Size: 157,0 MB
Time: 68:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Funky Jazz Organ Trio
Art: Big Front
1. Walking With A New Step (Live) [10:57]
2. Simone (Live) [ 6:58]
3. Cold Duck Time (Live) [ 8:33]
4. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (Live) [ 5:57]
5. Quiet Thoroughfare (Live) [ 5:53]
6. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Live) [11:01]
7. I Thought About You (Live) [ 6:09]
8. Valdez In The Country (Live) [ 6:07]
9. Can't Hide Love (Live) [ 6:46]
For their self titled live release, Firm Roots invites the listener to become a member of the audience and experience a “Live” set performed at the historic Blues Alley, in Washington D.C. The difference in doing a live recording than a studio release is that you are trying capture a moment as opposed to creating one. With “Firm Roots (Live),” the trio does not disappoint. Every song on this album shows a mastery of groove, solo development, and attention to arrangement. You can feel the raw intensity in these extended songs executed to perfection.
Porecki’s original song “Walking With a New Step,” eases the listener in with a New Orleans style second line drum beat, that sets the course for the night. Porecki shows right out of the gate, why he is known for his deep, strong groove; as he pads, stabs, and drops the pedal on the organ. Collins enters on the tenor saxophone with a combination of old school swing, and squared off even eighth notes; that are highlighted by scoops, key slaps, overtones, bebop runs, and squealing altissimo. Prince finishes out the solos with a masterful display of polyrhythms, while still keeping the second-line drum groove. You can hear the approval of the audience in the background.
With the Frank Foster standard “Simone,” the trio changes gears to an uptempo jazz waltz to show off some bebop chops. This track sounds like Joey DeFrancesco, meets Stanley Turrentine, meets Jack DeJohnette.
For “Cold Duck Time,” the trio lays down some deep pocket syncopated funk. Collins approaches the melody with strong articulation, reed pops, and overtones; Porecki puts on a master class of solo development, filled with tension and release; and Prince unloads a dump truck full of chops to close out the solos.
“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” is served up with a full coating of chicken grease. Porecki slowly winds the tune up on the funky clav with accented pitch bends. The band comes in with a groove that lands on beat two and the upbeat of four. The 11:01 extended version of this tune allows all three members of Firm Roots to dive deep into this Joe Zawinul classic.The trio slows things down a bit with the old jazz standard “I Thought About You.” On this tune, Brad Collins delivers a soulful vocal rendition, filled with dynamics, emotion, and space; as Porecki lays down a foundation of full organ pads.
“Firm Roots (Live)” manages to capture the intensity and spontaneity of a live show, while still maintaining the control and attention to detail that is needed for a CD release. If you like funky jazz performed by a top notch organ trio, then you will want to add “Firm Roots (Live)” to the top of your play list.(~~Scott Paddock)
Line-Up:
Brad Collins (tenor saxophone & vocals)
Benjie Porecki (keyboards & organ)
Mark Prince (drums)
Porecki’s original song “Walking With a New Step,” eases the listener in with a New Orleans style second line drum beat, that sets the course for the night. Porecki shows right out of the gate, why he is known for his deep, strong groove; as he pads, stabs, and drops the pedal on the organ. Collins enters on the tenor saxophone with a combination of old school swing, and squared off even eighth notes; that are highlighted by scoops, key slaps, overtones, bebop runs, and squealing altissimo. Prince finishes out the solos with a masterful display of polyrhythms, while still keeping the second-line drum groove. You can hear the approval of the audience in the background.
With the Frank Foster standard “Simone,” the trio changes gears to an uptempo jazz waltz to show off some bebop chops. This track sounds like Joey DeFrancesco, meets Stanley Turrentine, meets Jack DeJohnette.
For “Cold Duck Time,” the trio lays down some deep pocket syncopated funk. Collins approaches the melody with strong articulation, reed pops, and overtones; Porecki puts on a master class of solo development, filled with tension and release; and Prince unloads a dump truck full of chops to close out the solos.
“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” is served up with a full coating of chicken grease. Porecki slowly winds the tune up on the funky clav with accented pitch bends. The band comes in with a groove that lands on beat two and the upbeat of four. The 11:01 extended version of this tune allows all three members of Firm Roots to dive deep into this Joe Zawinul classic.The trio slows things down a bit with the old jazz standard “I Thought About You.” On this tune, Brad Collins delivers a soulful vocal rendition, filled with dynamics, emotion, and space; as Porecki lays down a foundation of full organ pads.
“Firm Roots (Live)” manages to capture the intensity and spontaneity of a live show, while still maintaining the control and attention to detail that is needed for a CD release. If you like funky jazz performed by a top notch organ trio, then you will want to add “Firm Roots (Live)” to the top of your play list.(~~Scott Paddock)
Line-Up:
Brad Collins (tenor saxophone & vocals)
Benjie Porecki (keyboards & organ)
Mark Prince (drums)
Firm Roots: Live