Draft:Herb Partlow

  • Comment: @Widgetkid: I don't think I added any new sources. I mainly deleted sources, copyedited and removed puffery. Also, if Jazz in the MEE is a related source, then it's not going to matter if the second issue is in depth enough (although I suspect it's another interview anyway). I think this draft will just need to remain as promising until a second good piece of sig cov IRS is found. Mme Maigret (talk) 05:09, 29 April 2026 (UTC)
  • Comment: Mmemaigret, Have you found any new sources? The primary issue is lack of notability, so new sources with significant coverage are badly needed. I think this article is largely a promotional effort by the person themselves &/or a PR firm. My takes on the sources you mentioned haven't changed: Charleston City Paper is fine, but local. Zillions is WP:BLOG. Soul Tracks is WP:PROMO. Jazz in MEE coverage is WP:PROMO and WP:PRIMARY, not to mention the artist is a contributing writer to the magazine.WidgetKid Converse 04:18, 29 April 2026 (UTC)
  • Comment: There's sig cov in the Charleston City Paper source. There's arguably sig cov in the Soul Tracks 2023 source. The Zillions mag source appears to be long enough but may not be a reliable source for WP purposes. Mme Maigret (talk) 16:00, 27 April 2026 (UTC)


Herb Partlow
Born
Herbert F. Partlow

(1961-07-23) July 23, 1961 (age 64)
Charleston, South Carolina, US
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
OccupationsProducer, multi-instrumentalist, author, businessman
InstrumentsKeyboards, bass, drums
Years active1980s–present
LabelSuperb Muzic
Websitehttps://superbmuzic.com

Herb Partlow (born 1961) is an American musician, music producer, and corporate executive. Partlow began his career in the music industry in the early 1980s as a rapper. He later moved into sound engineering and producing. In 2007, he formed the record label, Superb Music. In 2013, he moved from the Bay Area back to Charleston where he is also the chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Charleston Housing Authority and a board member for the YMCA of Greater Charleston.

In 2014, his smooth jazz song, Jazz Theory, featuring saxophonist J. L. P., charted in the UK. In 2020, his song Paradigm Shift reached No. 3 on the SmoothJazz.com chart.[1]

Early life and education

Partlow was born on July 23, 1961 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Music career

He began his career in the music industry in the early 1980s as a "1st generation" rapper.[1] He recorded hip-hop material released through Macola Records and later moved into production and sound engineering.[1] He was also a radio personality in California.[2][note 1]

In 2007, he formed the music production company, Superb Muzic, in Oakland.[3][4] He was approached by saxophonist J. L. P, putting him to jazz, which resulted in the release of Partlow 1011 EP Urban Jazz.[1] His later music blends contemporary jazz, funk, and hip hop influences. In 2014, he had a hit with the song Jazz Theory featuring saxophonist J. L. P.[5] The song appeared on JazzBites Contemporary Radio's (London, UK) "Top 10" list. Urban Jazz was followed by Digital Future (2015) and the Future Jazz EP (2018).

In 2020, he released Next Level,[6] which included the song Paradigm Shift. In January 2021, his single Paradigm Shift reached No. 3 on the SmoothJazz.com chart.[1] In 2023, he released the R&B/funk single Ride or Die, featuring X Factor USA finalist and American Idol alum, Tora Woloshin, in which he played a number of instruments.[7]

Next Level was also re-mastered and re-issued in 2025.

Corporate work and community service

Partlow had a 30 year career in the corporate sector in the San Francisco Bay Area. He worked at KPMG, Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, Bank of America, the Federal Reserve Bank, and LECG.

