I apologize for the long delay in writing jazz reviews. There is so much good jazz to write about, I just got sidetracked jammin’ to all the old and new music out there. Who needs NAPSTER? The last review I wrote was about EUGE GROOVE, and his self titled CD. I may have been off on the pronunciation of his name. However, I was right about his CD, and appropriately labeling him "THE EL NIÑO OF JAZZ!". You have to admit that he and his CD, came out of nowhere and SLAMMED us! I want to give a JAZZFAN SALUTE to everyone that went out and bought the CD based on my review. My This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. mailbox stayed full, and the encouraging words will always be special to me. However, its all about the music! Glad i could turn you on. Ain’t that CD the BOMB? Sincerest "Thanks" to everyone!

Now.... ..BACK TO THE ISSUE AT HAND!(phrase is courtesy of SNOOP DOGGY DOG, Dr. Dre, THE CHRONIC, 1992) I can crank out a good review about jazz 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, when 5 of my favorite artist, and one of my favorite record labels puts out new music, its overwhelming, and I get caught up in the groove. My hands are usually too sore to type, because I have been playing the drums on my steering wheel, jammin’ to all this funky jazz music. This time, I held out so I could tell about them. Anyway,.... .first and foremost, all of these CD’s are the BOMB, and should be made mandatory for any jazz collection. I plan on writing individual reviews about all of them, but for now, I will just give you brief notes. Hopefully I have gained some level of credibility based on my past reviews. (I WOULDN’T STEER YA WRONG!) Just take your time and check out who is jammin' at my house these days. The artist and CD’s are as follows: Marcus Johnson - Urban Grooves, 2000

The boy is BAD!!, and you could hurt your neck jammin’ to his grooves! Funky and smooth from beginning to end! NON-STOP! Scale 1-10? 100! Autograph Seekers: Watch your pen because he will keep it!. (MJ,.... ..i know you got a pocket full by now!) (SMILE)

Joe McBride - Texas Rhythm Club, 2000

It doesn’t get any better than this!!! McBride is jammin’ hard, and knockin’ your socks off with every cut! Scale 1-10? 101! If you have never seen him in concert, the man is phenomenal, and will keep you laughing!!! (Joe, Delaware Jazz Fest in the pouring rain.... .YOU JAMMED, and made me laugh in the autograph line!!! Where you learn to play a piano like that? (Brings his own pen too!!!) (MJ.... .... ..HAHAHAHA!)

Gene Dunlap - Tales Of The Phatman, 2000

He doesn’t put them out often (every 5 years), and only has 3 total, (the first is an album) but this boy writes music that makes corn.... .. POP.... louder than any weasel I ever heard! Scale 1-10? 98!

Tom Saviano - Crossings, 2000 (Featuring Thom Rotella on Guitar)

Shout out to my email buddy Thom Rotella for telling me about this CD. Saviano is SERVIN YA, and straight up funky jams are on the menu! Simply put.... THE BOMB! Scale 1-10? 99! Next trip to the west coast? I’m at your show!

This Is Acid Jazz- (Volume 5) Livin’ In The Land Of Hi-Fi,1996The executives at Instinct Jazz must have a FUNKY MUSIC detector at their place, because all they do is sign ACID JAZZ groups that JAM!!!!! Where did you all find MONDO GROSSO, DUBONIKS, A +? Bands are jammin HARD!!! Scale 1-10? 104!

Pete Escovedo - E Music, 2000

Papa E ain’t no joke, and jams hard on the whole CD. (Papa E, caught the tail end of your show in San Fran, that was enough for me. Slept like a baby! You jammed!) He is the master, and one of the nicest people in the world! When the lights go on.... ..Mister E goes on!! Electrifying in concert! Scale 1-10? 95

David Dyson - Soulmates, 1999

Local DC talent in the house!!!! Jams on "Urban Grooves" with Marcus Johnson. A very, very, TIGHT bass player. Heard 1 cut off his CD and was sold! BOY IS BAD!!! Nuff said! This brother gets my TUPAC AWARD.... ..(ALL EYEZ ON ME) He is the one to watch, and a super nice guy. Has his own pen too.... ..(MJ I can’t let go.... .HAHAHA!) You and Dave sound good together! . (Lohandfunk.... .... I can’t put it down, you are jammin’ hard. Does your wife have any sisters? Hook me up!) Scale 1-10? 100!

Thom Rotella - Can’t Stop! 1997

Aw man,.... .where do I begin. This CD is timeless, and stays in my CD player at home, or at least one of its songs is placed on each of the thousands of tapes in my car. Rotella is bad! I call him THE MASTER OF CHANGE because of his ability to write beautiful musical progressions and changes. This cat is a certified guitar player, and one of the best in the game. In my opinion, if Benson is Jordan, and Norman Brown is Pippen, this guy is John Paxson. A true sleeper, capable of SLAMMIN’ ON YA! Anytime, Anywhere! (Thom, I will never put it down, keep jammin’ my friend! The Fellas Jazz Committee is waiting to see you! Honorary Membership waiting!)

Hope I covered everything.... .at least who I am jammin’ with these days. Until next time. "ITS ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC".... .... Let me know your thoughts.... " This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "