The label of the cd gives away the allegiance of this band; dead center is a “filler” for a 45rmp record. That’s what you used to need when you bought “singles” back in the day. DW3 stands for Eric Mondragon/g William Mondragon/voc and Damon Reel. This team makes a conglomerate disc that includes Brian Culbertson/p, Charles Streeter-Ricky Lawson/dr, Steve Carius-Roberto Vally-Bryant Siono/b, Rick Marcel-Michael Angel-Paul Brown/g and a group of players that feels like tag team wrestling works on making concise and swinging soul tunes. Some times you get something like Billy Mondragon singing with strings on Luther Vandross’ “So Amazing” and then DW3 get together for Sevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” in a reading that includes exotic sounds and percussions. Upbeat R&Bish sounds on “Let the Music” and a funky “Tribute” laid down by Bryant Sionos’ bass make smooth jazz sound downright macho, while “Hold Me” sounds like a page from the Earth Wind and Fire play book. Dave Koz brings his soft sax to “When You Cry” and Rick Marcel’s classical guitar glows on a hip take of “California Dreaming.” Accessible and hip.
Woodward Avenue Records