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Morning Star
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Barnes and Noble
Morning Star
Current price: $20.99
Barnes and Noble
Morning Star
Current price: $20.99
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s third edition of his funk project the
ensemble has him and his cohorts jamming along quite nicely, extending the road song tradition without veering into so-called smooth jazz territory. This is nothing new for
, so fans who have been with him since his days with
should not be surprised. What is startling is the facility of his band to play a more R&B-derived music, as bassist
, drummer
(ex-
), and the growing keyboardist
expand the strict parameters of dance rhythms into a quite listenable experience. You hear the distinct crossover trappings of the electrified
,
, and even early period
in
s music on this date. The group turns the
s usually pensive
into a funk tune with staggered accents, slows
s
into a nicely turned-down fusion piece replete with
s electric piano, and romp through originals by the keyboardist, most notably the hip-shakin' funk of
There are only traces of overt commercialism as
picks up a soprano sax, some gospel-derived soul, and even one jazz swing that reminds you of
s status as a top-drawer post-bopper. On occasion, musicians must make a better living and play to a larger urban audience, but in this case, the combo succeeds while avoiding a sell-out or watering down their music. ~ Michael G. Nastos