I got this album as a present from two good friends of mine. They knows I love jazz, funk and soul so he thought I would enjoy it. Well, I DID A LOT (thanks SS and MA)! I have forwarded my gift copies to other "funkofiles" friends of mine, and I am sure I won't disappoint them! Last but not least: do check out this band often, they are not here for a ride!

Blue Number Nine has released a debut CD with plenty of breezy funk, jazzy ballads and grooves, and a lead vocalist who sounds like a mix of Rickie Lee Jones and Edie Brickell. The vocal harmonies and lovely use of the flute, piano, and horns add a touch of elegance to these tracks. The songs are ones you can relate to while you’re caught up in the sound. I like the message of “Hook In,” a refusal to be assimilated into the way things are. “I am too a sinner, I don’t claim to be no saint,” sings Stefanie Seskin, “But I can’t take advantage of someone else in any way, while what I find and what I see in this wealthy country are people using people, justified as just business.” As someone who spends her days working in the corporate world, all I can say is “Amen.” “Sweet Sugar Honey” takes the sensual path towards the good things in life, cutting through the bad news and sour faces in the world. There’s a sense of determination in each of these songs to achieve something better in this world. Even the heartbreak song “Jerkin’ My Chain” keeps its chin up: “The good news baby is I’ve seen the light, and yeah, I know I’m gonna be all right, and some day, baby when you’re toothless and bald, you’ll wonder why you can’t have it all.” The band’s goal is funkification of the planet. They’re off to a good start.

One of the quotes in their promo sheet was that Blue #9 doesn't just play music, they throw a party wherever they go. That, is correct. 'Hook In' comes somewhere around Edie Brickell And The New Bohemians' doing their 'what I am is what I am' hit. Metallic guitar, flute, several beat makers, oh there's more here than that ex-hippie Edie. It's replanted 60s grass for dance masters of the 00s. If anyone remembers that famous Helen Reddy song with the multi-female chorus 'you don't mess with a woman!' then consider that while listening to the sexy sounds of 'Jerkin' My Chain'. You'll dig the chorus of 'chain chain chain!' done by a crew of vixens, complaining, 'when we started, you were so sincere / my knight in armor, I had nothing to fear / you never did things that you did not feel / I should've known that you were not for real.' Uh oh. Looks like the end of the relationship, doesn't it? Sounds fun too, if you don't have to live the song. 'Sweet Sugar Honey' is much like what modern composers come up with when renovating the 1940s sound. The horns and the harmony singers not to mention the trilling, low trumpet solo make this song a standout, in several ways. First, it's really the only song Like this on the cd, so I'm not sure what alternative teens are going to think of it. If they listen to old time radio shows, they'll respect what the 9 is doing here. Otherwise, perhaps it's just hot nostalgia? Well, it is. And then the very next song switches styles utterly again. Like the Miami Sound Machine's brand of tight rhythm-ballad production? Then 'All the Way' is what you need to turn to first. 'I didn't mean to be as cold as the rain in fall / I wasn't being flippant like some know-it-all / when I told you I've heard that same sad song before / the one about the broken heart that just can't love any more'. It's got the newest copyright of any song on the cd, perhaps this is the way the band is grooving now? I sure wouldn't mind. The songs come from a 5 year period, which probably accounts for the shifts in the tide on this cd. Veers around much, but keeps a consistent Jollity within the large musicianship they employ. If you're having a get together, keep this on behind the scenes.

For several years now, I’ve been familiar with the music of NYC/Jersey-based smooth funk, pop rock singer and flutist Stefanie Seskin and her world-class band blue number nine. I also know the sacrifices and hard work that went into making this album. From the summer sunny breezy funk of the lead track "Hook In," right into industrial strength soul a la Aretha Franklin in "Jerking My Chains," the music jumped out at me as being some of the freshest of its kind I’ve heard in a long while. Each song showcases tasteful, orchestrated arrangements with horns, guitar, flute, and piano/keys while successfully keeping a jazzy dance groove churning under the mix. "The Moment I Saw the Sun" is a power-pop ballad with gorgeous piano intro, while their single "Sweet Sugar Honey" swings to the sound of a growling trombone, jazz vocals, rich harmonies, and yummy horns in general. "All the Way" reminds me of Basia with a pleasant edge. Stefanie’s flute is totally tasty in a Grand Funk way during "You Tell Me I Know." They’ve achieved some sophisticated world-market, danceable pop with American Motown soul ingrained in the groove. Strongly recommended listen!!!