Saxophonist Karl Denson may not have the name recognition enjoyed by new-jack jazzmen such as Charlie Hunter or Medeski, Martin & Wood, but that should change with Dance Lesson #2, his Blue Note debut. A versatile player, Denson played with Lenny Kravitz in the early '90s and helped found the acclaimed if short-lived Greyboy Allstars in the mid-'90s. He's also cut a handful of albums on small labels, the early ones more straight-ahead and the later ones more locked into the groove thing. Here, Denson's work on alto, tenor, and flute rides the dance-floor jazz groove with the melodic sense of Herbie Mann and the immaculate funk timing of Maceo Parker, who is undoubtedly an influence. An all-star cast of sidemen that includes Melvin Sparks, Charlie Hunter, Chris Wood, and DJ Logic urge Denson on by holding nothing back themselves. This set is also diverse--while some tunes delve deep into the groove, others verge on smooth jazz, making for a nicely paced, well-crafted album. --Tad Hendrickson
Artist(s): Karl Denson
Disc 1
- Track 1 - Dance Lesson, No. 2
- Track 2 - Like, Like Dope
- Track 3 - Rumpwinder
- Track 4 - Flute Down
- Track 5 - A. J. Bustah
- Track 6 - Shorter Path, No. 1
- Track 7 - Shorter Path, No. 2
- Track 8 - I Want the Funk
- Track 9 - Who Are You?
UPC:
724353158620EAN:
0724353158620
Similar Product(s):
A Town Called Earth
West Coast Boogaloo
The Bridge
Lunar Orbit (Dig)
Up Here
Details last updated 0 hours ago.
[+]
8.0
bob-your head type shizz
As a long-time Karl Denson and Greyboy Allstar fan, this is definitely one of my favorite albums to put on at a party or just by myself. I enjoy the overall smooth-funk vibe, the unexpected scratches from DJ Logic and the layers of instrumental grooves compliments of Melvin Sparks, Ron Levy, Chris Wood, Charlie Hunter and Zak Najor. This collaboration has a definite point of view and sound. For me, this is exactly the mixture of head-bobbing, funk-jazzy goodness any girl could want! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do-- it never seems to get old!
The title of the review says it all. Karl Denson is one the most talented saxophonists of this generation and some how is still far more obscure then he should be. Out of all of his discs this one is my all time fav, more so then his latest excellent disk "the bridge". You really get to hear him stretch out on this one. Also this was incredibly produced. This CD sonically, sounds incredible. Can't wait for his next release!!!!
[+]
10.0
Acid Jazz 4 Life
I've been listening to Karl Denson since 1993 94 when he was in the Greyboy Allstars. But at that tme would only see him live at cool clubs. That guy plays the flute and the sax in the same songs and it gives you chills. His energy on this CD definitely grooves, as he always has. I recomend this CD to anyone who likes to groove. I'm happy to be able to get his music on CD because Hawaii doesn't have that kind of music scene.
Aloha
[+]
10.0
Music Fans, I give you greatness.
This album is great. I LOVE Karl Denson's unique brand of music. I highly, highly reccomend this disc to any Jazz, Jamband, hip-hop or funk fan. Luckily I am one of each, so this disc was easy to enjoy. If you are a fan like me, get it now.
[+]
10.0
Una mezcla perfecta
Puede que hayas oido hablar del jazz fusión, o de la mezcla de funk y jazz. Bien, este trabajo es una excelente muestra de estos dos estilos, y en ocasiones, hay simpáticos acercamientos al acid jazz y al sonido más groove. Por eso me ha gustado tanto, yo recomiendo este "dance lessons" porque es muy agradable de escuchar.
Los arreglos son muy brillantes, y destacaría las canciones 5, 7 y 10. Sobre esta última, decir que son diez minutos de saxofón, ya que Karl Denson es un virtuoso de este instrumento, en los que se van alternando los "solos" con sonidos de órgano, guitarra eléctrica, percusión de influencia latina, incluso "scratching"... creando un sonido jazzístico maravilloso, no inédito, pero sí tremendamente agradable. Si te gustan cosas como Grant Green, sonidos groove pero modernos, el acid jazz o el jazz fusionado, creo que te va a gustar este disco.
Una seña de identidad que además aporta de por sí una cuidada producción es que este disco está editado por Verve, que en mi opinión ya es motivo suficiente para saber que el trabajo tiene calidad propia. Que te guste o no, eso ya es otra cosa.
Le doy cinco estrellas porque me parece un trabajo muy bueno. Lo recomiendo.
[+]
10.0
Jam-band-jazz-r&b-funkadelic phantastic!
I'd heard OF Karl Denson's Tiny Universe as an active jam band concert CD trader, but I wasn't familiar with his music. (Members of Tiny Universe sat in on a Dark Star Jam at a String Cheese Incident show in Solana Beach, CA, that I was at a few years ago and they were great...) So when I saw this a few months ago in a store I bought it on impulse! Boy, was that a GOOD decision! Denson lays down a groove that makes you want to get down and shake yer booty even if you're home alone! I sent a copy of this to a friend and he, too, was totally blown away, and now we're both actively collecting Denson's shows from fellow traders. The title I gave this, jam-band-jazz-r&b-funkadelic is the best way to describe Denson's music. It explores all musical terrain, and do so with a deep funk and groove that is sensational. Put on this CD and you won't hit the "stop" button! Now, besides trading Denson shows, I'm getting all his back catalog, which is available from the String Cheese Incident home site, which has a "Friends of Cheese" landing page, with Denson CDs and other merchandise. If you like a groove, this is one CD that supplies it!
