Music on Our Radar
Raise Up by Larry Graham and Graham Central Station
Raise Up by Larry Graham and Graham Central Station…
Great news! Funk is alive and well and seriously kicking hard! Just listen to even a little of Larry Graham and Graham Central Station’s latest CD “Raise Up” and you will be a believer! You will agree that the long wait since this bands last CD is finally over.
Let me remind you of our interview with Larry Graham in our November 2010 issue of Bass Musician Magazine… Rick Suchow did an amazing job and even featured additional Comments by Marcus Miller
Now, here is a bit from Larry about this project:
From the initial wake up call played by the drumline (Larry on snare) to the rest of this upbeat CD, you will feel the compulsion to get up and move your feet!
Larry’s slapping, popping bass is at the helm of this monster band! This is one super-tight, well-oiled Funk machine; Screaming horns, punchy baritone sax, driving percussion, and full vocal harmonies set the bar really high on this one. A little help from Prince and Raphael Sadiq on a couple of tracks doesn’t hurt, but the real deal here is Larry and the band. The set list is mostly Larry’s compositions with a few unique approaches to a few recognizable cover tunes.
Lets have a closer look at a few of tracks.
Kicking it into high gear for the get-go, “GCS Drumline” gets your attention with drums, cymbals and whistle. The first track transitions seamlessly into a flow of constant Funk that carries you along for three tracks before you even notice where you are.
As the last beat of the drum from “Drumline” strikes, “Throw-N-Down the Funk” establishes a major Funk presence. Larry’s Bass, Tom-Toms and drums, B-3 Hammond, guitar, vocals and meaty brass (courtesy of the Millfield Horns) really shakes up the room. One unique detail, Larry sings while he plays (it looks like he has a mike stand connected to his bass). Larry blends slap and pop with some walking lines throughout the piece that keeps it all trucking along.
There is a single pop of the Snare and “It’s Alright” is immediately in progress. The feel is different but it is still nice and funky! When Larry asks if you feel like dancing, you would think you are at a “Congregation of Funk” service! If you aren’t moving by this track, you may need to have yourself checked out. Bright, solid horns punching back and forth with the bass make this tune drive ahead like a bulldozer!
“Shoulda Coulda Woulda” slows down the tempo with this soulful, bluesy, remorseful track. This is a great example of Larry’s deep vocals full of feeling and impact; nice touch of variety here.
“Welcome to Our World” takes us into an “Acapella” version of Larry’s music. Harmonious voices, cowbell and tambourine are all there is and it is great! Especially nice bass vocals caught my attention.
“It Ain’t No Fun To Me” picks the tempo back up into the realm of juicy funk again. The superior arranging of this piece makes great use of the full power of the band.
Anytime you take on a Stevie Wonder song you are entering into deep waters but Larry and the Band do a solid job with “Higher Ground.” (The video doesn’t do it justice and ends before the song is over)
OK, so now you know that Larry Graham and Graham Central Station’s “Raise Up” is a must have for anyone that digs Funk and bass. Check this one out for yourself!
Larry Graham and Graham Central Station’s “Raise Up” available at Amazon.com and on iTunes.
Visit Larry’s site at larrygraham.com
Bass CDs
Album Review: Brian Bromberg, LaFaro
Brian Bromberg, LaFaro…
Scott LaFaro was an extraordinary upright bass player who we lost in 1961 at the age of 25. Even though he was a young bassist he worked with the Bill Evans Trio from 1959 to 1961; he was an exceptional musician and his bass work was lightyears ahead of his time.
Brian Bromberg has teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero to produce a tribute album to this legendary player. We are treated to a dozen tracks (with three bonus tracks on the digital platforms) that were Bill Evans Trio standards. While the original band’s work inspired Brian, this tribute album is not an attempt by the musicians to replicate the music but to organically express themselves on these tunes. When you listen, you may note that it doesn’t sound like LaFaro and it isn’t supposed to.
As I have noted on many of Brian’s previous albums, the bass work (all upright here) is extraordinary and he knows how to get a crystal-clear sound. Every note is pristine and balanced perfectly with the piano and drums. Brian’s approach to recording upright bass should be the golden standard for all upright players. He also handpicked the other members of this trio and they are excellent musicians who really deliver the goods.
If you would like more insight into this album, I can share that in my cover interview with Brian, coming soon.