In 2013, he returned to Charleston,[1] where established H. F. Partlow Web Development, LLC. He is also the Public Relations Director and webmaster for BDG-CPAs.[8]

Partlow served as Chairman of the Charleston Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners.[8][9][10] Before he was chair, he served as vice-chair of the board.[8] He has also been a board member of the YMCA of Greater Charleston and the Roper St. Francis Foundation.[8]

Critical reception

Of his album, Digital Future, Jazz in the MEE said it was "Fresh, funky, smooth and cutting.... A unique blend that defies genres and labels.... The entire CD is filled with instrumental smooth, soulful jazz and hip hop for a new generation."[11]

Soul Tracks called Jazz Theory a hot and funky track that highlights Herb’s jazz/funk chops.[5]

“Of his Next Level album, the Charleston City Paper said it was "about as state-of-the-art as the genre gets. It’s 10 tracks of light and infectious grooves, with Partlow’s rubbery bass and shimmering keys laying the foundation for wailing sax and guitarist Ricardo Love’s low-key riffs."[1] The paper also called the song “Paradigm Shift” from the album "sleek, funky and sparse".

Soul Tracks said of Next Level "Partlow lays down a funky rhythmic foundation on the keys, bass and drums that serves as the basis for saxman DeLon Charley and guitarist Ricardo Love’s flights of creative fancy. Partlow also shows that he can improvise on the keys while also engaging in an instrumental conversation with his sidemen."[6]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Label
2015 Digital Future Superb Muzic
2018 Future Jazz EP Superb Muzic
2020 / 2025 Next Level / Next Level 2025 Superb Muzic
2024 Instrumental Beatz N' Thangz EP Superb Muzic

Selected singles

Year Single Notes
2015 Jazz Theory ft. J. L. P.[2]
2018 Drop It! ft. Allen Webb, Ricardo Love
2018 Funky Jazz ft. J. L. P.
2018 Another Interlude ft. J.L.P.
2020 Paradigm Shift ft. Ricardo Love, DeLon Charley[1]
2020 Next Level ft. Ricardo Love, DeLon Charley[1]
2023 Artificial Intelligence ft. Big Mack, Stico, Rajime, Jay AL
2023 Ride or Die ft. Tora Woloshin[7]
2023 Renaissance Man ft. DeLon Charley
2025 Money Moves ft. Lil' Jin & Lukas Swing[12]

Notes

  1. ^ He went by the name of “Superb Herb” at KUCR in California.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harris, Vincent (January 27, 2021). "Herb Partlow has built a successful smooth-jazz career right under our noses". Charleston City Paper.
  2. ^ a b "First Listen: Herb Partlow shares his "Jazz Theory" in hot new song". SoulTracks. September 5, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  3. ^ Warren, Melody (October 7, 2013). "Tip Jar: The Music Ledger – Do you Know How to Balance both Sides". JAZZ in M.E.E. magazine (4): 28–30. Retrieved September 1, 2025 – via Issuu.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Gail (February 1, 2003). "In Bay Area, RiB/Hip-Hop Scene Ready For Resurgence" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. p. 76. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  5. ^ a b "First Listen: Herb Partlow shares his "Jazz Theory" in hot new song". SoulTracks. September 5, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "First Listen: Herb Partlow takes us to the "Next Level"". SoulTracks. April 9, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "First Listen: Herb Partlow and Tora Woloshin are ready to "Ride Or Die"". SoulTracks. June 21, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Partlow, Herbert F. (January 11, 2022). "Commentary: Charleston Housing Authority's CEO and board are prepared to lead". Post and Courier. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  9. ^ McBride, Molly (2023-12-28). "Housing Authority gives update on plan to redevelop, renovate all public housing". Live 5 News. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  10. ^ "Charleston Housing Authority reconstructing and redeveloping public housing units". WCBD News 2. 2024-01-04.
  11. ^ "Jazz Watch: Herb Partlow – Digital Future". JAZZ in M.E.E. magazine (4): 19. October 7, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2025 – via Issuu.
  12. ^ "Herb Partlow drops an anthem of ambition with "Money Moves" feat. Lil' Jin [Review]". Zillions Magazine - Where Every Beat Counts. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-09-02.


Category:American jazz musicians Category:American record producers Category:American multi-instrumentalists Category:Living people Category:People from Charleston, South Carolina

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