Funk, fatherhood and Motown meet at the intersection of Jackiem Joyner’s sax-powered “Main Street Beat”
The national tour continues in support of his sixth album, which was released Friday.
SHERMAN OAKS (30 June 2017): Jackiem Joyner has spent a lot of time on airplanes this month to pave the way for the arrival of his sixth album, “Main Street Beat,” a steamrolling sax set that was released Friday by Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Records.
Jetting back and forth from his suburban Los Angeles base, Joyner is
taking the album he produced, boasting nine of his original
compositions, directly to audiences in all parts of the U.S. so they can
dance with him to the funky new tracks that reflect his ardor and
appreciation for the Motown sound while celebrating his joy of becoming a father.
The
“Main Street Beat” concert trek began close to home in nearby Pasadena
in early June before taking flight for shows in major cities, including
Cincinnati, Birmingham, San Diego and Philadelphia. Fireworks will be
flying in front of an anticipated crowd of 40,000 when Joyner hits the
stage at a Fourth of July event presented by Los Angeles urban radio
station KJLH. He will fly back east again to play Akron, Ohio’s BLU Jazz+ on July 7 and resume the busy coast-to-coast travel for a run of August concerts.
A
high-energy set showcasing Joyner’s impassioned horn play on tenor,
soprano and alto sax, “Main Street Beat” was originally intended to be a
funk record, but became more with R&B, contemporary jazz and pop
nuances seeping into the mix. The grooves - many of which are infused
with the soul power of a muscular sax section laid down in layers by
Joyner - are undeniably danceable while his innate flair for crafting
catchy hooks and buoyant melodies are prominent in the new material he
penned for the project. Aptly, Joyner selected a pair of tunes to record
that embody these elements: Justin Timberlake’s euphoric “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Bruno Mars’ old-school party jam “Treasure.” Guesting on the album are a pair of noteworthy guitarists: Steve Oliver, who appears on the first single named for Joyner’s daughter, “Trinity,” and Chicago hitman Nick Colionne, who strums his electric jazz guitar with trademark panache on “When You Smile.”
The release of “Main Street Beat” coincides with the tenth anniversary of Joyner’s debut disc, “Babysoul.” An award-winner and a Billboard chart-topper, the Norfolk, Virginia native is receiving accolades for the new collection. The influential SoulTracks declared that “Joyner is at his creative and funky best.” Below is a sampling of the reviews:
“A
summer soundtrack, top down, country driving, playing lead harmonies on
alto reinforced by his exuberant sax section work has culminated in
Main Street Beat being one of the best albums of 2017.” – Exclusive Magazine
“To say this saxman has done it again is an understatement. His massive growth is, in and of itself, a work of art; a true form of musical poetry in motion.” – The Smooth Jazz Ride
“He
ups the ante to make this set something you don't just listen to in the
background. Zippy, zesty and packing real punch, this is the kind of
muscular sax playing that you can only find deep in the pocket. A
winning set throughout.” – Midwest Record
“A funky and swinging album!” – Keys & Chords
“With
justifiable pride, Father Jackiem announces the birth of his daughter
Trinity and lets us participate in the joy with the new album ‘Main
Street Beat.’” – Sonic Soul Reviews
“Jackiem Joyner's Main Street Beat is creative, real, and organic as smooth jazz should be.” – Smooth Jazz Daily