The projected album release date is April 5, 2024, and will be available at www.brianbromberg.net
Latest
Album Review: Gabriel Espinosa, Bossas and Boleros
Bassist Gabriel Espinosa was inspired by the music he grew up with in Yucatan, Mexico, and now brings us a collection of ten tracks on Bossas and Boleros.
Six of these tunes on Bossas and Boleros are his original compositions. As you might expect from the title, some of these tunes fit in a kind of retro/romantic category whereas others are in a kind of soft Latin jazz vein. Interestingly, Gabriel also found inspiration in current events and translated them into musical interludes.
Gabriel assembled an excellent collection of musicians to bring this album to life and his bass playing is solid and precise but not flashy. His playing compliments the music in a noticeable way but is very balanced in the overall mix. The compositions are intricate and quite lovely with a generous helping of Latin tempos. I especially enjoyed his vocal rendition of “Aqui Estoy Yo” where he sings with just a piano. It is a rare treat to actually hear a bass player’s voice in a tune.
The great thing about this album is it’s universal appeal as it is not all about the bass. Everyone can relate to a collection of beautiful music and it’s excellent execution. This album is perfect to listen to while you enjoy a glass of wine with a loved one as you watch the sunset. Listening made me feel both relaxed and happy and that are feelings we all want to share.
Bossas and Boleros is available on Amazon.com
Music on Our Radar
Album Review: Fernando Molinari, Reaching Inside
Album Review: Fernando Molinari, Reaching Inside…
Bassist Fernando Molinari assembled a team of excellent musicians (including Marco Minnemann on drums) to bring us eight tracks of original, hard-hitting, instrumental rock. Now, even though this music falls in the rock category, it has progressive elements as well as shades of fusion.
This album is high-energy providing a platform for these talented musicians to treat us to the full extent of their abilities. Fernando’s bass playing is flawless and precise and definitely drives each tune with frequent solo sections that give us a clear idea of his skill. Of course, with a tight group like this, the bar is set very high and everybody delivers perfectly.
This is a perfect album to listen to when you want to be pumped up. It would be a great workout set, road trip music, or a fitting background for an action movie. If you want to get your heart pumping, this is the album for you!
Available on Amazon.com
Latest
Album Review: Brad Russell, Metal Improved
Brad Russell, Metal Improved…
We have been listening to Brad Russell play bass over the years, and it is quite clear that versatility is at the heart of his talent. Whether it is playing in the pit for a musical or on stage at the NAMM Show, Brad has serious chops. With Metal Improved, he is giving us a sample of what it sounds like when he applies a focused, overdriven, metal approach to a collection of tunes.
Brad has teamed up with hardcore drummers Gregg Bissonette, Jason Furman, and Aquiles Priester to produce seven tracks of high-intensity, calculatedly frenetic, musical wizardry. Three of the tracks are Brad’s original compositions and the others are very recognizable tunes by Billy Sheehan, Edward Van Halen, Chick Corea, and J. S. Bach.
This EP is badass… if Metal is your thing you will want to give it a listen.
Metal Improved available on Amazon.com
Music on Our Radar
Album Review: Wolfgang Van Halen, Mammoth II
Album Review: Wolfgang Van Halen, Mammoth II…
Following hot on the tail of Mammoth WVH, Wolfgang Van Halen now brings us Mammoth II, clearly showing us that he has a lot more music in store for us to enjoy.
Wolfgang repeats the amazing act of writing the music and playing all the instruments for the entire album with the exception of one track where there is Wah operation on a solo by Patrick “Uncle Pat” Bertinelli. Without a doubt, Wolfgang Van Halen is the consummate musician with a serious amount of talent to play all the instruments at such a high level; you just have to listen to the music to know he has the goods. Pay attention to the detail in each instrument and you find them impressively balanced and expertly performed. The bass work is tight but I find the drums catching my ear as there is some serious drum work here.
The vocals in this album are excellent and the harmonies are nicely blended as it is all Wolfgang’s voice.
There is a generally energetic, upbeat feel to the music in this album and it is loaded with high-energy rock. I personally tend to overlook lyrics as I get caught up in the music itself but it is clear that Wolfgang has a lot to say and I am guessing that it is cathartic to let these thoughts and feelings out. I am sure that many listeners will identify with the lines that they can relate to and adopt these songs as their own personal anthems.
Mammoth II stands firmly on its exceptional merits and is another great piece of work. Bravo Wolfgang!
Available on Amazon.com
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
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