CD Title: Brooklyn Soul Organization
Year: 2005
Record Label: M & N Records
Style: Contemporary Jazz
Musicians: Brad Leali,
Grant Langford,
Radam Schwartz,
Jerome Jennings
Review: The attempts of defining “Soul” comes from numerous lost journeys and countless never to return’s but one thing is so concrete of this art form, it bleeds life from any form. From the pool room where an unforgiving life many times comes full circle to the back alleyway off the street of nowhere special, soul and jazz meet, to tell the tales. Enclosed in this project are a select few of the most capable crusaders of cool to heat up a stage. The Brooklyn Soul Organization is a trip, a venture if you will, into the depths of emotion.
Radam Schwartz, Brad Leali, Jerome Jennings, and Grant Langford stimulate audiences and listeners alike with heated arrangements and multi-directional sounds. These four are a tribute to passionate originality. Released by M&N Records this anthology of music makes for a truly pleasurable and mesmerizing listen, capturing numerous sounds from all directions.
Note the organ tones in numerous cuts, the creative direction that sound is lead through speaks volumes for the composer. The industry lacks talent such as this and really need to embrace this approach.
“Mr. Sneaky” is smoking brass gun loaded with cool. The sounds creep out gingerly at the listener as the title denotes. Drops of organ and strong brass unite these techniques down so as to cement the effect warranted. Very persuasive.
A stellar cut is the intro piece “Soul Interlude” which brings faint memories of “Fast” Eddie in The Hustler. This is soul with an attitude, as ones life is based on his one shot at it. Dirty whiskey and tainted women filter toward the listener as the brass and percussion intertwine to pass that effect. Nearing the end of the arrangement it delivers a thunderous end to its epilogue with heavy skins. Extraordinary work.
Four men with very diverse musical talents. Combined they genuinely define ingenuity in musicianship. Their goals of music is to move, transform, uplift, and refuel. Ladies and gentleman, their mission is accomplished. Standing ovation from all who spin.
Karl Stober is a national freelance music journalist/interviewer. Any inquiries or requests should be directed via email to JazzTrenzz@bellsouth.net or contact his office at 802-380-6065.
Tracks: Soul Interlude,
Odd Man Out,
I Don't want to live on the Moon,
Mr. Sneaky (interlude),
Mr. Sneaky,
Victim of the Ruthless,
Hangin' with Leali,
Trouble in the House,
Lil' Dre,
Solomon's Puzzle,
When the Saints go Marching In
Record Label Website: http://www.nichelsonentertainment.com
Reviewed by: Karl Stober