From: Mark Allerton (mark_at_warmspot.compulink.co.uk)
Date: 2003-06-06 20:56:15
Got to agree on this one - this is the #1 CD in my player right now. I
was similarly skeptical about this being a marketing department job,
but it really is 100% solid. "Poetry" is my favourite track on there,
but I am also really feeling the final sequence of tunes from "Liquid
Streets" onward. The word that springs to mind is "lush". Gene Lake's
drumming on "Poetry" is just blinding - he's doing a real broken beat
style thing there.
I wrote a bit about it on my blog (hey, doesn't everyone have one these
days) a few weeks back:
http://homepage.mac.com/mark.allerton/archives/2003_05.html (May 21)
..Mark..
On Friday, June 6, 2003, at 11:36 AM, mga wrote:
> 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...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>