Smooth jazz veterans SHAKATAK have been peddling their distinctive sounds for over 30 years. In that time the foursome – BILL SHARPE (piano), ROGER ODELL (drums), GEORGE ANDERSON (bass) and JILL SAWARD (vocals) have built up a strong and faithful fan base. Those followers will be both delighted and surprised by the outfit’s latest release – ‘Once Upon A Time’.

The 13 tracker, you see, features new, acoustic versions of their best known tunes. The team decided that the time was right to re-visit their classics, but to present them in an even softer, gentler, more laid back manner. So here we can re-enjoy things like ‘Easier Said Than Done’, ‘Night Birds’ and ‘Down On The Street’ and then go onto debate how much more subtle and/or different these stripped-down versions are to the originals.

Recorded live in just 4 days, the LP features guest appearances from sax man Derek Nash and top Japanese guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. The end result is a decidedly chilly, laid back affair, designed to de-stress with its odd mix of the oh-so familiar and the totally unexpected.

SHAKATAK’S ‘Once Upon A Time – The Acoustic Sessions’ is released on April 22nd on Secret Records.