Airborne Jazz Reviews - Smooth Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Smooth Jazz / Contemporary Jazz

Airborne is a band with a mission… the multi-cultural contemporary jazz group from New England takes flight
with their 5th release TURBULENCE setting the objective on using their musical energies
for calming an otherwise disruptive world.

In the CD liner notes, the band invites listeners to open their hearts, minds and souls to the music…
Music that is, in our opinion, delightful, lively and filled with life featuring hot rhythms, sizzling saxophone and flute,
infectious bass lines and caressingly soulful vocals that are effectively woven into the mix.

This is Airborne’s critically acclaimed recipe for jazz fusion.
The Connecticut band’s music is genuine and big-hearted… joyful jazz… healing and enriching,
just as you would expect from these humanitarians and educators.

TURBULENCE is anything but with its high-spirited, soothing melodies. Tracks like the sophisticated “Smooth Sailing”
and the jubilant “Festival at Sunset” bring to mind the sonic qualities of other multi-cultural ensembles such as Fattburger
and Pete Escovedo’s Orchestra. This stylish collection of songs also features soul-stirring pieces such as the head-boppin’ “Can’t Fight Love“ as well as songs of great depth like the captivating tune “The Message.”

What the world needs is more people who do what they love to do with purpose and confidence
and because they love doing it…

Airborne’s TURBULENCE, filled with nine original compositions, is the perfect remedy for chaos.

Airborne is quite a unique smooth jazz ensemble. The New Haven band was formed in the late eighties and has
since then crossed the "turbulences" of our agitated times. Airborne is more than a jazz ensemble. It is a group of
dedicated musicians, who share the same cause and philosophy: bringing peace, love and tolerance to our world
through their music. They have stuck to this belief since their beginning
and have opened up their music to multi-culturalism.

As the band puts it in the CD liner notes: "Our world is overflowing with physical, emotional and political distress and confusion. Let this wonderful music help open your heart to life's beauty. We can all make a difference in
this world of need. If we try to help, support and understand, we can achieve peace."

Airborne's fifth release "Turbulence" conveys a spirit of peaceful serenity, openness to the world's musical cultures
and high energy to create a positive vision for the future. The band entails talented members: 6 experienced musicians
and a soulful female vocalist. Musically speaking, "Turbulence" successfully adds world rhythms and sounds
to an already lively and passionate smooth jazz sound.

This exciting musical expedition starts with the exultant Latin "Festival Sunset". Then you embark on a
soft mid tempo cruise led by a crew of great musicians: Steven Clarke on bass, Gregory Borino on guitars
and Thomas Sonsone on saxophone ("Smooth Sailing"). When you come back on earth, you will be received
by Elisabeth Dellinger's soulful voice in a groovy tune ("Can't Fight Love"), remembering Shakatak's unique sound.

Then you will follow the steps of North America's first inhabitants, Native Americans ("Native Search").
After a tonic big band swing ("Hillside Swing"), listen to the powerful "Drums of Peace/Awakening" introduced by
African rhythms and chants. Later on, let yourself invited to a Brazilian samba ("As We Journey") and get inspired by the
sensual R&B voice of Elisabeth Dellinger. Eventually this bright journey comes to an end with
an emotional smooth jazz piece, "The Message."

When listening to this stunning and graceful CD, you will notice that this ensemble plants musical
"seeds of peace" and uses music to help make our dream of a better world come true.

Turbulence is a great musical achievement. So, let yourself be guided by these "musical peacemakers."

Akbar Nour - Smooth Jazz Now

One has to admire a veteran band whose liner notes denote their desire to make this a more peaceful world
through music, yet call their latest disc Turbulence. The title is more a clever wordplay with the name of the
multi-cultural, Connecticut based contemporary jazz ensemble that is hugely popular in New England but
has also made inroads into the hearts of smooth jazz fans across the country over the years.

One listen to the supercharged carnival of swirling guitars, brass, drums, wordless vocals and Latin and samba
action on the opening cut "Festival at Sunset" and nobody's going to be asking for peace anytime soon!
"Smooth Sailing" is a little gentler, but there's still a heavy bass bottom (courtesy of Steven Clarke) and the
bright give and take between the crackling electric guitar of Gregory Borino and the
punchy sax and flute of Thomas Sansone.

Just when you think the plane is grounded somewhere lovely in the U.S., Airborne's off to Africa for the
tribal voice and soundscape heavy "Native Search," which puts the melodic focus on
Sansone's flute--a no-no in 2007 at smooth jazz radio but a brilliant touch here, especially
paired with Gregory Borino's electric axe.

