“I wasn’t trying to make a jazz record, I wanted something that was a throwback and that was inspired by older sounds,” Mindi Abair told this writer in a recent interview, which will soon be published in Riveting Riffs Magazine. The congenial saxophonist, singer and songwriter, who has continually welcomed this publication with open arms since our inception, was talking about her soon to be released album In Hi-Fi Stereo, comprised of a collection of original tunes and two covers; James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World,” (yes that really is the title) and David Ryan Harris’ “Be Beautiful.” In Hi-Fi Stereo has a good balance of instrumental and vocal tracks.

The opening song “Any Way You Wanna,” possesses fat saxophone notes and deep grooves and Mindi Abair will have you up and dancing in your living room or at her concerts, which is exactly what she wanted to accomplish with this record. Abair is backed by some stellar playing courtesy of keyboardist Rex Rideout, Randy Jacobs (Was (Not Was, Bonnie Raitt) on guitar and bassist Reggie McBride (Aretha Franklin, Keb’ Mo’), on the song which she co-wrote with Stephen “Stevo” Theard. 

The second song, “All Star,” continues the good vibes and Mindi Abair says, “I told my band, when we were in the studio recording that if when people hear the chorus they are not dancing with their arms up in the air, then we haven’t done our jobs right.” Mindi Abair’s father was a saxophonist in what she describes as a Blue-Eyed Soul band until she was four years old, and James Brown used to sit in with her father’s band and jam. It is therefore not surprising that Abair acquired a fondness for funkier sounds, such as Brown’s music, the music of pianist Ramsey Lewis and the sounds of Archie Bell & The Drells. The listener is introduced to the bold and confident  “All Star,” by Abair’s horn and some plunky piano fills by Rideout. The verses are laid back and the choruses signal that it is time to let loose and party.

The fourth track “Get Right,” is a song that is destined to become a monster hit, with newcomer, Ryan Collins serving up the Pop / R&B vocals. This song is a blend of good old R&B and the sounds of another rising young star Eric Hutchinson. Wayne Rodriguez who co-wrote and co-produced “Unwritten,” with Natasha Bedingfield, and who is a longtime friend of Mindi Abair, collaborated with her to author “Get Right.” This is a fun song that asks, ‘Can we kiss and makeup?”  This is far from being a sad song, it is a song in which Ryan Collin’s soulful and oh so smooth vocals try to playfully tease his lover into making it right again. If you love to dance you will not be sitting for long when you hear “Get Right,” unless you are driving and if you are, you had better watch your speed, because this is a breeze blowing through your hair, singing aloud kind of a song. 

Although, Mindi Abair does not usually cover tunes by other artists, she was drawn to “Be Beautiful,” a song which appeared on her friend David Ryan Harris’ album, and she suggested to him that they sing together on his song.  Abair plays her sax on the verses, with Harris singing background vocals without words, before the two artists serve up a soulful chorus.  The song has an easy going tempo and it invites the listener to move those hips and shuffle those feet.  During our recent interview, Mindi Abair expressed her desire for this song to be heard as an anthem for women.

The funky bass grooves courtesy of Reggie McBride open “Down For The Count,” and R&B / Jazz  chanteuse Lalah Hathaway is smokin’ on James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” as Abair’s saxophone is both plaintive and emotive on this slow-tempo song.  

The title for In Hi-Fi Stereo is borrowed from the stamp that used to appear on the front covers of LPs back in the day, for those of you too young to remember, you know them today as vinyl. The stamp indicated you were getting quality sound on your newly purchased record and whether you purchase Mindi Abair’s new album digitally or as a CD you will be getting a quality groove that will keep you on your feet dancing. In Hi-Fi Stereo will be released on May 18^th.