Nathan East has been a first call bassist for sounds ranging from Barry White-style soul to Eric Clapton rock and his own membership in the silky jazz team of Fourplay. Last year he kept busy touring with Clapton and recording albums with Fourplay and Bob James in a delightful duet (The New Cool). Once in awhile he gets around to ringing his own bell, and this latest one has him running through his iphone for artists to come out of their houses and play with him, resulting in a friendly mix of melody and groove.
Various sides of East’s temperament and style are reflected, with the overriding mood being upbeat, stylish and classy. Soul Train moods are delivered by smooth R&Bish horns as Phil Bailey sings on “Love’s Holiday” while East goes Funkadelic with the EWF vocalist on “Serpentine Fire.” He’s got Yolanda Williams testifying with strings and vocal backing on a mix of Sunday morning and Philadelphia soul on “Feels Like Home” while East shows how to lay down a rivulet of a bass line that requires a crane to be pulled out of on a read of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” that includes Kirk Whalum’s tenor preaching the word.
Most delicates are the moments with guitarist Chuck Loeb on the silky “Elevenate” , East’s tasty and classy solo piece “Until We Meet Again” and the cozy teaming with son Noah rising on East as he plays piano for a delightful “Over the Rainbow” which features the youth asking his father, “are you ready, dad?” On the fusion side, East digs in with Chick Corea and some hip percussion and synth strings for a seductive “Shadow” while Ruben Stoddard brings his rich voice for some Wes Montgomery licks and funky grooves on “Why Not This Sunday.”
If East comes to town playing this stuff, don’t miss it, as you’ll get a lesson in music and attitude that you’ll hopefully never forget.