Forget getting serious. It’s time to have some good times with jazz, and these two releases get the job done. We need SOMETHING to cheer us up!
Pianist Chris Parker writes and arranges this Decalogue of swinging and danceable ditties along with John Nastons/as-ss, rob Thomas/violin, Tony Marino/b and Marko Marcinko/dr. The infectious joy of pieces such as “Step One” and “Free” mix exciting grooves with celebratory solos by Nastos and Thomas, while “Emmy’s Shuffle” will get you in the circle dance in no time. This guy puts the “fun” back into funky.
Likewise the pair of “ES” artists, Eliot Smith/key and Erick Storckman/tb get together with Cliff Lyons/sax, Pete McCann/g, Andy Eulau/b and Scott Neumann mixes revival hall jubilation with party time on the Saturday night before. How do you want it? Funky? Fast forward to “Job Search.” If Bop is in your blood, head over to “Midnight Michigan Avenue” whereas “Our Man In Verona” is a Memphis Soul Stirrer mixing Storkman’s trombone with some nasty guitar licks from McCann. Some Sly Stone 60s wah-wah is flying in your ears on “Swanky Goes Shopping” which also has some churchified piano work from the deacon Smith. Church ends right on time with the righteously rollicking “At Long Last” which has some B3 and tenor mixing together like an after service picnic. Get this puppy for a smile or two!
OA2 Records
Twin Rivers Records