"Thinking of You" is Jazz Pianist Mike Levine's second CD as a solo artist. It features as special guests, Bassist - Will Lee, Ed Calle and Ed Maina - Sax's and Billy Ross on Flutes. The music is an Organic Blend of Smooth Jazz. Drawing from his Jazz roots and influences of South Florida, this CD is made up of thirteen tracks eleven of which are Mike's originals. The music itself is melodic, rhythmic, and accessible to the listener. Backed up by top session players Lee Levin on Drums, Dan Warner -Guitars, Julio Hernandez - Bass, and Richard Bravo on Percussion. Other musicians lending their talents are:Wendy Pedersen on Vocals, Lindsey Blair and Aaron Lebos - Guitars, Nick Orta and Rafael Valencia - Bass, Sam Levine - Drums, Flaco Padron and Carlomagno Araya - Percussion, Dana Teboe - Trombone, Jeff Kievet - Trumpet, Tony Concepcion - Flugel Horn, and The Miami Symphonic Strings. "My name is Stu Grant South Fl Jazz Radio personality for over 35 years. A native New Yorker I hold the Jazz piano in very high regard. South Florida pianist Mike Levine is the consummate Jazz pianist never to far from a beautiful melody yet willing to be adventurous once he has enveloped you into his masterful song writing and uncanny sense of timing. Mike, an attendee of the prestigious University of Miami School of Music, has a resume that would surely impress any mayor recording company. From the early days back in 1981 teaming with Billy Ross and special guest guitarist Pat Metheny on The Ross-Levine Band’s first undertaking to his long time association with Big Band leader Peter Graves and the creation of The Jaco Pastorius Big Band of which Mike helped solidify the rhythm section with his piano style. Mike Levine has had the distinction of accompanying a who’s who in Jazz circles for the past 30 years including Tom Scott, Toots Thielsman, Stanley Turrentine, Randy Brecker and the legendary Ira Sullivan to name a few. As long as I’ve known him, I’ve felt very strongly that Mike is deserving of more attention on a national level. Mike honors his melodies, reshaping them, interpreting them but never letting them drift out of the mindset of the audiences liking. His latest creation, “Thinking Of You” , features some of the more gifted Jazz players that make South Florida their home. " "Track #2 “Walking Tall” is one of those feel good songs that should be accompanied by your finger popping and toe tapping….Mike’s horn arrangement clears the runway for the searing sax of the versatile and nationally known sax great and educator Ed Calle and the able assistance of guitarist Dan Warner…Body movement a must on this number.." "Track #3 “It’s Just Right” is a very captivating melody. Can you remember the first time you met your soul mate, the one you were meant to share your life with and the deep chord that it struck in your heart. If that feeling was put to music that song It’s Just Right fit’s oh so right. Dan Warners subtle yet sensuous guitar adds to that once in a lifetime feeling when you just know it’s right.." "Track # 6 ”The Work Song” originally done by the Adderley Brothers Nat and Cannonball, written by Nat shows the very soulful side of versatile Jazz pianist Mike Levine….I like the contemporary spin on this Jazz treasure as Lindsey Blair’s sizzling guitar compensates for the absence of sax and cornet of the Brothers Adderley." "Track # 8 “An Endless Afternoon” reunites Mike with longtime music associate Billy Ross whose delicate flute reminds you of the perfect day, One which you hope will never end as you might look upward at the beautiful cloud formations and ponder about this wondrous world we live in…" "Track # 10 “After Dark” another of Mike Levine’s love for a sublime melody makes for a song in desperate search of the credits rolling on a motion picture that leaves an audience fulfilled that two lovers realize they are a match made in heaven. Admittedly that’s what truly came to my mind upon hearing this gem. It’s a striking melody that reaffirms that Mike is and has always been a romanticist at heart……" "Mike, congratulations on your latest undertaking. I’m proud to be a friend and wish you continued success as you strive to reach the pinnacle of what has already been documented as successful career musically…..Your music has satisfied those of us Jazz fans that enjoy a beautiful melody, a hopeful tomorrow and a bright future……" Stu Grant Sunday Jazz Radio 1 – Gettin Ready ( 3:32 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards Lee Levin Drums Will Lee Bass Dan Warner Guitar Richard Bravo Percussion Ed Calle Sax’s 2- Walking Tall (3:31) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Synth – Horn Arrangement Will Lee Bass Lee Levin Drums Dan Warner Guitar Ed Calle Sax Dana Teboe Trombone Jeff Kievit Trumpet Richard Bravo Percussion 3 – Its Just Right ( 5:11) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards Dan Warner Guitar Julio Hernandez Bass Lee Levin Drums Richard Bravo Percussion 4 - Get Away ( 3:49) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards Dan Warner Guitar Julio Hernandez Bass Lee Levin Drums - Percussion Richard Bravo Percussion Ed Calle Sax’s 5- You’re The One ( 3:39 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards Lee Levin Drums – Percussion Dan Warner Guitar Julio Hernandez Bass Ed Calle Sax’s Gary Lindsey String Arrangement Alfredo Oliva Miami Symphonic Strings 6 – Work Song (3:46) Nat Adderley/UPAM Music/BMI Mike Levine Piano – Organ Sam Levine Drums Lindsey Blair Guitar Rafael Valencia Bass Richard Bravo Percussion 7- Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered ( 4:59 ) Rogers And Heart/Chappell & CO INC ASCAP Mike Levine Piano – Synth Sam Levine Drums Julio Hernandez Bass Aaron Lebos Guitar Wendy Pedersen Vocal Richard Bravo Percussion 8– An Endless Afternoon ( 4:45 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Synth Rafael Valencia Bass Billy Ross Flute’s Lee Levin Drums – Percussion Lindsey Blair Guitar “Flaco” Padron Percussion Tony Concepcion Fluegal Horn 9 – Table Top ( 4:25) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Organ Sam Levine Drums Lindsey Blair Guitar Rafael Valencia Bass Richard Bravo Percussion 10 – After Dark ( 4:19 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards Dan Warner Guitar Nick Orta Bass Lee Levin Drums Carlomagno Araya Percussion 11 – Island Dream ( 3:22 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Keyboards – Vocals Nick Orta Bass Lee Levin Drums Dan Warner Guitar Richard Bravo Percussion 12- Sooner or Later ( 4:10 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano Nick Orta Bass Lee Levin Drums Richard Bravo Percussion Billy Ross Flute 13- Thinking Of You ( 4:18 ) Michael A Levine/Portamento Music BMI Mike Levine Piano – Synth Lee Levin Drums – Percussion Julio Hernandez Bass Dan Warner Guitar Ed Maina Alto Sax Gary Lindsey Strings Arrangement Alfredo Oliva Miami Symphonic Strings