Musicians: Andy Narell (tenor, double second, triple guitar, tenor bass, and bass steel pans, iron congas, timbales, percussion), Luis Conte (congas, timbales, percussion), Mark Walker (drums), David Sanchez (tenor sax) Mike Stern (guitar), Jean Philippe Fanfant (drums), Stephanie N'deye, Sonia Descamps, Laurence Guerrini, Stephanie ey, Anita Bonan (pans)
Review:
If you open the jacket of Andy Narell’s February 2007 Heads Up release Tatoom, you will read that the CD was recorded from May through October 2006 in Paris, Biet, Ivry sur Seine, Boston Maine, Hattiesburg Mississippi, Thousand Oaks California, New York City, Morgantown West Virginia and San Mateo California.
You can’t say Narell, the steel pan virtuoso, has not been extremely busy. In fact, Narell has put out a solid stream of albums under the Heads Up label during the past nine years. Teaching, recording and performing, it’s no wonder you’re seeing Narell’s name pop up everywhere. It’s the love of his craft that keeps Narell on top of his game, something that he’s worked his entire life to achieve, combining the glorious steel pan Caribbean sound into the jazz idiom.
Narell has carved his own personal worldwide niche with the unusual instrument. Its sound is becoming increasingly popular, for which Narell must be held responsible. The pan is a pitched percussion instrument whose unique sound comes from overtones in each note, which must also be tuned to sweeten the sound. Sounds range from the soprano, or single lead pan, to tenor and bass. Narell’s powerful contribution to the orchestration of the instrument is unparalleled.
This fresh CD delivers six of Narrell’s original compositions developed over the course of more than two years’ work at the Calypsociation steel band school is Paris. It was there that Narell formed a mutual love affair, with many of Calypsociation’s members working on his compositions contained on the CD. Six tracks include Narell’s tasty vibes with special guests Mike Stern, David Sanchez and Luis Conte.
Andy Narell makes a important contribution and powerful statement on this CD. You won’t have to leave your house! Just turn on the sun lamp, sip a rum cooler, press play, and you’re right there on vacation in Trinidad. It's a first class trip all the way.
Tracks: Izo's Mood, Tatoom, Baby Steps, Tabanca, Blue Mazooka, Appreciation
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