Reviewed: 2020—04-09
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Vibraphonist Wolf harkens back to his roots in R&B & hip-hop on his latest disc, incorporating these elements seamlessly into straight-ahead modern jazz. All originals except #6.
If You Like: Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Stevie Wonder. Roberta Hathaway
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
1/ Smooth Intro (2:09) –vibes start> bouncy uptempo jam with spoken word> slow fade
*2/ For Ma (4:59) – spoken intro> vibes start> uptempo jam slows to midtempo> fade
**3/ Vahybing (7:09) – bass starts> mellow midtempo jam builds to uptempo> quick fade
*4/ In The Heat Of The Night (6:55) – drums start> slow funk jam with whispered vocal overlay & synth, sultry female vocal sings slow song> slow fade
5/ The Struggle (9:21) – piano starts> slow tempo jam with chorus> builds to uptempo> crescendo & fade
6/ For The Love Of You (7:10) – Rhodes/vibes start> slow song with female vocal swings into rocking uptempo jam> slow fade
*7/ Sebastian And Zoe (5:30) – vibes start with male whispered vocal> slow song with female vocal>
*8/ Livin’ The Good Life (5:29) – vibes start> midtempo jam> slow song with female vocal builds into uptempo jam> fade
9/ Come And Dance With Me (3:40) – piano starts>smooth midtempo jam> fade
10/ Smooth Outro (1:29) – drums/vibes start> midtempo jam with spoken male vocal> slow fade