Boney James - The Beat (2013)

Three-time GRAMMY nominee, saxophonist Boney James returns with the dynamic, genre-busting album, The Beat. One of the most successful instrumental artists of our time with sales totaling over 3 million records, James' new project fuses his R&B/Jazz roots with Latin rhythm and percussion. The initial inspiration for the record was Sergio Mendes, "Batucada (The Beat)," which is re-imagined as a funk tune, with the aid of trumpet great Rick Braun.

Other special guests on the project include eclectic R&B soul singer Raheem DeVaughn and spoken word phenom The Floacist. DeVaughn is featured on the sexy, soulful single, "Maker of Love." UK poet and musician The Floacist (former partner of Marsha Ambrosius) brings a seductive flow to "The Midas (This is Why)" adding to the World Music flavor of the album. The album also includes James fresh take on Stevie Wonder's R&B/Latin classic "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing," along with originals by James that run the gamut from subtle and sophisticated with tracks like "Acalento (Lullaby)" and "Mari's Song," to high energy with "Sunset Boulevard" and "Powerhouse."