I’d like to share with you the synchronistic manner in which I met the other half of this new album. Two valentine days ago I took three of my dear friends out to the Four Seasons Hotel in Carlsbad California, where we celebrated love and friendship. I arrived first, and much to my surprise I heard someone playing angelically on the guitar. Later, as my friends and I were seated, the musician came over to our table on his first break along with the maître d’, who proceeded to make introductions. The musician was internationally known guitarist, Jeff Linsky, with ten albums under his belt. He was so well known that he even has a guitar named after him in Japan! I was introduced to him as the singer with the former Stan Kenton orchestra. I was certain, since he looked so young, that he wouldn’t know who Stan Kenton was. To my surprise and delight, he not only knew who Kenton was, but he used to accompany Kenton’s wife and band singer, Ann Richards! Ann happened to be who I replaced when I was hired by the orchestra in my late teens. She was on leave, giving birth to their second child. Ann went on to be quite an amazing jazz singer…one who would be called “a singer’s singer.” When I found out that Jeff had worked with Ann, I knew his background would make him perfect for my project.
We met the next day at my home in San Diego’s north county, and the new soft jazz CD with guitar and voice was launched. The first day that Jeff came over, I was aware of a huge band of angels surrounding us as we talked about the potential of the album. I turned to Jeff and told him what the group was saying; “You are a tremendous master healer with music and sound.” He looked at me deeply, as thought he were looking through me, and I realized at a cellular level he knew the information was true and accurate. Later, as we worked together on the album, I also realized that his ego was not involved in his great gift to the world.
We spent one day a week, four hours a day, for over a year. We went over a great deal of music and made the decision to do an album of romantic songs, some old, some new, and some original. We also made a preliminary list of the song order and towards the end of the selections, a few up-tempo songs were included. We then felt the album material was balanced. We also made an unusual decision to record the album in the front room of my home… the room I call, my temple room, where I meditate and sometimes have healing and facilitating sessions with clients. Even though we had access to a wonderful studio in which to record, we decided the energy and freedom of my temple room would work best for the project, and we began.
Jeff was using a Roland 500 VS system to capture the sound, and the main tracks were all recorded using the Asturias Jeff Linsky Model Requinto guitar. Later he used other kinds and types of guitars to augment and sweeten the tracks instrumentally (especially his Benedetto jazz guitar, using La Bella Guitar strings). All of this was very complex. Jeff, in addition to playing on the album, was also the sound engineer and editor! Later, to put the “frosting on the cake,” we involved Grammy nominee John Archer to do the final mastering before it went to manufacture. We worked at our own pace, and only when the energy felt right. My intent throughout was to create a relaxing, “feel good” album… to stimulate romance and passion in one’s life. This would also be as nurturing and healing as any of my past channelled meditations and healing material. It feels like we succeeded.
As you listen, I hope you feel the same way. As you are watching the sunset with your “significant other” or having dinner or a party with loving friends, may you feel the intent of this album. I Have the Feeling I’ve Been Here Before is intended to project a warm glow of love and romance—past, present and future. Let its potential fill your heart!
Love and blessings,
Jan Tober
You may obtain this new soft jazz album by calling:
714-238-1199
