I love that my first review of 2024 is one with Pete Calandra! As the title of the single suggests, "Smooth As Silk" is a smooth jazz piece with Pete and his group, Straight Up. Pete wrote the music and plays acoustic and electric pianos along with Dale Kleps on soprano sax, Howard Joines on drums and percussion, and Kermit Driscoll on acoustic bass. Slow and easy with a powerful groove, the piece starts out with organ and acoustic piano driven by drums, bass and percussion before the soulful sax enters and alternates the lead with the keyboards. I like everything about this single, but I love that it feels like the music is reassuring us that everything is going to be okay. Keep 'em coming, Pete and Straight Up!

"Smooth As Silk" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and streaming sites including Spotify. What a great way to start the year!!!