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Shuffle Demons: All In
By"One Step Ahead" and "Watch Your Step" simmer like James Brown horn section instrumentals, with the bassist and drummer knowing precisely where to stop and pop. In "One Step Ahead," Underhill solos on alto with a sound so hot it burns like a match, while surrounding saxophones jump around and chirp like crickets. Wynton walks out "Watch Your Step" to shift sections just behind the beat so his fatback bass and crackling snare drums create a plump, radiant New Orleans feeling, and the tenor sax solos rip up and shred the surrounding sound.
"Walk the Walk" seems to take these two "Steps" to a higher and hotter degree, and is fun to listen to because the musiciansespecially in the saxophone call and response section, where one voice calls out and the other two replymake it sound so fun to play. Furthermore, the swings in dynamics and momentum in "Walk the Walk," like when the bass drops out and leaves the drums to slug it out alone against all three saxophone voices and then peels back into funk as slippery as a banana peel, could quite possibly help you get on your good foot.
"COVID Blues" ties its complicated and feverish melody up in knots. Bassist Downes and drummer Wynston play furiously, sprinting through this blues, but it sounds like the rhythm section can barely keep up with or even fend off the attack of this three-headed saxophone monster no matter how fast or hard they play.
"Wait, What?" also jumps off at and maintains a blistering pace. It sounds like there's nothing holding back the fires from the saxophones out front or the rhythm engine room below (because there isn't) as the tempo, rhythm and sound grow increasingly intense.
"Wait, What?" is also what you might say to yourself while trying to keep up and remain All In with the crazy energy, pace, and rhythms on this Shuffle Demons' set.
Track Listing
All In; One Step Ahead; Wait, What?; Watch Your Step; Five's Company; COVID Blues; Walk The Walk; Strange Days; Inside Out; Let's Play.
Personnel
Richard Underhill
saxophone, altoKelly Jefferson
saxophone, tenorMatt Lagan
saxophoneMike Downes
bassStich Wynston
drumsAlbum information
Title: All In | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Stubby Records
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About Shuffle Demons
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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Shuffle Demons
Album Review
Chris M. Slawecki
All In
Stubby Records
Kelly Jefferson
Matt Lagan
Richard Underhill
Mike Downes
Stich Wynston
James Brown