Mark Rapp's Melting Pot: Good Eats

Mark Rapp is a jazz trumpeter who has received acclaim with over four albums under his belt. His website indicates, "Mark was named a "top emerging trumpeter" by Downbeat Magazine, featured on a Travel Channel documentary and has played with such diverse artists as Branford Marsalis and Hootie and the Blowfish".

On this new project he gathered together like-minded musicians including: Joe Kaplowitz, on Hammond B3 organ; Ahmad Mansour, on guitar; Klemens Marktl, on drums; and Don Braden, on tenor sax and alto flute. Rapp plays trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet and didgerdoo.

This is a nice experiment with jazz project that brings in the didgerdoo to add flavor to the mix. They cover a good set of classics and also provide some new sounds. 'Brother Soul', 'Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)', and 'Streetbeater (Sanford and Son)' were the highlights for me. They picked a great title for the project, Good Eats, and I'd add treats.

'Alligator Boogaloo' opens with that cool sassy trumpet, some soft drums and that nice Hammond. A cool soft way to open the album full of highs from the trumpet, sax and flute with balancing lows from the drums and guitar. A bouncy rhythm that will keep you entertained. The alto flute and tenor sax that join in later add even more highs to the sound.

'Brother Soul' opens with a cool didgerdoo sound set to Middle Eastern flute rhythms. Easily one of the best tracks on the album, providing the variety that jazz so desperately needs. The flute music is excellent set against the didgerdoo. The guitar work is complex and the soft patted drums sooth as the trumpet and Hammond do their magic.

'Elizabeth' opens soft and smooth with echoing trumpet and soft Hammond in the background. The shimmering percussion sounds are also excellent. This has a morning on the Florida coast theme.

'Spaceman Twist' is a fast paced skipping song full of that full trumpet with the Hammond supporting well. The Hammond is wonderful setting up a great melody with the drums helping to provide more sound.

'Love Power' opens with great drums and that wonderful Hammond. Rapp soon joins in with trumpet to help lift the sound even higher.

'One Cylinder' opens with short trumpet bursts, interesting guitar and cool Hammond sounds. Nice variety is added to the album through experiments like this track and some of the others already mentioned. The sax joins in to add even more perspective to the piece. The guitar work is very good as is the intricate drum work and well place cymbals.

'Pot Belly' is a cool bluesy mix with the guitar playing the lead role as the Hammond and kicking drums support well. The trumpet over the top takes the sound even higher.

'Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)' is the only song with lyrics and you can tell they are having allot of fun. This song, 'Sanford and Son' and 'Brother Soul" are my favorites. The sax is dynamite as the bass and drums really add a nice deep sound to offset the trumpet. The Melting Pot does a great job, especially when that Hammond kicks in to make this a great rendition of this classic.

'Good Eats' the title track opens with some great drum work, before the trumpet joins in to take the sound higher. The sticks and Latin rhythm are wonderful as the song builds momentum with the addition of a tambourine.

Remember the TV show Sanford and Son'? Well Rapp and the band cover the main theme, 'Streetbeater (Sanford and Son)', so well you wish they were the ones who discovered it first. The Hammond gets its best ride on this song. So funky that you can't help but to rise to your feet on this one.

William G. Hill's 'The Glory of Love' gets a revision with Rapp and the Melting Pot providing rhythm from Hammond and cymbals, set to Rapp's trumpet taking center stage.

Track Listing

1. Alligator Boogaloo
2. Brother Soul
3. Elizabeth
4. Spaceman Twist
5. Love Power
6. One Cylinder
7. Pot Belly
8. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)
9. Good Eats
10. Streetbeater (Sanford And Son)
11. The Glory Of Love

Added: June 4th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 1731
Language: english

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