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 SUNSET JAZZ RECORDINGS
   The World's Leading New Jazz Record Label

 

  Newsroom

Press releases distributed in partnership with ... Billboard Media Wire, Mi2n, New Music Weekly, PR.com. 

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JULY 2010

Sunset signs production and distribution deal with Memphis based booker and live music promoter, Papa G. Records.

Memphis based record label, promoter, booker and Production Company, Maverick Group Marketing Inc. (MGM) / Papa G. Records and Sunset Records / Sunset Distribution Company have announced today an exclusive worldwide distribution deal through Sunset Records / Sunset Distribution Company. The multi year contract and joint venture between the Memphis based multi-media record company Papa G. Records and with the New York & New Jersey based Sunset Records & Sunset Distribution Company is a deal that will bring current artists like Crushing Juliet and Chosen View to Sunset from the Papa G. label/company.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset says that “Papa G. himself (John Garrison) is one of the top A&R people in the world, and my plan is to allow him and his staff to go off to sign any artists he works personally in the Memphis areas,” and “because he books and promotes one of the best halls (The Minglewood) in one of the best music areas in the world (on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee), I look forward to having him deliver new music to Sunset for many years.” (Don) Lichterman also says that “he (Papa G.) Is on the pulse of picking up on new trends in music” and that Papa G. is also “on the pulse of hearing new bands that play live at the Memphis venues he books live shows.” Lichterman goes on to say that he is “thrilled to work with Papa G. as a great extension to my company,” let alone “watching him do his A&R for Sunset because he has brought me to hear some of the best arrays of music collectively, that I have heard in one sitting in many years.”

The new production and distribution deal will continue to develop, license, and release recorded music and any entertainment related product the Memphis based company (Papa G. Records) delivers to Sunset in any genre and/or in any format. Aside from the initial releases of the alternative rock bands, CHOSEN VIEW (The Common Thread is due in stores: September 21, 2010) and CRUSHING JULIET (Broken Cadillac is due in stores: September 21, 2010) that are being released through the Sunset Record label, Papa G. Records plans to deliver bands in a variety of genres including Blues, Americana, Art Rock, R&B/Soul, Rock N’ Roll, and World music. The first projects through the new Papa G. / Sunset deal is slated for Fall release in 2010 with two new albums, The Common Thread (In Stores 9/21/2010) which is a brand new album from the alternative rock band by CHOSEN VIEW (Sunset Records) and the Broken Cadillac (In Stores 9/14/2010) alternative album by pop rock act, CRUSHING JULIET (Sunset Connect). "Both of these artists are an enormous talent with key songs for radio so I want them out by the end of September this year,” (Don) Lichterman says about the first two Papa G. titles being released in the Sunset Distribution system, “we (Sunset) are extremely psyched to be able to bring his (Papa G.) music, his bands and his sense of direction with music he works to the next obvious level in this industry, I also want to get his music and bands out to more of a mainstream and global audience." The alternative sub modern rock song, “Under The Swell” by the Chosen View’s The Common Thread CD has already begun to impact radio in the US and radio overseas in Italy, and the UK and “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” on the Broken Cadillac CD have already been placed through two license (to be announced this month) deals both in the United States and in Italy.

MAY 2010

If you could look deep within the soul of Vermont jazz pianist Anthony Geraci, you would be able to envision to what is laid down on his brand new jazz CD, The Gift.

Sunset Jazz sets up ?The Gift? for its worldwide release by the legendary jazz pianist, Anthony Geraci.

There is a wonderfully classic feel about Anthony Geraci?s s piano playing. His profuse ability to create a traditional, classic and legendary sounding CD of music is a throw back to the earlier eras of jazz music. The full length CD, The Gift is set up for a June 8, 2010 release day. Aside from the jazz styled arrangement of the Green Day song, ?Wake Me Up Before September Ends, Geraci includes his own compositions on the (9) nine songs compact disc set.

The first song is entitled ?Alyakim? and is a classic ballad with major influences from old school jazz artists. Flakey Foont, his composition with incredible piano and organ work. This song is fittingly the next (second) song on the record and is a great representation of Anthony Geraci at his best. You can the great influences of the best players and the likes of Bill Evans, Gene Harris and Bud Powell, all the while developing his own legendary sound. On this disc as a solo artist, The Gift takes jazz fans back to hearing that a renewed sense of melody to what are classic tunes. The third song and eighth song on The Gift CD are two of three songs (Alyakim) named after his (Anthony Geraci?s) children, Jason? Lament and Toddicus Rex envoking what was described to ?reveal new wonders? in the liner notes written up by Michael ?Mudcat? Ward.

?The Gift? is/was intended to be a classic jazz sounding album, and executive producer and Sunset Jazz label head, Don Lichterman accepted the delivered album without any technical overdubs, splicing and without major editing. The end result is a full length CD of traditional jazz styled songs with great melodies, beautiful chordal structures and a classic jazz sound. ?This is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time,? (Don) Lichterman said about the Gift? CD, and that ?it is where I want the jazz (Sunset Jazz) label today.?

(Anthony) Geraci can be heard on classic jazz works and has played with legendary music artists like Chuck Berry, Otis Rush, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Charles Musselwhite, and Ronnie Earl and is one of the founding members of the classic band, Sugar Ray Bluetones. Geraci had been nominated on two separate occasions for the 2008 W.C. Handy Awards and was a Grammy Nominee in 2000. Lichterman goes on to say that he wants to ?create a prestigious label with Sunset Jazz and the significance of Anthony?s (Geraci) influences in the jazz community will be heard on the new album (The Gift).? ?Geraci?s style of playing characterizes what the popular jazz culture has grown over decades and to this day, says (Don) LIchterman.

