Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mike Clark: Actual Proof
Mike Clark: Actual Proof
ByHigh points include "Attack of the 40 ft. Woman" with its swinging "Harlem Nocturne" mood; a swinging "Bacon Phat" flavored with tradition and raw blues hues; "The Famous Door" driving forcefully with a modified Bo Diddley beat; "59th Street Station," which features Bennie Maupin ambling unhurriedly on the subterranean bass clarinet; and "Aristede." This key selection gets its colors from Tim Ouimette’s wind driver. As you’d expect, it fills the role of an electronic keyboard. Ted Trimble’s acoustic bass sets the tone of the piece with an outstanding introduction, then Maupin appears with a creative and highly effective soprano saxophone improvisation. The piece includes an extended drum solo that runs for nearly 3 minutes. What a surprise!
Highly recommended, this album comes by way of a drummer who began his professional career at the age of four, playing "Sweet Georgia Brown" at his father’s insistence in a New Orleans club. Not that many years ago, Clark recorded several albums with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters. Today, he’s offering actual proof that this timeless music is here to stay.
Track Listing
Stingers; The Grinder; Aristide; The Viper; Waiting Around; Stuff; Attack of the 40ft Woman; Cops & Robbers; 59th Street Station; Bacon Phat; The Famous Door.
Personnel
Mike Clark
drumsMike Clark- drums; Ted Trimble- acoustic bass, electric bass; Charlie Hunter- guitar; Tim Ouimette- trumpet, wind driver; Bennie Maupin- tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet; Jed Levy- tenor saxophone; Kevin Burrell- congas on "The Grinder."
Album information
Title: Actual Proof | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Platform Recordings
< Previous
Meet Lynne Arriale