The popular jazz group (is that an oxymoron?) Snarky Puppy has had some of its members branch off into side adventures lately. Here, keyboardist Bill Laurance teams up with buddies Michael Leabue/b, Robert Searight/dr-moog-B3 an dWeedie Braimah/perc for a highly rhythmic album that mixes between electronic “groove” music and straight-ahead acoustic swing.
Of the latter, you’d think you were listening to a Wynton Kelly session during hip pieces like “The Pines” or “Golden Hour” which has Laurance deftly bopping along with a lithe accompaniment. Things get a bit more plugged in with keyboards and synthesizers on “Soti” and the highly percussive “Time To Run” while even some synth-Afro Cuban gets hopping on “Bullet” and “A Blaze.” CTI-styled funk get soulful with keyboard concepts during the title track. The solos are highly rivulet oriented themselves, made for swirling disco balls.
He’s headed to LA with this band March 21. Check out the info at www.jazzbakery.org
Ground Up Music