This 2019 live recording from the Blue Note in Tokyo showcases the groove-master Steve Gadd. Gadd is, of course, well-known for his presence on many well-known recordings by the likes of Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Al Di Meola, and Paul Simon. While Gadd has produced his share of super-intricate, challenging music throughout his five-decade career, on this live date, he was strictly laying a groove in the pocket. He says, "I just love to groove. It's all about just sharing something that feels good." On this recording, he is joined by his band of Walt Fowler on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kevin Hayes on keyboards and vocals, Jimmy Johnson on bass. David Spinozza replaced Gadd's regular guitarist Michael Landau during the Tokyo engagement.
One should not be surprised that this is a well-played fusion-tinged recording with some feet tapping music starting with "Where's Earth?" from Hays, Landau, and Duke Gadd. It showcases Fowler's evocative muted trumpet, Hays keyboards, and Spinozza's thoughtful guitar playing. Spinozza contributed a lovely Caribbean-laced ballad which Fowler's lyrical trumpet while Hays contributes a vibes-sounding background. There is more Latin flavor on Fowler's "Timpanogos," which is followed by Spinozza's blues "Hidden Drive," a moody performance benefiting from the unhurried, thoughtful playing from the band members. There is also a marvelously atmospheric rendition of the Crusaders' "Way Back Home," which may be the high point of this recording.
Jimmy Johnson's Latin-jazz composition "One Point Five," is the only performance on which Gadd takes a solo, following solid playing from Fowler and Hays. Hays sings on two songs, including a rollicking treatment of Bob Dylan's "Watching the River Flow," that closes this tasteful and very appealing recording.
I received my review copy from a publicist.com. Here is an earlier performance of "Way Back Home" by the Steve Gadd Band.
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