Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story

Anthony Crawford | Urban Jazz – My Story Hydro 6 Records by Brent Faulkner

Jazz bassist Anthony Crawford hails from a preeminent family of
musicians including his father Hubert, a drummer who’s played for James
Brown and Cyndi Lauper among others, and his uncle, legendary jazz
saxophonist Hank Crawford. Originally a drummer himself, Anthony
Crawford fell in love with the bass, influenced by numerous rock bassists
and bands and later jazz bassists including Victor Wooten, Stanley
Clarke, Marcus Miller, and the legendary Jaco Pastorius. With a
jam-packed resumé to his own credit, Crawford has performed with Erykah
Badu, Peabo Bryson, and Andrae Crouch among others. He follows up his
2010 solo effort Urban Jazz with 2013’s Urban Jazz – My Story, released
via Hydro 6 Records. Crawford fuses smooth jazz, contemporary R&B,
and elements of hip-hop on this ambitious album, running 14 tracks deep
(55 minutes), and executive produced by Crawford, Scott Nickoley, and
Jonathan Richmond.

Urban Jazz – My Story is filled with bright spots. Among those is the
first full length track, “Bass Guitar”, in which Crawford receives
assistance from vocalists Keelyn Ellis (verse) and Robert Norman
(chorus). Crawford’s bass playing is agile and impressive, upgraded
even more by his use of the slap bass technique. Add a chorus to
complement his playing and the title: “She play my heart like a bass,
bass, bass guitar.” The later “Jazz vs. Hip Hop” fuses the two worlds,
including trumpet (Phillip Lassiter), hip-hop effects (scratches), &
samples of an interview questioning Crawford’s position on the oft
controversial genre of hip-hop. Things grow epic on “Chopping That
Wired”, a pure jazz cut filled with angular lines and compelling solos
from its personnel.

The aforementioned aren’t the sole gems. “Baby” establishes a lush
adult contemporary R&B and smooth jazz sound. Crawford firmly
plants a anchoring bass line in addition to his thoughtful upper
register melodic ideas. Vocalist Valencia Robinson truly shines,
showing off her beautiful tone; she continues to allure on the
proceeding “Baby (Reprise)”. “Flying High” delivers a stunning melodic
blend of bass and saxophone, performed by Eric Darius, while
co-writer/pianist Ruslan Sirota adds some nice keys ‘noodling’. Closing
with some ‘oomph’, Crawford calls on Anon to give “Dreams” some hip-hop
fire with his spoken word contributions. Urban Jazz – My Story doesn’t
ever miss the mark, epitomized by less notable cuts that are still
worthwhile, including contemporary R&B cut “For Tonight” (featuring
Robert Norman once more), “Only You” (featuring a soulful Frank McComb
on vocals), “Never Go Away”, or touching bass solo “For My Mother”.

Ultimately, Anthony Crawford delivers the ‘goods’ on Urban Jazz – My
Story. He attempts to crossover and showcase his love and appreciation
for multiple styles of music, never alienating his jazz base. Most
notably, his musicianship as a bassist is nothing short of
awe-inspiring; technically, Crawford is a ‘wizard’. Sound and
interesting material, a unique crossover approach, and top-notch
musicianship make Urban Jazz – My Story the successful project that it
is.

Highly recommended.

Brent Faulkner
The Urban Music Scene