For Jack Allen the release of Nawlins Boy is a “culmination of my musical journeys to date and a tribute to my dad who was born in New Orleans."
With the title and opening track one might feel the spirit of the Big Easy as the tune seems to march in second line style during Mardi Gras with trombonist Steve Baxter leading the way and Allen keeping the groove right in place. Organist Todd Hunter's Hammond B3 wizardry is on display here as it was with Phil Upchurch Both percussionist Munyungo Jackson and trumpeter Nolan Shaheed add additional seasonings. This tune is a very spicy gumbo!
Born into a musical family, Allen's father Clarence “Peck" Allen worked as a dancer and singer, AND along with his dance partner Marshall Thompson under the name of Peck and Peck they opened for Duke Ellington. And as Allen now says “mom took me and my brother to all types of classical performances, there was a lot of musical variety in our family."
There are three duet's of jazz standards featuring the late Robert Russell on bass and Allen on guitar on the seven tune set of which Allen wrote and arranged four of them. With “Jitterbug" Waltz Allen's fresh and original sound shine's brightly as he easily articulates this most recognizable melody and he equally swings and strolls through Oleo.
With “Scrapple From The Apple" Allen and bassist Robert Russell work ever so smooth and soulfully together playing in unison before Allen breaks lose and picks his way through before a very rich bass solo and then they're back together again. A great series of nuances takes place and make it a very memorable piece!
With the Latin tinged “Sasa" Allen's decades long friend the always powerful and innovative Azar Lawrence is introduced and he doesn't disappoint. “Sasa" also marks the CD debut of vibraphonist Onaje Murray with a warm colorful solo who as Allen say's “has played vibes with everyone from Hubert Laws to Stevie Wonder and sounds like it." With its continued groove and strong melody Allen's tender playing makes this one a special highlight.
While with the “The King" you may think you're listening to the best of Weather Report as Azar soars and lifts it to a high level and Allen takes in to the stratosphere while drummer Land Richards makes sure the journey doesn't run out of fuel and bassist Ernest Tibbs makes sure the the doors don't burst open as he is nailing this one down. Composer Jack Allen refers to The King as “a spiritual journey, a hymn of sorts."
Perhaps the groovinist track on the disc is it's final tune, “Romans 6." With the groove master Jack Allen on top of it, a funky piano solo from Todd Hunter and master percussionist Munyungo Jackson adding just the right flavors as he does on tracks 1 and 3. Of course no groove is complete without the bass and drums and Land Richards and Don Patterson bolts this one down.
Let's hope it won't be another “30 years culmination" before Jack Allen makes us feel this good about music again!
With the title and opening track one might feel the spirit of the Big Easy as the tune seems to march in second line style during Mardi Gras with trombonist Steve Baxter leading the way and Allen keeping the groove right in place. Organist Todd Hunter's Hammond B3 wizardry is on display here as it was with Phil Upchurch Both percussionist Munyungo Jackson and trumpeter Nolan Shaheed add additional seasonings. This tune is a very spicy gumbo!
Born into a musical family, Allen's father Clarence “Peck" Allen worked as a dancer and singer, AND along with his dance partner Marshall Thompson under the name of Peck and Peck they opened for Duke Ellington. And as Allen now says “mom took me and my brother to all types of classical performances, there was a lot of musical variety in our family."
There are three duet's of jazz standards featuring the late Robert Russell on bass and Allen on guitar on the seven tune set of which Allen wrote and arranged four of them. With “Jitterbug" Waltz Allen's fresh and original sound shine's brightly as he easily articulates this most recognizable melody and he equally swings and strolls through Oleo.
With “Scrapple From The Apple" Allen and bassist Robert Russell work ever so smooth and soulfully together playing in unison before Allen breaks lose and picks his way through before a very rich bass solo and then they're back together again. A great series of nuances takes place and make it a very memorable piece!
With the Latin tinged “Sasa" Allen's decades long friend the always powerful and innovative Azar Lawrence is introduced and he doesn't disappoint. “Sasa" also marks the CD debut of vibraphonist Onaje Murray with a warm colorful solo who as Allen say's “has played vibes with everyone from Hubert Laws to Stevie Wonder and sounds like it." With its continued groove and strong melody Allen's tender playing makes this one a special highlight.
While with the “The King" you may think you're listening to the best of Weather Report as Azar soars and lifts it to a high level and Allen takes in to the stratosphere while drummer Land Richards makes sure the journey doesn't run out of fuel and bassist Ernest Tibbs makes sure the the doors don't burst open as he is nailing this one down. Composer Jack Allen refers to The King as “a spiritual journey, a hymn of sorts."
Perhaps the groovinist track on the disc is it's final tune, “Romans 6." With the groove master Jack Allen on top of it, a funky piano solo from Todd Hunter and master percussionist Munyungo Jackson adding just the right flavors as he does on tracks 1 and 3. Of course no groove is complete without the bass and drums and Land Richards and Don Patterson bolts this one down.
Let's hope it won't be another “30 years culmination" before Jack Allen makes us feel this good about music again!
