Ray Anthony - U Got Dis (2023)

Sure, the urban jazz world has been graced over time by the enduring influence of The Crusaders’ Wayne Henderson, happily allows New Orleans master Trombone Shorty to join the lineup of genre festivals and has long enjoyed those exciting moments when keyboardist Brian Culbertson jams on the trombone, his second instrument. Yet smooth jazz has a long way to go to make its low toned coolness a regular lead voice on par with trumpet and sax. This makes Ray Anthony & Powerslyde’s explosive new EP "U Got Dis" an adventurous revelation, important not only because it introduces to fans a powerful and emotional, commercially viable and radio friendly voice on the instrument, but also because of the long history Anthony and his band bring to their local and regional scene. There is precedent for success and acceptance that simply needs to expand wider. Produced by Nils and featuring some of Southern California’s top smooth jazz studio cats, it’s a spirited, infectious collection that should not only help Anthony realize his goal of getting on the radar of festival promoters, but also establish him as an impactful charting artist moving forward.