GREAT VOICES OF
HARLEM - Gregory Porter/Donald Smith-Mansur Scott/Paul Zauner’s Blue Brass
PAO Records PAOCD11210
Gregory Porter ( vocal ) Mansur Scott ( vocal ) Donald Smith ( vocal / fender Rhodes )
Paul Zauner ( tmb / leader ) Barney Girlinger ( tpt / fl. Horn ) Klaus Dickbauer ( alto / bass clt ) Klemens Pliem ( tnr / alto flute ) Martin Reiter ( pno / fender Rhodes ) WolframDerschmidt ( bass ) Howard Curtis ( drs )
Recorded Acustic Art Studios, Stockerau, July 2012
Of the three vocalists only Gregory Porter can be considered to be in the mainstream of jazz, both Monsur Scott and Donald Smith are highly mannered singers and it would be hard to place them in the jazz pantheon.
The album opens with Gregory Porter’s version of Bobby Timmon’s composition “Moanin’” which captures the spirit of the Art Blakey’s Messenger’s original, combined with exiting solos from Martin Reiter on piano and Barney Girlinger on trumpet makes it one of the highlights on the album.
The lyrics to “Peace” are fairly insipid and don’t do credit to Horace Silver’s instrumental original and why “Intro Peace” was included is a mystery as it adds nothing to the following track.
Donald Smith takes on his elder brother’s acid jazz classic “Expansions” which is dominated by some heavy handed drumming by Howard Curtis which would not be out of place at a rock concert. Donald Smith’s vocal is over the top and would probably go well in live performance.
“Somewhere the rainbow” is given a fairly straight reading by Gregory Porter and is enhanced by the flute playing by Klemens Pliem behind Porter’s vocal.
Horace Silver’s fine composition “Song for my Father” is given an inspired treatment by Monsur Scott and is his best vocal on the album.
Mention must be made of the instrumental backing by Paul Smith’s Blue Brass and some exciting solos which save the day on a number of tracks.
I would think this album would appeal to customers on the fringes of jazz but if you enjoy off the wall vocals it may be the one for you.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
PAO Records PAOCD11210
Gregory Porter ( vocal ) Mansur Scott ( vocal ) Donald Smith ( vocal / fender Rhodes )
Paul Zauner ( tmb / leader ) Barney Girlinger ( tpt / fl. Horn ) Klaus Dickbauer ( alto / bass clt ) Klemens Pliem ( tnr / alto flute ) Martin Reiter ( pno / fender Rhodes ) WolframDerschmidt ( bass ) Howard Curtis ( drs )
Recorded Acustic Art Studios, Stockerau, July 2012
Of the three vocalists only Gregory Porter can be considered to be in the mainstream of jazz, both Monsur Scott and Donald Smith are highly mannered singers and it would be hard to place them in the jazz pantheon.
The album opens with Gregory Porter’s version of Bobby Timmon’s composition “Moanin’” which captures the spirit of the Art Blakey’s Messenger’s original, combined with exiting solos from Martin Reiter on piano and Barney Girlinger on trumpet makes it one of the highlights on the album.
The lyrics to “Peace” are fairly insipid and don’t do credit to Horace Silver’s instrumental original and why “Intro Peace” was included is a mystery as it adds nothing to the following track.
Donald Smith takes on his elder brother’s acid jazz classic “Expansions” which is dominated by some heavy handed drumming by Howard Curtis which would not be out of place at a rock concert. Donald Smith’s vocal is over the top and would probably go well in live performance.
“Somewhere the rainbow” is given a fairly straight reading by Gregory Porter and is enhanced by the flute playing by Klemens Pliem behind Porter’s vocal.
Horace Silver’s fine composition “Song for my Father” is given an inspired treatment by Monsur Scott and is his best vocal on the album.
Mention must be made of the instrumental backing by Paul Smith’s Blue Brass and some exciting solos which save the day on a number of tracks.
I would think this album would appeal to customers on the fringes of jazz but if you enjoy off the wall vocals it may be the one for you.
Reviewed by Roy Booth