Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jim Love & the Blue Groove: Gather 'Round
Jim Love & the Blue Groove: Gather 'Round
Love is an excellent rhythmic catalyst who brings a nice sense of variety to the selections here. His hot New Orleans beat on “Mayan Blues” is especially appealing, and on “There’s No Sound” he tumbles and punches behind the other musicians as they play a slow lament. Guitarist Andrew Hatch and bassist Raymond Clements are well-chosen partners who blend well with Love and saxophonist Seth Meicht. The tenor man is strong in tone and style but seems to be mixed a bit too loudly at times, throwing off the balance just a bit. All in all, the ensemble locks in together nicely and the solos are well-done.
DJ Dstar appears on three tracks, making effective use of his turntables on “Blue Groove” but getting a bit lost in the mix on “Bricolage.” There are more turntables on the closing track, but it wouldn’t play properly on any of my machines. Perhaps the disc was too full of music? I don’t think it was meant to sound that way; if it was, then the experiment didn’t work. “Parapeat” begins with free group improv, followed by bit of Aylerish lyricism from Meicht before the funky ensemble theme arrives. “Sunday School” is a hand-clap gospel tune featuring vocalist Raina Frey and “congregational” back-up. The other selections are workman-style modern jazz tunes that provide just the right material for this tight unit.
Visit Dreamscape on the web.
Track Listing
Bite the Bullet; The Blue Groove; Mayan Blues; Split Hairs; Sweet Attitude; Parapeat; Bricolage; Tempest Reign; Johannesburg; Sunday School; There
Personnel
Jim Love, drums; Raymond Clements, upright bass; Seth Meicht, tenor sax; Andrew Hatch, guitar; DJ Dstar, turntables (#2,7,12); Lucas Brown, Hammond organ (#2,5,10); Mike DiFebbo, guitar (#5,10); Raine Frey, vocals (#10).
Album information
Title: Gather 'Round | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Wyndfall
< Previous
Plays The Best of Lerner & Loewe
Next >
Double V
Comments
Tags
For the Love of Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
Giveaway
Days remaining: 11
