|
(BREAD
FRUIT MUSIC 2005)
$15
|
| TRACK
LISTING |
 |
| 1. |
Long
Bay |
5:53 |
| 2. |
What
I Am |
9:17 |
| 3. |
Mestre'
Tata |
4:15 |
| 4. |
I've
Got the Handle |
6:46 |
| 5. |
One
Foundation |
5:10 |
| 6. |
Fade
Away |
7:28 |
| 7. |
Passion
Dance |
6:37 |
| 8. |
Rivers
of Babylon |
8:35 |
| 9. |
Island
In the Sun |
3:58 |
Charlie
Hunter - 8-string guitar
Earl "Chinna" Smith - acoustic
guitar
Ernest Ranglin - electric guitar
Shawn Pelton - drums and programming
Manolo Badrena - percussion
It's
been nearly a decade since Charlie Hunter
collaborated with other guitarists (the
great T.J. Kirk band of the mid-'90s). Hunter
got together with legendary Jamaican guitarists
Ernest Ranglin and Chinna Smith for an easygoing
set of (mostly) covers that largely tread
the kind of Jamaican-flavored jazz that
Ranglin's been known for for years. There
are some reggae and dub elements here and
there, but you'd be hard-pressed to call
it a reggae album. Recorded with very few
overdubs, the cooperative arrangements are
perfect, with plenty of space for everyone
and the players almost finishing each other's
thoughts. Hunter's guitar always has a bit
of Leslie effect on it (remember, he's throwing
down the basslines at the same time!), Chinna
sticks to acoustic, and Ranglin plays with
his trademark clean electric sound, so it's
really easy to pick out who's doing what
and compare their different styles. Ranglin's
fluid melodic lines contrast nicely with
Smith, who makes some surprising yet wonderful
note choices and wild intervalic leaps in
his solos. Sharing the spotlight, there's
less of Hunter's soloing than on his "proper"
albums, but his playing is always fantastic
and he lays down some big fat basslines.
Drummer Shawn Pelton is ultra-supportive
on drums and contributes tasteful drum programming
that sometimes bubbles up from underneath,
while session percussionist Manolo Badrena
adds just the right accents. This album
has the casual feel of a one-off affair,
but that certainly doesn't mean it's any
less enjoyable than Hunter's myriad other
projects. In fact, this would have to rank
right up there with his best, although one
wouldn't necessarily consider this a Charlie
Hunter project; it's a true collaboration.
Regardless, putting these guys together
was a stroke of genius. ~ Sean Westergaard,
All Music Guide |
