Greyboy Allstars - West Coast Boogaloo

A roomate turned me on to these guys about 10 years ago with this CD and I have seen and heard most of their stuff since because of this CD. Fred Wesley is the most amazing trombone player and I was blessed to have seen him back then with the Allstars at the Fox Theater in Boulder. He's a powerhouse on stage. Karl is just one of the most all encompassing players out there. He's not a showboat, but just plays from his heart. So very, very talented. The other guys are pretty talented too. Which is so fresh in this day and age with all the silly fluff out in the music scene. This is a must have for anyone who loves funk, R&B and jazz. Nothing fancy.....just funky and fun to the core. You'll feel it in your soul.

Very "Grant Green" in the sound and grooves. Somewhat light, not overly driving funky, but definately great listening. My only dislike is that the quality of the recording is lower then expected, the overall volume of the disc is quite lower than comparable CD's. Other than that I would recommend!

Karl D and the Greyboys are the real deal, its jazz-funk fusion with a fresh twist. However, lets not get carried away here. While it is most likely the best album of its kind in recent years, it is in no way the greatest funk, or jazz funk album EVER.

Notice on the cover, it says "with Fred Wesley." Now I know that not everybody knows who Fred Wesley is, so Ill tell yall a little secret. Pick up "The JBs - Pass the Peas," listen to Fred take it higher, then lets talk about the "BEST FUNK EVER" The Greyboys do it right, but they are standing on the shoulders of giants, and one of the biggest graces actually graces this album. It is truly greatness, just not the greatest ever.

Absolutely changed my life. For Three years I listened to this CD at least once a week, if not more. Just perfect in every way imaginable.

I liked the tracks fine, but I have heard better. this was a first time purchase for me. I think that I was pleased enough to explore their other albums.

I picked this album up on the strength of instrumentalists Robert Walter and Karl Denson, both of whom I have seen live with both their own bands (20th congress and tiny universe, respectively) as well as sharing a stage with others (kimock, gov't mule, etc.).

Hearing this group is really amazing, especially joined by perhaps the greatest trombone player of all time, FRED. I give it 4.5 stars, mostly because the opening track is by far the strongest, and I tend to wander off about midway through the album. Very strong record throughout just the same.

Six or seven years ago I would go down to the Green Cirle Bar in San Diego and watch these guys play. Just tons of talent, really funky. I had been producing house music for several years prior to coming across them accidentally. After listening to them play several times I realized I knew nothing about music. I bought a piano and started reading everything I could on jazz and music theory. This album is the reason why.

I was sitting in the parking lot with "Fried Grease" playing on my car stereo, windows down, on a hot day. I wanted to get out of the car, but I had to hear the end of the song. I had heard it a million times before, played it for people, played it over and over again for myself, etc. But I had to wait to catch that last guitar solo, perhaps one of the most perfect moments in music I have ever heard. When the keys interlock with that guitar, playing out that solo with this beautiful, perfect tone, and then the horns come in, it just kills me. It was one of those transcendent moments, where I just realized that whatever life throws at me, at least I have this guitar solo to keep coming back to. No joke. I guess this is where I find my peace in life.

This music has a quality about it that lifts it beyond "groove jazz" into perfection. To call it smooth is just a huge understatement. This thing could *define* the term. Everything just slides perfectly into place. These musicians were right in tune with each other the whole way through.

So what I suggest is to buy the disc, put it on the car stereo, and see how you feel. If you're like me, the troubles will melt away.

This is the best jazz-funk album I have ever heard, bar none. relentless grooves. Wild flute solos, nimble basslines, bubbly and wailing organ, smooth locktight-in-pocket drumming. A must for any fan of funk.