Clouser goes for a circa-1970 psychedelic pop-jazz groove---one tune is even titled "Brass Suite 1970"---that recalls similar albums from that time frame, like Quincy Jones' Walking In Space and Herbie Hancock's Fat Albert Rotunda as well some liked-minded contemporaries such as the groovy-jazz band from San Francisco, Mushroom. "Serenity Now" sets that tone with an easy-going groove where Clouser arrangements has him alternately playing off the horns and with them. The tune nearly breaks down into free jazz in the middle of it before regrouping and finds its groove again; signaling that Clouser doesn't intend to play it safe. But he picks and chooses his spots to spring any surprises.
There's also more explicit nods to stars of that past era; "Curtis" salutes Curtis Mayfield, who was not only adept and constructing memorable, sophisticated grooves, but was one of the few RnB giants to do so from the perspective of a guitarist. As the only song not penned by Clouser, the 1969 Three Dog Night hit "One" is covered relatively straight, allowing the strength of Harry Nilsson's composition to shine through, although Clouser raises the intensity for a moment with a firmly rockin' solo.
There's a few nice diversions that mixes things up. "The Border At Pachacan" is a party Latin jazz in the style of Pancho Sanchez, and "Bobby White In The City" is red-hot bebop with a crisp, theme that skillfully dances the dividing line between harmonious and dissonant. The lilting ballad "Jimena" contains some invested licks from Clouser as well as an appropriately light horn arrangement. "Littlest Number" is a lot like what you'd hear from John Scofield when he gets into his Big Easy mode.
Even with all these variations of approaches, the songs string together well, a cohesion that springs from Clouser's intelligent arrangements and a band that's flexible enough to handle whatever Clouser's songs call for in a consistent way. Oh yeah, and that early 70's vibe, too. For fusion that marries solid songs to a melting pot of idioms that are multi-faceted and yet easy to absorb, this record is a recommended choice.
Cross posted from the blog Something Else
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