"Drums Of Peace/Awakening" is similarly jungly and grooving yet also soaring and smooth. Jazz purists
who find all this a bit too poppy may be satisfied with the swinging big band jam "Hillside Swing" that
smacks of cool, "real jazz." Featured vocalist Elizabeth Dellinger has a nice sensual presence on "What About Love,"
but the vocal textures of "As We Journey" might seem more at home on one of those
70's disco fusion projects--a problem easily solved by simply calling this "retro."

A band named Airborne has probably heard every aviation cliché possible, but here's another
Turbulence really takes off, adding a much needed dose of global adventure to smooth jazz.

Jonathan Widran - All Music Guide

This crew is in flight & they are dynamic!

Exquisitely from New Haven, CT., This crew releases their 5th CD of choice to the Contemporary Jazz Crowd
with a little Urban flair in the mix. It reflects on a societal note of worldwide news & differences to the matter of heart & soul.
The music in jazz from these players connects the dots to what you hear in the environment today. Especially to those
seeking reminisce to the original Contemporary jazz game & the music it speaks for!

From the beginning of "Festival at Sunset" rips the Latin smooth jazz melody already heard of in the smooth jazz
community. Nothing new there right? Well comes..."Smooth Sailing", which doesn't so much go technically according
to the name of the title. It does have several different elements added to bring the choice of tune more-so to
Contemporary Jazz Status! Like the vocal scats laced throughout that track! When you go to "Can't Fight Love" &
hear the congas go smoothly with the vocals, you can almost grasp a feel for the UK's 'Brand New Heavies' & a
midday R&B tempo from USA's group 'Seek'. Or you should know by now that both parties DO mix!

"Hillside Swing" picks up a speed towards a big band camp & does the twist to a little straight ahead jazz flow.
Possibly to flex muscles of the band on their ability to dabble in both arts of the game. "Drums of Peace/Awakening"
glided my listening path into fully appreciating what they came to play - down to earth Jazz! I mean, they wasted no time
in this composition. The sax play coming directly from Thomas Sansone comes through & is truly felt. In fact, this track
reminds me of another 'awakening' in the debut CD from Ramsey Lewis's "The Urban Knights"! (Remember Them?)

For independent artists such as them, their true testimony may ride into their consistency & passion for music in this project. The overall feel! It speaks loudly throughout the CD & yes....It’s Recommended!

The Urban Music Scene - Terrill J. Hanna

Airborne’s fifth album, Turbulence meets all your expectations of what you imagine an eminent jazz album
would be like. The songs are symbolic of contemporary jazz, progressive jazz, and the alluring smooth jazz.
Produced by band members Greg Borino (electric/acoustic guitars), Thomas Borino (piano/keyboards/vocals),
and Thomas Sansone (saxophone/flute/vocals), the album is made up of a 6-part instrumental unit and one part
female vocals furnished by Lady Elizabeth Dellinger.

The songs take the listener from a balmy R&B idling to contemporary swing and club jazz proportions.
Rounding out the 6-part instrumental are Dean Kosh (drums), Asher Delerme (African/Latin percussion),
and Steven Clark (bass). The band employed a number of additional musicians for Turbulence which surprisingly
does not add clutter to the tracks. Moreover, these additional musicians came in as needed to add sunspots of
trills and flounce that tickle the melodies with a wider array of hues and party atmospheres.

Tracks like “Festival At Sunset” and “As We Journey” propel a Latin-jazz samba ruffling up the rhythms with alcoves
of animated horns. The rotating cycles revolve around the springy vocals in a pleasurable spin. The R&B/Soul tides on numbers like “Smooth Sailing” and “Can’t Fight Love” are intoxicating as Dellinger’s sensuality
and magnetism on “Can’t Fight Love” resonates with a Regina Bell vocal shower.

The citrus-sweetness of the flute swirls on “Native Search” are symphonic and tranquilizing while
“Hillside Swing” has ringlets of elevating guitar intervals and swing-laden horns.
“Drums Of Peace/Awakening” turns into waves of smooth jazz horns embellished with African textured beats,
rippling hand shakers, and syncopated vocal chants. “What About Love” has a touch of cocktail-jazz in its
R&B voicing illuminated by Dellinger’s singing, as the sinuous grooves and honeyed tones of
“The Message” stoke the embers of the sonically romantic flames.

Though Turbulence has only 9-tracks on it, the average length of the songs is 6-minutes which is double what most
11-track albums offers in there songs. Airborne have produced an album that is a portrait of jazz music’s charms
and supple movements making music that is idealistic and proofed for party mixers.

