Often called “The Steely Dan of Smooth Jazz”, the contemporary jazz pioneers known as Pieces of a Dream release their latest collection, celebrating resilience and brotherhood.
~Courtesy of Shanachie Entertainment
What’s the point of doing what we do if we can’t bring joy and unity to others?” asks Curtis Harmon, drummer and founding member of the pioneering chart-topping Contemporary Jazz group Pieces Of A Dream (POD). “Let’s face it, it’s gratifying to see people gathered together smiling, dancing and genuinely enjoying themselves.” Curtis’ long- time musical brother, pianist and POD co-founder James Lloyd adds “Our quest as composers and performers has always been to utilize the power of music to bring people from all walks of life together for a good time.”
Pieces Of A Dream’s 26th recording, We Got This, exceeds in delivering the powerhouse group’s mission. The anticipated recording features ten originals that pack a powerful punch. “It’s all there,” says Lloyd. “Grooves that make your head bob. Catchy melodies. Moving bass lines. Heartfelt solos. Sensuality. Spirituality. Something to dance to. Something to party to. Something to relax to and something to reflect to.” At the heart of We Got This is a love of music, a commitment to brotherhood and the spirit of resilience. “There is a semi-hidden meaning behind the album title and a nod of gratitude to my partners Curtis and Tony,” reveals Lloyd. “I had some challenges during the creation of this music and I couldn’t contribute as much to this project as I am used to doing. I am grateful to my brothers for having my back during the process of making this album.” POD truly is a brotherhood and the adoration and respect that Curtis, James, and Tony share permeates every note on We Got This.
As a result, it is not hard to understand why Pieces Of A Dream has stood the test of time and will mark their 50th anniversary in 2026. It’s been a thrilling ride that has included being discovered as teens by the legendary Grover Washington, Jr., having a track on the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s cult classic School Daze, over three million albums sold, backing the Godfather of Soul James Brown, and opening for jazz icons like Miles Davis and Count Basie, and they are nowhere near done yet!
“Every musician should have that one thing that makes their sound their own,” explains Curtis Harmon, a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan and an avid pool shooter, who confesses he would be a sports agent or a billiards tournament shooter if music were not in the picture. The straight-shooter characterized the sound of POD as “Jazz Funk.” “We mix Funk and R&B tracks with Smooth Jazz melodies that make our unique trademark sound,” declares the drummer.
We Got This is the perfect mix of what Pieces Of A Dream does best – create memorable, soulful, and uplifting melodic anthems, harmonically pleasing riffs, rhythmically-charged feel-good grooves, organic compositions, and tight production. The album opens with James Lloyd’s snappy and euphoric “Headed Out,” which demonstrates the band’s winning combination of laid-back cool and edgy swing. Lloyd digs in with a bluesy and buttery smooth solo and thrillingly trades off with saxophonist Tony Watson Jr., who has been a member of Pieces Of Dream for close to 16 years. “It’s always fun doing this sort of a duet with Tony on the melody. He’s an amazing musician with great stage presence and is constantly offering creative ideas to take our live performances, recordings, and business to the next level,” shares Lloyd.
“Tony’s been with us so long that he’s beyond family. There is bond on and off stage that is a joy to be a part of,” shares the pianist who holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a green sash in Lama Kung Fu and confesses that if he were not a musician he would have to moonlight as a chef, comedian, or writer. “The album’s title track, also the first single, brings the funk with its bass heavy groove and Curtis Harmon’s electric drum fanfare and rock-steady pulse. This serious romp leaves no doubt that we are in capable hands and that POD does indeed have this! Lloyd shares, “I can hear and feel how much fun my brothers had creating it. I’m so extremely proud.”
The sensual and R&B tinged “I’m On My Way,” is a stunning spotlight for saxophonist Tony Watson, Jr. who composed the song. “My father is a musician and educator and always played good music around the house for us to hear and learn from,” shares Watson. “I was really into straight-ahead jazz and when I first heard Pieces Of A Dream, I loved how they were blending straight ahead and smooth Jazz! Being in the band for almost 16 years has been great. Curt and James work so well together because they’re willing to listen to each other and take advice from people outside themselves. I have enjoyed writing for our albums, and it continues to be a great honor to be a part of POD.”
We Got This features the meditative James Lloyd original “Take A Stroll.” He shares, “This song shows the more sensual side of POD. That performance was straight from the heart during a very trying time. Every note is laced with emotion. I affectionately call it the sequel to ‘our song Night Vision.’” Watson flips the script on the tune “Be There For You,” which follows and dares you to get on your feet. This high-octane banger is hard to sit still for. “This was a fun song to do!” he recalls. “I wrote the sax melody, words for the vocals on the hook and sang them along with bandmates Carolyn Brewer and Stacey Richardson!” Watson co-wrote the song with Harmon and pianist Chris “Big Dog” Davis who is also featured on the track.
The stunning “Pieces Of You” is a Quiet Storm jam, while the funky, exhilarating and rhythmically percolating groove of “All About Us” and the slap-happy dance inducing vibe of “Cloud 9” elevate the mood, catapulting We Got This to a high point. “Cloud 9” is a great driving song,” shares Harmon, who is a deacon at Community Baptist Church in North Plainfield, NJ. “It’s one of those songs where you’re on the highway with the top down or the sunroof open and you’re just enjoying the drive, the scenery, and the music. I’m also partial to the sax and guitar trade-off at the end of the song. Tony and Chris Harris did a great job.”
Watson’s Latin-tinged “Skyway Bridge” is inspired by a beautiful experience he had driving over the Skyway Bridge in St. Petersburgh, FL. He has had a life-long fascination with dolphins and hints that he would not mind a second career as a dolphin trainer. Dolphins are attracted to high pitched sounds and music, so Watson’s sax should do the trick! It is only fitting that We Got This comes to a rousing finale with the celebratory “Moving and Grooving” which Lloyd calls “a hybrid mix of Smooth Jazz crossed with The Black Eyed Peas.” Close to fifty years of moving and grooving and Pieces Of A Dream is still wowing international crowds, endearing devoted fans, and captivating generations of new devotees along the way.
Pieces released three albums in quick succession, establishing their place in the world of Smooth Jazz: Pieces Of A Dream(1981), We Are One (1982) and Imagine This (1983). Those albums include some of their biggest early hits, including “Warm Weather,” “Mount Airy Groove” and “Fo Fi Fo.” Pieces Of A Dream recorded their Shanachie debut, In The Moment, in 2013, followed by 2015’s All In, 2017’s Just Funkin’ Around, On Another Note in 2019 and 2021’s Fired Up! With the release of We Got This Pieces Of A Dream continue to affirm their place as ground-breaking pioneers in Contemporary Jazz ushering the music forward.
“Our talent is God given,” declares Curtis Harmon, “so our inspiration to create has been there since we were teenagers. We’ve learned to evolve over time, but I credit our longevity to our fans and the radio personalities who play our music.” James Lloyd adds “When our fans listen to We Got This, I hope they hear not only the joy, but also the pain that went into the creation of this project.” Harmon concludes, “Some may need to be uplifted, some may need to relax, some may need to be inspired, and some might want to just dance. Whatever the need is, we hope they can find a song on this CD that will satisfy it.”
