Music

CDs

“In Transit”

In Transit Reviews “Thornton is an intuitive composer and player, preferring to allow the feeling of the music define the concept of a recording as it evolves rather than start with a concept and work from there. It’s refreshing to hear an artist venture to so many exciting places on a single album, and fans can only hope that Thornton will be “In Transit” to more surprising sax driven adventures in the future.” – Jonathan Widran “For Erly Thornton’s second recording, In Transit, he teams up with Derrick Harvin with whom he co-wrote the majority of the selections. Harvin takes care of the keyboard work, LaVon Rushing is often on bass and guitar and guitarist Rohan Reid is also a strong asset. Switching between alto, tenor and soprano, Thornton displays soulful sounds and melodic styles on each of his horns, swinging easily over the funky grooves. Guest guitarist Steve Oliver plays prominent roles on the jubilant “Latismo” and “Moonlight Cay”. Fans of the more creative side of smooth and of R&B-inspired jazz in general will certainly enjoy In Transit, a major step forward for Erly Thornton.” – Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76 “Nashville native Erly Thornton’s sophomore CD was eight years in the making, and it’s so worth it. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a saxophone-based CD so much. Thornton has a real knack for catchy and joyful melodies, and it’s obvious he’s having fun while creating his sound. Smooth Jazz fans will have as much fun listening to it. Thornton’s sax is always energetic, and is especially robust on “Latismo,” which features star guitarist Steve Oliver, and the hook-filled ‘Gettin’ It,’ where he switches to the higher-pitched soprano. Thornton’s covers are varied and he presents a broad musical canvas which is sure to be welcomed with open arms by smooth jazz fans.” – Brian Soergel, JazzTimes In Transit Credits Executive Producer: Erly Thornton Producer: Derrick J Harvin Co-producers: Erly Thornton and Derrick J Harvin Audio Engineer: Derrick J Harvin for Harvin Music and Louis Richner for Maximum Entertainment Group Mixed by: Veit Renn, Renn Music Productions Mastered by: Bob Katz, Digital Domain Photography: LDR Signature and Andrea Thornton Cover Design: Phil Hobt, phadesign.com and Kim Giles, Beyond One Entertainment Le Voyage Transatlantique Derrick Harvin ℗ 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) On My Way Erly Thornton, LaVon Rushing, Derrick Harvin © 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) LA Music (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Bass and Guitars by LaVon Rushing Morning Sun Erly Thornton, Derrick Harvin © 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Guitars by LaVon Rushing, Background vocals by Lisa “Live” Hart Additional recording by Shaun Fisher at Island Breeze Music Studio, Orlando FL Latismo Steve Oliver, Erly Thornton, Derrick Harvin © 2012 Oohlah Productions (BMI) Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton Additional production and recording by Steve Oliver at Steve Oliver Music Studios, Los Angeles All music by Derrick Harvin, Bass by LaVon Rushing, Guitars by Steve Oliver, Percussion by Jessie Caraballo My Funny Valentine © 1937 Lorenz Hart and Richard Roberts – From ‘Babe’s In Arms’ a Rodgers and Hammerstein ℗ Chappell Music and Williamson Music (ASCAP) © 2012 Adaptation by Groove Elation Records Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Drums by Chris Stokes, Bass by Jimmy Seay, Guitars by Brad Cantron, Percussion by Vernon Suber Gettin’ It Erly Thornton, Derrick Harvin © 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Drums by Jessie Caraballo, Bass by LaVon Rushing, Guitars by Clay Benjamin Recorded at Jessie’s place, Additional recording by Kenneth Andres at Amazamix Studio In Transit Erly Thornton, Derrick Harvin © 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Guitars by Rohan Reid Biggest Part Of Me © 1980 David Pack – Ambrosia – ℗ EMI Longitude (BMI) © 2012 Adaptation Groove Elation Records Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Drums by Jessie Caraballo, Bass by LaVon Rushing, Guitars by Rohan Reid, Background vocals by Veit Renn Amsterdam Erly Thornton, David Grant, Jr., Derrick Harvin © 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) (BMI) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton, Flugelhorn by Cameron Brown All music by David “D1” Grant and Derrick Harvin What Kind Of Man Would I Be © 1996 Lawrence Waddell, Williams, Kinchen, Lewis, O’dell, Allen – Mint Condition ℗ EMI April Music OBO Mint Factory Music (BMI) © 2012 Adaptation by Groove Elation Records Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Drums by Chris Stokes, Bass by LaVon Rushing, Guitars by Rohan Reid, Background vocals by Veit Renn September © 1978 Maurice White, Al McKay, Allee Willis – Earth Wind and Fire ℗ Irving Music, EMI Blackwood, Steelchest Music, EMI April Music (BMI) © 2012 Adaptation Groove Elation Records Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Drums by Chris Stokes, Bass by LaVon Rushing, Guitars by Rohan Reid Moonlight Cay Steve Oliver, Erly Thornton, Derrick Harvin © Oohla Productions (BMI) 2012 Groove Elation Records LLC (ASCAP) Harvin Music (ASCAP) Saxes by Erly Thornton All music by Derrick Harvin, Guitars and vocals by Steve Oliver Additional recording by Steve Oliver at his L.A. Studios