Airborne’s Turbulence gives jazz music a very good feel.

When in 2005 I reviewed the album ‘Heavy Vibes’ from the smooth jazz and fusion band Airborne I suggested
that they were re-igniting genuine old school jazz fusion in a way that was part Tower Of Power, part Ambrosia
and very much in the spirit of 5th Dimension. Now New Haven, CT based Airborne are back with their fifth CD release
‘Turbulence’. It retains much of the excellent fusion that grabbed attention the last time around and widens
horizons to demonstrate huge empathy with the music of many cultures.

In fact the entire collection is a rollercoaster ride of moods and emotions, writing credits are shared
between band members Greg and Thomas Borino, Thomas Sansone, and the superb vocals of Elizabeth Dellinger
are at the core of all its best moments.

The hugely expansive ‘Festival At Sunset’ is fuelled by Airborne’s hallmark horn driven sound
and ripples with pleasing Latin grooves. Those same luscious tones and that same Latin intensity are
equally prevalent for ‘As We Journey’. Soulful, and with a gospel message buried within, the track is illuminated
by the amazing voice of Elizabeth Dellinger and as the band continues to show its versatility they find,
in ‘Hillside Swing’, a big band vibe that is uniquely Airborne.

Although ‘Smooth Sailing’ is as melodic and ‘in the pocket’ as its title suggests it might be the complexity
that the band often engenders is never too far away. ‘Native Search’ draws clear influences from
Native American rhythms while ‘Drums Of Peace / Awakening’ bristles with an African inflection
every bit as potent as Lamont Dozier’s seminal ‘Going Back To My Roots’.

The song’s message is delivered in a hugely accessible way and this accessibility is again to the fore
with ‘What About Love’. Totally typical of what Airborne do best, the band takes its time to build this
smoldering ballad in a way that others might not but, in doing so, produce a track of genuine substance.

Tight, edgy and spliced with wonderful backing vocals, ‘The Message’ could be a synonym for everything
that Airborne represents and the band stays in soulful mode for ‘Can’t Fight Love’. Here sumptuous
horn riffs abound and the luscious vocals of Elizabeth Dellinger again portray just how influential her input invariably is.

In the final analysis, ‘Turbulence’ is a fresh and eclectic mix that is well worth discovering.

Airborne is the type of group and Turbulence is the type of recording that represents what I love
about contemporary jazz – it’s like unwrapping an unexpected gift and discovering,
for the first time, something you like but didn’t know existed.

It never ceases to amaze and at the same time perplex me – the sheer talent and
originality of jazz artists. This is good stuff - check it out!

Tons of percussion...tons of energy...tons of soul...that's what you're gonna hear in the fourth release from one of the

You can definitely hear and feel the positive vibes on HEAVY VIBES...on every song...in every performance.

They're obviously a powerfully positive force for jazz, and you can't miss the quality and energy on this project.

From the intoxicating Latin percussion that kicks off track 1 ("I See") right on through each and
every tune on HEAVY VIBES, you'll find yourself totally engaged in the Airborne experience

Scott O’Brien - Smoothjazz.com

Airborne are a multi-instrumental and multi-facet jazz band from New Haven, Connecticut and remind me of the
great jazz acts from the 80's and 90's such as Surface Noise, Rodney Franklin, Azymuth, Paul Hardcastle, Mezzoforte, Shakatak and some their vocal harmonies resemble the great George Duke and Tom Browne. Not surprising as
the band was formed in the late 1980's when this style was particularly en vogue.

'Heavy Vibes' is the band's fourth CD release and is sure to follow on the success of the previous three which
enjoyed airplay on many Jazz Radio Stations throughout the US and abroad and received critical acclaim in
JazzTimes, Jazziz, Downbeat and Billboard to name but a few.

The album is a collection of smooth jazz, Latin jazz and soulful urban vocals sung by the lovely Elizabeth Delliger
and also rotated by saxman Thomas Sansone and Thomas Borino, the latter contribute the spine of the set with
some creative piano and keyboard solos from Borino and Kirk Whalum / Najee style sax from Sansone.

The beauty about this album is that it stretches out beyond the jazz idiom and crosses over to the current urban soul
and dance charts but the intoxicating driving sounds are also reminiscent of the early Spyro Gyra, Fattburger,
Mezzoforte and Shakatak with Gregory Borino's guitars exchanging front and centre stage with
the keyboards of Thomas Borino on the opening drive time cut entitled 'I See'.
This is just one of the styles which demands attention on this fine recipe for today's urban vocal / jazz formulae.

