B Bennett - Groove Time (2014)

Tracklist

For those who may not know, Bennett B (aka Bennett Brandeis) is a four-time recipient of ASCAP’s Popular Music Award and is listed in the Who’s Who World of Jazz. Now, with that brief Bennett B CDintro, allow me to delve into the artist’s latest activity – a cool and often funky offering featuring some of today’s best known artists in accompaniment.

The album is called Groove Time and features the renowned guitarist Paul Brown (who also produced and mixed this effort), saxman Elan Trotman, trumpeter Greg Adams, and the late great drummer Ricky Lawson.

The album has that cool, confident Paul Brown production feel to it while Brandeis exhibits his own storytelling style on guitar.

Several tunes warrant you paying close attention to this one. From the funky mid-tempo tunes like the lead track “Tell Me About It,” “Get On Up,” the up-tempo title track, and the light-funky “Above the Clouds” to the smooth and steady hook-rich “Show Your Love” to the more laid-back tracks like “When I Look in Your Eyes,” “Now and Again,” and “In My Mind,” you get your ear’s worth on this one.

Listening to Brandeis’ style almost conjures up a cross between Paul Brown on the electric guitar pieces and Ken Navarro and Jim Adkins on the acoustic tracks. His tunes are both colorful and modest, flaunting confidence yet subtleness, all at the same time. A treat for those who like their jazz somewhat unassuming but very present. Give this one a listen. Something is bound to be here for you.

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