Qfm, Canary Islands - English

Listen Live!

Qmusica Qfm animated.gif

Qfm 5 Star Music Review - December 2009

Christmas music has been given a rather poor reputation over the years, stereotyped as either one hit wonders, annoying pop or elevator music.

So The Magazine and Qfm have teamed up this season to compile a list of 40 Festive songs with kudos, typical 5 Star Qfm style!

The Qfm Festive Top 40 will be presented on air on the 24th , 2pm to 5pm by Maria Couso (Spanish) and Theresa Willson (English).

40. Roomful of Blues - White Christmas

A great version of this classic in a unique Louisiana blues style from this eight piece ensemble with over eighteen albums to their name.

39. Natalie Cole - Carol Of The Bells

Recorded in 1999 with the London Symphony Orchestra, from her “The Magic Of Christmas” album.

38. Stanley Clarke - Christmas In Rio

The bass maestro’s closest shot at a seasonal tune, just right for a Christmas day on a Tenerife beach.

37. The Emotions - What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas

The classic 70’s soul blues festive ballad, originally released as a single with the strereo version on side A and a good old fashioned mono edit on the flipside.

36. Malene Mortensen - Driving Home For Christmas

Chris Rea’s 2001 hit, remade with suprising bossa-jazz style by this Danish popstress.

35. Diana Krall - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Over to Canada for a swinging version from this prolific vocalist’s twelfth album since her 1993 debut.

34. Charles Brown - Santa's Blues

From his 1994 album, Charles Brown's Cool Christmas Blues, a mix of uplifting and downbeat tunes from this bluesman who’s first ever album, released in 1961, was a compilation of Christmas covers.

33. Mel Tormé - The Christmas Song

Mel co-wrote the original version of the Christmas Song along with Bob Wells in 1944, this version brings the classic to this century courtesy of a Sonny J remix.

32. James Brown - Soulful Christmas

The title track from the 1968 album, one of six albums he released that very same year. (The Godfather of Soul genuinely was the hardest working man in the music industry!)

31. Smokey Robinson - Christmas Everyday

Classic 70’s Soul from the 2003 compilation of the seasonal tracks from his fifty year career, solo and with The Miracles.

30. Stradella Chill Out Music Group - Winter Wonderland

From the 2007 album, Happy Christmas Chill, a refreshingly cool version fusing smooth jazz and electronic rhythms.

29. Poncho Sanchez - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Christmas celebrations are still outlawed in Cuba. This Texas born multi instrumentalist and composer obviously felt the need to create some Afro-Cuban festive numbers to ruffle the tinsel of his Caribbean neighbours.

28. Art Garfunkel & Amy Grant - The Decree

From The Animal’s Christmas Story, an ancient legend converted onto vinyl by Jimmy Webb, featuring these outstanding vocalists with a school choir.

27. Take 6 - Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

New age A Cappella rework of the Carol from the 1991 He Is Christmas album.

26. Daryl Hall & John Oates - No Child Should Ever Cry On Christmas

This is one of the two originals penned by the dynamic duo for their 2006 Home For Christmas. The title speaks volumes, and John Oats’ vocals strike some sensitive chords.

25. Brian Setzer Orchestra - Baby It's Cold Outside

Of all the versions of this duet, we’ve chosen this offering from the ex Stray Cat lead man’s new project. He’s still got that 50’s swing which he honed during the 80’s, and it proliferates in this meticulous reworking.

24. Kirk Franklin and the Family - Now Behold the Lamb

Genuine gospel-soul composer and producer who began his career in 1992 by forming a 17 piece choir.

23. Stephanie Mills - This Christmas

The grammy award winning soulstress letting us know how R&B sounded before hip-hop crept in through the back door, this track from her 1991 Christmas album.

22. Bob Dylan - The Christmas Blues

This year’s only festive release to make this list, from Bob’s brand new Chistmas In The Heart album which is rather disappointing due to the amount of cover versions, not what we’d expect from the USA’s legendary poetic songwriter. We forgive him slightly for including this track, and because he’s donating the proceeds of the album to charity.

21. Aaron Neville - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

From the 1993 platinum Aaron Neville’s Soulful Christmas, we’ve picked this track for its uplifting old style R&B feel.

20. Warren Hill - Santa Baby

Absolute seductive, wicked sax work to get things loosened, so to speak, at the office party!

19. Michael Doucet - We Three Kings

Try to imagine a classic Christmas carol played Cajun style. You can’t, really, can you. Just listen!