Some of the harmonies are straight out of the Spyro Gyra catalogue like those on 'Hip Hop' which remind me of
Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman and John Tropea on their 'Catching The Sun' set from 1980 like 'Lizard Island' with
Sansone's soft flute caressing the melody line and the female backing vocals
with that George Duke 'Brazilian Love Affair' appeal.

This is totally a self penned album which is creditable on its own merits for the arrangements and performances.
It is obvious that this is a touring band which has been playing together for some 15 years which results
in some fine instrumental exchanges and idiomatic particulars which come from many years of performing together.

It is an album which requires a number of plays to eclipse the full menu on offer and the creativity behind the scenes.

One for the more discerning smooth jazz fans and the 'Old School' jazz fusion fans who lived through the last two decades

of the twentieth century. One I thoroughly enjoyed and brought me back to a musical flavor which has personal memories.

There are no overnight success stories in music land. That phenomenon doesn’t happen here. Years of honing ones craft, enhancing natural gifts, talents, and abilities and learning new skills are how extraordinary bands are formed and celebrated solo acts are created.

In the late 1980’s, Airborne, the multi-cultural band hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, was formed with one purpose in mind; to make great music. With total dedication to the process of making their music pop, these musicians honed their skills, enhanced their natural talents and abilities and morphed into an exciting entertainment unit. Over time, fifteen years plus, Airborne has built a solid reputation as outstanding artists. They have toured and performed at jazz festivals, in music venues, colleges, and nightclubs in the US, Europe, and Japan. The members are, drum roll please, Thomas Borino (piano, organ, keyboards, vocals), Thomas Sansone (sax, flute, vocals), Gregory Borino (Guitars, vocals), Steven Clarke (bass, vocals), Asher Delerme (Latin & African percussion), and Lady Elizabeth Dellinger (vocals).

As Performing Artists, Recording Artists, Educators, and as Humanitarians the band’s quality of excellence and compassion has kept them on the road to success

Heavy Vibes’ is the latest release from the smooth jazz and fusion band Airborne, a group that has been around since the eighties and consists of family, friends and above all terrific musicians. It is their fourth release and with it they are re-igniting genuine old school jazz fusion in a way that is part 5th Dimension and part Ambrosia with just a hint of Tower Of Power thrown in for good measure. In fact this ultra tight collection of twelve tracks breathes influences from many quarters but in doing so manages to establish a unique identity that is all about Airborne.

A multi cultural product of the bands home town of New Haven CT, their sound is driven by guitar man Greg Borino who produces the album and shares the writing credits with band members Thomas Sansone, Thomas Borino and Elizabeth Dellinger. It’s the Greg Borino composition ‘I See’ that kicks off the collection with a sound that is reminiscent of The Rippingtons. With the lead being rotated between guitar, horns and keys they generate what the band quickly establish as their full hallmark sound but it’s with ‘Trust In Love’ that Airborne first demonstrate what really makes them tick. Throughout the album male lead vocals are swapped between Thomas Sansome and Thomas Borino and, as here, whenever they segue with the sultry urban tones of Elizabeth Dellinger something invariably wonderful happens. In addition, with this soulful and expansive number, they reinvent the kind of epic six minute plus track that was commonplace in the eighties but, until now, seemed to have gone out of fashion. Not any more as no less than seven of the tunes are of a duration of six minutes or more and it’s a tribute to the energy the band generate that not one of them seem one second too long.

Another tune very much in the style of the Rippingtons is the ‘grown up’ slice of smooth jazz ‘After The Storm’ while the band go Latin and then some with ‘Lizard Island’. It starts off with the sound of the ocean lapping on the shore then rolls on with the warm tones of Sansone on flute and cool piano from Thomas Borino that is much in the style of Brian Simpson. Flute is again featured to wonderful effect on ‘A Smooth Ride’ and they return to the Latin beat with ‘Nicole’, a track that features the melodic guitar of Greg Borino. The listener gets a surprise with ‘Hip Hop’ which, contrary to what the title suggests, turns out to be a piece of classy smooth jazz with nice sax from Sansone. ‘Turn Me Around’ offers up more excellent sax driven smooth jazz and when Elizabeth Dellinger gives way to Jeanmarie Rivera for the lead vocals on ‘To Be Loved’ the band produce a sound that is funky, urban and uplifting all at the same time and a delicious throw back to the eighties.

