Award-winning Composer and Artist Stephan Oberhoff's debut instrumental CD features some of the world's finest players, such as Jimmy Haslip (bs), Tom Brechtlein (drums), Pedro Eustache (flutes), Terry Bradford and Kimaya Seward (vocals), Kevin Ricard and Cassio Duarte (percussion), Paul Jackson, Jr., James Harrah and Mike Miller (guitars), Dennis Farious (tp), Scot Mayo (sax), to name a few. This collection of 11 original compositions could be described as "Melody-Oriented Jazz", but it adventurously explores Latin, R&B, Gospel, New Age, Funk and --even Celtic Territory. "CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER" is a very rhythmic & melodic record, almost presenting itself as a collection of different colors and styles, which makes it very entertaining to listen to and explore. It is designed to open up a wide playground for melody, rhythm, arrangement and artistic expression- and it wasn't meant to be background music!!....", explains Stephan. There is a lot of traditions touched upon here and brought to life in a new context, which unfolds itself, layer after layer, upon repeated listening. * "It is also an hommage to the stylistic diversity and musical intensity of my new home, L.A. the city which has taught me to embrace such unbelievably varied types of musical cultures which generate a big part of the momentum and energy that you can hear on my record. There is music which is never EVER played on mainstream radio but nonetheless (and maybe because of that) unbelievably alive and enriching. I have always admired the amazing level of the American culture's harmony, melody and rhythm. On "CONVERSATIONS...", I am musically referring to the playful and intelligent music of Weather Report, the phantastic YellowJackets, the artistry of Richard Bona, Jaco Pastorius etc., as well as resting in almost new-age calmness (in the title cut) and in my favorite ballad, "SOUL FALLING", featuring (former Earth Wind & Fire member) Scott Mayo on sax. In a nutshell, you're going to hear some VERY versatile material, since all of the above influences have found their way into this record."