Thursday, September 10, 2020

Purdie Fabian Oswanski Move On!

Purdie Fabian Oswanski
Move On!
CAP Records

Purdie Fabian Oswanski is an unusual Hammond B-3 trio comprising Ron Oswanski on the Hammond B-3, Christian Fabian on the electric bass, and Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie on the drums. It is the bassist Fabian’s presence instead of a guitarist or saxophonist that makes this an unusual recording. Fabian also solos throughout as if a guitarist.

It is an entertaining, if flawed, recording, strongly rooted in soul and funk grooves. Fabian composed 5 of the nine tunes. Fabian's “The Red Plaza,” gets this set off to a rousing start with Oswanski’s orchestral organ and his funky bass lines, “84-85” is a funk track that doesn’t seem to go beyond the underlying bass vamp. Purdie keeps a steady groove throughout, such as on the “Move On!” More interesting is the rendition of “Can’t You See (You’ve Done Me Wrong)” with his through guitar-like single-note improvisation, and Duke Ellington’s “Love You Madly” with his soulful solo. The organist is to the fore on “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Closing this album is an appealing cover of “So What” that showcases Fabian’s improvisatory skills. Oswanski also solos on this.

Nothing earth-shattering here, but this is an intriguing album of some appeal.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here the trio play "BPP Blues."
 

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