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dragonfly

A discriminating and effortless blues groove is the overall feel of “Hip Factor” by Steve Allee from the album “Dragonfly” Owl Studios 2008.

This trio is comprised of Bill Moring-bass, Tom Horner-Drums, and Steve Allee-keyboards/piano. Special guests Rob Dixon and Rich Perry -sax, round out the group.

What’s interesting about this particular jam is the the mid tune unison between Dixon and Allee. This is one of those tunes that can be enjoyed in just about any setting. I happen to listen to it while driving to work.

When the tune begins,the horns sound like a muted trumpet(a la Miles), until it gets underway. The tonal quality of all instruments played have an elegance rooted in simplicity.

Tom Horner is rather soft spoken on the drums opting for what sounds like brushes on the snare. Bill Moring is equally minimal on the bass, offering counterpoint to the drums.

The crux of the tune lies in the afore mentioned sax and piano phrasing, at first alternatively, then combined.

If listened to closely, you can hear Allee change from electric piano to acoustic and back again.This is my only slight dissappointment, I think the acoustic piano sounds better, at least in this case. Get off anyway!

Track listing:

1. Bus To Belmopan
2. Dragonfly
3. Somewhere
4. Yummy
5. Morning Glory
6. X&Y
7. Dedication Suite: Conversation With Bill
8. Dedication Suite: Thaddeus
9. Dedication Suite: If I Were a Bell
10. Hip Factor

Personnel:

Steve Allee-keyboards Bill Moring-upright bass Tim Horner-drums
Rich Perry, Rob Dixon-saxophone

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

COP DIS JAM

palmystery

I love listening to some of today’s artists’ interpretation of fusion.
I’ve just recently got into “Sifu” by Victor Wooten, while listening to internet radio.
A friend hipped me to Bela Fleck, for whom Wooten played bass, so I knew of him.
Based on songs brief opening commentary and the fact that he is a martial artist, we’re led to the Chinese meaning of “Sifu” as teacher, and this tune is an ode in some way.

Nevertheless, this tune from the 2008 album “Palmystery” is a jam.
From the haunting background vocals, wailing guitar and sax. To Wooten’s dynamic, staccato bass plucking, you’re taken on an avante-garde fusion journey.
This alone may imply him having been passed the bass player baton from Stanley and Jaco. Enjoy!

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COP DIS JAM

Hear more cats like this

Personnel:

Victor Wooten (vocals, bass instrument, bass guitar, fretless bass, hand claps, drum programming);

Amir Ali (vocals, lute, violin, darabukka);

Joseph Wooten (vocals, piano, organ, keyboards);

Richard Bona (vocals, percussion);

Chuck Rainey,

Sifu Brian Edwards, Dorothy Wooten, Doug Woodard, The Woodard Family, Daniel Hunt, Derrick Lee, Alvin Chea, Saundra Williams, Adam Wooten, Holly Wooten, Kaila Wooten, Keith Lee (vocals);

Regi Wooten (guitar, bass guitar);

Alvin Lee ,

Mike Stern (guitar);

Keb’ Mo’ (slide guitar);

Roosevelt “The Doctor” Collier (pedal steel guitar);

Eric Silver (mandolin, violin);

Howard Levy (harmonica);

Rudy Wooten,
Shawn “Thunder” Wallace (alto saxophone);

Jeff Coffin (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone);

Karl Denson (tenor saxophone);

Rod McGaha (trumpet);

Barry Green (trombone);

Neal Evans (organ);

Dane Bryant (keyboards);

Anthony Wellington, Alvin “Lil’ Al” Cordy, Anthony “Flex” Wellington, John Billings (bass guitar);
Steve Bailey (fretless bass);
JD Blair, Earl “Big E” Walker, Dennis Chambers, Raymond Massey, Will Kennedy, Derico Watson (drums);
James Jackson (congas);
Roy Wooten (cajon drums, shaker, hand claps);
Darrell Tibbs (percussion).

1. 2 Timers
2. Cambo
3. I Saw God
4. Lesson, The
5. Left, Right & Center
6. Sifu
7. Miss U - (with The Lee Boys)
8. Flex
9. Gospel, The
10. Song For My Father
11. Happy Song
12. Us 2