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Ken Husbands Trio: Keepin' it Going
ByWhere world music influences are present, they are very subtle on Keepin' it Going. By comparison, the trio's previous recording, Back Up Over (Self-Produced, 2010) included compositions from Cameroon, a native Greek bouzouki and a Bjork cover. The emphasis here is centered on traditional funk and jazz fusion, as the opener "East Coast Groupings" demonstrates. Husbands distorts the electric guitar's natural sound so that, at one point, it approximates a Hammond B3. Similarly, he incorporates electronic buzzing and poppingalong with some intricate improvisationto augment chords on "Lucky Seven."
The shimmering open to the title track leads to a more exotic ambience. An understated African essence comingles with Husbands sophisticated and energetic melodic line. Germain's composition, "Goodbye Eddie" (the only piece not penned by Husbands) is a fast-paced blues and a vehicle for Husbands to demonstrate his dexterity as he weaves through the challenging, multi-layered configuration. Huber gets some spotlight time with interstitial solo trade-offs with the guitarist. "Almost Eleven" breaks ranks with the previous tracks in a flat-out rock approach that would have been at home on Santana's Abraxas (CBS, 1970). Closing out the collection is "But I Don't," a high-energy piece with the slightest hint of Brazilian rhythm.
Keepin' it Going is direct and compact with enough space for Husbands to exhibit his considerable playing and improvising skills. He is careful not put his technical expertise above the continuity of the rhythms and the inventiveness of the arrangements. Keepin' it Going doesn't keep it going for too longclocking in at well under forty minuteshowever given the breakneck pacing of the album, it is sufficient for gaining a sense of Husbands abilities short of burning out from the intensity. With Husbands' obvious potential to incorporate the unexpected, it would be great to see him expand into less predictable spaces his next time out.
Track Listing
East Coast Groupings; Lucky Seven; Keepin' It Going; Goodbye Eddie; Almost Eleven; But I Don't.
Personnel
Ken Husbands
guitarKen Husbands: guitar; Aaron Germain: bass; Otto Huber: drums.
Album information
Title: Keepin' It Going | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: First Orbit Sounds