18. Pepe Castillo - Aguinaldo Jibaro

Traditional Puerto Rico festive folk with a warm, tropical ambience.

17. Jeff Golub - Here Comes Santa Claus

In addition to working as Rod Stewart’s guitarist for seven years, Jeff has a rather impressive solo career behind him, and this instrumental is typical of his ice cool playing style.

16. Al Jarreau - Christmas Time Is Here

A wonderfully chilled number from 2008, beautifully produced to Al’s usual standard.

15. Kirk Whalum - The Little (Ghetto) Drummer Boy

Jazz, Gospel, beat box and R&B fused together in this track from the saxophonists 2001 The Christmas Message album.

14. Ed Calle & Justo Almario - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Saxophonists Ed and Justo giving the Castro brothers more to worry about this Christmas with some great party jazz from the Latin Jazz Christmas album.

13. B.B. King - Christmas Comes But Once A Year

Some Christmas blues tracks tend to go too far inside the empty whisky bottle, but this track is warm and optimistic, also very relevant this year!

12. Herb Alpert & Jeff Lorber - Winter Wonderland

A smooth, slick and sophisticated guitar – horn collaboration, incredible production.

11. Bootsy Collins - Santa's Coming (AKA Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)

After losing his sanity and dress code on the road with James Brown and George Clinton, Bootsy decided to make a festive album in his usual retro-funk glamour style. At least he still has his sense of humor!

10. Fourplay - The Ivy Variations

Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason with slick improvision from the 1999 Snowbound album.

9. Anita Baker - Moonlight Sleighride

As this incredible soul jazz vocalist enters into her sixth decade, her voice remains incredibly youthful and versatile. This track from the 2005 Christmas Fantasy was co-written by Anita.

8. Brian Culbertson - Jingle Bells

A great funky piano version of this classic to get even the most Scrooge-like character into the festive spirit!

7. Aretha Franklin - This Christmas

Sweet and sour lyrics from the Queen of Soul released last year, remarkably her only Christmas album of her fifty year career.

6. Ramsey Lewis Trio – Here Comes Santa Clause

This track was recorded 48 years ago, but still sounds fresh, vibrant and uplifting today. Ramsey is still going strong, with well over fifty albums to his name.

5. Eric Clapton & John Popper - Christmas Blues (Live)

Blues Traveler front man John Popper and guitar legend Eric Clapton teamed up for a live Christmas concert in 1998, the project ended up as a live album the following year. Great bluesy jam, with the odd Christmas lyrics thrown in!

4. Margie Joseph - Christmas Gift

Another old school R&B veteran, the lyrics, energy and feeling put into the vocals just can’t be matched by today’s disposable pop culture.

3. The Isley Brothers - Special Gift

The brothers, reduced to a duo through the sands of time, managed to record a festive album before Ron Isley was jailed for tax fraud. He’s due for release in 2010, so there’s still a chance that The Isley Brothers can hold their record of charting in every decade since the 1950’s.

2. Donald Fagan – Snowbound

A timeless creation from Donald, produced by his old Steely Dan colleague, Walter Becker, from the Kamakiriad album, a concept album set in the future where the author travels through the USA to a newly formed continent in a steam powered 100% ecological car. In this track, he stops in a mountain town with a beautiful hitch hiker, and they both become snowbound…..

1. To be revealed!

This track is a simple acoustic piano and guitar composition. It is not a cover version, its title does not mention Christmas, and there are no bells or chimes in it. But there is no song which sums up the essence of seasonal ambience more than this one. Listen to Qfm 94.3/6 or wwwQmusica.com on the 24th of December, 2pm to 5pm, and discover what the Qfm Number 1 Festive track of all time is!

And from all of the Qfm Team, have a stylish Christmas and a great 2010!

Qfm 5 Star Music Review - November 2009

Part 1 - Beselch Rodriguez - In-diferente (Estudios Multitrack)

Duende is one of those words which is almost impossible to describe in any language other than Spanish, but I'll try to explain its essence. Duende is the feeling in which certain kinds of art, particularly music, moves the soul. Its the perfect imperfection of a flamenco guitar chord, the mortality of a live concert, the transparent expression which only a handfull of musicians are gifted with. Musicians such as Beselch Rodriguez.

Born in La Laguna in 1984, at the age of twelve Beselch was given a timple as a Christmas present by his grandfather, and by 1998 was sharing the stage with many of the island's folkloric groups. Ten years and many awards later, we find this twenty five year old with this incredibly individual debut album, which he incidentaly composed and produced. Only three timplistas have succesfully crossed the boundaries of traditional Canarian folk music to improvise jazz, pop and other genres with this small instrument of the guitar family, an centuries old hybrid of Mediteranean and Central American instruments. Benito Cabrera (featured in last months issue of The Magazine), José Antonio Ramos, the Gran Canarian innovator who sadly passed away in 2008, and Beselch Rodriguez. Listening to In-diferente, it is very apparent that this musician has the ability to take Canarian music outside of these islands with absolute integrity. Bossa and jazz enhanced with mezmerising timple solo's. World percussion and lounge accompanied by Canarian rhythms. All with authentic, undeniable duende.

Qfm's select tracks;- Amigo, No Name Bossa, Interminable, currently on rotation at Qfm and www.Qmusica.com.

The digital version of this album is free via www.beselchrodriguez.com

Qfm 5 Star Music Review; November 2009 Part 2

Wayne Jones - Saturday Street (2009, D+D Records)

The onboard entertainment was a jazz quartet, and Wayne quickly became addicted to the swing. On arrival to his new homeland, he took up drumming, and passionately pursued and studied this discipline until the age of seventeen, when he discovered his passion for the bass guitar.

The bass guitar is traditionally a passive rhythm section tool. Very few bass guitarists aspire to head groups, a few exceptions are Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Mark King (Level 42). These legendary musicians take the instrument to the very centre of the song, with in-the-face slaps and funky chops. Saturday Street embraces this flavour in a very uplifting, palatable form where Wayne fuses pure technique with upfront melodies. The opening number, Strictly Dan, is a punchy homage to Steely Dan's unique sound, and the final track, I'm In The Mood, features the warm vocals of Cheryl Beattie, the only vocals on the only ballad of the album. In between are ten funky instrumentals, each oozing positivity and style.

The cast of supporting musicians is impressive to say the least, and in addition to the obvious genius of the author with his thirteen year old Status Graphite six string bass, James Sandon stands out with some incredibly arresting yet sublime sax solos and fills.

Qfm's selection;- Strictly Dan, Back In Five, Time Traveller.

All tracks from this album are on rotation at Qfm and www.Qmusica.com, where the album will soon be available for mail order worldwide.

The Magazine's Qfm 5 Star Music Review - October 2009.

Part 1 - The Contemporary Soul Songbook (Soul Unsigned Records) Release date in Spain - October 2009

                         Change and evolution are two words feared by the major record companies. With quarterly shareholder reports occupying their attention, smaller independent labels are taking advantage of the myriad of new talent. Labels such as Soul Unsigned Records, the brainchild of Phil Driver. Phil is determined to prove to the world that R&B isn't really Soul, and that the genre is still alive after the death of Luther Vandross. The Contemporary Soul Songbook, the label's fifth release, proves that Soul is stronger than ever in 2009. This compilation is crafted from sixteen silky smooth tracks, each superbly produced down to the last soulful harmony. The selection is a balance of male and female vocalists, smooth rhythmic tempos and borderline Soul-Funk grooves, with a zero listener fatigue factor. If you have even the slightest affinity for Soul, this album is an essential addition to your collection. And if you know a Soul lover who's disillusioned by the recent absence of fresh artists, this CD would be the perfect remedy, a unique and much appreciated gift.
Qfm's Five Star Selections; Razzbery - At Times, Fola - Phenomenal Woman, Ashanti Munir - I'm Staying Home Tonight.
All tracks from The Contemporary Soul Songbook are currently on rotation on Qfm, and the CD is available via mail order from www.Qmusica.com.



Part 2 - Bar Bubbles compiled by Lady Smiles (Holophon Records)Release date Worldwide - October 2009

All Rights Reserved 2009. Unauthorised copying of material on this website is strictly prohibited.


There are so many misconceptions of Jazz. The 1940's big band movement, innacessable avant guard fusion or smokey basement clubs. The truth is that there are so many sub-genres of Jazz that are a million miles away from those preconceptions. But all styles of Jazz share one component, the natural Swing which refuses to be measured in ones and zeros. Viennese based DJ Lady Smiles has a particular talent for recognising that Swing in some of the most unlikely places. Her first compilation, Bar Bubbles, takes fourteen artists with very different yet complementary interpretations of neo-jazz, with some authentic retro grooves thrown in.
Tape Five contribute with a jazzified reworking of Slades 70's glam rock anthem Far, Far Away, whilst Glam Sam and His Combo enlighten us to The Concept Of Being Hip, which hit No1 in Qfm's independent charts in September. Get the picture so far? Lop Nor's Barfly conjures up images of nocturnal saxophone and whiskey culture, and Bahama Soul Club's Late Night Bossa can only be described as sweet & sour grooves. This is undoubtedly the compilation to accompany champagne and good company.
Qfm's Five Star Selections; Glam Sam And His Combo - The Concept Of Being Hip, Una Más Trio - Move My Feet, Afternoons In Stereo - Turtleneck.
Many of the tracks debut on this CD, all of the tracks are on rotation on Qfm / Qmusica.com, currently the Canary Island's No1 ranking online station (Independent statistics from Shoutcast Source January to Sep 2009)



