Breakthrough

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Some have pronounced the smooth/contemporary jazz genre DOA after taking some severe body blows over the last few years, but it has simply been in the process of a youth takeover. Having taken notice of the deliberate dumbing down and purification of the music, the younger generation has chosen to embrace the genre, redirect and firmly grab hold of the torch and carry it boldly into the new millennium. Bassist Julian Vaughn is one who has extended his hand, grabbed hold, lit the flame and is off and running with this highly infectious collection of sides that as the title suggests is ready to blow down the affore-set and established boundaries and bring again blood flow to this re-emergent genre. 'Breakthrough' is brought to life through the hands of one of the formats pre-eminent and skilled producers Darren Rahn whose brilliant touch has resulted in chart topping Billboard hits for the likes of Dave Koz, Eric Darius and the late and beloved Wayman Tisdale. Playing lead bass makes it all but inevitable that comparisons be made to Tisdale, an artist that through his music confirmed to Vaughn that this was the path that he wanted to follow, but that's where the comparisons end. Vaughn has folded the influences of Tisdale, Stanley Clark and others in to his own unique thumping, ground pounding, soul laced signature that will send a strong signal to the world that he has arrived. The format classic in waiting 'On Your Feet' will do as the title suggests, get you up and moving and with titles like 'Jubilant', 'No Matter' and the title track, Vaughn is prepped to usher in a new attitude, vibrancy and positivity that is sure to pump some much needed life into the contemporary jazz blood and lead the youth brigade as it molds the shape and sound of the next evolution.