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letter to herbie

When listening to Naked Camera by John Beasley from the album “Letter to Herbie” 2008 Resonance Records, one is immediately reminded of Freddie Hubbard style of trumpet, which I mean as a compliment to Roy Hargrove, who is actually playing.

As the album name implies, this is a tribute to the great Herbie Hancock, with some Wayne Shorter thrown in for good measure.

All the cats on this jam are tight. They include Beasley on keyboards, Christian McBride-acoustic/electric bass, Jeff Watts-drums, Michael O’Neill-guitar, Louis Conte-percussion and Hargrove.

This tune reminds me of the old CTI lps of the 70s when what became “smooth jazz” hadn’t been coined as a phrase, let alone a genre, and wasn’t as boring as it’s become today.

The album is a reshaping of some classics with an original stamp, which is probably why Freddie comes to my mind! Duh!

Track listing:

1. 4 AM (Herbie Hancock) 5:51
2. Bedtime Voyage (Herbie Hancock) 6:13
3. Chan’s Song (Herbie Hancock) 6:15
4. Three Finger Snap (John Beasley) 4:36
5. The Naked Camera (Herbie Hancock) 5:20
6. Eye of the Hurricane (Herbie Hancock) 4:17
7. Diana (Wayne Shorter) 4:23
8. Hear and Now (John Beasley) 6:20
9. Still Time (Herbie Hancock) 4:09
10. Vein Melter (Herbie Hancock) 3:21

Personnel:

John Beasley - Piano, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Synthesizer
Christian McBride - Acoustic and Electric Bass
Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts - Drums
Roy Hargrove - Trumpet
Steve Tavaglione - Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet
Michael O’Neill - Guitar
Louis Conte - Percussion

highway 90

It seems to be rare, at least to me to find guitar players who play with a balanced style of blues, jazz, and rock. Shane Theriot is one who does. When listening to “Punch” from the album”Highway 90″ Shose Records 2000, one is happily surprised by his command of jazz/blues stylings.

This is his debut album, apart from his regular gig as guitar player for the Neville Brothers band. Supported by a distinguished lineup of music veterans including: Art Neville-organ, “Mean” Willie Green-drums, Adam Nitti -bass, and last, but by no means least Tom Reynolds -piano.

What’s impressive about this tune is the interplay between Theriot and Reynolds as they play on top, around and through the basic groove established by the drums and bass. With splashes of harmonic vocals provided by Nick Daniels, Earl Smith and Shane, you’ll want to turn up the volume so no sublteties are missed.

Track listing:

1) It Ain’t My Fault
2) Pump
3) Thrashy
4) Highway 90
5) The Streat Beater
6) Punch
7) Shiho
1321 N. Las Palmos
9) Stampy
10) Bayou Chicken
11) Cabilo Breeze

Personnel:

Players:
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals Shane Theriot
Keyboards, Piano, Clavinet Johnny Neel
Bass Victor Wooten, Paul Chapman, Adam Nitti, David Johnson
Drums “Mean” Willie Green, JD Blair, David Northrup
Organ, Voice Art Neville
Piano, Keys Tom Reynolds
Soprano Sax Jeffery Scot Wills
Fretless Bass Kim Stone
Piano Randy Hoexter
Vocals Nick Daniels, Earl Smith
Percussion Jim Roberts
Skank Guitar Eric Struthers

The track “Heart’s Desire” by Don Blackman 1982 Arista Records from the self titled album was one of those sleeper jams no one knew about at the time.

This jazzy funk track didn’t get a lot of airplay domestically, though evidently was a minor hit in Europe.

From the start the irresistable bass line groove by Barry Sonjohn grabs your attention. What’s also somewhat sophisticated for this type of tune is the scat sang chorus. Vocals are by whom is called “The Family Tradition”, along with Blackman singing lead and keyboards. Further examination of the personnel reveals a young Dennis Chambers on drums.

Blackman’s credentials include having played with the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic,Earth,Wind & Fire, Roy Ayers, and Lenny White etc. His keyboard facility is also well showcased on this jam.

Track listing:(lp)

A1 Yabba Dabba Doo 5:16
A2 Heart’s Desire 4:30
A3 Holding You, Loving You 4:10
A4 Deaf Hook-Up Connection 4:03
B1 You Ain’t Hip 3:01
B2 Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide 3:38
B3 Since You Been Away So Long 5:11
B4 Never Miss A Thing 3:50

Personnel: The Family Tradition

Don Blackman-piano,keyboards
Desire “Deezie” White-vocals
Sheri “Ayo” Snyder-vocals
Barry “Sonjohn” Johnson-bass
Steve “City” Horton-guitar
Eddie “EPM” Martinez-guitar
Dennis “Washington” Chambers-drums