Can you take a sip of yourself without the sugar high? According to guitar Joe Friedman, you can do this very well as he states with his well-titled album, Cup O' Joe (NAS Music). The entire album has a nice live feel to it, and in fact it sounds as if it was recorded in a nice nightclub with the kind of ambience and resonance that makes these type of albums great.

Friedman plays with power and strength, although relies more on technicality than volume, subtle but effective. The interaction between the band (Peter Washington-bass; Neal Smith-drums; George Colligan-piano; Renato Thoms-percussion) comes off as someone who knows the inner workings of Charles Mingus, and it sounds like they not only enjoy playing, but playing with each other. The rhythm section of Washington and Smith has to be heard to believed, and when Colligan carries himself in and out of the tracks, it makes you realize that all of these guys could be leaders. Friedman however shines throughout, and when Colligan may add an extra fill, as he does in their cover of The Isley Brothers' "Who's That Lazy", Friedman is there to respond in kind. He also gets to respond in kind to one of his influences with his take of George Benson's "Myna Bird Blues". The title track has the band going for it with a Latin tinge with brief hits of funk, and Friedman's performance here is a scorcher. Just when you think he's going to play a few more bars he lets go and Colligan fills the void. Just when you think Colligan could carry on for another minute or so, he too opens up briefly, which gets Friedman ready to get back into it. I have to say it again, the rhythm section: damn.

The live feel was captured beautifully by engineer Katherine Miller, with everything mixed evenly and well to where you can almost imagine Friedman and the band being there in your living room. Perhaps the reason why the rhythm section sounds so great is that drummer Smith produced the album. Everything about this album is good, no complaints at all. Get this guy on the road, a tour package, some festivals, anything.
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i had so few distracting thoughts as i listened to this cd...then wondering what created and allowed this "dropping of the guard"...no dissonance..."i'm in the music and the music is in me"...just like In The Night Kitchen...so many moods so complex yet so materfully done...
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This is an awesome CD!
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Wonderful debut from a very talented jazz guitarist. You won't be disappointed!!!
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