How many artists describe themselves as “musician & intellectual”? Well, that’s Ben Sidran, who’s been mixing Mort Sahl intellectual insights to B3 blues and bop for years. Here, he mixes a bit of Michael Franks, Mose Allison and Steely Dan as he speaks and semi-sings on soulful hip grooves like “Soso’s Dream,” “Rocky’s Romance” and “Wake Me Up When It’s Over” while sounding like he’s doing a book reading at a hip Barnes & Noble on “The King of Harlem.” During the New Orleans groove on “Blue Camus,” he veers over the nifty bass line and comes across like he’s selling you a Rolex in Times Square, whereas he leans forward and lets you in on a secret during the reggae’d “’A’ Is For Alligator.” If it was any more hip, you’d need a chiropractor to move it back in place.
Bonsai Music