I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Nitty Gritty, from Russ Spiegel, and it's a cool release with some great tracks. Opening with Hank Mobley's Soul Station, Jim Gasior on organ, Lucas Apostoleris on drums set the foundation for Russ Spiegel's guitar lead. Nicely complimented by Gasior's organ accents a solid opener. Lennon and McCartney's Norwegian Wood gets a light redo with glistening tones from Spiegel's guitar and features a really nice bass solo by Kurt Hengstebeck. Francis Lai's pop track, A Man And A Woman, is approached with a subtle yet effective hand, pumping up it's Latin nature slightly and a soulful sax solo by Tim Armacost adds a warm richness to the track and Spiegel's lush guitar phrasing carries the melody. Consuelo Velazquez's Besame Mucho, a terrific Latin pop track, has an even more distinct Latin emphasis thanks to the drumming of Apostoleris and Spiegel's guitar approach is really clean. Gasior on organ adds a solid, rich, solo of his own. Very nice. Original fusion composition, Epic has a great rhythm setup and rich sax work by Armacost really sends it spinning. Spiegel steps back on guitar with more aggressive guitar attack and feel. I really like this track... possibly my favorite on the release. Excellent! A terrific take on Coltrane's 26-2 gives the band a chance to really hang it all out there with a snappy rhythm by Apostoleris, supportive work on keys by Gasior and smoking lead sax by Armacost. Spiegel's guitar solo will get you on your feet melding perfectly with Hengstebeck and Apostoleris on bottom. Very cool. Wrapping the release is Jimmy Guiffre's Four Brothers, given a mambo rhythm and a new flavor. Light and breezy work by Spiegel on guitar and full and fat work by Gasior on organ delivers the closer for a really solid release.
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