Nils - Play (2018)

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Nils - Play (2018)

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Nils' new album entitled 'Play' is a perfect metaphor for his easy going, effortless ability to produce, compose, perform and engineer a 12 track collection of amazing hits. The endless studio hours spent have resulted in a unique yet very commercial sound that crosses into multiple formats. From the opening track 'Coast to Coast' to the sure to be radio single 'Straight Down the Line' and the soulful remake of the George Michael classic hit, 'Careless Whispers', Nils has delivered a collection of evergreen hits to be added to his stellar song catalog. Calling on his musician friends and others to lend an ear and help with the many elements of the production, Nils' chosen lineup has created an album of excellent sound quality and first class musicianship featuring Steve Cole, lead sax and sax solo; Daryl Williams, bass; Oliver C. Brown, percussion; Johnny Britt, keys, trumpet swells and trumpet solo; Jay-Jam, horns; Dov and the Love Star Strings, string section; Gail Johnson, piano; Eddie Brown, vocals; Tony Moore, drums; Roberto Vally, bass; Phillippe Saisse, keyboards; Mike Parlett, saxes; Mitch Foreman, piano; Clydene Jackson, vocals, Rhodes keyboard; Nate Harrison, keys; Charley Langer, saxes; Eric Valentine, drums; Brandon Willis, sax; Simon Phillips,drums.

~ Amazon

A popular contemporary jazz guitarist, Nils Jiptner, aka Nils, is a successful solo artist, session player, and instructor, with a groove-based sound influenced by his love of funk and fusion. A native of Munich, Nils first started playing guitar in his teens, inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. Later, he discovered funk, jazz, and fusion and began expanding his skills as he investigated the music of Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, and Chic's Nile Rodgers. In the mid-'80s he relocated to Los Angeles, where studied composition, arranging, and film scoring. He also found session work, playing with artists like guitarist George Benson, trumpeter Rick Braun, and the Temptations. As a solo artist, he debuted in 1998 with Blue Planet, which featured guest appearances by Benson, Nathan East, Chante Moore, and others.

However, it was his next album, 2005's Pacific Coast Highway, which broke his career wide-open. The title track peaked at number ten on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs chart, and became a huge radio favorite. A second single, "Summer Nights," fared even better hitting number one. Nils followed up with several more well-received albums, including 2007's Ready to Play and 2009's Up Close and Personal. During this period, he furthered his studio work, producing music for film and working behind the scenes on TV shows like Weeds and Undeclared. He also continued to offer guitar instruction, teaching young musicians, and releasing videos and books.

He returned to his solo work with 2010's What the Funk?, which included the top six smooth jazz single "Jump Start." He then delivered City Groove, featuring the number two charting Billboard contemporary jazz single "Let's Bounce." Alley Cat followed in 2015 and included contributions from Nate Harasim, Ricky Lawson, and others. In 2018, Nils returned with his eighth studio album, Play, which featured contributions from longtime associate, trumpeter Johnny Britt.

~ Matt Collar, All Music

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Nils - Play (2018)

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Nils - Play (2018)

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