Search - Andy Sheppard, Nana Vasconcelos, Steve Lodder :: Inclassificable - Andy Sheppard, Nana Vasconcelos, Steve Lodder

Very pleasant . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 03/30/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

". . . if hardly groundbreaking, let alone revolutionary. This is very accomplished "world funk," a rather small sub-category of jazz.Things start out very nicely indeed with "Where We Going?" a Pat Matheny-ish, easy-grooving tune having an eminently hummable melody, a driving rhythmic vibe, and fine playing by the three principals (Steve Lodder, keys; Andy Sheppard, soprano and tenor sax; and Nana Vasconcelos, drums and percussion). This is groove-oriented, Latin-spirited world-funk at its finest. Indeed, it may be the ultimate statement on disc of this rather rarified music. Unfortunately, the band seldom rises to these exalted heights on the rest of the cuts, although there are plenty of listener-friendly renderings. My personal favorites include "Slow Boat," a languid, tropics-drenched tango-flavored tune; "Hush Hush," a mid-tempo, breeze-kissed Latin charmer; "Ocean View," with its lush tenor stylings, cool synth and piano feel, and some entirely apposite percussion and vocalizations from Nana; "Is Everything All Right up There?" a moody piece featuring very effective synth work and percussion voicings; and "Too Close to the Flame," an uptempo number reminding me of that great Brazilian fusion band, Azimuth, at their best. The only tune that really doesn't work that well is the funk-drenched number, "RCA," complete with cop sirens, sleazy synth work, and some rather over-the-top drum thuds. Apart from this minor slip, the disc contains some extremely engaging, if slightly lightweight, music.Certainly worth a listen. 4 and 1/2 stars."