The Millenium Promise Jazz Project

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 01:03:06
Personnel: Kirk Whalum (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kevin Whalum (vocals, background vocals); Paige Lackey Martin, JIVA Singers, Alex Lattimore, Chanda McKnight, Lizz Wright (vocals); Earl Klugh, Kevin Turner (guitar); Junko Takeo (koto); Takana Miyamoto (melodica, piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Kenton Bostick (alto saxophone, drums); Darryl Reeves (alto saxophone); Kenneth Whalum III, David Sanchez , Jorga Mesfin, Kebbi Williams (tenor saxophone); Alex Lowe (baritone saxophone); Dallas Smith & the Boys From Shiloh, Marcus Printup, Russell Gunn (trumpet); Mausiki Scales (Fender Rhodes piano, percussion); George Duke (Fender Rhodes piano); Ralph Lofton (Hammond b-3 organ); Chris Kent, Zack Pride (bass instrument); Terreon Gully (drums, drum, tambourine); J.D. Blair (drums, drum, percussion); Chris Burroughs (drums); Adebisi Adeleke (talking drum); Juan Carlos Santos, Rafael Pereira (percussion); Joey Kibble, Mark Kibble (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Alex Lowe; Ralph Sutton . Recording information: 800 East Studios, Atlanta, GA; Dark Horse Studios, Nashville, TN; Down In Deep Studios, Atlanta, GA; Red Tuxedo Studios, Atlanta, GA. Creators: Khari Cabral Simmons; Takana Miyamoto. Arrangers: Khari Cabral Simmons; Mausiki Scales; Kirk Whalum; Terreon Gully; Takana Miyamoto; Zack Pride. With precious few exceptions, star-studded lineups on benefit recordings are usually a mixed bag at best -- particularly when it comes to the jazz arena. We tend to support these albums more as a way of showing solidarity than for their musical value. This set of stellar, contemporary jazz versions of socially conscious pop and soul songs is a clear exception. Promises Made is a benefit offering on Koch for the Millennium Project, an organization dedicated to the relief of hunger, disease prevention and economic development in Africa. This set is co-directed by saxophonist Kirk Whalum and pianist Takana Miyamoto. Some of those who signed on for this date include George Duke, David Sanchez, Marcus Printup, Russell Gunn, and Earl Klugh, who appear as soloists in different settings with a couple of different rhythm sections. The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by Miyamoto and Whalum with Norbert Simmons acting as executive producer. This set is a treat: it's polished to be sure, but it's far from slick. The rhythms are all organic, there are no programmed beats, just drums and percussion instruments. Every selection is drenched in real emotion and, to quote Charles Mingus, "plenty, plenty soul." The opener is a great place to start: Whalum and Miyamoto front a septet performing Ben E. King's classic "Stand by Me," which becomes a hymn of solidarity underscoring this project. With a B-3, electric guitar, two bassists (upright and electric), drums, and percussion behind the soprano and piano, it is reminiscent of the Blue Note soul-jazz sound of the mid-'60s except that the production is pure 21st century, smooth and seamless. The melody is pronounced and there is a bridge for the soloists to move forward a bit before returning to it. It is groove conscious without being synthetic and is drenched with honest emotion. The songs of Lennon and McCartney are well represented here: "Eleanor Rigby," "A Day in the Life," and "The Fool on the Hill" are present. In addition, there as are excellent readings of Curtis Mayfield's standard, "People Get Ready," Barrett Strong's and Norman Whitfield's "War," Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Alvertis Isbell's "I'll Take You There," (so closely associated with the Staple Singers), and the civil rights-era classic, "I Wish I Knew (What It Means to Be Free)" immortalized byNina Simone. As fine as this set is as a whole, there are some clear standouts: "A Day in the Life" with Klugh's warm but funky acoustic guitar and gorgeous piano work by Miyamoto, the long improv that introduces the Mayfield tune with Whalum at