I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Waking Music: The Music of Gregg Hill & Randy Napoleon and it's solid, inspired and inventive. Opening with Super Moon, you immediately get a sense that this release is going to be a new excursion. Clock like rim shots and unexpected snare/cymbal shots by Quincy Davis, piano rhythm by Rick Roe and featuring Randy Napoleon and Jocelyn Gould on guitar creates a euphoric feel. Breaking to a real nice bop, led by Rodney Whitaker on bass, Napoleon lays down a low slung solo that really creates a groove. Gould picks up the baton and runs with it creating a nasty groove of her own. Whitaker takes center focus and he makes the groove fly. Circling back, Davis recreates the clock like timing and reggae slap. Very interesting. The Speckled Frog has a cool Latino bop feel with super drum and percussion by Davis and walking guitar texture by Napoleon and Ben Turner. Anthony Stanco sits in on trumpet shoveling a heap of bluesy tasty bop riffs on the fire. Napoleon takes the lead with really nicely stylized soloing, accented by Roe. Two Thoughts is really a nice break with classical/jazz construction featuring Roe on piano, Davis on drums and Napoleon weaving a lush fabric of guitar tones. Roe breaks into a strong groove and Davis is tight on his heels. Napoleon enters with plenty of swagger making it very difficult to keep yourself stationary. Very nice. The Singer really is high energy with excellent guitar work by Napoleon and Luke Sittard, expanded and reinforced by a dynamic Latin bottom by Roe, Michael J. Reed on drums and Langston Kitchen on bass. Smoking! Riverside Blossoms showcases the excellent chops of Michael Dease up front on trombone punctuated by the solid piano rhythm of Roe and Davis on drums. Napoleon shows his warm side with fluid guitar lead and a tight bass lead by Whitaker gives the track even more weight. Rich. Jo Jo Jo has a really contemplative intro with beautiful guitar illustration by Napoleon. This piece kicks into high gear lead by Napoleon, Sittard and Roe and Davis' splashy drum work is tops. Wrapping the release is Boom Boom with exuberant guitar solos by Chris Minami, Ben Turner, and Gould, a rich Tenor sax solo by Walter Blanding and topped off by hot drumming by Davis. What a closer.
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