August 18, 2003
1. Randy Brecker - “34th N Lex” - ESC Records 2003
WOW! Horn heaven!The horn section is:
Randy Brecker- Trumpet
Michael Brecker-Tenor sax
David Sanborn-Alto sax
Ronnie Cuber- Bari sax
Fred Wesley and Michael Davis- Trombone
This is very reminiscent of the early Brecker Brothers recordings in the
musical intensity but not quite as electric and a bit more modern( in a retro way
if that makes sense).
It’s very funky and groove oriented but I wouldn’t exactly call it groove
music, and definitely not smooth. Adam Rogers guitar solos on “Shanghigh” are
very humbling for rest of us guitarslingers.
2. Steve Winwood - “About Time” - SCI Fidelity Records 2003
I LOVE this record. Its exactly the kind of rock me music that made me want
to be a musician. The whole thing is tracked with one band.
Steve Winwood- Vocals and Hammond organ
Jose Piresde Almeida Neto-Guitar
Walfredo Reyes Jr.- Drums
with a few guests on some tracks
Karl Denson- Sax and Flute
Karl Vanden Bossche-Congas
Richard Baily-Timbales
This is so up my alley. Great songs played with a live feel featuring a lot
of Hammond organ and a lot of percussion. They’ve arranged the songs so that
they have extended instrumental improv sections the same way rock use to
have.The jam band scene has brought a lot of this back but I have found most of that
scene is based on the performance, not so much the song.This has BOTH!
Very organic in they’re approach so you know that I’ll like that. It’s so
nice to hear someone who writes as great of a pop song as Winwood does and not
gloss them over with so much polish and production that they become bland and
unlistenable to my ears.Steve, you’re my new hero.
3. Ronnie Earl - “I Feel Like Goin’On” - Stony Plain 2003
Ronnie is my favorite living blues guitarist and I think this is his best
record yet. Ronnie has really mastered all of the subtle nuances that make me
love blues guitar. Cut live in the studio this is a very soulful record
4. Crusaders - “Rural Renual” - GRP 2003
I’m such a fan of these guys. It’s great to hear them getting back to the
sound that they do so well.
5. John Scofied - “Up All Night” - Verve 2003”
For my taste, I think this is the best CD he’s done since “Agogo” A “Jam
Band” vibe but with a very experienced master at the helm. Accessable, live,
funky music.
