With « Surface Level« , Billboard Chart-Topping Artist U-Nam picks up right where he left off with his highly acclaimed and #1 album « C’est Le Funk » (4 singles in the Top30 Billboard Smooth Jazz chart, #18 most played album of the year).

He is taking his music to another level, continuing to pay homage to his favorite Funk and Jazz artists from the 80’s (Change, Dayton, Midnight Star, Michael Jackson, Maze and Frankie Beverley) in his own « U »-nique way.
« Surface Level » blends the Contemporary Jazz style with and U-Nam‘s inimitable soulful guitar sound and virtuosic playing, to crete something that will please the nostalgic 80’s Funk Fans as well as the Smooth Jazz Lovers.

The album has a varied mix of different tempo and grooves.
Starting with the titles on the funky side, there’s the hit single « Going for Miles » (#23 on the Top30 Billboard), « Surface Level« , the tittle track and « Plus de Funk!« , an uptempo number directly inspired by the late 70’s era style of the Jacksons with fiery horns, real strings, and percussion.
It also features U-Nam‘s new protégé and Skytown Records artist, 25 year old Russian Keyboard prodigy, Valeriy Stepanov (whose debut album will be released in 2017).

Additionally, « Surface Level » includes a few mid-tempo tracks such as « Back in Style » and « Groove Paradise« , which features string orchestra.
There are also a couple covers – « Spice of Life » (originally recorded by Manhattan Transfer and composed by the one and only Rod « Thriller » Temperton) and « The Sound of Music » (a cover of one of U-Nam’s favorite Funk bands from the 80’s, Dayton) featuring U-Nam on Vocoder, Talk Box and Guitar.
On « The Sound of Music« , U-Nam is joined by an all-star cast, including Tim Owens, Bob Baldwin, JFly, Denis Benarrosh, Kim Chandler and Bill Steinway for an 8min long Epic Funk Party!

The album also has a few laid-back numbers such as a cover of the Mary J Blige/Mary Jane Girls’ « All Night Long«  » and the Ragga/RnB vibed « West Indeed » (a play on words with the « West Indies » of the French Caribbean).

Closing the album is a special song, close to U-Nam’s heart.
It pays tribute to his very good friend and Acid Jazz Legend & Guitarist, the late Ronny Jordan who passed away in 2014.
The song is a U-Nam original titled « Cool Blue« .
It’s a very organic Acid-Jazz tune that captures the essence of Ronny’s music, with U-Nam adding his own touch on the guitar.

U-Nam recalls: »Ronny used to call me to tell me I was his new, favorite guitarist on the scene – that he really loved my vibe and he wanted me to produce some tracks for him, I was speechless.
I’ve always admired him as an artist, guitarist, producer, and trend-setter. I’ve always been a huge fan. I miss him dearly… »

U-Nam, who plays Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Vocoder, and Talk Box on the album is joined by Bob Baldwin, Dwayne « Smitty » Smith (Boney James), Shannon Kennedy (Groove LTD.), Bill Steinway (The Crusaders), JFly (Bobby Brown, Peabo Bryson), Ramon Yslas (David Sanborn, Paul Stanley), Tim Owens (Al McKay All-Star, KC & Jojo), Kim Chandler (Michael McDonald, KungFu Panda 3), Fifi Chayeb (Billy Cobham, Larry Carlton), Fran Merante, Denis Benarrosh, Maria Grig, and Raymond Gimenes (Dionne Warwick).

+ d’infos: SKYTOWN RECORDS

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