Liquid Soul – One-Two Punch
Liquid Soul
One-Two Punch
(Telarc – 2006)
by Ray Redmond
In plaes it is waaaay out, then suddnely it turns to funky grooves and hip-hop beats. Once I got over the shock I began to like this melding of urban groove and hard bop with a little bit of free-jazz tossed in to add to the mix, and the CD features guests like Vernon Reid, JoJo Hermann and four guys named ‘DJ-Something’ (including DJ Logic.) There are original tracks (mostly by Saxophonist Mars Williams) but I liked the revamped arrangements of Dizzy Gilespe and Albert Ayler, tunes with enough urban edge in them to keep any errant hip-hopper that might stumble upon it listening until the end.
What about the jazz folks? It’s cool, man. the selection is diverse and a bit loose but there’s a little something there for all types of listeners. Everything on here won’t appealto everyone, but there’s something here for every one.
Liquid Soul is… Mars Williams on saxes and woodwinds, Phil Ajjarapu on bass, David “Boy Elroy” Arredondo on beat-box and vocals, Andy Baker on trombone, Chris “Hambone” Cameron on keyboards, Van Christie on programming, Doug Corcoran on trumpet, Mr. Greenweedz on vocals, Tommy Klein on guitars, DJ Logic on turntables, Mussettes on keyboards and loops, electronics, Brian “MC B” Quarles on vocals, Hugh Ragin on trumpet, Tony “Kick Drum” Taylor on drums, and Vernon Reid on guitar.
Liquid Soul 2006 Tour Dates
May 13 Northwestern University Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 8:00 pm
May 27 Subterranean Chicago, IL
May 28 Hunter Center North Adams, MA
June 4 Belmont/Sheffield Music Festival Sheffield @ School Chicago, IL 7:30 pm
June 6 Ram’s Head Annapolis, MD
June 7 Canal Room New York City, NY
June 8 Sculler’s Jazz Club Boston, MA
June 17 Fibark Riverside Park Sackett & F St. Salida, Colorado 8:00 pm
June 24 Lake Michigan Wine Fest Weko Beach, Bridgman, MI
July 7 Taste of Chicago Chicago, IL 8:00 pm
July 22 Jazz & Rib Fest Riverfront Amphitheatre, Columbus, Ohio 8:00 pm
