Mindi Abair’s first solo release of new music since 2014, Forever is a collection of very personal songs and marks a return to her contemporary jazz roots. One listen through and you feel that this is an album that Mindi has wanted to make for some time. The polished production of earlier albums that made her famous isn’t present. In its place is an organic and unpretentious collection of songs. Don’t think that what you loved about Mindi is gone, though. Her soaring iconic saxophone rings true with every note. The songs are catchy and memorable. Her voice is endearing and intimate at times and powerfully commanding at others. And the authenticity of her artistry and intent are life affirming.

Forever is a true reflection of Abair’s artistry, and it could well be her strongest. It is a collection of introspective songs covering a range of topics from the power of a strong woman to feeling alive and opening up to love. The authenticity is palpable throughout, as her soaring saxophone melodies and thoughtful words lead from the heart. Mindi Abair is back with the elements that made her famous, with an album that will render her timeless.

The album opens with “Fine Wine And Vinyl,” a song that lyrically mirrors Mindi’s real life in the wine and jazz business for the last few years. The song opens lazily with slide guitar in a country rock feel with Mindi singing conversationally, “We’re never ever going out of style, like fine wine and vinyl.” The album continues with the title track “Forever,” a languid easy-going instrumental that makes you feel like you’re in the room with the band as it’s being played. And just when you sink into the soulful groove, the chorus kicks in with her signature swagger. “Call Me By Your Name” is the tongue-in-cheek story of Mindi’s romance and marriage co-written with famed songwriter and Hooters frontman Eric Bazilian.

Mindi says of her journey toward this album, “I’ve lived so much life since my last solo album Wild Heart. That album gave me my first Grammy nomination, and it was a coming together of forces that changed my life. I had this amazing solo career in smooth jazz, but I’d find myself moonlighting playing with Aerosmith, Duran Duran, Keb’ Mo’ and appearing on American Idol. I was loving rootsy blues, soul and rock music so much… it’s the music I grew up with, but I wasn’t bringing it to my own career. I asked my friends to help me, and for Wild Heart I wrote and recorded with Gregg Allman, Joe Perry, Trombone Shorty, Booker T. Jones, Keb’ Mo’, Max Weinberg and Waddy Wachtel. This led me to create my first 'band' joining forces with the Boneshakers to create Mindi Abair and the Boneshakers, and we toured and made four amazing albums together, rocking the blues and rock world. During that time I was constantly writing music that was more personal and more melodic. It didn’t fit the band… it was more introspective, and so I put these songs on a shelf and waited for the right time. Now is the right time. I’ve come back to me… a more introspective place… to make new music that represents all that I’ve learned along my musical journey. I hope you feel the emotion I felt recording it.”