| boston horns | (c) 2008 |
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May 2, 2002
Boogie Stop Shuffle
The Boston Horns are an out-growth of the former Boston-based band, Heavy Metal Horns. With this new band,
saxophonist Henley Douglas and trumpeter Garret Savluk mine the jazz-groove territory currently occupied by artists like
Karl Denson, John Scofield, Maceo Parker and the band Galactic. The Boston Horns traverse this territory very well on this
fine CD.
Actually the sound that this band gets is closer to that of the Chicago-based band Liquid Soul. Like their Chicago
brethren, the Boston Horns aren't afraid to show their jazz leanings, like on the opening track "Head in The History", in
which the two horns trade various snippets of bebop melodies over the hard groove of the rhythm section.
Both horn players are solid improvisers. I've always enjoyed Douglas' playing. He gets a thick, rich sound on both the
tenor and baritone saxes, and his playing is thoughtfully melodic. Douglas doesn't overplay, instead favoring simpler solo
that go with the groove of each tune. Likewise, Savluk also plays simpler, more riff-oriented solos that fit in with the spirit
of the music.
This isn't just a horn fest CD though. Guitarist Jeff Buckridge is a superb player, whose work all throughout this CD is
smoldering. Likewise, keyboardist Mark Longo colors the music beautifully with his imaginative accompaniments and
solos. Bassist Mike Rush and drummer Jack Howard Jr. lay down some terrific grooves that give all of the tunes a
dance-like edge.
Highlights are many and varied. Try the medium-slow groove of Chez Buckway, or the latin drive of Next Time. Also check
out the smoking version of Charles Mingus' tune "Boogie Stop Shuffle," which lays Mingus' incisive melody over a hard,
up-tempo funk groove that surely rocks the house anytime this band plays out.
This is a fine first effort from a talented band that knows how to throw down the groove and stoke up the party.
Alan Chase
Spotlight's music reviewer and writer
Boogie Stop Shuffle
The Boston Horns are an out-growth of the former Boston-based band, Heavy Metal Horns. With this new band,
saxophonist Henley Douglas and trumpeter Garret Savluk mine the jazz-groove territory currently occupied by artists like
Karl Denson, John Scofield, Maceo Parker and the band Galactic. The Boston Horns traverse this territory very well on this
fine CD.
Actually the sound that this band gets is closer to that of the Chicago-based band Liquid Soul. Like their Chicago
brethren, the Boston Horns aren't afraid to show their jazz leanings, like on the opening track "Head in The History", in
which the two horns trade various snippets of bebop melodies over the hard groove of the rhythm section.
Both horn players are solid improvisers. I've always enjoyed Douglas' playing. He gets a thick, rich sound on both the
tenor and baritone saxes, and his playing is thoughtfully melodic. Douglas doesn't overplay, instead favoring simpler solo
that go with the groove of each tune. Likewise, Savluk also plays simpler, more riff-oriented solos that fit in with the spirit
of the music.
This isn't just a horn fest CD though. Guitarist Jeff Buckridge is a superb player, whose work all throughout this CD is
smoldering. Likewise, keyboardist Mark Longo colors the music beautifully with his imaginative accompaniments and
solos. Bassist Mike Rush and drummer Jack Howard Jr. lay down some terrific grooves that give all of the tunes a
dance-like edge.
Highlights are many and varied. Try the medium-slow groove of Chez Buckway, or the latin drive of Next Time. Also check
out the smoking version of Charles Mingus' tune "Boogie Stop Shuffle," which lays Mingus' incisive melody over a hard,
up-tempo funk groove that surely rocks the house anytime this band plays out.
This is a fine first effort from a talented band that knows how to throw down the groove and stoke up the party.
Alan Chase
Spotlight's music reviewer and writer