Geraci seems to also be a fine artist on his own. His new album, ?The Gift.? is impressive modern day albums that no doubt a timeless jazz album. The CD shows that Anthony Geraci top pianists and arrangers on the jazz scene. This CD presents the best opportunity for jazz aficionados to become very familiar with the jazz styled pianist. What is most impressive for jazz, Geraci?s use of his piano, creating what sound like old-time jazz classics. His obvious influences with Art Tatum and other pianists of that early era, is easy to see on songs like Neda and Provence, and you can also look for other inspiring feelings such tunes as ?I Can?t Go Back To You.? And, rounding off the nine (9) song CD set is the third song, ?You Don't Know What Love Is,? another times jazz ballad.

Anthony Geraci is fast becoming a fixture in the global jazz scene playing countries like The Netherlands this week, and playing jazz festivals around the United States starting in June (Nebraska). Whether it?s creating its own interpretations and arrangements of modern rock tunes, like Green Days ?Wake Me Up Before September Ends,? let alone his own composed material, e is indeed a master at his craft. And, while he?s (Geraci) performed on many albums, ?The Gift? is the first full length recording released to a worldwide target audience by a major Indy label (Sunset Jazz Recordings), its great to hear the featured Geraci exclusively in this solo context. (Don) Lichterman goes on to say that ?it?s a mesmerizing album of music with the kind of playing that?s impressive for jazz aficionados and it?s an accessible album for all newcomer?s that are just getting into jazz music.?

MARCH 2010

Indie Record Label to open Merchandise Company this week offering officially licensed product and band merchandise with both new and established artists.

Online Retail Company, Sunset Vending is being launched this week by founder Don Lichterman.

New online music merchandise retailer Sunset Vending (www.Sunset-Vending.com) is being launched by Sunset Records founder Don Lichterman. The new online merch company is designed to accompany products made for his new music artists signed to the Sunset labels, with legendary branded music artists like The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and AC/DC. Sunset Vending has also signed specific license deals to resell and offer popular branded items by iconic organizations and estates like Sesame Street, Star Trek, Marylyn Monroe, Star Wars, John Wayne, Betty Boop, DC Comics (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman), Looney Tunes (Taz, Bugs Bunny, Tweeter and Sylvester), Snoopy and the Peanuts gang along with many more official licensed deals that are currently in place. And along with many new license deals that are coming to the company.

Sunset Vending will set up its artists from its indie labels with specific popular merchandise items that bands will be able to sell online at Sunset Vending, at their own websites, at the labels web sites, at Amazon?s store along with being able to sell these products at their live shows. Sunset distributes (Sunset Distribution Company) an array of established and brand new acts like Sekshun 8, Gina Thompson, Federal Moguls (QBall from Bloodhound Gang), Anthony Geraci, TenPenny Joke, Down From Zero, Capt. Crunk, Original Black Pantah, I Kong along with Mark Simmons, Deon Cole, Kevin Hart and other live recordings from shows at the Laff House Comedy Club. ?I am in hope that the Sunset Vending Company will give us the ability to showcase some cool band merchandise," says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Vending, ?and that has already begun to pay off because even just yesterday; I picked up a unique product line hand made by a fan of the band Sekshun 8.?

(Don) Lichterman then says, that he ?implemented the merch company?s business plan in the same exact way that I started my other companies at Sunset, which is to accompany my new signings with established, branded and legendary music artists.? Sunset Vending plans to allow bands to get their merchandise into dedicated fans hands without having to buy them at shows and Sunset Vending will also be selling official licensed products by popular music artists.
 

Sunset Jazz signs one of the top jazz artists in music history to a multi album recording deal.

Anthony Geraci, whose career spanned more than two decades, is now considered to be one of the most highly regarded innovators in jazz, signed a brand new recording deal this week, with Sunset Jazz.

There is always a great distinction coupled with a deep rooted sophistication when you hear Anthony Geraci play his exceptional jazz style of music. Sunset Jazz Recordings signs the prestigious artist to release a brand new CD entitled The Gift. ?I could not wait to announce this deal,? says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz, ?this is exactly how I want the jazz label at Sunset to grow its repertoire and Anthony?s new CD is by far one if the best jazz CDs I have heard in years.?

(Anthony) Geraci can be heard on such classic musical works and has played live with legendary artists like Chuck Berry, Otis Rush, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Charles Musselwhite, and Ronnie Earl and is one of the founding members of the classic band, Sugar Ray Bluetones. Geraci had been nominated on two separate occasions for the 2008 W.C. Handy Awards and was a Grammy Nominee in 2000. Lichterman goes on to say that he wants to ?create a prestigious label with Sunset Jazz and the significance of Anthony?s (Geraci) influences in the jazz community will be heard on the new album (The Gift).? ?Geraci?s style of playing characterizes what the popular jazz culture has grown over decades and to this day, says (Don) LIchterman.

The jazz label (Sunset Jazz) plans to release the newly recorded Geraci CD (The Gift) before summer this year.
 

JANUARY 2010

Sunset Live (www.Sunset-Live.com) is honored to join OurStage, MTV Networks and their partners to bring our community live streaming coverage of ?Hope for Haiti?.