That said, whenever Dellinger sings the band taken on an extra dimension. ‘You Are Everywhere’ is an urban swinger on which she puts her indelible mark while she is again outstanding on the lusty and urban ‘A Ray Of Hope’. My pick for best track on the album is ‘Love Comes Back’. Starting off in mellow mode and building with a truly memorable hook, Dellinger makes this a soulful modern day classic of the highest order.

With four albums to their credit, Airborne returns with a 12-track compact disc entitled "Heavy Vibes."
Accented with elements of straight-ahead jazz with Caribbean and Latino influences,
Airborne soars with musical intensity that is hard to ignore.

The New Haven, Conn., band formed in the late 1980s, presenting an example of a group who has survived
the ups and downs of a multifaceted career intermixed with dedication to music, skills and personal goals.

In listening to "Heavy Vibes," the listener will appreciate the romantic overtones in several tracks,
as well as the presentation of urban funk. Themes concerning peace, fun, excitement are visible as
Airborne shares their special cargo of high energy contemporary jazz.

The musical overtones of Airborne is strong, and listeners will appreciate "Heavy Vibes.

Natasha Washington - JazzReview.com

All of the musicians are very talented. On for instance is lead singer, Elizabeth Dellinger, who has a voice like R&B singer, Teena Marie. She’s very soulful, especially on the track, “Trust in Love”. I also enjoyed the track, “I See” where Airborne’s musical style reminded me of Santana & The Rippingtons, very powerful and exhilarating.

The group Airborne describes their music as "Smooth Jazz & Vocals / Contemporary Jazz".
After listening to their music I can state, there is some jazz. Nevertheless Airborne has a hooking potential.
Today they present an album which let me sit up and take notice. Yes, they are really professionals.
Excellent musicianship on the whole album!

HBH – Smooth & Soul

We featured Airborne's new "Heavy Vibes" CD on our "Afternoon Coffee Break" program.
We got calls asking about the CD the same hour! Good luck with this great musical offering!

The Hitman" Dan Turner - Program Director-88.9-FM KJLU, Jefferson City, Missouri

Great CD Guys!! I think it will do well here at our smooth jazz station in Nashville
Looking forward to added it and spinning it.

Chris Nochowicz Music Director 88.1 WFSK Nashville

The Heavy Vibes CD sounds great. We added it to our Show. Keep Jazzin!

SkyJazz Radio

Very nice music, guys!! Thanks for sending it to me! Very well done!

Not Too Smooth Jazz

Echo Smooth Jazz, Whitester Radio, Smooth Jazz Links, Jazz Review, Smoothjazz.com, Jazz Cafe, Smooth Jazz News

Featured Artist / CD Spotlights

" Good tunes, excellent professional musicians, warm-toned, yet razor-sharp precision and articulation, attractive lines, colors and interesting contours of the pieces, plus the voicings are consistent with the idiomatic instrumentation and direction. I am duly impressed with the group's bold assets and content. The band bodes well for the media and in in-person venues "

Dr. Herb Wong - International Association of Jazz Educators

" Highly original, multi-faceted quintet, Standout songwriters capture a variety of musical flavors in
highly accessible melodic forms without ever resorting to clichés.
Performances executed with great attention to detail reflect the joy of a highly complimentary group of players "

" A slick production of today's new contemporary jazz. The musicianship and compositions are excellent and tasteful.
The kind of band that makes people flock to the Newport Jazz Festival "

New England Performer

" A group that really epitomizes the concept of a band. Polished professionals, each member contributes to the sound.
No one fades into the background. Listening to them is a whirling musical journey packed with emotion and flawless execution "

Mixx Magazine

" Airborne's musical recipe takes a can of straight ahead jazz with Caribbean and Latino influences. Pours in a few tablespoons jazz fusion and a cup of urban street funk. Then cooks all ingredients with pure technical talent till it gets boiling hot. "

Page One Profile

" A new direction in jazz, innovative and inspiring, bravo! "

New England Arts

" Reader's Poll #1 Jazz Band. Intense and fast-paced tunes. Superb and outstanding soloists.
The band is expanding to higher levels of musicianship "

Jazz Advocate

" A cool jazz sound and style. Awesome, dynamic, and unique.
Evokes images of the inner city. A brotherhood of talented musicians that naturally gel "

Hip Magazine

" A solid contemporary jazz band that fits into a standard industry format without forsaking it's inherent strengths and character. Thus is in direct competition with others that fit into this category"

Marty Kahn - Outward Visions

" Powerful, versatile, complex intricate arrangements perfectly executed.
Spotlighted with an added dimension of humility, attitude, professionalism, showmanship, and originality "