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The title of Brian's fifth,"Shakin'not Stirred", will strike a nostalgic chord to anyone familiar with James Bond's classic martini line and perfectly represents the spirit of this album's fond look back upon the cool jazz and spicy Latin music ... of '60s and early '70s.

Brian draws inspiration from albums of the era that influenced his now familiar style and comments, "Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's "Salt Song" and trumpeter Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay", come to mind as two great examples in particular that struck me as combining jazz, Latin and pop with some very cool grooves. The past albums focused on my love of Latin & Brazilian music, and while "Shakin' not Stirred" is underpinned with those elements, I really felt like incorporating a jazz club atmosphere into this session." Hughes adds. "On the first three tracks especially, I'm really departing moodwise from anything I've done in the past. I was going for a more conversational feel between the musicians and adding muted trumpet to a few of the tracks, "Ready For Freddie" and the smoky ballad "Once Again", gives it that '60s kind of feel. The concept began taking shape when I wrote the title track, "Shakin' not Stirred" and by chance watched an old James Bond movie. The pun on the title, which reflects the energy of "Shakin' not Stirred" was irresistible."

"Shakin' not Stirred", sees Hughes achieve not only an appealing mix of styles, but also a perfect cohesiveness between the albums' ten tracks;

The opening tune "Shakin' not Stirred" has a retro Latin jazz feel that developed in the 60's when American jazz players were introduced to Cuban and Brazilian music. They were used to playing swing and when they started playing Latin music with it's straight 8th note feel, they ended up with a groove somewhere in between the two. "It's a cool groove, I call it a retro 60's beatnik bossa", says Hughes. "Shakin' not Stirred" is followed by the rollicking "Ready For Freddie" which features Hughes' guitar line doubled by muted trumpet and some bouncy piano riffs from Les Portelli. "Once Again" with it's slow & sexy groove will have listeners mixing up a martini, turning up the volume and turning down the lights. "For You" kicks things back into the 90's with a hypnotic bass line married to a hip hop groove and a lyrical Hughes' guitar melody. The album then serves up the percussive Brazilian samba of "The Beat" the strutting Caribbean attitude of "Man About Town", with Art Avalos' percussion intensifying to match the fire of Hughes' guitar... the graceful trumpet laced ballad "There She Goes"... the tropical seduction of "On Moonless Nights" and the breezy "Smile", which features the unique contrast of Hughes' crisp snappy lines and a cool, vibe and piano harmony by Les Portelli. As a special treat on the CD's final track, Hughes is joined by Higher Octave label mates Third Force who add their own unique sound to a funkified Remix of "For You".


"I really enjoy combining jazz with elements of pop, urban and world music from around the globe", Hughes says of his trademark style. "I have had the great fortune to travel extensively and perform in many countries over the years and always keep my eyes and ears open for new sounds and experiences. These influences have all become an integral part of my compositions and my playing style", he says.


Mix 60's cool with a Latin twist and it all adds up to make the dynamic "Shakin' not Stirred" one of the most unique and innovative jazz guitar albums of the year. Based on the places Brian Hughes has taken us thus far on his musical journey, it's as fundamental as 007 ordering his famous drink

The SelectionsShakin' not Stirred / Ready For Freddy / Once Again / For You / The Beat / Man About Town / There She Goes / On Moonless Nights / Smile / For You (Remix)