The live concert downloads will also be available at iTunes after the show ends tonight. The Hope For Haiti Concert features live performances by Wyclef Jean, George Clooney and CNN?s Anderson Cooper will host the two-hour global telethon airing Friday, January 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. And, the celebrities also scheduled to appear in support of relief efforts include Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Coldplay, Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna...Go To Sunset-Live.com to see the show!

DECEMBER 2009

Sunset moves its record label web sites to the Secure Green Web Hosting Platform and Web Servers Powered By Wind and Solar Energy

Sunset Records moved over 60 web sites last week to its new web servers powered by wind technology and solar energy

Sunset, the ?greenest? record company in the world, takes its environmental campaigns to another level by using Wind Powered Technologies' and Solar Powered energies? to provide its? Web application security, Storage for its web servers along with its PCI compliance for its record label and artist hosted web sites. Sunset will continue to provide the current and the future artists signed to the label, their own private portals providing security, SQL relational databases and a Cross Platform Site Script. In addition, Sunset now has their servers at their specific co-location with dedicated hosting for its label web sites and artists web sites.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset say that "After using a few solutions over the last three years, and considering my vision for my online infrastructure at Sunset, dealing with this transition now was an easy decision to make this month.? (Don) Lichterman goes onto say that ?moving our content to our new servers is not only the first step in becoming environmentally sound at work, it is also long overdue for us to be using an environmentally conscious, carbon neutral online business model,? and ?it starts with how we house our content on its servers.? Lichterman also feels that in doing this now at Sunset, ?we will always be able to cater to our growing company and this is just more incentive and added value that our staff and artists get when you work at the world's greenest record label".

Sunset is also known for starting one of the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed digital only record labels this last year with Sunset Connect (www.SunsetConnect.com). "(Sunset) Connect became very well known this year and the press has been over the top great for us gaining the recognition after starting a label like Sunset Connect this year,? says Lichterman, and ?now, there is zero hypocrisy which is why I felt so good after making that change this month.? Sunset will also provide their staffers, labels and artists even more secure and even more compliant to the digital millennium Acts and ?without a huge investment in resources and/or man hours,? and Lichterman ends the conversation saying that ?I am so happy to have this added value implemented to our online solution."

Sunset is one of the forefront runners and one of the most innovative record labels in the world. The company?s web site infrastructure is powered with 100% renewable wind and solar energy (90% wind, 10% solar) rendering its servers and business operations carbon neutral. Don Lichterman and his Sunset record Labels take practicing social responsibility and its overall Green Movement on its daily business operations, to another level this month.

OCTOBER 2009

Celebrate the Holidays with Don Ward live at the Clef Club Performing Arts Theatre in Philadelphia on December 16th!

The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts Theatre invites families, friends and fans of jazz music to visit the theatre this holiday season with a very special live performance by Sunset Jazz recording artist, Don Ward.

The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts Theatre is offering a variety of holiday shows that will no doubt appeal to people of all ages and to fans of jazz music. Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz says, ?this is a great chance to enjoy this magical time of the year and there is no better suited artist for this prestigious venue than Don Ward.? The performing arts center is one of the first facilities in the nation constructed specifically as a jazz institution and for jazz music. It strives to preserve and promote jazz music through performance, education and cultural services. The Clef Club of Jazz is a nonprofit organization located on the Avenue of the Arts, right at Broad Street and Fitzwater Street., in Philadelphia, PA. The Club introduces audiences of all ages to jazz through concerts and superior jazz instruction at this very special facility.

Along with the December 16th Don Ward live concert, the Philadelphia Clef Club presents the Christmas JAZZ Celebration with the Bread of Life JAZZ Ensemble featuring guest vocalists, Shannon Brown, Willie Marshall & One Accord. Also performing is the ?Praise Dancer? Zola Edmonds-McLaurin and the night is a Ray Wright/Mike Blackwell Production (Tickets: $10.00). And, the performing arts center in Philadelphia is also set to host the Soul Sounds 1st Annual Toy Drive to Benefit the National Comprehensive Center for Fathers on December 18th and 19th and the Art's on South Presents A Holiday JAZZ Concert Featuring, Derrick Gardner & The JAZZ Prophets M C. Jeff Duperon from WRTI.

Don Ward is set to perform songs from his debut CD, Dreaming (Sunset Jazz) and the show will be made available for sale as a ?live download? through Sunset Live and Sunset Jazz. (Don) Lichterman says, that he ?will also release the live show to the top retail outlets like iTunes, REAL, Napster and every store that sells music the digital way,? and he continues to say that the live show from the Clef Club Performing Arts center will be distributed via the ?Universal Republic Digital distribution system.? The 7:30pm performance is prmoted by J Zone Entertainment. Tickets to see the Wednesday night show are $12 and tickets to this very special live performances can be purchased at the Clef Club Box Office (215) 893-9912. All information about Don Ward can be found at his Sunset Jazz artist page (www.DonWard.Sunset-Jazz.com).

OCTOBER 2009

Sunset Records Strikes Deal to Integrate its Mobile Content with Vio Mobile

Agreement Will Enable Vio Mobile Users and Vio Distribution Partners to Seamlessly Release Sunset Records Contextually Relevant Ringtones at Hundreds of Retailers and Mobile Carriers All Over The World!

Sunset Records announced today it has signed an agreement with Vio Mobile, one of the industry?s leaders in mobile distribution, to provide mobile ringtones across several mobile retail channels, with hundreds of mobile carriers in territories all over the world.

