Jeff Lorber Fusion - Now
is the Time is a look at the
roots of jazz fusion, circa late 1970's to early 1980's, but with the
opportunity to infuse 20+ years of musical influences into a release and
style
that is as much now as it was then. Jeff's arrangements, with the
assistance of
noted musicians such as Jimmy Haslip, The Blood Sweat &
Tears
Horns, Randy Becker, Eric Marienthal, Paul Jackson
Jr.,
and Vinnie Colaiuta, are like a fine wine, the balance is
perfect.
Jeff Lorber Fusion - Now
is the Time
Now is the Time: Rain Dance / Wanna Fly; Dr. Moy;
Pixel; Sugar Free; Mysterious Traveler; Curtains / Before We Go; Black Ice; Las
Rosas; Chinese Medicinal Herbs; Water Sign; Sumatra
Personnel: Jeff Lorber: Keyboards, Guitar, Synth
Bass; Irene B: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals; Frankie Biggz: Background
Vocals; Paul Jackson Jr.: Guitar; Randy Becker: Flugelhorn; Jimmy Haslip: Bass,
Percussion; Vinnie Colaiuta: Drums; Jimmy Branly: Percussion; The Blood Sweat
& Tears Horn; Tony Maiden: Guitar; Eric Marienthal: Alto, Tenor, and
Soprano Saxophone; Alex Al: Bass; Li'l John Roberts: Drums; Lenny Castro:
Percussion; David Mann: Horn Section, Arrangement; Michael Thompson: Guitar;
Larry Koonse: Guitar; Tom Timko: Flute; Steve Jankowski: Flugelhorn; Dave
Weckl: Drums;
Jeff Lorber Fusion -
Now is the Time was produced by Jeff
Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, and Bobby Colomby and released on the Heads Up
International label a division of Concord Music Group. For Jeff
Lorber, now is not only the time but it is the perfect time to refresh the jazz
fusion style, a ground breaking sound that he was instrumental in making
famous, which he started in the late 1970's to the early 1980's, and continues
to today with the release of Jeff Lorber
Fusion - Now is the Time. Jeff dips into his vast repertoire of music and
selects gems from the jazz fusion movement along with some originals.
The release opens with Rain
Dance / Wanna Fly (1979) a funkier and bolder arrangement from the original
that is spiced up by the vocals of Irene B. and the brass sound from The Blood
Sweat & Tears Horns. The track Dr.
Moy reflects the influences on Jeff over the past 2+ decades, but the
classic jazz fusion sound is still at the center of this track along with a
funky and sassy side to the arrangement. The track Pixel is a collaboration by Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip, and Bobby
Colomby and carries a improvisational jazz swagger along with the distinct
Jimmy Haslip bass line coupled with the drums that creates the foundation for
the keyboards and The Blood Sweat & Tears Horns.
The track Sugar Free
is a collaboration by Jeff Lorber, Irene B. and Frankie Biggz with the band
framing Irene B's vocals in tight and cascading fashion as Irene does all the
lead and backing vocals. The track Mysterious
Traveler (Weather Report 1974) was one of Lorber's favorite tracks, but he
knew that he had to outdo himself to compete with the original Weather Report
version, and he accomplished his intention. Lorber's funkier, jazzier, and
direct arrangement brings out segments of the music in a live jam fashion.
Curtains / Before We
Go, a collaboration by Jeff, Irene, and Frankie Biggz, features the sensual
vocals of Irene B. and playful saxophone and keyboard solos. Black Ice (1978) is a refreshed
arrangement that focuses on the bass and drums to create the ambiance and
introduce solos by the alto saxophone, guitar, and keyboards before bringing it
all together for a powerful finish.
Chinese Medicinal
Herbs (1977) is an expressive track that captures the essence of jazz
fusion with an offbeat 7/4 signature and an arrangement that blends the band
into a balanced harmonious sound.
Other tracks include Las
Rosas, a beautiful instrumental arrangement that centers on Jeff Lorber's
velvety keyboard work and Eric Morienthal's engaging soprano saxophone; Water Sign, with swing undertones
against Irene B's lively vocals and an energetic jazz melody; and Sumatra featuring the enduring sound of
The Blood Sweat & Tears Horns.
Jeff's look back at jazz fusion is a look at the present,
and to the future, that shows how time continues to open new channels and
styles evolving the sound to new levels, as only jazz can.
Websites where you can procure Jeff Lorber Fusion - Now
is the Time are Concord Music
Group, Amazon,
iTunes,
and Tower
Records.
© July 2010. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com.
All rights reserved.
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