Guitarist U-Nam is commonly known for his skillful reinterpretation of the style of George Benson and Nile Rodgers, which runs through many of his albums. His recourse to the funky music of the 70s and 80s is also popular. But with his new album U-Nam Goes Big Band (2020) he now falls back on the traditional big band music as known from Duke Ellington or Glen Miller. The album is based on a collaboration between U-Nam and the Lutz Krajenski Big Band. The band leader Lutz Krajenski has already performed with Tom Jones, Ulrich Tukur, Roachford, Inga Rumpf, Udo Jürgens, Randy Crawford, Jasmin Tabatabai, Mousse T and more. One can therefore speak of a pronounced tendency towards popular music, which has been translated into the language of jazz. The album opens with the swinging positive-minded Something Right. A jazzy improvisation develops from the well structured guitar playing, as we are familiar by U-Nam. In the Blink of an Eye is an Estonian evergreen by Arne Oit (music) and Harold Payne (lyrics), that reminds us of the transience of life. So it's a thoroughly contemporary piece. Various soloists rise from the Big Band to support U-Nam and the melody. The One is a further evergreen by Arne Oit (music) and Philip Cody (lyrics), an ode to the Chosen One who brings sunshine to the day.

Fabulously funky. Hypnotically rhythmic. Soulfully Sophisticated. Those six powerful words alone could be the entire overview of this album. But that would be an injustice to the newest project from the genius guitarist, composer and producer U-Nam. Soaring from the success of his previous Billboard Top 25 Smooth Jazz album Future Love, U-Nam picks up where he left off and continues the unfinished work of this album s predecessor. The Love Vault, due to be released October 11 on this own Skytown Records label, was born out of U-Nam s vast collection of previously unpolished, unrecorded or archived songs in the musician s extensive arsenal of music. Amid his infectious guitar licks lies a hip and rich sound that is heavy on throwback funk influences. Sexy Fresh, the albums premiere release, emits a romance drenched vibe that is funky and alluring. Love Potion is an intoxicating concoction of guitar, unrelenting rhythm, and one of U-Nam s signature arrangement sounds, synthesized string accompaniment, yet another trademark of the retro dance groove. Applying the innovative technology of talk box and vocoder, U-Nam implements vocals on a couple of tracks, including Back Seat Lover ( previously recorded by Mayer Hawthorne). Uptempo, happy and addictively appealing, this particular track rates among my favourite on The Love Vault, and the backing vocals of Gennine Francis-Jackson infuse some soulful dynamics and depth. In what is an glaring tribute to the sound of soul music s legendary love walrus, Barry White, Hear, My Dear draws from the title of Marvin Gaye s late 70s hit Here My Dear. The amazingly talented saxophonist Magdalena Chovaancova fo the Euro jazz trio Threestyle lends her talent on this swagger filled groove accompanied by lush string arrangement and additional horn backing. Into The Night delivers an afterhours, fast moving cool drive down the strip on a summer night. Among the many admirable techniques of U-Nam s music is the meticulous arrangement and production expertise, and if my memory is correct, he ranks as the only artist I know that consistently employs strings and horn backing that delivers a multi layered and dimensional sound to his natural artistic brilliance.

While we seldom, if ever, offer reviews of best of collections, guitarist U-Nam s latest release The Essential Collection bears repeating a quick analysis of some of the grooves offered here and does also offer two completely new and hot tracks. Drawn from numerous previous projects, the majority of tracks here should be familiar to U-Nam fans and should certainly capture new fans, as well. Included are tracks from his albums Back From the 80s, Surface Level, C est Le Funk, Unanimity, and Weekend in L.A. (A Tribute to George Benson). If you missed picking up any of these gems, tracks like the romping lead track, a cover of The Crusaders classic Street Life, the supercharged, party-hearty Going for Miles, Something s Up, Throwback Kid (definitely one of my faves), Groove Paradise (another of my faves), the hot and steamy groove Shine On, and the powerful Back In Style (yep, another fave of mine but then, so many are!) should convince you to grab this album to catch up (at least, to some decent extent). Then, there are the newbies: A bouncy and lively cover of Barry The Maestro White s Let the Music Play and the guitarist s own slick, movin jam Soul Breeze. Man, can this cat throw a party. In my review of his Surface Level release, I referred to him as a jazz superhero. Hearing these jams again and adding in the two new tracks, I have to say that he s wearing that label well. A busy man these days having started his own label and signing some real quality talent, you may have assumed that, at some point, he d have to release a best of collection in the interest of time and to remind us of the top-tier material he s released under his own name. Well, here it is, all dressed and ready to party with you.