Under this newly signed mobile distribution agreement, Sunset Records ringtones will be integrated into the Vio Mobile distribution network, enabling millions of users globally to effortlessly discover Sunset?s mobile content. Vio Mobile is also integrating its distributed ringtone catalog with the popular electronics company, Acer, for branded purchases so buyers of the new Acer MP3 Player, can discover its music on the new Acer media player. Sunset Records will also ensure that its links to the Vio Mobile website are set up integrated on every artist page. The Sunset artist pages are set up that when fans click through the links off their artist pages, they will be offered ringtones, playback tunes, wallpaper graphics and all relevant mobile content.

?The Sunset Records partnership with Vio Mobile emphasizes our continued expansion to get our music placed in every worldwide distribution channel and then also highlights how we can integrate our content with ease,? says Don Lichterman, the Head of Sunset Records. ?I was impressed right away with what Ivan (Woodson) has built at his company,? says Lichterman about this deal and that he is ?confident that Vio Mobile partners and its users will be able to find our mobile content in every network and all over the world.?

With this deal in place today, Sunset will have its catalog of recorded music available through the Vio Mobile network of over TWO HUNDRED (200) mobile carriers around the world.

SEPTEMBER 2009

International music artists, LR-60 & Mr. Moods get ready to release its Ultraviolence CD with Sunset Jazz Recordings in November this year.

Sunset Jazz gets ready to release Ultraviolence by the top downtempo, acid jazz artist in the world, LR-60 & Mr. Moods in November.

From 4th Street to Waterloo Park to the state Capitol building, Austin, Texas is a city that is filled with right wing lobbyists, a major University that in most part follows left wing partisan politics, and is known a place to find roots music artists and a music scene with a ton of down home rock n roll. However, Austin has also become one of the best music scenes in America becoming one of the more important musical places to now discover many other styles of music, partly due to the rise in popularity to the downtempo acid jazz music duo, LR-60 & Mr. Moods and their Sunset Jazz record label.

LR-60 & Mr. Moods is not so much an acid jazz music group as it is the brilliant project between the man known as Skip Warren (LR-60) and Christian Denis (Mr. Moods). The duo manifested itself in 2008 with its acclaimed release of the ?Coldest Memories? CD, and now, the group will shape and grow this style of deep and thoughtful downtempo dance and club music with a new CD being released with Sunset Jazz Recordings. Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz says that the duo are ?great innovators in this format and with a music style known as downtempo acid jazz,? The band certainly knows how to infuse many styles and many accessible monikers picking up right where they left off after releasing their debut album, Coldest Memories worldwide with Sunset Jazz this year. ?These guys were some of our best successes at radio this year and not only did they get play in every region in America, let alone in areas around the world, we had 5 songs being played at one time all over America,? says Lichterman. This incredible duo certainly did not invent the downtempo and acid jazz styles and genres of music; however, it is easy to see that they will indeed help this format grow to a more mainstream listener. Lichterman says that ?not only do we have many of their songs played at radio all year; these guys get played in every format.? LR-60 & Mr. Moods saw radio play in formats like jazz and in the club scene; the tandem has songs being played at AAA, AC, HOT AC and at mainstream college radio formats which is the pleasant surprise the label head (Don Lichterman) saw this year.

Ultraviolence (due to hit stores on November 17) is the next full length CD by LR-60 & Mr. Moods showing off their gripping mellow dance music style perfect for the likes of the UK. ?The club kids listen to this style of music after partying hard all night,? says Lichterman and it is no wonder why they can be heard at sunrise as club goers come down from their ecstasy-driven intense nights after dancing at clubs in popular party cities in America let alone in worldwide markets like Cannes and Ibiza. ?I knew it (the music on the CD) worked when I heard it last year and what I also noticed the most was the level of production on that CD. The production was perfect on every song from beginning to end on that Coldest Memories CD,? says (Don) Licherman. ?And, so now they have carte blanche to release more music and I welcome anything these guys are willing to put out on CD,? Lichterman says about the brand new Ultraviolence CD.

LR-60& Mr. Moods does make downtempo dance music that is highly accessible to every listener and is, in fact, not just club styled dance music. The duo's overall sound is an intense and rhythmic combination of acid jazz, dub, drum n bass, chill, ambient, house, club, lounge, and what is loosely lumped into the "jazz" format/style/genre of music. LR-60 & Mr. Moods evolution is known in the acid jazz music scene with each of its first two albums showing a huge amount of musical talent. And, this newest album entitled Ultraviolence, they picked up where it left off with Coldest Memories, because both CDs are not only accessible for many types of listeners, both CDs also show these artists will always stay true to their downtempo style of music which they are helping build in that community.

Once again, Ultraviolence has its afrobeat styling, coupled with that downtempo beat and they have since produced even more of an accessible overall sound in this CD. There are also obvious signs of the duo showing its influences outside of that acid jazz world. Along with hearing elements of artists like Ennio Morricone and the Thievery Corporation, if you take away her (Morcheeba) vocals, this duo is almost reminiscent of early Morcheeba. LR-60 & Mr. Moods are clearly poised to become major players in the International music scene, and they also seem to continue to crossover its overall sound to that mainstream music scene for many years.

JULY 2009

Don Ward Plays with Cameo and Pieces of a dream on saturday, august 1 in chester, pa!

Sunset Jazz and Don Ward play to thousands of people in Chester, PA this week with legend bands, Pieces of Dream and Cameo.

