Maceo Parker – Roots & Grooves
Recorded live in February & March of 2007, during the European Tour, drives home the very point of reality: Maceo Parker is the MAN! And he is on the MOVE!
His double CD collection of “Roots & Grooves” connects the dots! Using unique blends of southern blues, soul-funk & big band swing melodies & improvisations. This is for the jazz purist at heart! And this is the real deal folks! No schuck -n- jivin’!
Tribute To Ray Charles – CD 1
Track Listing:
~ Hallelujah, I Love Her So
~ Busted
~ Them That’s Got
~ You Don’t Know Me
~ Hit The Road Jack
~ Margie
~ Georgia On My Mind
~ What’d I Say
Right from the opening applause from the audience, Maceo & his band: Dennis Chambers, Rodney “Skeet” Curtis & the WDR Big Band Cologne (conducted by Michael Abene), took OFF into an inspiring tribute to the late Ray Charles! A very uplifting and entertaining draw for praise comes right after listening to “Hallelujah I Love Her”.; Then listen to Maceo croon the bluesy, mystical memory of Mr. Charles lyrics in “Busted”.; The solos by Paul Shigihara (Guitar) should be recognized. The big band swing comes alive in “Them That’s Got” – featuring a wonderful trumpet sideline from John Marshall. Check that one out!
“Georgia On My Mind” was stimulating & peaceful. A shining moment on the CD! Maceo’s vocal rendition lit the composition up & received it with appreciation & gratitude! And I will not let you forget about the Fender Rhodes solo by Frank “Frankie” Chastenier!! My favorite on the entire disc.
I couldn’t get enough of this CD. And now I’m left wondering if there will ever be an accompanying DVD to be released down the line!
Folks, that was just CD #1! But as soon as I dropped “Back To Funk”, CD #2…….
Back To Funk – CD 2
Track Listing:
~ Uptown Up
~ To Be Or Not To Be
~ Off The Hook
~ Advanced Funk
~ Shake Everything You Got
~ Pass The Peas
……It was time to get it on!!!
For this very CD recognizes & distinguishes the power behind the sax in Maceo Parker! This cat is always on standby, ready to groove! He sends out a wind of Funk vibes to your stereo systems, making sure you have a subwoofer connected whenever you play ANY of his solo albums. This is no exception!
Just like CD 1, the groove comes flying right out of the gate from the race track! And the pace don’t stop! “Uptown Up” takes it right there! Please consider the taste of Andy Haderer on the Trumpet. Please consider…; Musically sequenced to keep your groove goin’ on, comes “To Be Or Not To Be”. The aurra of the legendary James Brown is felt all over this track! No denying it!; Rodney “Skeet” Curtis sends the bassline into orbit the minute you press play to “Off The Hook”. And yes…..this is definitely OFF THE HOOK!
The legendary Hammond B3 instrument, energetically displayed by Frank Chastenier, immediately fastens your seatbelts for another ride through time with Maceo’s soul-funk afterglow in “Advanced Funk”. Now…., if you had ever failed your ‘beginners’ or ‘intermediate’ classes for the knowledge of Funk, I simply suggest you skip this track! (Ha!!) I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings, that’s all. Its TOO Funky y’all! Too Funky!
“Shake Everything You Got” keeps the groove stricken crowd on their feet, but the game went into overtime when Maceo Parker dropped “Pass The Peas” on the hips! All 17 minutes of it! It’s Riveting, explosive & improvisational – catch the electricity of a powerful drum solo by Dennis Chambers that will knock the wind out of you! And I KNOW y’all don’t need for me to elaborate about that given masterpiece. NO! If not, then here I go again about those ‘beginner’s’ & ‘intermediate’ classes again….
I hope Heads Up International plans on re-releasing this on DVD, in its’ entirety! This collection was way too funky & original for us to miss seeing it live! I know the audience had a great time & was definitely ‘funked’ right out of their socks!
With this 2 CD set, look for it online or on the record shelves & please make the investment!
Terrill J. Hanna
The Urban Music Scene
For more information, please visit www.headsup.com or Maceo Parker @ www.maceo.com
For purchase, please visit Amazon today!