Groove in the Face of Adversity

Groove in the Face of Adversity is Don Was very first solo album. The A-list producer, composer, arranger, bassist, radio program host, and Blue Note Records boss co-founded Was (Not Was) with David Weiss, but this is his thing. His Pan Detroit Ensemble is composed of players from in and around the Motor City: saxophonist/flutist Dave McMurray, keyboardist Luis Resto -- both were in Was (Not Was) -- trombonist Vincent Chandler, drummer Jeff Canaday, trumpeter John Douglas, guitarist Wayne Gerard, percussionist Mahindi Masai, and vocalist Steffanie Christian (Inner City vocalist and Kresge fellow). The bands M.O: "We are on a mission to promulgate the music of our hometown." Was was approached by Detroit Symphony Jazz Creative Director Terence Blanchard about doing a show with an all-Detroit band and he agreed. Three of these six tracks are drawn from that initial performance. Opener "Midnight Marauders" is an oft-sampled A Tribe Called Quest number. Its delivered here with steamy dubwise production on the horns, guitar, and keys. When Canaday enters, it becomes a full-blown reggae jam with Christi’an alternately growling and soaring above the mix. McMurrays sax break is filled with passion. It segues into the lengthy, live "Nubian Lady," composed by Kenny Barron -- it is a Yusef Lateef vehicle. Dr. Lateef resided and worked in Detroit from the late 1950s through the mid-60s. It commences as slinky post-bop tinged with Eastern modes. McMurrays flute solo expertly weds blues, jazz, and soul. The band ratchets the intensity as Resto and Was lead them into slamming, spidery, jazz-funk to thunderous applause. While the inclusion of Hank Williams "I Aint Got Nothin But Time" seems a curious choice, it isnt. Detroit became home to many Southerners during and after WWII. Another live tune, Christi’an carries the lyric with assurance and conviction as the band, under Restos electric piano, creates a labyrinthine, 21st century psychedelic soul-jazz jam. Chandler, Douglas, and McMurray lay down a soulful, swinging horn vamp on Curtis Mayfields glorious "This Is My Country." Christi’ans vocal carries the composers intention with passion, sophistication, and grace even as she digs deep into the finger popping soul-gospel groove. The live "You Asked I Came" is by Was. Governed by a Bo Diddley beat, the horns -- Chandler and McMurray -- harmonize atop a guitar/bass/drum stomp. Resto lays out a pumping acoustic piano. McMurrays meaty sax solo moves from the horns lower register to the highest with Was holding the backdrop for him. The closer is a massively funky read of Cameos "Insane." Was production offers tribute to George Clintons greasy P-Funk grooves. Restos keyboard effects are almost as canny as his technique, as Christi’an commands the sexy frontline. Her bandmates serve as backing vocalists under a mad, finger popping bass and horn vamp as Canadays drum breaks accent a handclap choir. The bottom line is that Groove in the Face of Adversity is a jazz-funk joy, perfect for weathering storms anywhere. ~ Thom Jurek