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Jazz is Dead
Light Blue Rain
(Zebra)
Words are inadequate to describe Jazz is Dead's new release, Light Blue Rain. Think Brand X that boogies or hippie jams in cyberspace. Powered by the more astrally inclined tunes of the Grateful Dead, guitarist Jimmy Herring and keyboardist T. Lavitz, cross the Mason Dixon line of licks and riffs to collide with the scrambling thunder of legendary drummer Billy Cobham and superstar session player Alphonso Johnson on Chapman Stick and bass. It's literally Aquarium Rescue Unit meets Dixie Dregs meets Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Santana. The production is sparkling and the results are remarkable. There are grooves to lose oneself into and rhythms to keep the body jumping. From the sunshiny reggae that bops as it drops in the opening, "Crazy Fingers," to the lonesome wail of Southwest blues peppered between the paranormally Steely Dan spin-outs on tunes like the Latinized, "Scarlet Begonia," Jazz is Dead is both a band and a concept that comes across like the tastiest piece of Southern fried fusion this side of the next century. Catch them if you can - this phenomenally streamlined space jam plays Chicago's House of Blues on Nov. 15th.
John Noyd |