The Magazine's Qfm 5 Star Music Review - September 2009.
All Rights Reserved 2009. Unauthorised copying of material on this website is strictly prohibited.
Part 1 - Candy Dulfer – Funked Up and Chilled Out (2009, Heads Up Records)



Tenor Saxophonist Hans Dulfer crossed over sacred boundaries. The 1970’s Amsterdam jazz scene had no place for a jazz musician who collaborated with punk rock and R&B artists. His pioneering ambitions eventually cost him his famous jazz club, Bimhaus, which was at the time subsidised by a Dutch government who could not accept his visions. But his legacy would live on. In 1975, his six year old daughter picked up his saxophone. By the time she was fourteen years of age, Candy had converted to the Tenor Sax, and had her first band, Funky Stuff. Feeling cheated on by the jazz community, she pursued her father’s philosophy. She’d immerse herself into any style of music which captivated her attention, then see where jazz might fit in.

Many of us will remember the diminutive figure who accompanied Dave Stewart on Top Of The Pops in 1990 with the top ten hit “Lily Was Here”. Stewart later co-produced Saxuality, Candy’s first solo album, which effectively silenced the critics who branded Candy a one hit wonder. A talented female jazz musician with incredible sex appeal didn’t fit into any of their boxes, so what they didn’t understand, they ignored. Nine albums later, we’re presented with the sassy double album, “Funked Up and Chilled Out” which continues to defy the critics and the purist jazz-heads in fine form.

The first disc is a collection of twelve Funk, R&B, Reggae and crossover numbers, brassy, edgy and percussive. The fifth track CD 101.9, is a jazz-funk homage to the New York FM station of the same name who broke Candy onto the U.S. market in the early 90’s, and features the voice of veteran presenter Russ Davis dubbed from an old cassette recording her father made at the time. Candy’s favourite track, My Funk, features the voice of Pete Philly, one of the most prominent rappers in the Netherlands.

Flick to disc two, and we’re in chillout mode. Ten smooth jazz and ambient compositions. Testament that down-tempo can still be uplifting, this is the CD to coincidentally leave cued up in your sound system whilst off on that date. Or to tenderly wind down to after that manic night out.

Qfm’s select tracks;- Sunrise, CD 101.9, Cruise Control, Be Cool.



Part 2 - Mauri Sanchis – Groovewords (2009, BHM)

All Rights Reserved 2009. Unauthorised copying of material on this website is strictly prohibited.


If I were to state that Mauri Sanchis is one of Spain’s most international musicians, it would be said in a complementary tone. Mauri was born in Valencia, 1974, and like many musical innovators, taught himself the disciplines of keyboard with genuine analogue instruments such as the Hammond, Moog, Clavinet, Wurlitzer and Rhodes pianos. Mauri cut his musical teeth in the key of Blues with his first band, Progressions. In 1995, he relocated to the U.S. to study, and learned not only perfect English, but also tuned into the authenticity of jazz, blues and funk.
In 2003, his debut album Less Is More received critical acclamation throughout Spain and beyond. Three years and numerous tours later, Good Vibes was released, and Mauri was hired by the prestigious German label BHM, the only Spanish artist to ever have achieved this milestone.

Groovewords is a melting pot of Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Funk, Rock and Soul. The album was recorded across five countries, in seventeen different studios, featuring twenty three musicians. For the first time, lyrics adorn a Mauri Sanchis album, including those of R&B icons Keysha, Deveron Patterson and Roy Young. Randy Brecker and Chuck Loeb are included on the international guest list, with Kepa Junkera, Sole Gimenéz and Javier Vargas proudly representing Spain.
This album is organic Retro-funk, warm Soul Ballads, haunting Blues. A team of genuine musicians thumbing their noses at artificial loops and samples with ingenuity and flair. Remember the name – Mauri Sanchis.
Qfm’s select tracks;- El Ghetto, The Shark, Make It Simple.



All Rights Reserved 2009. Unauthorised copying of material on this website is strictly prohibited.