Critically-acclaimed, Under The Lake's list of credits include two previous internationally distributed releases and live performances with a "who's who" list of jazz artists at popular smooth jazz events like the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, KiFM Anniversary Festival, Maui Music Festival, House of Blues, Croce's, and The Coach House- Joe Sample, Spyro Gyra, Norman Brown, Larry Carlton, Keiko Matsui, Billy Cobham, Stanley Jordan, Stanley Clarke, George Howard, Jeff Lorber, Steve Reid's Bamboo Forest, The Braxton Brothers, Alan Holdsworth, Michael Cates, Mike Gealer, Arnold McCuller, and others.
Together again, after a hiatus of ten years, UTL is back with the freshest, most compelling smooth jazz release of the year - People Together. People Together is filled with energy- inspired by UTL's enthusiastically-received reunion in 2005 (their first live performance in 8 years) at the Columbia City Theater in Seattle. On this year's release, they again deftly demonstrate their unique crafting of upbeat, joyful melodies and grooving hooks.
Under The Lake have received immense critical praise in local, regional, national, and international publications including JazzTimes, Jazziz, France's Jazz Hot, Canada's Exclaim, Germany's Cascade, as well as The New York Daily News, UTNE Reader, and The Music Paper. UTL received a four star rating for UTL's 1996 release "Up For Air" from the All Music Guide.
UTL has many other notable accomplishments including: nominations for Best Pop-Jazz Album and Best Pop-Jazz Group in the 1994 San Diego Music Awards; "Up For Air" was listed by WBJB (NY/NJ) as one of the top 10 releases for 1996; Black Entertainment Television's BET on Jazz included the song "The Slider" on their Jazz Discoveries CD released and distributed by BMG Direct (1997); Radio and syndicated broadcast of songs from both CDs nationally and internationally; 1994 release "Dive In" was listed as Chartbound for 5 weeks on Gavin's NAC tracking.
"Under The Lake retains the spacious, mellow sparkle that made last year's debut release, Dive In, such a pleasure. The best cuts funnel this quality into a lively singing feel- both "Brining' It Back" and "Our Hollyday" incorporate jangling 70's-style guitar riffs for funky, bubbly hooks" Hillarie Grey, JazzTimes July, 1996
".lightly funky grooves under jazz textured melodies, latin-kissed daydreams, or lullaby balladry in that Kenny G vein." - A Train, The Urban Network, March 1996
"The fusion b team collects itself by the fire and shows that it deserves some well deserved spotlight. Mixing mellow and funky nicely with a tasty California veneer, this crew is one for the money and sure to hit some heights soon." - Midwest Record Recap, April 1996
"…a FINE example of the creativity and high energy playing today's jazz can be… If you like Bob James, Larry Carlton, or Ronnie Laws, you'll KNOW what we mean already…THE GROOVE is the thing…It's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!" Improvijazzation Nation, March, 1996
"An appealing hybrid that is partially powerful pop, partially improvisational jazz, and even a little artsy Return To Forever-like fusion. Put all the elements together and the result is pure musical dynamite…One of the hottest debuts of the year. Don't miss it!" Jazziz reviewer Jonathan Widran, 1995
"The variety of musical approaches is stunning and the mood always upbeat, playful.a joy to listen to" -Steve Baska, Sun Newspapers
" For comparison's sake, the band's sound can be likened to The Crusaders, Larry Carlton, Bob James, and David Sanborn. Under The Lake offers solid contemporary jazz with abit of groove and attitude." - Dick Hogan, Cedar Rapids Gazette