MAY 2009

Don Ward Plays Two Very Special Live Shows at the beautiful Walt Whitman Arts Center Theatre this weekend June 5th & 6th!

Sunset Jazz recording artist continues to support his brand new acclaimed, Dreaming CD by playing two very special shows at the world renowned theatre in the new entertainment areas in Camden, New Jersey. Ward will play his contemporary style of smooth jazz at the world famous Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center in Camden, New Jersey on Friday June 5th and on Saturday June 6th.

These very special nights will be filled with live smooth jazz music with Don Ward. He will continue to showcase live, his songs from his brand new full length CD ?Dreaming? released on Sunset Jazz. The top selling jazz CD is produced by Rod Millwood (Gina Thompson, Kevin Hart, Mykal Rose) and this 12 song CD is the incredible debut by the first artist signed through the Sunset Jazz record company. Sunset Jazz is the newly created Don Lichterman record label at Sunset Records.

And, the two special shows this week are a part of the Live! At The Walt ?Jazz and Java? series playing live in concert at the beautiful Walt Whitman Arts Center Theatre located in the middle of entertainment district in Camden, New Jersey. Adjacent to the Susquehanna Performing Arts center, the Walt Whitman Theatre is the host to a variety of world-class performers. Let alone the booking throughout the summer and at the music series. Both shows begin at 8PM. The tickets for both of these live concerts are $15 and are now available at the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Theatre Box office. You can reserve your tickets online through the theatre web site.

Sunset Jazz, founded in 2008, is the Sunset Records jazz label that opened its doors last year by distributing its licensed product. All Sunset Jazz artists are distributed all over the world through the Sunset records label system.

For all information about the label, its artists and current releases that are currently in stores, along with artist interviews with Don Ward, please contact Don Lichterman at the Sunset Jazz offices in New York City.

APRIL 2009

LR-60 & Mr. Moods releases its Coldest Memories CD worldwide with Sunset Jazz.

Sunset Jazz releases one of the finest Acid Jazz CDs with LR-60 & Mr. Moods on May 5th.

The 12 trip-hop cuts on the 2008 originally self released ?Coldest Memories? CD is atmospheric with accessible hooks throughout the entire CD. One half of the Texas based tandem LR-60 (Skip Warren) has teamed up with Mr. Moods (Christian Denis) are currently teaming up producing even more brand new songs for a new album, Ultraviolence, a new album slated to be released at Sunset Jazz later on this year. The label has begun to work the first single ?Mirage,? a smooth and chill jazz song with a feel for the future trends in composition writing, to college radio, clubs and specialty jazz radio format stations. The mesmerizing down tempo groove is a melting pot of mood, great texture, dense composition and a fusion of jazz and electronic music.

LR-60 (Warren) again ventures out from his own music on this exploratory blend of techno, house pop, funk and acid jazz with none other than Mr. Moods (Denis). LR-60 & Mr. Moods takes you deep into the head of these two fine musicians showing off heavy bass lines and hallucinogenic horn playing, ?Coldest Memories? is a captivating post-modern jazz, trip-hop, dub, chill out of a CD. LR-60 plays his trumpet with an obvious new sound collaborating with the electronic artist Christian Denis ? o.k. Mr. Moods. What you hear now is a shared sense of having the same musical goals and tastes towards all future trends in music.  The full length CD is an amazing experimental edgy album of music. Another great song on the CD is DeCollage, an old world charmed melody with a percussive back beat. Track number three, Hal & Dave is an exciting track that makes you want tap your feet; Track four, Word Problem has a reverberating vibe and a sharp beat makes it accessible for the deep listener. Song six, Groove Modulation shows off a perfect techno sound with an elegant rolling melody playing side by side with the perfect electronic beat. The blend of jazz, blues and elctronica is a middle eastern sound fused together by these two artists.

?Things have already paid off for Skip?s (LR-60) newest project,? says Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz.  LR-60 has its music on the CNN Network this year the National Geographic Channel has licensed a few tunes from this Coldest Memories CD. Songs From this CD are being played globally on over 60 FM radio stations, internet radio stations and currently, the single is in rotation at the Sirius XM Chill station & the Musical Starstreams stations.

This CD is very much a mind altering and exciting CD. This CD is for all acid jazz fans, lovers and aficionados and/or other forms of extreme trip hop down tempo music. This is great for the listener that wants a brand new experience with music; LR-60 & Mr. Moods are the wave of the future in music!

MARCH 2009

Don Ward releases his debut full length ?Dreaming? CD through Sunset Jazz Recordings on April 28th.

Smooth jazz saxophonist Don Ward?s debut release Dreaming is a ten song delightful symphonic jazz masterpiece with melodic grooves interweave a blend of keyboard with constant bass beats. His jazz-mood style of playing is similar to John Coltrane and Miles Davis with magic carpet rides made up of upbeat grooves of saxophone escalates smoothly throughout the underlying support of drums. The harmonious expressions have a pleasing flow that blends sweet sounds with sonic perfection making for an amazing magic carpet ride from song to song along with quintessential festive jazz drive.

Produced, recorded and mixed by Rod Millwood, Dreaming features ten songs making up one of the top jazz records of the year. As an acclaimed producer and composer for many popular music artists today (Gina Thompson, Mykal Rose, L. Myers, Kevin Hart, more), his latest production with Ward is proving to develop yet another acclaimed solo artist with smooth jazz over tones for his fans to admire. Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz Recordings says he is still looking to sign more ?jazz styled artists? this year at the jazz record label. The brand new upstart jazz label started last year by Lichterman (Don) has two releases coming out this 2nd quarter in 2009 (LR-60 & Mr. Moods release their Acid Jazz Trip Hop Coldest Memories? CD on May 5th).

