Chicago born now Las Vegas based guitarist (The
Doctor) Curtis Robinson's new CD Dancing In The Street A Tribute to the
Musician's and Music of Motown salutes the iconic Motown sound with the new and
well deserved perspective of the musicians particularly the group of musicians
that was the musical foundation for many of the label's hits known as The Funk
Brothers!
Largely a
self taught musician who began playing professionally mostly on weekends at age
11 and has performed with the R&B vocal group and Chicago's own The
Emotions, Johnny Hartman, Smokey Robinson, Jack McDuff, Kenny Burrell, Esther
Phillips, Phil Perry, Ramsey Lewis and many more has richly prepared Curtis
Robinson to under take such a daunting task!
"The
inspiration for Dancing in the Street is
actually two fold says Robinson. One is the fact that none of these
instrumentalist called The Funk Brothers
got any album credits until Marvin Gaye recorded What's Goin On and the second is that the
tunes I selected just swung so hard"!
While the 10
tune set is loaded with musical highlights led by Martha and the Vandella's
classic Dancing In The Street recorded here as very hip blues or the Stevie
Winder classic Sir Duke that segue's to I Wish that's played at a break neck
speed and also on display here is sensational drum work from long time now
former Ramsey Lewis drummer, Leon Joyce
Jr.
Of course
what would any Motown themed release be without What's Going On which stays
committed to the original melody until midway through Curtis shift gears and
takes it to new heights, and the spirit of Curtis' number one guitar influence
Wes Montgomery is evoked!
"Most
people don't know that The Funk Brothers were some of Detroit's talented jazz
and blues players" Curtis comments, which makes this musical approach so
appropriate and the passionate guitar playing of Curtis Robinson as meaningful
and further displayed on the CD's remaining tracks.
Another
musical highlight is the Curtis Robinson composition, final tune and the only
none Motown tune on the CD, Wes and Pat no doubt inspired by Wes Montgomery and another guitar influence
Pat Martino. Featured here along with more soaring guitar lead are outstanding
solo's from pianist Michael Logan and again drummer Leon Joyce Jr!
Curtis Robinson
has assembled and outstanding group of musician including both bass
players Chuck Webb and Larry Grey who
soundly hold's the bottom down as all Motown hits of the era had,has arranged
and produced this unique set of Motown gems that's certain to stand the test of
time, again!
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