Kevin Coelho (Hammond B3); Derek DiCenzo (gtr); Reggie Jackson (dms).(Review by Lance Liddle).
Coelho is 16 years old! So what? Lots of kids are 16. The difference here is that this 16 year old can drive a B3 like McGriff, McDuff and Dr. Lonnie!
The young Californian started on piano aged 6 becoming hooked on the B3 sound after hearing Booker T's Green Onions when he was 11 and has progressed, via the 2011 San Jose Jazz Festival, to this, his debut album. As a point of interest, Coelho's back at this year's San Jose Festival on August 12
It's an impressive start, the title track, Funkengruven, written by the wunderkind himself lays down the ground rules - solid funk tailor-made for the B3. Pieces by Randy Masters, McJimmy - Coelho's tribute to one of his early influences - Otis Redding's Dock of the Bay, Dr Lonnie's Play It Back and a funky take on Cantaloupe Island keep the funk groove going but hey what's this?
Donna Lee! Miles' classic line played in unison by B3 and guitar in true bebop style. And that isn't all - dig the standards Tangerine and What's New? - real wee small hours material although nobody would sleep with Coelho on full throttle!
Of course, brilliant as the young man is, DiCenzo and Jackson help to up the ante with the former's guitar the perfect foil and although Coelho's driving the B3 it is Jackson doing the navigating - together they are a great team. The album was produced by Tony Monaco of Chicken Coup Records. Monaco, one of today's B3 masters, also donated his rhythm section to the project.
Here's Cantaloupe Island on YouTube.
Funkengruven - The Joy of Driving a B3 - Kevin Coelho. Chicken Coup/Summit Records.
Out now.
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment