'CHARLIE HUNTER' CD REVIEW
by Ron Hart

The Blue Note sound is one of the most distinctive and unique in all of jazz, a classic fusion of be- bop, '60s pop and Stax-Volt soul. Former Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy guitarist Charlie Hunter explores the synergy of that indelible combination on his sixth, eponymously titled Blue Note release. With intricate flair, Hunter, backed by his accompolished working quintet, brings back the spirit of such landmark LPs as Grant Green's Idle Moments and organist Jimmy Smith's Home Cookin' through the grace of his eight-string wizardry. Check out how he emulates the groove of a Hammond B-3 on 'Two For Bleu" and "Nothin' But Trouble." "Rendevous Avec La Verite" and "Cloud Splitter" incorporate shades of Hunter's recent studio work with R&B re-animator D'Angelo into a Medeski Martin And Wood-esque jam zone, while com- positions such as "Flau Flau" posess a real bluesy vibe. Hunter and drummer Leon Parker resurrect the winning formula of their lauded 1999 Duo LP on the standouts "Al Green" and "Epistrophy." Charlie Hunter ends on a solo note with the Donny Hathaway classic "Someday We'll All Be Free." Hunter converts it into a gor geous slice of Frisellian layering that shimmers and fades into a beat cadence that does hip-hop proud.