Check out new music from Brian Culbertson featuring a couple of GFM faves, Stokley Williams of Mint Condition and Noel Gourdin.

From the Press Release:

Prolific R&B/Jazz musician Brian Culbertson invites you to close your eyes, open your ears, and fall deep into a lush world of musical fantasy with his breathtaking thirteenth album Dreams (Verve/Universal). With the help of lauded guest vocalists Vivian Green, Noel Gourdin and Stokley Williams of Mint Condition, Dreams masterfully melds jazz sensibility with an R&B flair in a wondrous mélange of enchanting grooves. The result is a stunning collection of 10 mesmerizing tunes, including the poignant lead single “Still Here” – featuring the soulful rapture of Vivian Green, telling the passionate tale of how taking a risk on love can have a happy ending. “Your Smile” the album’s lead jazz single, is an exquisite rhythmic excursion underscored with an undeniable buoyant groove. Brian recruited the R&B vocal prowess of singer Stokley Williams to enhance the melodic elegance of “No Limits,” whose romantic lyrics accentuate the thrill of actualizing an altruistic union. On “You’re My Music,” Boston-based singer Noel Gourdin pours his thick, soulful vocals over both Brian’s shimmering piano chords and bass guitar licks.

With Dreams, as with his previous efforts, Brian proceeds to keep the genre of jazz alive and viable by consistently injecting a fresh approach into his own unique sensibility. Dreams definitely proves that jazz and groove fit hand-in-glove.

Listen to “No Limits” f/ Stokley Williams of Mint Condition

Listen to “You’re My Music” f/ Noel Gourdin

Jazz musician Brian Culbertson recently spoke with Grown Folks Music about everything from how his music has evolved since his debut cd to how the disappearance of smooth jazz stations has changed his approach to connecting with his fan base. He also spoke about how literal the title “Dreams” truly is with regards to his music.

Brian has collaborated with some of your favorite artists, including Vivian Green, Stokley Williams, and Noel Gourdin. Brian has also previously collaborated with Kenny Lattimore, Brian McKnight, and Faith Evans. Listen in as he discusses how his career has already come full circle, and find out the unique significance of the number 12.

For more on Brian, check out his official website, his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter.

“Dreams” is available at Amazon.com.

Just in time for the holidays, Noel Gourdin is putting his spin on a holiday classic. Enjoy.

GFM Family, you asked and we delivered. Check out Noel Gourdin’s inteview with GFM where he shares his views about the state of the music industry today, integrity in music and of course the story behind his new CD Fresh: The Definition and the single “Beautfiul“ .

Noel Gourdin Interview by GrownFolksMusic

From the album Fresh: The Definition feast your eyes and ears upon this one. GFM Fam you already know… Make sure you get a copy of the project here.

Ms. Kelly Price

If you missed ATL Live on the Park last week, you missed a great event. With guests like Andre Harrell, Pebbles Reid, Tyrese, Q Parker of the group, 112 and many more,  the stars were literally aligned for a very special night of good music and a good time. First on the stage was Harrell Records’ flagship group, Hamilton Park. Now as a person whose teenage years and early twenties were filled with harmony groups like Boyz II Men, Shai, Jodeci, Intro, Az Yet, Dru Hill and the list goes on, I was very interested in seeing what the next generation had in store. In really observing Hamilton Park’s stage show I can say honestly they weren’t bad but I really believe they required more work to embody the “full” spirit of the 90′s male groups they were striving to resemble. Now I will give them credit for having some stage presence through certain coordinated moves, expression of emotional  enthusiasm and not resorting to the overdone sex driven songs that are very typical, however  I felt like their vocals and harmony blend weren’t as impactful and strong as I had hoped to experience  in key moments behind the band. Given this was Hamilton Park’s first performance, I would really like to see them some time down the road to observe their progress and growth under the tutelage of Mr. Harrell. Other honorable mentions on the stage included the soulful voice of Noel Gourdin with his Billboard charting single, The River and the vocal styling of former American Idol finalist, Anoop Desai . But the highlight of the night was the one and only Ms. Kelly Price. Taking us back with songs like Secret Love, Friend of Mine with some help from Q Parker of 112  and belting out the Shirley Murdock cover, As We Lay,  you couldn’t help but stand to your feet and yell like you were in the third row pew at church. Kelly’s voice was absolutely powerful with her improvisational and rich sound in her new single Tired – and to think she was actually fighting allergies during this performance.

Now we know everyone else has given you the pics but you know how we do it here…….we give you the full experience! Roll the video!!! 
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Dig the sights and sounds…

Nice clip from his performance on the Steve Harvey Morning Show live at the Apollo Theater.

“The River” (Abney, T./Brown, A./Daniels, E./Dawson, M./Gerald, R./Gist, K./Gourdin, N./Lafayette, J./Ly/Muhammad, B./Oliphant, F.) After My Time (Epic/2008).

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