“My Life”

Free We all have dreams. We all have a purpose in life that most of us sometimes find hard to focus on. We know what it is. If only we could have the time to focus on it. If only we did not have to spend all of our lives focusing on other peoples goals. If we could only be Free! This is a conversation about taking the plunge and taking the chance to be free from the daily grind of your unsatisfying job or life to Follow Your Dreams. It is appropriately the start of this CD Experience. With vocals based on a conversation with your significant other, assuring them that it is the right time, “Don’t You Feel It, Don’t you Know It!” and counseling: “Don’t Be Afraid, Don’t Hesitate!” it is an optimistic emotional expression of a new beginning. Mura de Cozumel Imagine a bright golden sun shining on Mayan waters such a unique shade of blue that there are no colors in our language to describe it. You plunge into the sea’s cool, refreshing embrace followed by schools of bright yellow fish and floating effortlessly over coral reefs of indescribable beauty. There it is, just a little further, an edge leading to a deeper blue abyss and you realize that you have been swimming on the top of an underwater mountain of life. Over the edge you go where you fly next to the side of the mountain wall like childhood dreams of being a superhero. Stretching a fist out imagining you are the man of steel, this is Freedom. This is the song about that experience, on the Mura or “Wall” of Cozumel. JJ’s Bounce It’s almost dinner time. I’m cooking…Something fun this time…As I slice the vegetables I hear my kid’s favorite show on the TV. I turn and there they are, smiling at me with grins so big, hands on the top of the couch bouncing up and down on the cushions in time to the music. Have you ever seen kids do that? I think it’s a universal language of “I don’t have a care in the world, I’m having fun and the center of attention is my daddy, mommy, and my life set to music.” This is your song Joseph and Janelle. This song is dedicated to them and all of the parents and kids in the World. This is JJ’s Bounce. Turn Off The Lights Remember the dorm room mix tape? You had one to study with, one to party with, and one to…ahem…set the mood. Kicked the roommate out hours ago. We have been studying each other for a while now. No more books or pretenses. All we have is nervous anticipation, beating hearts, first love exploration. Is this the one? We don’t know but we both feel it. Put in the cassette. Hit play. No more talking, just “Turn Off The Lights”. Fantasy The timeless music of Earth Wind and Fire has been loved by people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. It is not just the pure genius of the compositions themselves, but also the spirituality and optimism expressed in their lyrics. I have never heard an Earth Wind and Fire song that didn’t make me happy! Fantasy is one of those grooving inspirational songs that fit very well into the theme of this project and our lives. “Every Man has a place, in his heart there’s a space, And the world can’t erase his fantasies, Take a ride in the sky, On a trip Fantasize, all your dreams will come true right away!” Who isn’t inspired by that? With You By My Side Reflecting back on the time we have spent on this earth, we realize we have had many experiences, good and bad. That is what life is about, weathering it through those experiences, and coming out the other side. No one can do it alone. We all try, but the wisest of us find out that the way is much better if we have help from our friends and significant others. In fact, if you have the right partner, there is nothing that you can’t do. This song was written and performed with two very special ladies in mind, Janice Renn and Andrea Thornton; we can accomplish anything “With You By My side”! Grooveelatious Remember when songs were so funky that you had no choice but to dance? It’s an involuntary