SNARKY PUPPY OFFSHOOTS…Cory Henry: The Revival, Bill Laurance: Aftersun

The popular crossover band Snarky Puppy is brimming over with solo projects from the rotating team. Here are a couple intriguing side bars.

Keyboardist Cory Henry plugs his B3 and Leslie speakers in and takes you on a tour through the church and it’s offshoots of R&B and jazz. He fills the room on a wild ride of “Giant Steps”  and delivers a variance on the Motown feel on “All In Love is Fair.” He takes you to a Sunday morning session at church with some great gospel treats. A read of “The Lords Prayer” Is reverential, while the Sunday School classic “If You’re Happy (and You Know It) is a peach. Godfather and Bishop Jeffrey White delivers a sermon and drummer James Williams keeps time on a deep read of “Old Rugged Cross.” Amen!

Snarky Puppy keyboardist Bill Laurance teams up with compatriots Michael League and Robert Searight as well as guest percussionist Weedie Braimha for a collection of spontaneous jams that deliver hints of fusion and vintage modal acoustic jazz. You get some funky fusion on “A Blaze” and moody Weather Report hints on the title track. Afro Cuban grooves create sparks on “Bullett” and lots of synths are flying around, with still enough space for some classic hip piano work on “The Pines.” Like looking in on someone’s 70s jazz record collection.

Ground Up Music

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