Ward begins with an upbeat predisposed syncopation on ?Black Diamond? honing in on an old school night club feel with great saxophone expressions and joyful grooves. The CD proceeds with the track ?Loves Amazing,? which ignites foot stomping beats and funky horn grooves along suave movements that show off excellent transitional chord changes with a seamless pace throughout the next few songs.  ?Ride? then shows us a smooth jazz melodic side of the jazz aficionado while the upbeat funky rhythms off the song named for the album title, ?Dreaming? is an easy jazz allurement as far as accessibility.

The overtones of ?Tribute To Grover? are a perfect fusion of horns and keyboards enticing some vocals reciting the name of the song.  Contrasting the activity of ?Midnight Hazel? is the melodic ballad although all the songs have a sense of melody. ?On The Come Up? rounds of the full length CD with a soft and flowy momentum led by incredible sax playing.  The flamboyant sax camber of the Dreaming CD has a definite jazz club feel with smooth moves mixed in with toe tapping beats that ride into the relaxing grooves of a great jazz album.

Ward?s tribute if you will, to the legend Grover Washington Jr. ?Tribute To Grover? is an elegant with graceful sax based song representing long grooves and a wonderful ride.  Ward has an amazing offering with this debut CD release showing off his jazz overtones and elegance of the chord movements in every song.  All songs are original with upbeat funky hooks, energetic horn action and soaring grooves that bring in any jazz listener into its festive world. Ward also uniquely presents a new vision in jazz by adding in comfortable vocals on a few tracks that blend in every so subtly, like on ?Dreaming,?? which is not only a shroud in delicately enthused sax playing rising and falling at a relaxed yet upbeat pace.  His compositions are a mouthwatering combo of a flowing horn and bass riff coordinated by Ward and Millwood. The album epitomizes smooth jazz with soothing ballads and magic carpet rides making up beautiful melodies throughout every song and the title track ?Dreaming? with its deliberate style of horn playing into an ultimate CD.

Don Ward?s debut album Dreaming embraces the idealistic warmth of smooth jazz and brings the listener into a satisfying sense of style. This CD makes an easy introduction into the smooth jazz format at its finest and shows an attraction for its inherent splendor. Ward is the type of music artist that that is not only perfect for ?chilling out,? seeing Ward live is toe tapping experience. For the listener, this is a record that is so accessible that you will want to listen to it over and over many times. The CD is available at every retail outlet around the world, including Borders, Amazon, Target, CD Universe and every retailer that sells downloads, streams and ringtones (iTunes, Real/Rhapsody, eMusic, Napster, Verizon Wireless, Myxer, etc.)

Tracks:

01 - Black Diamond (4:46)

02 - Loves Amazing (4:21)

03 - Midnight Hazel (4:05)

04 - Dreaming (3:27)

05 - Ride (3:49)

08 - Tribute To Grover (3:53)

09 - On The Come Up (4:22)


Record Label Website:
http://www.sunset-jazz.com

Artist's Website:
http://DonWard.Sunset-Jazz.com

Sunset Jazz, founded in 2008, is the Sunset Records jazz label that opened its doors last year by distributing its licensed product. All Sunset Jazz artists are distributed all over the world through the Sunset records label system and via CBuJ Entertainment.

For all information about the label, its artists and current releases that are currently in stores, along with artist interviews with Don Ward, please contact Don Lichterman at the Susnet Jazz offices in New York City.

Acid Jazz Duo Signs To Sunset Jazz Recordings!

LR-60 is signed for a three-album deal; brings his debut album with Mr. Moods to Sunset Jazz.

LR-60 & Mr. Moods are from in Texas and have now become the Sunset Jazz first acid jazz signing and what is the most innovative signing for the new jazz related record label.

The men behind the music are Skip Warren (LR-60) and Christian Denis (Mr. Moods). The acclaimed acid jazz act has secured a potential three album with Sunset Jazz and their debut album 'Coldest Memories' produced by the duo themselves, is set to hit stores on May 5, 2009.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Jazz at Sunset Records commented on the deal by saying "Signing these guys is very important for the jazz label. They are some of the most talented musicians for this unique style of music. The label is determined to develop traditional styled jazz artists like Don Ward. And, we also want to work unique styles like acid jazz and trip hop music within the jazz format."

LR-60 was first noticed after turning over the entire self released debut album, ?Coldest memories? with the Sunset A&R submittal tool. The acid jazz duo signed the deal with Sunset to release the debut CD worldwide through the Sunset Jazz record label. The A&R staff at Sunset heard the entire CD one time which then lead to the record deal for the Texas based band.

The full length album features the popular single, Mirage? and will be made available at stores all over the world on May 5th.

FEBRUARY 2009

The Founder of Sunset Records Opens One of the World?s Most Extensive Animal Friendly and Vegan Related Web Sites

Veg Hed opens its online store providing products never used with animals and strategic partners with activists that are against all forms of animal cruelty.

A New Jersey based organization with shared office space at Sunset in New York City, Veg Hed is now the best resource for ?vegan? product and related care products from top brands, and is also set up as a very precise way to find out about pivotal animal activist companies. The company also extended its range of releasing music and video by releasing organic and eco friendly related DVD titles.

