MARK WHITFIELD - Grace
Marksman Productions – 8 2268533147 3
Mark Whitfield (guitar) Davis Whitfield (piano) Mark Whitfield Jnr (drums) Yasushi Nakamura (bass) with See Smith (vocals on track 3)
Recorded at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio 2016.
A one- time protégé of George Benson and Berklee graduate, guitarist Mark Whitfield’s early promise was somewhat subdued by the ambitions of Warner and Verve whose soft-focus fusion policy ultimately frustrated his ability to stay in a jazz groove. Now in his early fifties and with talented progeny at his side he seems to be back on track with a tidy set of originals that display his command of the bop and blues idiom which combines the articulation of Wes Montgomery with the delicacy and pitch of Stanley Jordan.
His fleet circumlocutions are matched and supported by his self -styled ` Whitfield Family Band`, with agile, intelligent solos of considerable accomplishment from Davis and plenty of sizzle and assertive prodding from Mark on percussion who locked in close combination with honorary family member Nakamura’s warm, mobile bass lines, ensures the momentum never flags. In addition to their instrumental prowess the young men get a stab at the compositional credits by contributing the final track, a soulful blues which utilises a whammy pedal effect. Strangely this sounds a little dated compared to the `gold standard` bop that proceeds it but is enjoyable nonetheless. Finally, the musicians are joined by vocalist Sy Smith on the title track, ‘Grace`, whose silkily, soulful rendition of her own impassioned lyrics come as a pleasant addition to a very worthwhile session.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Marksman Productions – 8 2268533147 3
Mark Whitfield (guitar) Davis Whitfield (piano) Mark Whitfield Jnr (drums) Yasushi Nakamura (bass) with See Smith (vocals on track 3)
Recorded at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio 2016.
A one- time protégé of George Benson and Berklee graduate, guitarist Mark Whitfield’s early promise was somewhat subdued by the ambitions of Warner and Verve whose soft-focus fusion policy ultimately frustrated his ability to stay in a jazz groove. Now in his early fifties and with talented progeny at his side he seems to be back on track with a tidy set of originals that display his command of the bop and blues idiom which combines the articulation of Wes Montgomery with the delicacy and pitch of Stanley Jordan.
His fleet circumlocutions are matched and supported by his self -styled ` Whitfield Family Band`, with agile, intelligent solos of considerable accomplishment from Davis and plenty of sizzle and assertive prodding from Mark on percussion who locked in close combination with honorary family member Nakamura’s warm, mobile bass lines, ensures the momentum never flags. In addition to their instrumental prowess the young men get a stab at the compositional credits by contributing the final track, a soulful blues which utilises a whammy pedal effect. Strangely this sounds a little dated compared to the `gold standard` bop that proceeds it but is enjoyable nonetheless. Finally, the musicians are joined by vocalist Sy Smith on the title track, ‘Grace`, whose silkily, soulful rendition of her own impassioned lyrics come as a pleasant addition to a very worthwhile session.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
