ARTIST: GEORGE HARPER & KAREN EVANS
TITLE: THE HARPER/EVANS PROJECT SP
Record Company SP1010
George Harper, tenor saxophone; Wendell Williams, bass; Henry Franklin, bass; Nate Morgan, piano; Todd Hunter, piano; William Henderson, drums; Don Littleton, drums; Karen Evans, vocals. On this premier release, George Harper showcases a collective group of several StraightAhead Jazz players based in Los Angeles. Right from the opening cut, (The Night Has A Thousand Eyes), you will experience exciting dynamics and the Swing that StraightAhead Jazz promises. Harper has a laidback,
mellow sound that floats atop the tight rhythm section like a sleepy bee poised over a bunch of wild flowers. Harper is master of his instrument and effortlessly moves from note to note, easily drawing the melodic nectar from each phrase. William Henderson is dynamic on drums, adding percussive color to the  Jazzy bouquet in just the right places. Todd Hunter, on piano, shines like the sun and bassist Wendell Williams is the earthy bottom that holds the ensemble together. My Romance features the smooth, sultry vocals of Karen Evans. She touches each lyric with tenderness and slips in a few curls and twists to make this song uniquely hers. Evans has a lovely vibrato, and brings her experience as background singer for Ray Charles to the table of this project. Her vocals add just the right amount of ‘Soul’ to the stew. Harper stirs it up with a saxophone solo that will have you immersed in every note. Shalabongo
begins with an attention getting solo by legendary bassist, Henry Franklin. Shalabongo is George Harper’s original composition and quite memorable. This song could easily become a Jazz standard. Nate Morgan, on piano, improvises bringing intensity and fire to the song in his own inimitable way. Don Littleton is drummer on this piece. Littleton has a way of always pushing the music towards higher heights and coloring percussively with lightening drumsticks and crashing cymbals at all the right places.
This is a Cd you can play over and over again without ever getting bored.
Reviewed by: Dee Dee McNeil
ARTIST: VIBES ALIVE
CD TITLE: “After Hours”
Swingding Records sd 0001
Dirk Richter: vibes,keyboards; Randall Crissman: guitar, synth bass; Jeff Lorber: Wurlitzer electric piano,
clavinet; Luis Conte: percussion; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums; Gary Meek: sax, flute; Jimmy Johnson, bass;
Bob Summers, trumpet; Putter Smith, bass.
Vibes Alive is the collaboration of Dirk Richter and Randall Crissman, who have written all the songs for
this second cd project. Crissman is the featured guitarist throughout, while Richter plays Vibes and
keyboards. The first cut, Lighthouse, is an upbeat, melodic and happy composition. Rather than a
Lighthouse, it made me think about the ocean lapping against the sides of my yacht as we glided across
the Pacific Ocean. After Hours is more melancholy and pensive. At the top of the tune, the melody is
doubled by Richter on vibes and Gary Meek on saxophone. In no time, the listener is encouraged to hum
along with this catchy phase. Jeff Lorber adds his special techniques and mastery of synthesizer. Luis
Conte on percussion and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums keep the tempo steady. Together they add punch to
the song. Although the melody is haunting and slow, the double time underneath moves us right along.
Once again, the bow of our boat is pushing its way steadily through the waves. Lunch Truck Pulls onto
the scene at our first port and makes everyone onboard
dance. Jimmy Johnson uses his bass to pump
up the rhythm and does things no synthesized bass can accomplish. His contributions to this tune are
outstanding. Throughout this recording, the musicians use an effect that imbricates the music. I enjoyed
the Latin flavored Sambathia. Crissman pulls out his acoustic guitar chops on this one and Johnson is
back to play more bass. Meek soars on flute and the percussion and acoustic drums are intense, fueling
the song with energy and excitement. Richter carries this piece with sensuous fluidity on vibes. Lorber is
spectacular on the Wurlitzer electric piano. Yes, this one really takes flight and lifts us like seagulls
soaring through space. Their compositions are wellwritten
and catchy, although at times the melodic
repetition on some songs is a bit over indulgent. Not so with In The Garden. Here is a beautiful
composition that deserves lyrics by virtue of the changes and chord structure. It’s a melody that begs to
be sung by the first instrument; voice. All in all, this is a well produced Smooth Jazz Cd, stuffed like a
delicious musical pie with the homegrown fruits of Crissman and Richter.
Reviewed by: Dee Dee McNeil

Dee Dee McNeil
August 2008

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