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Johnny Hodges: Yeah...About That
ByYeah.....About That is the trumpeter's debut and is a well-conceived collection of songs that showcase Hodges blowing serious jazz over various grooves. Hodges understands the value of employing a memorable melody as a jumping-off point for improvisational jaunts. On the opening "Dixie Twister," a galloping rhythm is augmented by Hodges' warm bluesy trumpet, stating the melody. Many subtle layers of polyrhythmic entrances follow, as the song develops in a call-and-response manner. Hodges' clear tone and driving rhythm provides for an interesting solo and some very impressive high notes, leading to the ending statements.
Hodges plays trumpet and contributes all the rhythm programming for the album, and the result is a big drum funk on the title track, with samples, synth, lots of layering and a wah-wah-effected trumpet solo, which delivers a groove so infectious that it's almost impossible to resist. Hodges' imagination reflects his immersion in all schools of popular music. Guitarist Jeff Barone provides some six-string blowing on "Cozumel" and "First Try."
Hodges runs the gamut from ridiculously high notes to lead playing in styles from bebop and salsa to thoughtful blowing on ballads. Yeah.....About That is an eclectic mix of Latin, rock and blues, all possessing a seriously funky theme that will appeal to fans of the Brecker Brothers and mid-'70s Weather Report.
Track Listing
Dixie Twister, Yeah...About That, Cozumel, Cityscape, Para Ti, Mi Amor, The Fantasy, Kung Phu, First Try, I'm Just A Country Bopkin, Jim
Personnel
Johnny Hodges
saxophone, altoJohnny Hodges: trumpet, rhythm programming, brass; Bryan Cook: trumpet (8); Jeff Barone: guitar (3, 8).
Album information
Title: Yeah...About That | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Veritas Entertainment
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