Vibist Steve
Hobbs serves up a tribute to the late Bobby Hutcherson – but one that's not
slavish in sound or spirit at all – which is very much in the best Hutcherson
tradition! Instead, the music is all Steve's own – and is given a nod to Bobby,
as he passed away right after the recording of the album – and had also be a
longtime friend and supporter of Hobbs – whose own talents on the vibes are
pretty great! And like Hutcherson in the 70s, Steve also plays a fair bit of
marimba on the record too – using the wooden instrument in ways that resonate
with the soulful elements of his vibes, but differently – in a cool combo that
features Adam Kolker on tenor and soprano sax, Bill O'Connell on piano, Peter
Washington on bass, and John Riley on drums. Titles include "Let's Go To Abaco",
"The Road To Happy Destiny", "The Craving Phenomenon",
"Tres Vias", "Thelonious Funk", "Into The Storm",
"El Sueno de Horace Silver", and "In From The Storm". ~
Dusty Groove
BILL KING –
DESERT ORCHID
Renowned New
Mexico artist Deborah Samuels – “Desert Orchid contains the best of what the
southwest is all about. Lovely and filled with such grace!” Desert Orchid – is
an aural refection of the American southwest - the landscape, plant life, the
verandas, and rugged people who live artfully amongst nature’s often hostile
terrain. The plateaus in the distance, the thousands of miles of blowing sand,
the harsh morning light, the grace and pastoral beauty of late afternoon is
encased in one, lone Desert Orchid. “I’ve been exploring a variety of Spanish
influenced themes with 2018 Grammy nominated violinist Elizabeth Rodriguez and
Magdelys Savigne of jazz musician Jane Bunnett’s, all-Cuban women’s ensemble,
Maqueque. Last year, under banner The Uprising we saw the release of Isle of
Saints – a contemporary mix of Cuban rhythms and 70s’ style fusion jazz. Over
the holidays the ranchero style single arrived, “Amarga Navidad” with OKAN –
the band guided by Rodriguez and Savigne. Also, in the mix, Cuban virtuoso
Pablofsky Rosales on guitar,” says pianist/composer Bill King. Desert Orchid
mixes Spanish roots with chamber music, a most unusual marriage of genres. One
moment, the performance seems as if you were shaded by a porch and basking in a
hot summer’s wind, the other; at a concert hall listening to sophisticated
ensemble.
MIKE LEBRUN –
SHADES
Sweet reeds
from Mike Lebrun – a musician who's way more than just another funky saxophone
player! Mike's got a great ear for the overall sound of his music – so that he
often layers together his instruments, in ways that make us feel like two horns
are following the same path at once – quite possibly the case, given that
Lebrun plays tenor, alto, soprano, flute, and clarinet on the record – in
addition to handling the overall rhythms! There's other live musicians too –
playing more alto, vibes, piano, and some very strong drums – the last of which
are often used to give the music a nice kick, but in ways that are fresher than
more standard funk. The whole thing explodes nicely with a strong sense of tone
and color – and titles include "Flute Party", "Saxophones Crash
A Flute Party", "Clusterduck", "Now Then Or Some Other
Time", "Jamovaland", "Melt", "Summon The
Hope", "Drive There", and "Drive Back". ~ Dusty Groove
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