Considering the gap between what major record company / radio stations are currently offering and what most musicians would like to do, live records may be the future of contemporary jazz as they generally speaking capture the essence of a musician.
Steve Ferrone - It Up Steve Ferrone has been at the top of the drumming world for 30 years. Known for his tasteful and groovy playing, Steve played with the biggest name in the business from Eric Clapton to Tom Petty to George Benson to Duran Duran to only name but a few.
'It Up' is a music feast recorded live at LA's 'famous' La Vee Lee club. Steve resisted the temptation to make a 'drummers album' and, as the bulk of his work proves it, once again gave 100 % priority to the music. You won't find any technically breathtaking drumming on 'It Up'. But you will hear a drummer who is foremost a musician and a great listener. Someone who fully understands the beauty of music and his role in creating it. Steve Ferrone's musicality shines throughout this beautiful live album and, once again, he provides a super lesson in groove. Surrounded by a stellar line-up, Steve Ferrone's first solo album is a winner.
The music featured on 'It Up' is contemporary jazz at its best. It mixes funk/soul/jazz influences and is definitively appealing to fans of Spyro Gyra, The Crusaders, Steely Dan, Weather Report or Marvin Gaye - let alone fans of David Garfield who is providing some tasteful keyboards part throughout. Still the music does not sound dated at all and as a very contemporary feel to it.
Opening with a funky/fusion tune called 'Woody Creek' (could be a great TV Theme by the way), 'It Up' gives the chance to everyone to display his chops in a very musical way.
Every note has a purpose and is played from the heart. Be it Gerald Albright's raw and almost tribal saxophone on 'It Up' (why are his solo albums so tamed compared to what the man can really play ?), superbly backed by David Garfield's jazzy piano playing on this song being a mix between Marvin Gaye and Weather Report. Or David Garfield's superb and moving intro and Michael O'Neill's surprising guitar solo on what is for me the ultimate recorded version of 'Everything Must Change'. Or Lee Thornburg's funky trombone on the slightly James Brown influenced 'CC & 7'. Or Albright's and O'Neill's deep and very emotional playing on 'I Put A Spell On You'. Every single note is a pure listening pleasure 'brought to groove' by bassist extraordinaire Jimmy Earl and Steve Ferrone's 'simple' but beautiful drumming.
This review would not be complete without mentioning Alex Ligertwood's vocal tour-de-force on 'Josie', 'I Put A Spell On You' but mainly on the wonderful ballad 'Everything Must Change'. Alex Ligertwood is an exceptional vocalist. He has a unique way to make the songs his own. He sings every word as his life depends on it. Alex Ligertwood is singing with his heart and soul. And he's got a big heart and a beautiful soul.
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