September 8, 2004
JAZZ
Fri., Sept. 10, 9pm. $10. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131.
www.chrisjazzcafe.com
Opening with a bassline that would seem more fitting in the middle of one of Phish's signature extended jams and followed within seconds by a drum break that would make ?uestlove proud, the boldly titled The Music According to Lafayette Gilchrist shrugs off any preconceived notions regarding the boundaries of jazz right out of the gate.
Gilchrist's ivory ticklings join with some Tower of Power-esque horn action and they're off, racing to redefine the jazz of the 21st century. The ease with which Gilchrist's keywork swings in relation to the unabashedly funky rhythm section lulls listeners into a state of complacent bliss just as the brass attack rolls in, bearing the hard-nosed reminder that beyond the milquetoast of smooth jazz lies the real deal.
This is music with an edge, and Gilchrist and crew don't shy away from using that edge to cut through decades of tradition, opening the door to welcome influences ranging from Commodores funk to Dr. Dre-drenched beats.
It's not that Gilchrist's band lacks the finesse to tiptoe through the standards--it's just neither as challenging nor as rewardingly tasty as the bouillabaisse they have cookin'. (Joshua Valocchi)
No comments:
Post a Comment