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Javon Jackson - Have You Heard |
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by Matt Pivec
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 Have You Heard | | Personnel: Javon Jackson, tenor sax; Lisa Fischer, vocals; Mark Whitfield, guitar; Dr. Lonnie Smith, organ; Kenny Davis, electric bass; Terreon Gully, drums; | | Tracks: In This Corner; Dance Floor; Have You Heard; Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home; Dr. Smith; Summertime; Move On Up; Quik; That’s The Way I Feel About Cha’; Funky in Here (Reprise). | |
Javon Jackson
Have You Heard
Palmetto Records 2110
Through recordings and the internet, musicians today have easy access to just about any musical style. For musicians looking to inject some energy into their work, it might be tempting to use an array of musical styles on a single recording. This makes it all the more impressive when a group of seasoned musicians dig deep into a single concept for an entire album. Have You Heard by Javon Jackson maintains a spirited and funky vibe from beginning to end. Jackson’s band is unified in their focus on the groove. His own saxophone playing simmers throughout the album but never boils over. The compositions are simple, allowing the musicians to focus their attention on soulful expression and that ever-present groove.
Jackson’s band is anchored by two of his previous associates, guitarist Mark Whitfield and organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith. Both Whitfield and Smith are key contributors to the overall musicality of this album. During his solo on “In This Corner,” Smith demonstrates perfect phrasing and development. Rather than saturate the texture at the beginning of his solo, he provides Whitfield with the space to interject between his phrases. As Smith’s solo progresses, he builds in intensity, bringing the organ to the foreground. Like Smith, Whitfield is wonderfully patient in his phrasing. By leaving space during his solo on “Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home,” he allows the listener to react to his inflected, bluesy guitar lines.
At other points in the album the listener can find subtle, yet perhaps just as important, contributions by Whitfield and Smith. Smith, for example, while comping during Jackson’s solo on “In This Corner,” interjects splashes of bright color from the organ. Whitfield’s subtle variations of tone from track to track are also effective. Particularly engaging is the funky pedal effect he uses on “Summertime.”
Jackson’s band is completed with Tarreon Gully on drums and Kenny Davis on electric bass. These guys groove! As heard on “Dance Floor” and “Quick” Gully’s back beat alone is strong enough to make you want to dance. On the tracks to which Davis contributes (Smith covers the bass part on the organ during some tracks), he locks up with Gully and remains in a strong supportive role. However, we are given a sampling of Davis’ amazing slapping technique on “Quik.” A nice addition to the group is vocalist Lisa Fischer. Her wonderfully smoky, low alto voice is featured on “Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home.”
Jackson is more inclined to play soft, understated ideas, even on tunes that are generally aggressive. On “Quik,” for example, he seems to lightly sit atop the fierce groove provided by Smith, Davis, and Whitfield, never overexerting himself. Unlike other groove-based albums where a horn player or vocalist knocks you off your seat, Jackson draws you in.
Have You Heard is an album filled with singable melodies, clear structure, and simple grooves. However, I believe in this case, simplicity cannot be linked to ease of execution. Jackson and his band members are so skilled that they make grooving this hard and creating such a funky vibe sound easy.
For more information on Javon Jackson visit: JavonJackson.com.
-Matt Pivec (September, 2006) |
Matt Pivec |
| About the author: |
| Saxophonist Matt Pivec has performed with some of the great artists of jazz and popular music including: Ray Charles, The Temptations, Peter Erskine, Maria Schneider, the Rochester Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and the national touring companies of Hairspray, 42nd Street, and The Producers. |
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