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Phil Kelly & The NW Prevailing Winds: Convergence Zone
ByThe opener, "Damp Brown Places"a sendup of "Camp Town Races"sets an immediate tone for the recording: clean lines and brightly polished, meticuolously-crafted arrangements; propulsive swing; and a sound that brings Doc Severinson's Tonight Show Band to mind. No surprise there, since Kelly has written for Doc's band, in addition to writing and arranging stints for trombonist Bill Watrous's NYC Big Band.
"Cuzn Bubba Luvz Ewe" and "The Refrigerator" bring some funk into the mix, while "Sweet Georgia Upside Down" swings with a sweet Ellingtonian brass/reed mix. The arrangement on "Bella Luce" is reminscent of Robert Farnon's work on the late trombone master J.J. Johnson's great but underappreciated Tangence CD (Gigantes, 1995), with some subtle but beautifully-done string programming.
Too many great solos to mentiontwo or three on every song; and listen to the way the limber rhythm guys adjust to the shift from ensemble to solo accompaniment throughout.
A highly polished sound, well-crafted arrangements: a bright, swinging set of big band jazz.
Track Listing
Damp Brown Places, Cuzn Bubba Luvs Ewe, Subztatoot Shuffle, Sweet Georgia Upside Down, Bella Luce, You and the Night and the Music, Yada Yada, O.T.B.S., Kathy's Waltz, The Refrigerator
Personnel
Phil Kelly
composer / conductorTrumpetes and flugelhorns--Brad Allison, Jay Thomas, Paul Baron, Vern Seilert; saxes/woodwinds--Bill Ramsay, Travis Ranney, Pete Christlieb, Jim Coile, Gary Smulyan; trombones--Andy Martin, Gary Shutes, Dan Marcus (tuba), Nelson bell (bass trombone); rhythm--John Hansen--piano, Chuck Deardorf--bass, Gary Hobbs--drums; rhythm on "Bubba" and "Refrigerator"--Pat Coil--piano, Paul Leim--drums, Craig Nelson--electric bass ("Bubba"), Gerald Stockton--electric bass ("Refrigerator"); Sting Programming--Matt Bennett
Album information
Title: Convergence Zone | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Origin Records
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About Phil Kelly
Instrument: Composer / conductor
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