Abstract Truth | The Road Less Traveled

Tags

African American, Contemporary Jazz, Jazz Funk

As usual, I’m enthralled about discovering creative and new independent voices by importing them from the well of infinite music that is at our disposal. Although at times, this can be a challenging endeavor with the rewards of being a very exciting journey. On today, I’m honored to share with you a promising contemporary jazz group called Abstract Truth. The band approaches their music with style and purpose, therefore engaging in a lively discussion compositionally by embodying a melting pot blended with raw, soulful and funky ingredients. Truth’s interplay is simply on point. They’re overall message musically is attractive, unpolished and flawless as I hear it. Yet they are sensitive to meeting the needs of the sometimes discriminating listeners. It appears to me, Abstract Truth is a no-nonsense group that intelligently mirrors the image of familiar voices of their predecessors. That said, against all odds they have successfully established their own voice through a rite of passage on a road that’s not often traveled. ~ The Urban Flux

Abstract Truth

Abstract Truth | The Road Less Traveled [Fourstring Records, 2009]

Living on the edge of classification, weaving jazz with soul, R&B, African and Latin rhythms, rock, gospel, blues, and funk.

The musical foundation is the subtle, masterful interplay of the drums (Sultan Akbar), percussion (Rajul) and bass (the band’s founding member, G. Lawrence Francis). On top of that groove the horn (Jesse Andross) and keys (Scott Coulter) create a rich, vibrant and complex melodic and harmonic world echoing everything from straight ahead jazz to rock. Borrowing from this rich tapestry of musical traditions.

Source: CDBaby.com

Trio Subtonic | Cave Dweller

Tags

Jazz Funk

Trio Subtonic

Trio Subtonic | Cave Dweller [Trio Subtonic Productions, 2009]

Music that offers a new avenue into the world of jazz and hard hitting grooves, “Cave Dweller” blends jazz, funk, hiphop, Brazilian rhythms and improvisation that appeals to jam banders, dance clubbers, world music enthusiasts and jazzers alike.

Rooted in jazz traditions, immersed in Brazilian grooves and odd meters, “Cave Dwellers” is Trio Subtonic’s latest foray across genres, captivating audiences with an original yet all too familiar sound. Featuring piano and keyboards, upright bass, and drums, apt descriptions such as groove, bossa-surf, funk, mood, and experimental jazz all fit – and Trio Subtonic exhibits them with a flourish. Willamette Week described Trio Subtonic’s music as “truly hypnotic compositions… make no mistake: this is complex stuff and when it’s pulled off with this kind of ease, it’s easy to get lost in the melodies.”

Source: CDBaby.com

Actual Proof | Paradigm Shift

Tags

Jazz, Jazz Funk

Actual Proof

Actual Proof | Paradigm Shift [Actual Proof, 2009]

Sonic explorations, soulful grooves, nasty funk. Paradigm Shift is a revolutionary approach to Jazz-Funk.

Scientists and historians use the term “Paradigm Shift” to describe the moments in history when an established scientific theory or paradigm is replaced by one that changes everything. The shift entails looking at the world differently: When Copernicus made everyone see that the earth is not the center of the universe, everything changed. Actual Proof’s debut CD likewise institutes a sonic revolution, a new approach to Jazz-Funk.

Actual Proof is a unique jazz-fusion project that utlizes mallet percussion (xylophone, vibraphone, marimba), keys and synths, electric bass, acoustic and electronic percussion. The group expresses itself through rich grooves and rythmic explorations. The group draws on a wide range of traditions (Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Funk, and World-Beat) to create a unique and captivating sound. Actual Proof’s debut CD contains ten original songs that capture each member’s musical experience.

Source: CDBaby.com

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival | Review

Tags

African American, Angela Winbush, Blues, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Joe Johnson, Neo Soul, Roy Ayers, Tom Browne

What’s up everyone … as you can see I’m a tad bit late with the review from this weekend music festival in Chattanooga. Here you go …

Once I arrived at the second annual festival on this lovely unseasonably cool fall like Saturday evening I heard this powerful yet unfamiliar voice singing from a distance with swagger normally displayed by veterans. As I approached the stage area I immediately notice this stunning young lady working the crowd with her bubbly charm and colorful personality I couldn’t help but notice her red dress with these huge white polka dots worked the audience as her band jam even with the seasoned vets yet to come. Her name, get this Algebra from Atlanta, GA. Unfortunately, for me I was only able to catch one song yet and extended version by her. However, the performance I caught was a twenty minute jam session well worth everyone’s time to engage in the music of this super talented young performer.

