Steve Smith – Steve Smith & Buddy’s Buddies (1999)

Artist: Steve Smith
Title Of Album: Steve Smith & Buddy’s Buddies
Recording Date: May 13, 1999,May 14, 1999
Release Date: Sep 21, 1999
Label: Enja Justin Time
Genre: Jazz / Post-Bop / Fusion / Jazz-Funk
Quality: FLAC (image + Log+Cue+scans+ info)
Mono/Stereo : Stereo
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 58:37
Total Size: 388 MB

*****

AMG:
When thinking of drummer Buddy Rich, the first thing that comes to mind is a screaming
big band propelled by the master. However, Rich also recorded in small group settings,
and it’s this facet of the drum legend’s musical personality that Steve Smith and his friends
explore on this CD. Teaming up with four alumni of the Buddy Rich band from the
1970s and ’80s, Smith takes on the difficult task of filling Rich’s drum chair for this impressive set.
It’s great to hear saxophonist Steve Marcus cooking again. He and alto saxophonist Andy
Fusco provide the perfect frontline, blending seamlessly on the ensemble passages,
then taking off in their distinctive solo styles. Marcus gets out there on his soprano and tenor
while Fusco locks in closer, only to rise on “Airegin.” Pianist Lee Musiker shows talent that
deserves wider recognition, providing a fat chordal underpinning one moment and soaring
through an inventive solo the next. Bassist Anthony Jackson brings impressive credentials
to the gig and delivers a solid bottom throughout. Steve Smith shines in each setting,
never aping Rich directly, yet still conjuring images of Rich (and the great Billy Cobham as well)
with his facile, polyrhythmic yet swinging approach. His brushwork will surprise those who think
of Smith only as a high-energy rock and fusion drummer. The choice of material is good,
with a number of mostly familiar pieces mingled among a couple of lesser-known chestnuts.
This was one of the best small group jazz recordings of 1999, overlooked perhaps as a mere
“tribute” recording. This album actually offers a smoking set of great music by a quintet that
sounds like they’ve been playing together for years.

*****

Track Listing:
1.Nutville
2.Norwegian Wood
3.New Blues
4.Airegin
5.How Do You Keep the Music Playing
6.You Stepped Out of a Dream
7.Moments Notice
8.Cool
9.Ya Gotta Try
10.(Untitled) – (hidden track)

*****

Personnel:
Steve Smith (drums);
Steve Marcus (soprano & tenor saxophones);
Andy Fusco (alto saxophone);
Lee Musiker (piano);
Anthony Jackson (bass).

*****

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