Micah Graves - Pawns - New Release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Pawns , from Micah Graves and it's terrific! Opening with title track, Pawns , Micah Graves leads a group of excellent musicians on a creative path. Based over a central piano/keys vamp by Graves is reinforced by Robby Cruz on trumpet, Dick Oats on alto sax, Yesseh Ali on tenor sax, Zach Guise on bass and Julian Miltenberger on drums. Ali is the first to break loose with a creative solo line with incredibly tight drum rhythms by Miltenberger. Zach Fischer is next in line with warm guitar lead over a subdued, drum/piano rhythm, breaking back to Miltenberger and Graves tight rhythm interaction and horns. Very nice. Adding vocals by Danielle Dougherty and Shafiq Hicks on Lost In Time In Central Square , this track is much more straightforward and radio forward with a carload of instrumental excellence. Ali is first up on solo this time and his tones are fat and rich, followed by a funky keyboard solo by Graves and nicely...