CD/LP/Track Review
Stanton Moore: Flyin' The Koop (2002)
Glenn Astarita
Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.
Drummer, Stanton Moore extends the lineage of the great New Orleans reared drummers along with a deeply personalized and often rip-roaring viewpoint on his latest solo effort. A founding member of the so-called, "steamroller funk" outfit known as Galactic, the drummer and his notable musical associates endow the listener with a downright riotous series of grooves on this upbeat production. Simply put, Moore and bassist, Chris Wood (Medeski, Martin & Wood) display magical synergistic qualities throughout these jazzed-up, and thoroughly funkified rhythmic endeavors. Wood's booming acoustic lines and Moore's heavy handed straight four beat, on the opener "Tang the Hump," provides the listener with a harbinger of what looms ahead. Perhaps a prelude that is akin to a - calm before the storm - type vibe as the band segues into a sprightly jazz vamp, featuring saxophonists, Karl Denson, and Skerik's tuneful choruses.
The musicians render a Nawlins second line motif amid a few spurts of Eastern modalities during the rousing piece titled, "Fallin' Off the Floor." Highlights abound on "Things Fall Apart," as the rhythm section accelerates the proceedings into overdrive in support of electric guitarist, Brian Seeger's psychedelic (and playfully neurotic) lead lines. While tenor saxophonist, Skerik must have blown a hole through the studio roof on the trio-based number, "Magnolia Triangle." Overall, Moore's funk-drenched formulas reap colossal dividends!
Track Listing: Tang the Hump; Fallin' Off; Let's Go; Launcho Diablo; Prairie Sunset; Things Fall Apart; Amy's Lament; Magnolia Triangle; Hunch; Bottoms Up; For the Record; Organized Chaos.
Personnel: Stanton Moore: drums; Karl Denson: saxophone, flute; Skerik: saxophone; Chris Wood: bass; Brian Seeger: guitar.
Record Label: Blue Thumb Records | Style: Funk/Groove
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