Lonnie Plaxico Group | Ancestral Devotion

Tags

African America, Bass, Jazz Funk

Here’s a tasty little gem with a retro jazz funk vibe wrapped around the edges for the music lovers out there …

Lonnie Plaxico Group | Ancestral Devotion

Lonnie Plaxico Group

Lonnie Plaxico, the middle child in a large family of outstanding musicians. He was born and raised in Chicago, where his inherited gift of music was discovered and nurtured. Lonnie Plaxico started playing music at an early age; by the age of twelve he had taught himself how to play the electric bass. At the age of fourteen he was performing along side several prominent Chicago Jazz figures.

Plaxico’s first recording featuring his family’s band took place when he was just sixteen years old. He ventured more into Chicago’s music scene, renowned for its mix of jazz, funk and blues as he enhanced his musical skills. Lonnie Plaxico became professional, known for playing the electric and acoustic bass with equal facility.

Source: CDBaby.com

The Weekend Spin [Hargrove, Sanborn, Frambrough & Valentin]

Tags

Bassist, Charles Frambrough, Dave Valentin, David Sanborn, Flute, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Latin Jazz, Roy Hargrove

The arctic freeze is seriously kicking the eastern half of the U.S.  Apparently, I forgot to complete this … it’s obvious posting while sleepy isn’t exactly the best thing to do while blogging. Let’s kick off Friday with another diverse mix of “The Weekend Spin,” with four tasty yet challenging jazz titles delve into. Enjoy!

Roy Hardgrove

Roy Hargrove | RH Factor: Hard Groove [Jazz/Funk/Verve/2003]

This is an album that reveals as much about the perspective of the listener as about the music itself. Are you coming at this from a pure jazz perspective? There isn’t too much straight ahead stuff on this album and you may be with the critics that bashed Roy for making something more accessible than typical jazz fare. Hoping for a jazz-hip-hop hybrid? To me this is one of the more successful combinations because Roy toured with the soulquarians and has immersed himself for the past few years in this music. He’s willing to be lyrical when the time comes. I especially enjoy the track “How I Know” for example. I don’t know what neo-soul fans are going to make of this and I’m curious to see how the album does saleswise. I dig the Erykah Badu/Q-Tip combination [some of Q-Tip’s better recent work] “Poetry”. ~ Source: Amazon.com/Souldrummer

The Weekend Spin [Grover, Chestnut, Hancock and TPE]

Tags

African American, Funk, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Keyboards, Piano

Season’s Greeting’s, our apologies for posting “The Weekend Spin”  a little late today. You know how it goes with the Holiday festivities and such. We hope that you’re having a fabulous and safe weekend. On the menu this week, we’re featuring the long awaited re-release of “Soul Box” by Grover, also on tap a classic Hancock fusion jam “Head Hunters,” finally in the mix The Philadelphia Experiment and Christmas jazz with pianist Cyrus Chestnut rounds out this weeks “Spin.”

Grover Washington Jr. | Soul Box [Kudu/Contemporary Jazz/1973]

Grover Washington Jr., Soul Box

The early work of alto saxophonist and composer Grover Washington, Jr. is a rare and beautiful thing to behold. His entire Kudu period, marked by the albums Inner City Blues, All the King’s Horses, Soul Box, Mister Magic, and Feels So Good, is brilliant, solid urban groove jazz played with grace, mean chops, and slippery funkiness. Soul Box, a double LP recorded in 1973, has Creed Taylor‘s production enhanced by a symphony orchestra and full-blown jazz band arranged and conducted by Bob James. Some of the session men include Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eric Gale, Idris Muhammad, Airto, and Richard Tee. Soul Box only contains seven cuts. Among them are truly innovative reads of Weather Report‘s “Taurian Matador,” Stevie Wonder‘s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” a side-long jam on Marvin Gaye‘s “Trouble Man” (the album’s centerpiece and masterpiece), and the deep funk of Norman Whitfield‘s “Masterpiece.” “Trouble Man,” however, is the cut on which all the contradictions of the session come to bear and are resolved due in large part to Washington’s deeply lyrical improvising and James‘ ability to layer an orchestra into a groove.~ Allmusic.com/Thom Jurek