SOULS JAZZ REBELS
Black Stamp Records BS19-01
Jean Vernheres (tenor saxophone), Cyril Amourette (guitar), Hervé St-Guirons (organ), Christian Ton Ton Salut (drums)
The eponymous album from this French quartet, led by saxophonist Jean Vernheres was released in 2018 and features Cyril Amourette on guitar; Hervé Saint-Guirons at the Hammond and Christian Ton Ton Salut on drums.
On this album the band perpetuate the tradition of the soulful Stanley Turrentine/Grant Green Blue Note recordings with shades of early George Benson with the Jack McDuff band at Antibes Jazz Festival in 1964.
Comprised entirely of originals, the album writing is shared by the band, each member contributing at least one composition, Amourette and Vernheres having penned the bulk at three tracks each.
The recording quality is superb; alive and clear, and the playing of a very high quality, as one would expect of a band that have been touring this and other similar material around French festivals and venues since 2015.
The first stand out track is the gospel-blues inflected Grant Green/Lou Donaldson Alligator Boogaloo homage ‘Mama Lou’ with the organ playing of Saint-Guirons putting one more in mind of a brooding and tasteful Mel Rhyne than a florid and explosive Jack McDuff. Perhaps a snappier ending to this tune would have had more impact, but the fact is there are many Blue Note soul/jazz tracks that linger on, leading to large quantities of sampling of these tracks, so perhaps a louche, trailing ending is more in keeping with the genre. Second in line is Paw Paw Tree, a sunny calypso reminiscent of Mambo Inn is impeccably executed.
A very enjoyable album to listen to, definitely a band to catch live, check out www.souljazzrebels.com for information regarding their live dates and radio broadcasts.
Reviewed by Wendy Kirkland
Black Stamp Records BS19-01
Jean Vernheres (tenor saxophone), Cyril Amourette (guitar), Hervé St-Guirons (organ), Christian Ton Ton Salut (drums)
The eponymous album from this French quartet, led by saxophonist Jean Vernheres was released in 2018 and features Cyril Amourette on guitar; Hervé Saint-Guirons at the Hammond and Christian Ton Ton Salut on drums.
On this album the band perpetuate the tradition of the soulful Stanley Turrentine/Grant Green Blue Note recordings with shades of early George Benson with the Jack McDuff band at Antibes Jazz Festival in 1964.
Comprised entirely of originals, the album writing is shared by the band, each member contributing at least one composition, Amourette and Vernheres having penned the bulk at three tracks each.
The recording quality is superb; alive and clear, and the playing of a very high quality, as one would expect of a band that have been touring this and other similar material around French festivals and venues since 2015.
The first stand out track is the gospel-blues inflected Grant Green/Lou Donaldson Alligator Boogaloo homage ‘Mama Lou’ with the organ playing of Saint-Guirons putting one more in mind of a brooding and tasteful Mel Rhyne than a florid and explosive Jack McDuff. Perhaps a snappier ending to this tune would have had more impact, but the fact is there are many Blue Note soul/jazz tracks that linger on, leading to large quantities of sampling of these tracks, so perhaps a louche, trailing ending is more in keeping with the genre. Second in line is Paw Paw Tree, a sunny calypso reminiscent of Mambo Inn is impeccably executed.
A very enjoyable album to listen to, definitely a band to catch live, check out www.souljazzrebels.com for information regarding their live dates and radio broadcasts.
Reviewed by Wendy Kirkland
