Smooth jazz combines with a variety of Americana themes on American Heartland, the 2026 album by Missouri native and guitar virtuoso / composer Todd Mosby. Backed up by a range of top session musicians, including the legendary Tom Scott, bass ace Michael Manring and drum master Vinnie Colaiuta and others, the 12-track, 48 minute album merges a variety of guitar instrumental styles including original jazz, New Age, World Beat plus a pair of timeless covers. Shared vocals featuring a pair of appealing female singers adds extra jazzy groove and sizzle to this mostly chilled guitar-centric affair.

The album cover art for American Heartland finds the guitarist in a pastoral locale which might infer a kind of New Age setting, yet the album brings together a wealth of guitar genres with a crossover effect that gives it an even wider, inclusive appeal. Although not prevalent on this new album, it is interesting to note that Mosby is the inventor of the Imrat guitar that combines elements of the guitar with the sound of Indian instruments like sitar and rudra veena. Accentuating its wide range of jazzy influences, American Heartland is a fine introduction of Todd Mosby’s eclectic approach to the guitar.

With this much guitar diversity on hand, listeners are bound to have personal favorites. The swaying bossa nova groove of the leadoff track “Clouds Above Golden Fields”, with its Deja-vu melody lines and the smooth jazz appeal and female tinged scat vocals of the oft-played “Palamino” have their moments, as does an equally appealing Mosby cover of Jimmy Webb’s “Wichita Lineman”, a top chart hit for singer Glen Campbell back in 1968. Another highlight, an unexpected set-closing cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” once again pairs singers Lola Kristine and Laura Vall, while Todd works his guitar magic on this haunting and unusual cover version.

With top production by Jeffrey Weber, American Heartland is further enhanced by associate producer / score supervisor Michael Clark, and a range of recording, mixing and mastering engineers, graphic artists and more providing the album with a modern day sonic shine. Whether featuring Todd Mosby’s acoustic or electric guitars, American Heartland is essential listening for today’s guitar-centric instrumental music aficionado.