Federation Of The Groove - Federation of the Groove (2022) [Hi-Res]

This is possibly the best federation in the world! It is grassroots, freedom-loving, philanthropic and - above all - rousingly musical. Whether funk or fusion, whether catchy soul, rich blues or sparkling straight-ahead jazz: in the quartet of the Federation of the Groove, no one form of playing dominates the other, rather everything interlocks virtuously, grooves together, just as concentrated as passionate.

Federation of the Groove is Bruno Müller, Martin Sasse, Claus Fischer and Hendrik Schmock, musicians who have known each other for a long time and always meet on equal footing in a spirit of friendship and respect. Relaxed, but never lacking in tension, they combine their own creative ideas with their respect for tradition.

Three compositions by Bruno Müller and two others by Martin Sasse are congenially complemented by three foreign compositions: bows to the Federation's sources of inspiration. As opener, "Carnival of the Night" by Wilton "Crusader" Felder sprays a casual portion of "Street Life" feeling with funky electric bass, soulful guitar riff and pearly electric piano. No less emblematic "Briar Patch" by Jack McDuff: After massive drum beats, the song grooves soulful-funky with wonderful organ passages by Martin "Brother" Sasse. Completely different then the ballad classic "Naima" by John Coltrane as a fragile hymn to the equally simple as incomparably beautiful melody. Acoustic guitar, glistening cymbals, percussive sprinkles and the atmospherically dense electric piano provide the contemplative highlight of the album.

The Federation also pays homage to John Coltrane with another piece: In Sasse's spirited "Blues For John", guest Paul Heller brings Coltrane's harmonic twists and dynamic phrasing power to the point. It's probably no coincidence that the album's concluding Bruno Müller piece is titled "Topspin". Even at the highest tempo and most intense sound density, the Federation plays musically precise passing shots and serves his music full of ideas directly to the feet of the audience. What has so far only ignited so perfectly on stage and set every Federation concert vibrating, now works no less ravishingly on the first album. To come back to Brother Jack McDuff, it could also have been called: "Bringin' It Home".

Bruno Müller — Gitarre
Martin Sasse — Keyboards
Claus Fischer — E-Bass
Hendrik Smock — Schlagzeug

Gäste
Paul Heller — Tenor Saxophone
Roland Peil — Percussion

Tracklist:
1.01 - Federation Of The Groove - Carnival of the Night (7:36)
1.02 - Federation Of The Groove - So What's Up (7:46)
1.03 - Federation Of The Groove - Briar Patch (4:59)
1.04 - Federation Of The Groove - Groovy Waltz (6:20)
1.05 - Federation Of The Groove - Blues for John (5:57)
1.06 - Federation Of The Groove - Downhill (5:12)
1.07 - Federation Of The Groove - Naima (6:15)
1.08 - Federation Of The Groove - Topspin (6:44)
1.09 - Federation Of The Groove - Uh Huh (6:16)