Dave Guy - Ruby (2024)

All-instrumental soul jazz can be harder than it looks but Dave Guy exhibits his expertise with ease on his debut album, Ruby. Snappy opener, "7th Heaven," is the trumpeter at his most upbeat. His short and sharp playing, which at times is reminiscent of Donald Byrd, takes an irresistible turn in the wavering refrain of "I'll Follow You." The New York City native was a member of The Dap-Kings, backing Sharon Jones until her death in 2016, and has been a part of other bands in the Daptone family like Menahan Street Band and Lee Fields & The Expressions. And for the past decade, Guy has been performing with The Roots as the house band for The Tonight Show.

Throughout Ruby, Guy is supported by fellow Dap-Kings bandmates bassist Nick Movshon and drummer Homer Steinweiss; Claire Cottrill (Clairo) adds wordless vocals along the way. "Still Standing" features Guy stepping into the foreground, soloing over handclaps, and a groove made more convincing by a scuzzy effect on the bass. "Pinky Ring" gets in a measured groove and stays there, returning to a melodic line reminiscent of '70s-era Bob James. "Drony Boy" is a cinematic, downtempo groover meant as a late night soundtrack with synths burbling like a marimba in the background; over this well-recorded and meticulously composed foundation, Guy locates ideas in his horn's upper range. Recorded at the analog-focused Diamond Mine Studio (part owned by Movshon and Steinweiss) in Long Island City, New York, Ruby's sound is punchy and immediate. Things turn outright and deeply funky on "The Green Door," where Movshon's monster bass line, accented by varied percussion from Steinweiss, spurs Guy into high blasts before an abrupt conclusion. The distinguished sideman makes a notable name for himself. © Robert Baird

Tracklist:
1 7th Heaven
2 Footwork
3 I'll Follow You
4 Morning Glory
5 Pinky Ring
6 Diamond Encore
7 Still Standing
8 Dave Wants You
9 Drony Boy
10 Quesodillas
11 The Green Door
12 Ruby's Rubies