Nothing like a Hammond B3 hard bopping band to blow away the blues. This one serves the blue plate special just right, with the team of Eric Schugren/ts and Mike DiRubbo/as creating a two sax front line along with Vin Scialla/dr and Brian Charette/B3 setting the rhythm in motion. A bluesy fog opens up the classic “Appointment In Ghana” before the hard bop sparks start flying. Easy groovers such as “Vernon Jackson” and “Bibimbop” have earthy solos delivered by the horns after they lock horns for the themes. Adding extra fiber to the muscle is when Fabio Mrgera/tp and Jeff Fairbanks/tb lay down a thick steak sauce on the hard hittier “Bluein’ Away the Blows” and some extra percussion sizzles under Schugren’s tenor on the toe tapping “TC Blues.” A nice full meal that sits well long after digested.
Lift Off Records