movement of your head, as if nodding in approval to the beat. A hint of a smile starts to form. Before you know it your thoughts have turned from the mundane to happier times and now you are moving more than your head. You raise your hands in the air as you really haven’t heard a song like this in a while, since College or High School even! No adult hang ups, no responsibilities, no need to be prim and proper. Man this song is Groovy! “(Gr00ve-E-Lay-Shus)” Oops, here comes the boss, better cut the headphones down… Wishing On A Star Relationships can be difficult and sometimes can go through hard times. How do you feel when you know it may be at the end, but you really wish it wasn’t? The hurt and the pain of wanting to make it work and needing your other half to try as hard as you… The uncertainty of not knowing if they feel the same way too… This is a song that came out when I was I was in Jr High school, a time of crushes and first relationships. It was performed by Rose Royce and is a heartfelt plea from a woman wanting to make one last try. “She’s Wishing On A Star”. E-Class Many songs have been written about the experience of driving. Usually it is about the particular road but occasionally it is about the vehicle. If the driving experience is incredible enough, it doesn’t matter what road you are on, you take your experience with you everywhere. Driving my wife’s E-Class Mercedes inspired this song. Lost Without U Don’t you just love a song that inspires all the ladies in the crowds to sing along? A song so powerful that they have memorized the lyrics and nuances of the vocals verbatim? Originally written and performed by Robin Thicke, “Lost Without U” is definitely one. Embarkation The title of this song is defined as “To board a vessel or aircraft as in the start of a journey; To set out on an adventure; To commence”. I like the sound of that, don’t you? There is an anticipation that is experienced while you plan and prepare. The closer you get, the more excited you become until the day of your journey it reaches its peak. Then you finally do it: Board the gangplank and “Embark”. As you raise your glasses in celebration, you reflect, the hardest thing about a journey is making the decision to take it in the first place. This song “Embarkation” is about that. Based on my family’s love of sailing the ocean on cruises, it is an expression of feeling the wind on your face as you move over the seemingly trackless sea to your destination without a care in the world. Whatever your journey will turn out to be, I hope this song helps you to get the hard thing out of the way: “Making the decision to Embark”. Call It a Day Imagine this: The last file is put away, the last brick laid, no more phone calls, and I Am Out Of Here! It is time to go, but I don’t feel like going home just yet! I’ve been working hard, I should be tired, but all of a sudden I’m full of energy because I know it is time to ENJOY the fruits of my labors! As I crank up the radio and listen to this driving beat, I know It’s time to “Call it A Day”.

Singles

“This Christmas (Hang All The Mistletoe)”

This Christmas This Christmas was released for the season in 2009 by Erly Thornton in collaboration with R&B Artist Eugene Wilde. Erly Thornton’s producer Veit Renn was personal friends with Eugene having produced the artist’s European project which was shaking up the clubs from London to Brussels. Erly approached Veit about doing a Christmas song and the choice was obvious. Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas is one of the few modern era Christmas songs that has made it to the status of being a true classic. Veit suggesting Eugene was a stroke of genius. Erly and Eugene hit it off creatively very quickly and recording the song inside of a few days. The song was released in Chicago first then enjoyed rapid acceptance throughout the country. It continues to be played on Jazz stations every holiday season.