Aniya: Press

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A well inetagrated tapestry of sound....a hint of traditional; a thread of fusion; a continued rhythm in motion..... A must have for the discerning jazz connoisseur.

Since the late '70s, the offshoot of Jazz known as "smooth jazz" has become increasingly popular with listeners. Because the style is somewhat "laid back", it is easy to fall into the old "groove into rut" routine; therefore, it is important for a band to know what it's doing in order not to bore the listener to death.


Aniya, on its' new album In the Moment, knows how to keep the listener engaged and entertained. These six musicians come from varying backgrounds--Jazz, R&B, Gospel--and they bring all that to the table to create sophisticated sounds for the head and heart.


This music is fronted by the nimble fret work of guitarist Delbert Boyer, and the sexy sax stylings of Mark Mitchell; while the rest of the boys lay down the solid, supple rhythms and keyboard colorings, Boyer and Mitchell weave in and out of the music with the skillful dynamics of old pros. "Up All Night" and "In the Moment" are typical of the latter approach, but each man gets some spotlight time--Boyer on "God's Blue Sky", Mitchell on "D's Groove"--in which to shine.


Late in the album, the groove merchants--Tyrone Blanford on bass, Glenn Williams and Tim Sessoms on keyboards, and Nate Jacobs on drums--get their moments to excell on the hip hop influenced "Check This Out" and the Jazz meets R&B of "Longevity". In lesser hands, both of these songs would have been just ordinary, but the rhythm crew give them the right amount of oomph to send them into exquisite orbit.


Make no mistake, Aniya is a force to be reckoned with, and In the Moment is one cool collection of early morning (or late nite) bliss.

earBuzz Review: Guitarist, Delbert Boyer, plays guitar like a jazz infused Clapton - his approach is soothing - calm - and phrasing is relaxed and easy. Indeed, Boyer's slow hand is just what makes love of music, love of music - there's a caressing happening - and the listener benefits. Boyer has assembled a tremendously gifted five-piece ensemble for the project/band, Aniya. The rhythm section of Nate Jacobs on drums and Tyrone Blanford is one of the best we've heard. Blanford's tasty lines jump out as smooth and ambitious (listen to mp3 clip of 'Second Shift). The long mp3 here, "Spring Fling", is a samba groover that features Boyer in unison with the organic sounds of sax man, Mark Mitchell. Track 5, "In the Moment", is a whisper of a groove - delightful as it opens with guitar/sax answering lines - and then joins a moving bass line that gently stabs you with the behind the beat jab - perfect. The final track, "Anticipation", is a showcase for the upbeat swinging Tonight Show moving grooving late night jazz compositional style. Right? Listen. This is certainly world-class jazz. Boyer's talent shines in his generosity and tempered musical spirit. The CD is magic.

Aniya is back with their new release "In The Moment". If you thought their first CD was smooth, wait until you hear this one. There's no doubt, Aniya is destined to become the next great Jazz group of their time.