Known for its quality of music and innovative record label structure, Sunset is finding ways to use its resources for various forms of activism and awareness. Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset is also the founder of the Sustainable Action Network and the Green Junkee online retail store. Lichterman says, ?Veg Hed is an extension within our office and we are doing a series of special markets CDs with a concept of using only music artists that eat veggie every day and artists that are against animal cruelty. This is my way to fulfill my larger dream of being able to do more for humans and animals in this world. Having the ability to promote and distribute products with top retail outlets like Amazon and Target gives us an instant reach at 12% of the online retail marketplace.?

Veg Hed not only will release its own product line, the site brings together other vegan product lines and links to vegan fashion stores. Veg Hed also has up to date information with a few of the top animal activist companies in the world. Without many great resources for shopping for vegan items online, and to gain information about vegetarian living and organizations that do incredible things for wildlife, Veg Hed brings this together on one web site.

Lichterman says, ?Unless you are looking for a specific item that you use all the time, using products not tested on animals and using products, let alone products that have no animal product could be difficult to find online and in stores. I am trying to find ways to make this so easy for people to buy these types of products all together in one order. I am also trying to use top brands that manufacturer product without any animals. And, I want to make sure people know they have easy choices to buy every type of product that does not use animals. This is more about awareness and reaching out to a more mainstream consumer while explaining this to them in a very easy way.?

Consumers are able to buy Sunset DVDs and Sunset CDs that are related to wildlife as well as strategically partnered companies with products that manufacturer vegan styles clothing, cosmetics, and clothing along with products from the PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) Mall, the ASCAP store, the Sea Sheperd online store and items from the North Shore Animal League. The store is also affiliated with the Dr. Foster and Smith Company to resell their product line.

FEBRUARY 2009

February 24, 2009 - Don Ward makes a very special live appearance to play his contemporary smooth style of jazz early next month on March 6 and March 7.

Sunset Jazz recording artist is tapped to play two shows playing his contemporary style of smooth jazz at the world famous Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center in Camden, New Jersey on Friday March 6th and Saturday March 7th.

These very special nights will be filled with live smooth jazz music with Don Ward. He will premier songs from his brand new full length CD ?Dreaming? being released with Sunset Jazz Recordings on April 7, 2009. Produced by Rod Millwood (Gina Thompson, Kevin Hart, Mykal Rose), the 12 song CD is the incredible debut by the first artist signed through the Sunset Jazz record company. Sunset Jazz is the newly created Don Lichterman record label at Sunset Records.

These two very special shows are a part of the Live! At The Walt ?Jazz and Java? series playing live in concert at the beautiful Walt Whitman Arts Center Theatre. The Walt stage will be the platform for the theatre to host a variety of world-class performers in the music series. Don Ward brings his legendary sax playinhg to the The Walt on frioday March 6th and Saturday March 7th. Both shows begin at 8PM. The tickets for both of these live concerts are $15 and are now available at the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Theatre Box office or you can reserve your tickets online through the theatre web site (www.WaltWhitmanCenter.org).

Sunset Jazz, founded in 2008, is the Sunset Records jazz label that opened its doors last year by distributing its licensed product. All Sunset Jazz artists are distributed all over the world through the Sunset records label system and via CBuJ Entertainment.

For all information about the label, its artists and current releases that are currently in stores, along with artist interviews with Don Ward, please contact Don Lichterman at the Sunset Jazz offices in New York City.

JANUARY 2009

January 16, 2009 - Don Ward Joins Sunset Jazz Recordings ? the label is Dreaming about this next CD release!

New York based independent jazz record label, Sunset Jazz recordings, announces the signing of their first artist at the label, Philadelphia-based jazz artist, Don Ward. The record deal sets up the release of his brand new debut full length CD, Dreaming, with a street date of February 17, 2009.

?We are obviously a very lucky label to have someone at the level of Don ?Juan? (Ward) as the first artist signed and first CD release,? says Don Lichterman, founder and president of Sunset Jazz. ?This inaugural album for the label beyond doubt validates the work of Don Ward with a full album of stylish and expressive arrangements on every song.? The new Lichterman jazz record label has once again teamed up with Rod Millwood, a Sunset Staff Music Producer (Gina Thompson, L. Myers, Kevin Hart) and Laff House Comedy Club owner, to work with Ward in the studio.

Saxophonist Don ?Juan? Ward is one of the leading sax players in the world. His playing has been described as a picture perfect blend of sound, and is one of the premier signings in the jazz music world. The tandem is currently putting the finial mixes down on the final 6 songs for the label. Sunset jazz aim is to build this into a legendary jazz label with analogous love for classic music styles of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Charles Mingus, among other legends in jazz.  ?He is a major addition to the Sunset Jazz artist roster,? added Lichterman, ?which should attract more great players to the label.?

The new Ward CD, Dreaming highlights the labels devotion to that classic style of jazz music showing of its melodies, textures, and great grooves. The sax artist and the jazz label are poising themselves to create many journeys into this deep style of inspirational musical discovery. (Rod) Millwood has even included the use of light vocals as an instrument presenting the direct way to show tribute to the legendary jazz artist, Grover Washington, Jr.

Sunset Jazz, founded in 2008, is the Sunset Records jazz label that opened its doors last year by distributing its licensed product. All Sunset Jazz artists are distributed all over the world through the Sunset records label system and via CBuJ Entertainment.

