George Brooks: Spirit and Spice (2010)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: September 12, 2010

Track review of "Spirit"

Tenor saxophonist George Brooks equalizes the union of Indian classical music and jazz, abetted by an all-universe rhythm section and East Indian instrumentalists. With Spirit and Spice, Brooks projects a distinct voice as he poignantly merges the core attributes of both genres, and it's a happy marriage, indeed.

Brooks' authoritative presence looms on high-impact funk, and thrusting Indo-fusion pieces. On "Spirit," the saxophonist's yearning lines are designed with positive implications atop bassist Kai Eckhardt Kai Eckhardt
's resonating harmonics and pianist Frank Martin's supple voicings. Brooks quietly projects a memorable melody that he incorporates into a pungent bridge section, as drummer Steve Smith Steve Smith
b.1954
drums elevates the pitch with polyrhythmic pulses. Brooks' soul-drenched notes serve as the underlying context for Martin and guitarist Fareed Haque Fareed Haque

guitar 's darting solos, via a gradual shift of momentum back to the primary theme. "Spirit" is one of numerous highlights on this beguiling studio date.

Track Listing: Track #1; Track #2; Track #3.

Personnel: George Brooks: saxophones; Fareed Haque: guitar; Kai Eckhardt: bass; Steve Smith: drums, konnakol; Niladri Kumar: sitar; Frank Martin: piano; Swapan Chaudhuri: tabla; Kala Ramnath: violin.

Record Label: Earth Brother