Music on Our Radar
Sounds Like This by ALO Featuring Bassist Steve Adams
Sounds Like This by ALO Featuring Bassist Steve Adams… I liked “Sounds Like This” by ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra) pretty much from start to finish. As I listened, I found myself trying to identify who they sounded like (I did think of Steely Dan a little). The wide variety of tunes they play makes it hard to pin them down into a specific genre; These guys are pretty unique!
Even though this is not one of the usual “Bass Heavy” CD’s we get for review, I think it merits listening to and sharing with all of you.
ALO hails from the Bay Area in California and has been together for over twenty years. The smooth flow of their music and harmonies can only come with the time they have spent together becoming a well-oiled music machine. The lyrics are intelligent and catchy and I find myself running them around in my head after I have been listening on my morning commute in to work.
Who is ALO?
Steve Adams / bass, vocals
Dave Brogan / drums, vocals
Zach Gill / keys, ukulele, vocals
Lebo / guitars, pedal steel, vocals
Lets look more closely at some of the tracks
“Dead Still Dance” may seem a bit morbid topic-wise, but it reminds me of my sister-in-law Cristina’s affection for the Mexican “Dia de los Muertos” decorations. There is a kind of light, fun approach to what could be a real dark topic. The hypnotic, repetitive groove, lays a foundation for the lyrics to play on.
“Blew Out The Walls” has a touch of funk blended with rock and lyrics that could be any musician’s reality about their beginnings. I think a lot of us can identify with this cut. I found a live video of this tune of rather poor quality but still kind of fun to watch.
“Falling Dominoes“ has a kind of “Low-rider rhythm” and feel. Vocal harmony with solid guitar support and a percussive strut makes this tune interesting.
“Speed of Dreams” is one of those tunes that gets in your head and won’t get out! There is a nice syncopated beat and minor key to the main lyrics that catches your attention, then the chorus changes it all up with a very simple piano line and a shift into major. This is a tune I can see being very popular on the airwaves.
“Storms and Hurricanes” gives us a taste of the Ukulele in the spotlight. Another relevant set of lyrics and a general good feeling makes you want to dance while you listen.
So as you can see ALO is the kind of band that has something for everybody. Whether you catch them at a live performance or listen to their tunes as you cruise down the highway, this is some really good music.
Check them them out when the CD releases May 8th.
Mark Egan, Cross Currents…
It is exciting every time I get a new album from Mark Egan as he is such an amazingly versatile player and I never know what to expect (except for excellent artistry!) In his latest release, Mark has teamed up with Shawn Peyton on drums and Shane Theriot on guitar to bring us “Cross Currents”.
This collection of eleven tracks transports me to the Gulf Coast (New Orleans specifically). Mark’s fretless basses lay down a solid groove and lots of juicy solo work for this rootsy collection of funk, ambient, swamp-rock, second line, ballads, Cajun and even Indian Raga.
This trio is super-tight and the musicianship is flawless as each member has ample opportunity to shine. Even though each player is very talented in their own right, I feel that the collective energy is greater than just the sum of the players on this album. Each musician contributed to composing music for this project but the lion’s share are Mark’s original pieces.
I spent the summer of 1981 in New Orleans and this wonderful music takes me back to those fond memories. I participated in a wacky raft race on Lake Ponchatrain and this opening track elicits images of fun, sunshine, music, and great food.
This is another superb album that everyone will enjoy. Get your copy today! Cross Currents is available online at Amazon.com. Visit Mark online at markegan.com.
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
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
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
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
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