From: mga (stevencatanzaro_at_sprintmail.com)
Date: 2003-06-06 20:36:21
If there was ever a major, well hyped release that seemed predestined to
dissapoint this is it; Roy Hargrove does neo-soul? The road is paved with
obstacles.
First off, from a marketing standpoint, "neo-soul" is now out of favor with
labels. I don't think any artist who comes along with a natural hairstyle,
fender rhodes, and moderately elevated lyrics is going to get showered with
a massive advance, as there are a glut of these types of artists and very
few have proven to be marketable.
Second off, from an artistic standpoint, the sound seems a little stale, as
well... it was so hip when d'angelo, the roots, etc., got busy in the early,
mid -90's. But, the imitators (like me) watered it down with much inferior
product. And while the major figures continue to put out innovative releases
and follow their own paths, the airwaves have gotten pretty crowded with the
sound and its offshoots.
Third, given the recent history of the major jazz labels, by the time they
catch on to a musical trend it is almost always dead and buried in the clubs
and on the street.
So, with the theoretical bs dispensed with, this is a HOT album, in my
opinion, and you should BUY it, and then you should immediately BUY another
copy for the person you want to be your boyfriend / girlfriend.... and if
they don't like it... well, you can move on to someone with better taste....
yes, this is some sweet SEXY jazz. The year's only half done, but if this
isn't my album of the year... oh man, there must be a true jam coming out
from somewhere!!!
The grooves are... SMOKING.... the jazz is.... ON FIRE.... the songs are,
MOVING and SEXY... the sound is.... DRY, crisp and tight..... The ensemble
playing is.... PRECISE and ON POINT... the arrangements.... two words....
ROY HARGROVE.....
it's all about the drums... the drummer is the most important musician at
any date, seems to me. interesting that the ubiquitous rim-shotter ?love is
not here... but the grooves are real hot, played by Jason Thomas and Willie
Jones III..
i like "pastor t" (jason thomas) and "out of town" (wj III).... these are
particularly hot, with great saxophone from keith anderson and steve
coleman. some of these songs are going straight into the real book,
guaranteed.... musicians are going to love this album.... like they love
herbie's thrust and freddie hubbard's "straight life".... finally, an
american jazz artist comes out with tracks that are tough AND accesible, ala
truffaz and other continental and uk artists....
It gets real sweaty on track 3.... funkadellic's "I'll Stay" .... why not,
with D'Angelo on the Wurly, Bernard Wright on organ, Pino Palladino on bass,
Spanky Chalmers Alford on guitar, and... oh yeah, Roy Hargrove.... but, what
about "The Joint" with Bobby Sparks on the Arp!!! what a GROOVE!!!! Roy
shines here... his horn arrangements are very interesting, and he is a very
good writer.
or take another example... they've got a track (poetry) with Q Tip, Erykah
Badu, Meshell Ndegeocello, Marc Cary, and more... man, if there was ever a
track destined to not live up to its hype, this would be it... but, it is a
REALLY REALLY good song that gets hot after about 2:30 seconds in, and is as
good as anything Erykah Badu done recently. (special mention to the drummer
Gene Lake here... very nice...!!)
and speaking of good songs, another standout is Jaques Schwarz-Bart on
saxophone, flute, and acoustic guitar... he also contributed a great
original song, Forget Regret, with vocals by Stephanie McKay, that is a true
highlight and must have remixers around the globe salivating with mice at
the ready...
what more can i say? i really like this album and look forward to listening
to it for the next couple of days! check it OUT... i'm glad i bought it...