Probably one of the biggest complaints about jazz is that people say, “It’s too atonal and complex.” You want them to get into the joys of jazz, but not succumb to “smooth” jazz, yet steer them clear of atonal naval gazing. Keyboardist David Garfield does a yeoman’s job as ambassador on this highly successful album that brings all eras of jazz and beyond under one accessible tent.
The list of sidemen itself is all encompassing and impressive, with participation by (but not limited to ) the likes of Poncho Sanchez/perc, Randy Brecker/tp, Tom Scott/as, Michael McDonald/voc, the late Larry Coryell and Chuck Loeb/g, Wallace Roney/tp, Bennie Maupin/reeds, Pete Christlieb/ts, Airto Moreira/perc, Eric Marienthal/sax and Brian Auger/key. The songs range from a hip and jazzy take of The Police’s “Roxanne,” complete with streetwise voice and keys by Robbie Wyckoff and Bill Champlin as well as time keeping by Joe Porcaro (told you that you’d like this!) to a version of Horace Silver’s “Song For My Father” that includes the famed Steely Dan rip-offed riff with drumming and vocals by The Doors’ John Densmore? Not satisfied yet?
Eric Marienthal gets into a soul jazz mood as he imbibes from the Cannonball Adderley well on “Country Preacher” while some hip fusion with Coryell and Airto groove deep on “Voodoo Gumbo.” Duke Ellington is modernized on a gorgeously Latinized “In A Sentimental Mood” and “Sophisticated Lady” with vocals by Leslie Smith. Vintage jazz is delivered by Tom Scott on “Stolen Moments” with a hip trumpet solo by Chuck Findley, and Garfield’s own “East Lou Brew” takes you to the Bitches Brew era of Miles Davis with Coryell, Bennie Maupin and Wallace Roney creating a gorgeous mystique. Through it all, Garfield directs and guides, mixing soul and sizzle to each piece. Any chance for a tour with some of these cats?!?