January 14, 2009 - Sunset Continues To Develop Music Through Its Digital Record Label

Sunset has just launched a digital record label this month, finding, signing and developing music artists with the overall objective of breaking them through its distribution system, licensing network, radio promotion, press and media departments along with its live download company and radio network.

Sunset Connect is the now the backbone for the Sunset Records digital division and moreover, this is one of their best ways for the label to find new music. The label will function as a newly created division at the Sunset record label based in New York City. The label started this month by releasing full length albums by D?Cyple, Obka, Ric Laue, Kan?Nal, Starr Cullars, Cryout, a Cracker / David Lowery type of songwriter from England named Clayton Road; and many compilations that feature popular music artists (The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, Sneaker Pimps, Gavin Friday, Eve Gallagher, Boy George, Leftfield, Death In Vegas and more), and will now begin to sign more music every month during this first year.

Don Lichterman, the head of Sunset Records, will run the digital only label during the key launch stages in the first few months, finding new talent and implementing the A&R and lead time administration. The Sunset Connect digital label is set up to develop bands working everything to major radio, press, retail and for licensing opportunities in film, TV and commercials in an automated way. Lichterman?s Sunset Live download company will be run through the Sunset Connect distribution system although it will be a standalone company run by its own staff. The live concert download company has just released a very special live concert by the world famous comedian, Roz (Last Comic Standing, Laff House Live).

Lichterman said about the digital label that it is a convergence of many factors with regard to the landscape of distribution and working music today-- including promotional mailings and mailings for music-licensing opportunities, and today, every aspect of a record label can be distributed to radio, retail, press and licensing companies all digitally -- made it the perfect climate to start Sunset Connect. The label will provide the ability to purchase physical CDs for placement at Amazon, Target and its own CD / DVD Store, through its On-Demand system powered by Amazon?s Create Space.

"We have every aspect of what a record label does for its music artists at Sunset Connect, and working music this way is cost effective for artists that it will no doubt be the standard model for record labels," Lichterman said in a press release with Billboard Media Wire. "We are poising Sunset for that time by starting the label today and at the same time, this label pays its artist 70/30 splits on net sales, which will keep everyone recouped making money every pay period.? Sunset Connect will look to hire a label head and other staff members for A&R acquisitions with the label feeding off the Sunset Records divisions for its promotion, licensing, marketing and administration.

While Sunset Records has made great progress in the last year with its new music ? the Federal Moguls (QBall from Bloodhound Gang and Troy Walsh (MTV.com) new project and platinum recording artist Gina Thompson?s new project as run through the main label (Sunset Records and Sunset Urban accordingly) -- the Sunset Connect record label will be committed to developing new talent and up-and-coming music artists. Each of the artists on the label has already released indie albums and Sunset Connect distributes the entire catalogs of these artists. "We have great lee way now to develop new music without getting them thousands of dollars in the unrecouped column, and we can take on so many more projects today," Lichterman said.

Sunset Connects business plan has taken the same shape as the rest of the Sunset labels. There is a perfect mix of brand new talent in with established artist signings that are legends in the industry. Of the new bands,  Kan?Nal?s ?Gypsy? was the number one song played on the Radio Italia Network last year for a few weeks and D?Cyple?s two songs ?My Life? and ?Don?t Wanna Be? have broken the top 50 on the Indy Record Pool charts last year and is still being featured in clubs charting every month. Clayton Road also now has two songs in Pure Play?s Music Network and every artist is featured at Pandora. Sunset Connect has digital deals with every top online retailer including iTunes, Real/Rhapsody, eMusic, Amazon MP3, Napster, Shockhound and over 40 outlets. The digital only label does make physical product via Amazon?s On-Demand system making CDs available at Amazon, target and the Sunset Store, however, it will not carry any stock inventory.

Top industry people at major labels and at Indy labels admit there is no set formula for a digital only record label. Lichterman says that he has ?found the perfect way to make everyone money and work this music at Sunset Connect as close to what you would do for an artist that has a traditional record deal.? He also was quick to say that the idea of doing this now is almost ?overdue, but for us at Sunset, this the perfect time for this type of label considering our label wide rosters at this time. Our traditional label is working like a machine and our artists and staff producer (Rod Millwood) were named on the Grammy Nomination Ballot 68 times leading up to December 5th. We now have the formula to make sure this label works like a cost effective machine and ironically speaking, I could see this label being the one that is the main label as the industry phases out physical DVDs and CDs."

Sunset Live Will Presents The Laff House Comedy Tour in 2009 along with a brand new live Comedy CD by one of the worlds top comedians, Kevin Hart!

Kevin Hart (Soul Plane, Scary Movie, Epic Movie, 40 Year Old Virgin) will release a brand new Full Length comedy album in Spring 2009. The Laff House and Sunset Live are planning a nation wide tour with comedians from BET's Comic Review, Def Jam Comedy Show ion HBO and with Kevin on the bill. Hart is playing three nights at the world famous Punchline Comedy Club in San Francisco from 2/5 to 27/. Kevin's last comedy CD, I'm A Grown Little Man is a top selling CD at Sunset!

all Sunset artists chart on the aol powered our stage last month!

Thirteen (13) Sunset artists broke the Top 100 at AOL's Our Stage for December 2008. Eight (8) Sunset artists broke the Top 50 and four (4) Sunset artists broke the Top 25 for the last month in 2008!

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Sunset Corporate Communications & News Archives - Newsroom 2008 - Click Here.

 

 

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