Year: 2007
Record Label: Narada Jazz
Style: Soul / Funk Jazz
Musicians: Featured guests: Richard Elliot, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum, Philippe Saisse, Stephen Ferrone, Mitchell Foreman, Luis Conte.
Review: When listening to Jeff Golub, one hears a side of him as a smooth jazz musician that does not fit the norm of a radio invented style of music. As a stellar guitarist in his own right, his rock activated jazz influences appear to possess extra sensory progression. Jeff’s ability to augment his specialized sound into contemporary styled jazz has made him one of the most sought after individuals in music. His funk oriented approach coupled with his rock influences provides a signature flavor of sorts and has made Jeff one of the most recognized names around today.
Since the 1990s, Jeff Golub has penned any number of hits from albums such as Avenue Blue, Do It Again and a host of other releases. His latest CD entitled Grand Central continues a well established tradition of rhythmic dynamics that attaches itself to a variety of musical elements. As one examines this latest offering from Jeff Golub, it is quite evident that this album provides something uniquely qualified to be fresh and different. Although Jeff’s signature funk remains intact, he still manages to enlighten jazz aficionados with his skillfully crafted musical attributes.
‘Grand Central’ is full of toe-tapping beats, however this time out he has taken somewhat of a subdued approach to this release. Tunes such as Sly Stones’s "If You Want Me To Stay" and The Four Tops’ “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got)” are testaments to Jeff’s ability to mesh three totally different genres into one effervescent style of play. Both songs are R&B classics and Jeff incorporates rock and jazz to highlight these two cuts, while letting it all hang out in the process.
Every track on the CD is not all rock induced jazz, there is an element of blues attached to Grand Central as well. On yet another track entitled “Lulu’s Back,” Golub demonstrates a more sensitive side of play that reaches deep into one’s inner perspective. When every aspect of the CD has been heard, we see Jeff at his melodic best. All in all, this seventh CD from Jeff Golub continues to push the envelope of Jeff’s creativity, as he continually soars and expands upon his sphere of contemporary jazz influence.
Jeff Golub’s latest release is a must get recording that by all accounts continues down a path of excellence. Golub brings on the feel and flavor of New York City with tracks that cover everything from jazz to blues to rock. This is Jeff’s seventh solo release and of the eleven tracks, eight were written by Golub. In addition, eight of the tracks were produced by Jeff along with Steven Miller.
To make Grand Central even more inviting, Golub includes the talents of Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, Philippe Saisse and Paul Brown that solidifies the overall intent of Grand Central. In fact, the entire CD is a reflection of the look and feel of New York City. In the end, Jeff Golub has accomplish yet another strong interpretive influential on latter day jazz.
Tracks: Hello Betty, Lulu's Back, If You Want Me To Stay, Mojito, Something, Shockwave, Slinky, Grand Central, Ain't No Woman, The Way I Feel Tonight, Stuffin' It. Bonus Tracks: Brooklyn Dreams, Let's Stay Together.
Record Label Website: http://www.naradajazz.com
Reviewed by:
Sheldon T. Nunn
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