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Michael Ross Quartet: Dog Eat Dog
ByThe Michael Ross Quartet's Dog Eat Dog.
This is the Florida-based quartet's second CD, and they show themselves to be a extremely assured unit. Bassist/leader Michael Ross co-wrote all the songs with guitarist LaRue Nickelson, tunes that have a rock 'em flavor. The seismic opener, "Wee Zee"; soulful ballads with muscle"Dog Eat Dog", "Unknown Warrior'; "Spherical" with it's soprano/guitar unison opening lightens the mood (sounds a little like a Branford Marsalis workout); the melancholy "I Thought I Knew"; and an in-the-groove "LaBooGaLoo". And "Raymond", a loose, loving tribute to the late great bassist Ray Brown (written and recorded before the great man's passing).
And save the best for last: "Battling Levinsky" Dave Pate, in front of a driving rhythm, sounds like he could go head-to-head with Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet here, and give no ground; then LaRue Nickelson comes in bouncing guitar riffs off the orbiting satellites...Marvelous; don't listen to this while driving; the accelerator foot will involuntarily press toward the floor (experience speaking).
An adventurous yet highly accessible powerhouse jazz outing by The Michael Ross Quartet.
Visit michaelrossquartet.com .
Track Listing
Wee Zee, Nadja, Unknown Warrior, A Jew's Blues, Dog Eat Dog, Spherical, I Thought I Knew, Suzie Faye, LaBooGaLoo, Raymond, Battling Levinsky
Personnel
Michael Ross
bassMichael Ross, bass; David Pate, reeds; LaRue Nickelson, guitars; Walt Hubbard, drums
Album information
Title: Dog Eat Dog | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Cooper Alport Records
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