The life of a lonely musician…
Ya gotta like a guy who puts in the liner notes “If you’re reading this you must have purchased my CD. No one buys CD’s anymore-what’s the matter with you?”
That’s the kind of attitude that makes a great musician, and Kevin Cerovich, playing trombone, drums, keyboards, bass, guitar, percussion and programming, even sings on this wild and wonderful three ringed circus.
The moods range from a Basie shuffle on “The Groove Merchant” to a folksy guitar and vocal “Till”. Cerovich’s trombone is bold and hip on “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams” and muted for the sensuous samba of “No More Blues”. His drums create thunder on the bopping “Quicksilver” with peppy brushes for the fun “Slow Boat To China” while sounds from the Wehrmacht Republic are oopah’d on “Kill The Lights and Floor”. How does he do it in concert?
Portuguese bassist Joao Madeira goes solo for two songs in the mix of classical and improved jazz. The first, the 24 minute “Aqui Dentro-Parte 1”, focuses on the bowing aspect of the bass, going into deep subtones and broodings. The almost 17 minute “Parte 2” focuses on finger picking, strumming and going pizzicato between spacious silences to create a meditative atmosphere of agitated ambience. Ruminations with four strings.
Gorgeous and lyrical melodies are provided by Russ Hewitt, playing solo, rhythm and tres guitar with a rhythm team of Bob Parr-b-key, Efren Guzman/perc, Walfredo Reyes-Elijah M Parr-dr and a collection of guitar guests. Hewitt gives smooth flamenco sketches on the upbeat “Allende” and glides around the humming organ of the romantic “Luminous” Jorge Strunz joins in for the dancing salsa “Sunset Samba”, Tri Nguyen brings his Vietnamese strings to the exotic “Return Simitai” and the Bucharest All Star Orchestra adds rich textures to the gentle moods of “Amor Perdido”. Velvet strings.