Six strings sounding off in different settings.
Guitarist Gerry Eastman creates a Larry Youngish trio with Greg Lewis/B3 and Taru Alexander/dr on a collection of eight post bop originals. Eastman’s tone is thick and edgy searing through the sharp angles of “Trust Me” and rocking out over Alexander’s sticks on “St. Marteen Swing” and “Dance One”. The team digs a deep groove on “Learn From Your Mistakes” with Eastman most lyrical teaming up with Alexander during “Distant Lover”, with the keys and drums coalescing into a rich pulse on “Cuban Sunset”. Sharp angles on the guitar.
Guitarist dee Brown taps into the R&B side of George Benson on this smooth as silk session with a rotating tam of Darryl Williams/b, Tony Moore/dr, and a collection of guests on horns and voice. There’s a lot of disco fun on “Love You Too” and “Tie The Knot” with Lin Rountree’s hip muted trumpet, while Merlon Devine’s soprano glides over the reggae beat of “Controlled Passions”. Blair Bryant’s electric bass snaps thickly under Brown’s clean strokes during “Deep Secrets” with some rich soulful vocals by Gerard Brooks adding to the texture of the gorgeous gospel fest of “Praise Is What I Do”. Mellow love permeates through Brown’s fingers on “Surrender” with the team giving a calpyso’d joy to “Wake Up.” Music to make you smile.