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by Rick Holland
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 Jungle Soul | | Personnel: Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hammond B-3 organ; Peter Bernstein, electric guitar; Allison Miller, drums; Matt Balitsaris, guitar & Producer | | Tracks: Trouble Man, Simone, Jungle Soul, Willow Weep for Me, Freedom Jazz Dance, Blue Moment, Witch Doctor, Bemsha Swing, Zimbabwe, Jungle Wisdom | |
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Jungle Soul
I’m sure many will make the case that Dr. Lonnie Smith is the greatest B-3 performer in the world today. This may be true, but in this writer’s opinion, this is one of the greatest living Jazz musicians in the world period. Smith is active in the creation of wonderful new material, and presenting in a traditional sense. Meaning the music is fresh, with the foundations of groove, Afro-centric rhythms and colors pulsating into a truly entertaining set of music.
Jungle Soul is a project that combines some of Dr. Lonnie Smith’s originals, with a traditional standard, Willow Weep For Me, combined with Jazz Standards- Freedom Jazz Dance and Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man. These tunes are presented in a greasy, swinging set that has captivated my listening for hours!
I believe the strength of this set, is the traditional values in which the music lies. Although much of this music is modal in nature, Smith does not try to lay every harmonic possibility over simple chords. Rather, he presents this music with a variety of grooves and rhythms. He allows the music to breathe, giving himself and Peter Bernstein ample room to improvise story-like improvisations. It is continually soulful throughout.
I love Dr. Lonnie Smith’s comping on this disc. There is a surreal sense of Miles ever so present throughout. Smith directs the musical journey and gives the band musical directives in the peaks and valley’s in which the music journeys! He is just so soulful. Man, he does not need the #9 chord every time he wants the Blues to be felt. The Blues are everywhere in this music.
Guitarist Peter Bernstein gives really fine performances throughout Jungle Soul. It was nice to hear him in a setting such as this. Smith challenges Bernstein to use a different set of sensibilities this a recording. Peter rises to the occasion. Playing soulful improvisations and ever reminding the listener of the Blues, Bernstein catches the grooves of Smith and company.
It would be hard to tell you my favorite tracks on this disc. The reason is, I really like the whole concept of this set. But Willow Weep for Me is a really hip rendition. Freedom Jazz Dance really stood out to me as well. I’ve heard so many players take this modal composition and play it inside and out, that many times Eddie Harris was never really involved with their performance. Smith captures the heart of Eddie Harris I believe. The performance is centered more on Blues, cross-rhythmic grooves and beautifully planned musical phrases. It was enjoyable to say the least.
So many times in the quest for imagination and creativity, musicians cross the boundaries of harmony and take compositions to unrecognizable territories. This album though modal in quality, will not leave the listener in these places. Dr. Lonnie Smith brings to the music more traditional values. Where melody, groove and the Blues are so ever present.
You’ll find this disc listenable many times over. It’s the soulful manner in how the music is performed that will penetrate you and catch your attention.
For more information about the music of Dr. Lonnie Smith, please visit:
www.drlonniesmith.com |
Rick Holland |
| About the author: |
| A versatile musician and veteran performer in organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Mike Pendowski, Rob Parton , Buddy De Franco, Buselli-Wallrab and Terry Gibbs Bands, Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance. |
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