With their inaugural effort, this New Orleans based crew lives up to
their group moniker! Guitarist Chris Cortez composed many of these
works amid two pieces by keyboardist Dean Fransen and covers of Stevie
Wonder’s “Go Home,” and Marvin Gaye’s classic, “What’s Going On?”
The quintet along with guest musicians purvey a toe-tapping,
finger-snapping potpourri of pop buttered funk, soul and contemporary
jazz topped off by in-the-pocket grooves and memorable hooks. Cortez,
who currently serves as the music director for the “Grand Casino” in Biloxi,
Ms has performed with Herbie Mann, Les McCann, and many others.
Meanwhile his band mates have performed with a legion of artists
spanning trumpeter Randy Brecker, the late Rosemary Clooney, Mike
Stern, and groups such as “The Platters.” To that end, the gist of this
outing comprises punchy New Orleans style rhythms coupled with sleek
jazz and funk type motifs. Trumpeter Jay Webb and Cortez render
appealing unison lines and cheery lyricism on “Jammin With Jay,” while
reworking “What’s Going On,” into a hip, soul/funk-drenched jazz vibe. They
don’t reinvent the wheel here. However, the soloists are afforded lots of
space to expound upon themes often flourishing with melodious
passages and counterbalancing pastiches of sound. Ultimately, this
group has concocted a tasty brew that should enjoy wide-ranging appeal.
Recommended…
Groovopolis
Blue Bamboo Music
Track listing: 1.Go Home 2.Mr.Noom 3.Jammin With Jay 4.Moon Walk 5.What’s Going
On? 6.Say What? 7.New Blood 8.Gnu Thang 9.Distinquitive 10.Piece Of
Cake 11.The Red Door 12.While You Were Gone 13.Esplanade
Personnel: Jay Webb: trumpet, flugelhorn – Jeff Mills: drums, percussion – Lenny
DiMartino: bass – Dean Fransen: keyboards – Christopher Cortez:
guitar/additional keyboards/percussion – Additional Musicians: Sam
Sadigursky: tenor saxophone, flute – Gary Marcus: electric piano on # 3 –
Bobby “O” Oksa: tenor and alto saxophones on #1
Style: Funk/Groove
Published: October 20, 2002
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Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX More about Glenn...
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