Electric bassist Allen Carman brings together a bunch of jazzers both smooth and rough for a funky collection of originals. He brings in an all star cast that includes Andy Snitzer, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Nile Rogers and ties it all together with the keyboards of Al DiMeola’s alumnus Phillipe Saisse to mix fusion with feel.
Carmen’s strings are nimble and thick for deep groovers like “Hearsay” teaming with clavinet, and Stevie Wonderish soul pulsates on “Bodega” and the hip hoping “Morning After.” A dash of Weather Report creates rich moods for “Carisma” and some nimble African percussion adds exotic tastes to the simmering “River.” Lots of rivulets of rhythm on an enjoyable and upbeat outing.