Everette Harp | First Love

Everette Harp | First Love By Randy Mahon

On Everette’s 3rd Shanachie Records release, masterfully produced by jazz legend George Duke and his 8th studio disc overall, you’ll hear Everettes take of a new turn in musical direction – straight ahead jazz. Hence the CD’s title “First Love”. Having recorded with such great luminaries such as Kenny Loggins to Ledisi, he takes his years of experience and intertwines them into a tour de force of Smooth Jazz to Traditional Jazz.

The latin samba feel of the first track “The Council Of Nicea” will be a pleasant surprise to his many fans. Everette’s tenor sax musings along with session bassist James Genus,drummer Terri Lynn Carrington, trumpeter Michael “Patches” Stewart and Earth, Wind & Fire’s trombonist Reggie Young compliment each magnificently, without one outdoing the other.

“Before You Leave” is a number that features Duke on Fender Rhodes, and guitar ace Dwight Sills. It starts out in a mid tempo mellow groove, then shifts into a straight ahead jazz romp. Terri Lynn’s drumming is superb in keeping the tempo in the pocket. Solos from Everette, Dwight Sills,bassist James Genus, and Duke are extremely well crafted and melodious.

“Soul Fries” has a down home Southern Fried Soul feel, ala Memphis and Muscle Shoals. This George Duke penned track will take you back to the late night house parties. Harp’s tenor & alto sax pairings are played magnificently together. The funky slap bass of James Genus will sure keep those toes tapping and heads bopping !

“Blossom” finds Everette tenor sax in a slow, blue & red dimmed lights, smoked filled jazz club setting. He takes his time in letting the listener know he or she is not alone in whatever maybe troubling them. The brushes of Terri Lynn keeps the mood somber, while Mark Stephens piano solo keeps you entranced. The upright acoustic bass of James Genus is performed beautifully against the “heartbreak” feel of the song.

The title track “First Love”, finds Everette on soprano sax. The track has an early Yellowjackets feel to it. Mid tempo, yet subtle. Harp plays melodically throughout the entire song, flexing his chops as I’ve never heard him before. George Duke’s acoustic piano solo bobs and weaves with the tight rhythm section of Terri Lynn, Genus, Sills and percussion session master, Lenny Castro.

“Texas Groove” is alight funky uptempo song that will have you swaying back and forth.Harp’s tenor sax along with Duke’s electric piano finger snapping grooves keep the flow of track in a party mood. The distinctive sound of Dwight Sill’s guitar solo is played effortlessly, funky and sho nuff in the pocket.

“Goin’ Through Changes” is another slow to mid tempo, then back to the slow groover. Harps’ tenor sax glides along with a beautiful melody underneath it. Master percussionist Lenny Castro and drummer Terri Lynn compliments each other very nicely. This track has an earthy feel to it, a song that’ll have one contemplative at times,then energetic the next.

Everette’s take on John Coltrane’s”Central Park West” would do Trane proud. Living in New York City, I could hear myself playing this track on my iPod, as I’m strolling down Central Park West. It’s another late night, smoky filled jazz club song. Terri Lynn’s brushes, Duke’s subtle, yet ever flowing acoustic piano solo, James Genus technically charged acoustic bass solo makes this rendition a classic within itself.

“Departure” starts out with an up tempo groove. Fast paced at times, it works well with it’s slight ’70’s blaxploitation films feel. Here you’ll find Everette on soprano sax playing with the utmost fervor & fire. James Genus provides a groovy electric bass solo. Terri Lynn’s in the groove stylings keep the track moving along nicely, as we get to hear her solo drummer chops. At times, this track will remind you of Mile Davis circa his electric era, with the ’70’s stylings of Herbie Hancock. Certainly one of the standout tracks. I could easily hear Everette closing his shows out with this track.

Closing song, the Gershwin Brothers staple, “Our Love Is Here To Stay” is just Harp on tenor sax & Duke on acoustic piano. Duke plays a wonderful 12 bar solo piano. Harp’s in fine form here, as he flexes his solo chops from a slow mood to a fever pitch.

This CD is well worth the 2 year wait. A brilliant CD no doubt! Add it to your Christmas shopping list.

Randy Mahon
The Urban Music Scene