Amaika Rude: The Ska and the Abstract Truth

A remake of a classic and fun to boot! Amaika Rude's album, The Ska and the Abstract Truth, evokes happy head nodding to the tunes found on Oliver Nelson's masterpiece Blues and the Abstract Truth (Impulse 1961). The original album, released in February 1961, featured Nelson on saxophone and included such jazz luminaries as Freddie Hubbard, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes. With a lineup like that, is it any wonder why many jazz publications have given it 5-star accolades?

Amaika Rude's remake adds a new dimension—the ska beat—to the mix, hopefully attracting new listeners to this timeless set of compositions. The band, comprised of Inigo Elexpuru (drums), Inigo Imatz (bass), Andres Navascuez (piano/organ), Borja Goni (guitar), Joan Gonga (trumpet), Miguel Arribas (tenor sax), and Alvaro Zarzuela (trombone) cleverly blend jazz and ska together, creating a Caribbean vibe that would make the playlist of any sand and surf beach dive.

Undergirding the performance is a group that is solid and tight—nothing appears left to chance. The band begins with a brief traditional bow to "Stolen Moments," but very quickly the rhythm kicks in and the funk begins. Arribas takes the first solo, one that dances above the rhythm section (highlighted by Goni's offbeat chord strums). Navascuez enters next with some light sprinkles before giving way to Zarzuela's slippery trombone. On "Yearnin,'" the music feels like an afternoon of sunglasses, Chi Chi hats, pool floats, and a cool sip of rum and Coke. On "Cascades," Navascuez moves from piano to organ and Arribas offers a breezy sax exposition atop the brass chorus. Solos by Zarzuela and Gonga follow, all with appropriate laid-back heat. And Imatz's ska bass lines keep the mood rolling. The droll "Butch and Butch" is pure sunshine. And the funk really explodes on "Skin Boy," complete with background voicings of rolling r's and cat and rooster calls. Navascuez spins a wild, playful set of notes on the organ, aided by Elexpuru's energetic drum rolls. And even on the harmonically rich "Hoe Down," the group stays in a groove by maintaining its rhythmic focus.

Throughout the album, the band plays inside rather than stretching the music for what appears to be a simple reason. It is about the ska beat and good times—making sure those feet are tapping and smiles are all around. If grinning from ear to ear is your cup of tea, or even if you need a musical pick-me-up after an exhausting day, Amaika Rude's ska version of Oliver Nelson's ageless tunes could be just the ticket. As Austin Powers would say, "punch it baby..."