Feb. 9, 2019 One of the busiest producers and among the most prolific c-jazz artists around, guitarist U-Nam is again presenting a colorful collection of original pearls worthy of inclusion in any jazz lover s library. Future Love is abundant with a solidly generous feel-good jazz vibe that surely stays with you. Here with many of the artists signed to his Skytown record label (saxman Andrew Chmut, keyboardists Valeriy Stepanov and Mattias Roos, and others) and bassist Alex Al, drummer Michael White, and a host of other contributors, the guitarist comes loaded for bear to deliver that unmistakable U-Nam groove. U-Nam s Bensonesque style and dazzling skill, speed, and fluidity on guitar has always been much more than noteworthy. Here is no different as he soars through such catchy tracks as Changes, the title track, Good Old Days, Artbeat, Before You Leave, Luther Vandross Get It Right (one of my faves here), and many more finger-snappin , head-boppin goodies. He comes up for air on the one chilled-out track, the cool & slow R&Bish My Joy. The slick funkiness and cadence of the album is typical U-Nam flavor & texture. The cat definitely knows his way around a fretboard (and keyboard) and a melody. It s no wonder heavyweight guitarist George Benson likes this guy! He always brings the soul of the music with him wherever he goes. To state the obvious, good is good, but exceptional is another thing altogether. I fully expect select tracks here to find their way to the top of the charts. If you re looking for a shot of c-jazz adrenaline, Future Love has your name on a copy.

It takes a pretty confident artist to decide to take on a project that pays tribute to one of the greatest jazz & R&B artists of modern time – the iconic George Benson. Such an artist just stepped up, grabbed his “axe,” and said Let’s do this and do it right. What you have here is that artist, U-Nam, laying out some sweat-inducing, fiery interpretations of some of the famed guitarist’s best jams. Of course, these are only a handful, but this handful, called here Weekend in L.A. (A Tribute to George Benson) is a great choice of selections. Full of bite and soul, each piece packs a solid punch and certainly gives Benson an enthusiastic nod of respect and love, while at the same time, showing off the glowering personal talent of U-Nam as he flawlessly fires off one precious pearl after another.

Guitar virtuoso U-Nam is not stingy with bright colors and catchy music. A herald of smooth jazz, he has led in the youngest past the music of George Benson to new heights. With "Surface Level" he returns to his roots, the music of the 80's. Besides U-Nam who performs guitars, bass, talk box, vocoder, programming, editing, keyboards, chimes are playing Shannon Kennedy (sax, flute), Christian Martinez (trumpet), Denis Bennarosh and Ramon Yslas (percussion), Dwayne "Smitty" Smith (bass), Maria Grig (viola and violin), Fran Merante and Jorel "JFly" Flynn (drums), Bill Steinway and Bob Baldwin (piano), Valeriy Stepanov (Fender Rhodes & Clavinet), Kim Chandler and Tim "Tio" Owens (vocals).

Groove Ltd, aka U-Nam and Shannon Kennedy have just released their stunning debut collection, the appropriately titled ‘First Class’. Building on the duo’s previous collaborations, and from the first note of the opening groove drenched title cut, it is a CD that blows the doors off with U-Nam’s edgy guitar, Kennedy’s powerhouse sax and ten fantastic tracks which combine to lay down a calling card for what Groove Ltd is all about.

В 2009 г. был записан альбом «Unanimity» с участием «Merkevah Orchestra», «Paris Horns», Marva King, George Duke и Najee. Этот альбом получил абсолютное признание музыкальных критиков и публики. В том же году U-Nam стал номинантом Грэмми в трех категориях, включая «Best Improvised Solo» и «Best Pop Instrumental Song».

В начале 2007 г. вышел альбом «Back From the 80s». В нем музыкант предлагает новые версии как классических, так и менее известных смус-джазовых композиций 80-х. Не менее замечательны и совершенно новые песни, написанные под влиянием музыки тех лет. Сам U-Nam называет этот альбом «Classy, Jazzy, Funky, Frenchy». Первым синглом стала версия «Street Life» (Crusaders). Для этой новой версии U-Nam пригласил Джефа Лорбера, который также сотрудничал с ним при записи его первого компакт-диска .

U-Nam - известный в Европе и США инновационный виртуоз-гитарист и продюсер, законодатель музыкальной моды. «The Past Builds The Future» - дебютный альбом, записанный на лейбле Trippin’N’Rhythm. На диск вошли некоторые композиции Джорджа Бенсона, а трэк «I'm Only U-Nam» сразу стал хитом в Европе. Кроме гитары, в этом альбоме U-Nam играл на клавишах, бас-гитаре и ударных, а его со-автором выступил Frank Sitbon (клавиши, бэк-вокал).

New Album from Chart-Topper Jazz/Soul Artist U-Nam includes the hits "C'est Le Funk", "Something's Up" and "Smoovin'", the album has reached TOP2 Best Sellers Smooth Jazz Album on Amazon US on its 1st day of release!