Back in the 70s, jazz got hip and accessible by mixing soul and electronics with the trad groove. Keyboardist Kevin Hays goes back to that formula here with a finger snapping set with Gregoire Maret/harmonica, Tony Scherr/g, Rob Jost/b and Greg Joseph/dr-perc. The funk is flying on the CTI-flavored “Run to the Sun” and “All I Have” while the wah wah guitar and vocals on “New Day” create a soulful stew. Maret’s harmonica glides through a slow march on “Trudger’s Paradise” whle dainty piano and bass create a tender melody on “Kurtish.” The drum section sounds like they’re revisiting “Shaft” on the upbeat “Milton” and the church “The Sun Goes Down” feels like Three Dog Night on a good day. Hays’ voice has a blue eyed soul to it, and he makes it sound convincing throughout, particularly on the vocal take of “Run to the Sun.” Get out the bell bottoms!
Sunnyside Records