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David Bixler: Call It A Good Deal
ByThe haltingly quirky yet powerfully memorable signature of the odd-metered "Aiding and Abetting makes the potency of this rhythm section immediately evident. The rhythms are gems unto themselves as bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Andy Watson alternately propel the band or set a relaxing palette for Bixler and Wendholt to reveal their rich, open voices on the more leisurely paced offerings.
Bixler has a crisp approach that doesn't sacrifice the inherent warm timbre of his instrument, and he meshes well with Wendholt for beautiful alto/trumpet harmonies throughout. Hart shows off some fiery rock lead work on the funky cooker "Scratch and Sniff the Jive, while the pensive ballad "He Cries Every Day gains its free-flowing feel from both graceful horn harmonies and Watson's elegant percussive augmentations.
Hart is superbly subtle as he enhances the melody of "Unraveled and then joins with Bixler and Wendholt to lull "Gemenlie into a false sense of security, before whirling away on a swinging ride. The title cut and closer, the self-questioning "Good Deal?, permits alto, trumpet and guitar to stretch out against a sweet up-tempo rhythm. Each of these seven multifaceted originals is a complex composition whose nooks and crannies are expertly explored by each player.
Track Listing
Aiding and Abetting; Unraveled; Game Face; Gemenlie; Scratch And Sniff The Jive; He Cries Every Day; Good Deal?.
Personnel
David Bixler
saxophoneDavid Bixler: alto saxophone; Scott Wendholt: trumpet; John Hart; guitar; Ugonna Ugekwo: bass; Andy Watson: drums.
Album information
Title: Call It A Good Deal | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Zoho Music
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