The album was recorded primarily at JHL Sound in Pacific Palisades, California, with additional recording done at other studios in the U.S. David Mann provides horn arrangements and Lenny Castro percussion. Also lending a hand are drummers Ash Soan, Gary Novak and Vinnie Colaiuta saxophonist Gary Meek and guitarists Michael Thompson and Paul Jackson Jr. Step It Up is more inside the Jeff Lorber Fusion box but has some new and interesting twists.”Īssisting the pair in creating those twists is a team of world-class musicians, including two former bandmates of Haslip’s in the award-winning fusion band Yellowjackets: saxophonist Bob Mintzer and guitarist Robben Ford. “That one was a full-on experimental recording. “We were motivated to find a new direction following Hacienda,” adds Haslip. This record puts us back in a more familiar Jeff Lorber Fusion groove while we explore some new uncharted areas.” The title Step It Up, says Lorber, “reflects the music: optimistic, energetic and an attempt to ‘step up’ our game-our compositions, production and improvisation-to the next level. The longtime colleagues also co-produced the recording. The fourth consecutive collaboration between GRAMMY®-nominated keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber and GRAMMY®-winning bassist/composer/ producer Jimmy Haslip since the two virtuosos reactivated Jeff Lorber Fusion five years ago, Step It Up features 11 new Lorber compositions, several co-written with Haslip.
‘Fire spirit’, ‘A Starfish’ and ‘Tenth Victim’ are more complex but still easily accessible while ‘Right On Time’ is the LP’s big swinger, featuring Lorber on Hammond B3.Jeff Lorber Fusion, whose previous release Hacienda was praised for its “impeccable musicianship and deep grooves” by JazzTimes and its “funky, rollicking jams” by All About Jazz, returns on September 25, 2015, with Step It Up on Heads Up, a division of Concord Music Group.
The album boasts plenty of tight soul-inspired grooves – try ‘Soul Party’, the title track and ‘Up On This’ (which, we’re told, was inspired by Rufus’ ‘Ain’t Nobody) to hear what I mean. With that kind of team you’d expect polished and slick smooth jazz and that’s what delivered. Also on hand are drummers Ash Sloan, Gary Novak and Vinnie Colaiuta, saxophonist Gary Meek, guitarists Michael Thompson and Paul Jackson Jr and ubiquitous percussionist Lenny Castro. They share writing and production credits and helping them deliver are two more ex Yellowjackets… Bob Mintzer (saxophone) and Robben Ford (guitar). On ‘Step It Up’, Jeff’s chief collaborator is Yellowjackets’ bassist, Jimmy Haslip. Their last recording was 2013’s ‘Hacienda’ – a homage to the legendary Manchester dance club and now Fusion follow up with ‘Step It Up’, an 11 tracker that seeks to re-energize the Fusion sound by dropping some of the experimentation apparent on ‘Hacienda’ and focusing more on the integrity of the compositions and the fullness of the productions. Indeed his first band was called Fusion and even though he’s enjoyed success as a solo performer, from time to time he reconvenes Fusion. He was there at the birth of what became known as jazz-fusion. Prolific keyboardist (and guitarist), Jeff Lorber’s CV is extensive.
0 kommentar(er)
