New York, NY (Top40 Charts) A twelve-song set of smooth old school soul strewn with modern day sensibilities, retro R&B vocal group DW3's just released sophomore disc, "Vintage Truth," is letting the music be its guide to the top of Billboard's Most Added and New & Active singles charts thanks to their spirited harmony, rhythm & groove outing with contemporary jazz keyboards kingpin
Brian Culbertson titled "Let The Music." The GRAMMY-nominated vocalists will celebrate the Woodward Avenue Records release at a pair of Los Angeles-area launch parties beginning with Thursday's (April 16) gig at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, California prior to playing a string of summer jazz festival dates from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
"Vintage Truth," which was Amazon's No. 1 classic R&B album during the week of release, is dedicated to DW3's late drummer, producer and mentor Ricky
Lawson (Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Steely Dan), who passed away prior to the album's completion. Hit producer-mixer
Paul Brown stepped in to help finish the record and DW3 - brothers Billy & Eric Mondragon and Damon Reel - assumed the production helm on half the tracks, a mix of soul-powered originals and classic covers by a pair of the outfit's seminal influences,
Stevie Wonder ("
Overjoyed") and
Luther Vandross ("
So Amazing"), in addition to a scorching soul-singed remake of The Pasadenas' "Tribute (Right On)" and seductive, caressing versions of The Eagles' "
I Can't Tell You Why" and The
Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'." Horn men Dave Koz,
Greg Adams and
Elan Trotman make guest appearances on "Vintage Truth" to animate by adding hues of sax and trumpet.
The release of "Vintage Truth" will be feted a second time on May 24 at Spaghettini's new buzz spot location in Beverly Hills. Earlier that same day, DW3 will bring their combustible party band live show to the San
Diego Jazz Festival. Other upcoming high-profile festival dates include the Newport Beach Jazz Festival (May 30), Culbertson's Napa Valley Jazz Getaway (June 13 & 14) and the Cancun Jazz Festival (September 2-6). DW3 is slated to open for R&B-jazz great
George Benson on
September 25 at Thornton Winery in Temecula, California.
Reviewers are just discovering "Vintage Truth" and here are a few excerpts:
"Hot vocal group DW3 teams with a number of contemporary jazz greats for their new album." - Soul Tracks
"A fantastic blast of smooth originals and slick covers complete with top-notch vocals - all in the form of a quality project called 'Vintage Truth'…this band has truly placed its indelible mark on smooth jazz/R&B." - The Smooth Jazz Ride
"Technically perfect, they skillfully display their musical strength: incredible vocal harmonies." - Smooth Jazz Daily
For more information, please visit www.DW3music.com.
