Wayman Tisdale – Way Up!
Let’s go “Way Up”! & check out the selections of various grooves Wayman presents for our pallets!
Oh…Oh….The NBA finals isiiiisiiisisisssssss FANTASTIC!!!!!!
Tisdale is on the Bassline! About to hit that “shot” with 3 seconds remaining to finish the ballgame!
In his face, Shaq goes up to block it……Ahh….Its Tipped!……’but’………the ball soars…….it hits the backboard……but did it “make it in”????
Well lets see??
His Teammates on the bench screaming him saying: “C’mon dawg!!!”:
- Eric Dawkins “Background Vocals
- Rex Rideout “Keys”
- Frank Selman “Guitar”
- Mike White “Drums”
- Rick Watford “Guitar”
- Peter Olstad “Trumpet & Flugelhorn”
- Donald Hayes “Sax”
- Mel Brown “Bass”
- Ricky Peterson “Organ”
- John “Jubu” Smith “Guitar”
- Erik Zobler “Spoken Word”
- Lisa Hampton “Spoken Word”
- Gordon Campbell “Drums”
- Darren Rahn “Sax”
- Tracy “Platinum” Carter
And Special Guests Jonathon Butler, George Duke, Lenny Castro, Kirk Whalum, Bob James, Dave Koz, Eric Benet, Tom Braxton, Tony Maiden, A. Ray Fuller, & The Keyboard Supreme Jeff Lorber.
Well…..with 3 seconds remaining, it better be all or nothing right? Would you go for the tie or for the win?
I think after listening to Waymans offering….it might go into overtime (The Tie).
Why do I say that?
Wayman has been shooting the perimeter shot for the last 4-5 projects. His first album was a Supreme Contemporary jazz Classic (Power Forward)….”I can’t think about anything that I’d rather do…..get to be here waiting for you….AFTER THE GAME!!”
The album “In The Zone” has some of the best bassline hooks that had a lasting impression of futuristic funk to come down the line. HIs cover off “My Starship” with R&B legendaire Robert Brookins still gets airplay on the porch, but…..
“Way Up” didn’t compare.
Various other projects had followed, but those discs got away from the funk elevation. They complimented a more spiritual approach, laid-back & delicate. May God Bless Him for that.
“Way Up” shares the stage with “Face-To-Face” & “Decisions” (Waymans’ previous). It has radio-tuned crossovers & essential slow melodies.!
“Lets Do It Again” & “Get Down On It” are classics that Wayman ‘got down on it’ & I believe he presented flavor much better than some that I have heard.
“Shape Of Your Heart” written by Jeff Lorber absolutely grooved me! George Duke’s “Tell It Like It Tis” & “Sundays Best” with Jonathon Butler & Kirk Whalum was stimulating. The rest…I will leave in your pockets…!
However… I thought maybe Wayman could’ve added more Funk. He has that ability! Its my last thought & only mine. If you do not have any of his previous, Please grab those first & THEN see the difference.
Having great jazz musicians to play with you doesn’t necessarily equate to a fine ending at the finish line. The race is ran by the primary player. And that player with the ball in his hand is retired Phoenix Suns “Power Forward” Mr…WAYMAN TISDALE.
I thought Wayman “tied the game” up, won in overtime & moved the series of 7 games to 3-3 with 1 game remaining. When Wayman suits up for the final game, I hope & pray he will play his career out with some of his best God-Given talents that would even make Kobe Bryant call for him to come out of retirement & play for the L.A. Lakers…..Play that hard-in the pavement- funk…..AND!
SLAM DUNK!!!
Terrill J. Hanna
The Urban Music Scene
PS: One thing to be recognized…..Wayman’s side note on the back of his CD cover: …”Unto God I give all the glory, For without Him, there would be no me.”