POSITOOTLY!
John Beasley
Resonance Records RCD-1013

John Beasley, Piano/Fender Rhodes/Synthesizer; Bennie Maupin, Tenor/Soprano Saxophones; Bryan Lynch, trumpet; James Genus, Acoustic/Electric Bass; Jeff “Tain” Watts, Drums; Munyungo Jackson, Percussion.
This Resonance Record release, featuring pianist/composer John Beasley, is pure art. Consider the Cd as fuselage, fasten your seatbelt and get ready for take off. Beasley’s first original composition, titled “Caddo Bayou,” steps assertively into space. He flies along side James Genus, who tenaciously walks his bass to establish complimentary tempo and attitude. Jeff “Tain” Watts accelerates this number, adding fire on drums. Saxophone master, Bennie Maupin, and trumpeter Brian Lynch rev the engines. Blast off! Beasley’s next original composition and Cd namesake, “Positootly,” continues their up-tempo journey. Jobim’s “Dindi” takes a detour from the familiar, introductory path and pleasantly surprises the listener with unique timing. It’s a wonderful arrangement. “Black Thunder”, another Beasley original, establishes poly-rhythms and smooth melodic horn lines that invite the virtuoso listener to hum along. We are soaring through an uninhibited atmosphere of improvising stars. Jeff “Tain” Watts is the super glue that holds the free falling ideas in place. Beasley’s creativity rewards my ears. He’s both complex and masterful on the keys. “Shatita Boom Boom (Club Desire)” is a song that reminds me of Eddie Harris’ style and legacy. You’ll want to get up and shake your tail feather to this one. Maupin’s stellar contribution on this tune takes me back to Detroit and days at the Minor Key Coffee House listening to Yusef Lateef Swing the crowd into a frenzy. On this one, Beasley shows us he knows how to settle down and groove. He’s Avant Garde one minute and down-home-soulful the next; a masterful mix. “Tanguedia III” has a Spanish flare at the top, but like most of the tunes on this CD, there is an element of surprise that keeps you both fascinated and libertine. Beasley’s music is sensual. “Elle” is French for ‘She.’ When Beasley tells his story of this mysterious woman, you can hear him moaning along with his Bluesy improvisational piano solo. On this composition, Maupin paints the ear-canvas in sultry shades with some Stevie Wonder influence on the ‘vamp’. Both original compositions “So Tired” and “The Eight Winds” gives percussion master Munyungo Jackson an opportunity to display his talented techniques. Lynch’s muted trumpet on the latter tune is superb. This CD offers a rewarding trip to the outer limits of creativity and celebrates the composer’s impressive and distinctive works.
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Dee Dee McNeil
September

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