip hop excursion features the singles “Love...Life...” (Lord KCB), “Moonlight Mile” (Marlon Saunders) and ”Damn I Miss NY” (Michelle Lewis, Rosa Russ and Marlon Saunders)
VIDEOS
NEW RELEASE:
Love…
Life…
FORWARD
MOTION
SHINING
STAR
PRESS
“…luscious grooves and intense rhythms Saunders and Russ lay down sensuous riffs, perfect for late night.”
— BILLBOARD
“Jazzhole is a hypnotically funky groove group, a sexy blend of electronica, acid jazz and soul.”
— Time Out New York
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411 "Blackburst is a sexy, funky-as-all-get-out album that trips on R&B, house, old-school soul, jazz, and just about everything in between. Perhaps the album's only flaw is that, when confronted by the sweet sounding tracks, you'll find yourself in a dilemna: take your clothes off and have some close-quarter fun, or keep them on and dance and sing yourself silly to these player-worthy hook-ups.
AIDING AND ABETTING Those familiar with Jazzhole's trippy, mellow soul will delight in these new songs. Those who haven't caught the train yet would do well to buy a ticket. Few can make a sound this sophisticated sound so simply delicious.
ALL MUSIC GUIDE ...some of the most fun and gently exciting nu-jazz around... participants include, most strikingly, the wonderful singer Kaïssa Doumbé, who shines on several tracks but really catches your attention with her rendition of the old Leon Russell song 'Superstar', which she sings in her native Duala. (The album's other cover version is a subtly rendered downtempo arrangement of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy the Silence'). Highly recommended to jazz snobs and soulies alike.
BILLBOARD …Jazzhole disregards contemporary R&B conventions in favor of musical landscapes that, while certainly earthy, are also otherworldly. Among it's highlights are 'A Love Thing' and the inspiring 'Love Philosophy.' The act's cover of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy the Silence' takes the electro-pop classic in a completely different direction, with vocalist Michelle Lewis effortlessly gliding over a lush backdrop. While purists may balk at such a loose, left-of-center cover, it is rather sublime. A feast for the ears.
BLACK BEAT ...if Circle of the Sun doesn't sooth or somehow move you, nothing can.
BRE A yummy collection of jazz-influenced tunes that inspire lust, laughter and lounging. –
CONCERT LIVEWIRE The band's artistry works best when they're mixing in ambient electronica behind silky vocals…Ndolo hints at Sade on a date with Brian Eno…On Leon Russell's 'Superstar' newcomer Kaissa Doumbe delivers a sensual vocal delivery in her native Duala tongue for intoxicating results, while Naren Budhakar's tabla turns Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence' into a sexy, late night urban mating call.
DJ MAGAZINE Circle of the Sun features a cover version of Depeche Mode's awesome 'Enjoy the Silence'... Expect one of those hairs-on-the-neck-stand-up moments when you hear this one...
DJ TIMES …Some of the most poetic lyrics and turning out some of the fiercest grooves in the burgeoning acid jazz scene.
DMX MUSIC …truly a mixture of soundscapes that will make it impossible for someone to pigeonhole into one specific genre. And in a time where everyone likes to find their niche market, it's great to see a project that opens itself up for the ears of a broad listening audience.
ECHOES ...an absolutely blinding piece of work...It's hypnotic, utterly absorbing, soulful mood music…
FM MAGAZINE Jazzhole's retro vibe is a blend of bohemian acid jazz and cool soul grooves - the perfect accompaniment for long summer nights.
IMPACT Infinitely funky. and if you don’t feel the need to groove, it’s time for a visit to the booty doctor.
JAZZ NOT JAZZ …a relaxed inspired mixture of soul, jazz, acid jazz, retro, lounge and latin. Imagine musicians like Maxwell, Sade, Fertile Ground, King Britt, Five Point Plan or Incognito doing a record and you get the idea how good… one of the first great albums in 2003 that's highly recommendable. Make sure you get a copy soon!
JAZZ TIMES Jazzhole give the wild experimental feel of acid jazz an explosive street beat
MIXER …modern jazz/R&B shaken-not-stirred…this is musical wallpaper from the romantically inclined...
STRAIGHT NO CHASER From the opening track, you sense the majesty and sophistication at work, and as the album progresses, weaving in African vocal tracks which sit comfortably alongside expansive instrumental segues, you know something special is afoot. Albums like this are few and far between…
URBAN NETWORK … This is the ultimate meditative groove joint, 12 songs that speak to the philosophies our world needs in these times of economic downturns and Los Angeles shamefully flexing to become the crime capital of the world. Put this 12-song CD on and get back to better days.
CONTACT
For Jazzhole press, music, licensing or any questions, please use this form and we will get back to you.
Booking: Info@jazzhole.com