Album Notes

The goal of music is to move, transform, uplift and refuel. Brooklyn Soul Organization does all that and more. It's rare for a new CD to have such an impact on the spirit. Brad Leali (2002 Grammy nominee and current lead alto for Clark Terry's group), Grant Langford (2003 CBJC Young Lion Winner and tenor for the Ben Dixon sextet), Radam Schwartz (currently working with David "Fathead" Newman and Tommy Gryce) and Jerome Jennings (Music Master candidate) got together to produce a CD destined to become a staple of any and all collections as well as a possible award winner. It is a fiery collection of musical magic a feast for the ears.
Brooklyn Soul Organization is a journey. Within this trip one experiences the highs and lows of life. It begins with a dirge Soul Interlude and ends with Schwartz's expertly arranged soulfully different When the Saints Go Marching In. In between there's the explosive Hangin' With Leali from the hand of future tenor master Langford as well as Schwartz's soulful arrangement of the Sesame Street tun I Don't Want to Live on the Moon.
Sometimes it's dark and heavy and other times light and airy. The arrangements and compositions are as diverse as the musicians performing. Each song shows a master's hand. All the new compositions are enticingly lyrical. The solos are sung. Brooklyn Soul Organization harkens back to the days when composers wrote for listening and dancing. Whether one may compare these songs to Strayhorn or Ellington is for future consideration but I cannot see any reason why not. The melodies definitely and defiantly stick in your head. Expert musicianship combined with excellent storytelling lock you on an unexpected and incomparable journey.