What do you get when you put five incredibly talented musicians into a studio and allow them to jam with no restrictions? In this case, it’s a group of guys collectively known as Cinque creating a free-flowing album titled Catch A Corner.
“Catch a corner” is an expression that means “finding a place to hang out with friends.” And that’s exactly what we have here: some of the world’s top jazz players getting together to co-write six of the eight tracks on this record (the other two are covers). Joey DeFrancesco, the unofficial leader of the group, is considered by many to be the premiere Hammond B3 organ player in jazz today. After all, when he was only a teenager, he was invited by Miles Davis to tour and record with him after DeFrancesco placed third in the Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition. Drummer Steve Gadd’s resume is equally impressive having worked with Steely Dan, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton and Chick Corea. Pianist Robi Botos has accompanied the likes of Chaka Khan and James Blood Ulmer, among others. Bassist Peter Cardinali has performed with Ray Charles, Rick James, The Brecker Brothers and Oscar Peterson, to name a few. Finally, saxophonist Johnny Johnson’s credits include playing for Aretha Franklin, Dianne Reeves and Diana Krall.
Thus, it would be an understatement to say these five instrumentalists are brilliant. On this album though, there are no pretenses – just five VERY capable guys hanging out and having a good time at that.
Catch A Corner is a mellow, but not quite smooth jazz, project that channels the organ jazz movement of the 1960s with a whole lot of 1970s jazz funk thrown in for good measure. “Conflicting Advice” is anything but unsettling as the opening track relaxes listeners with its chill vibe. “Geppetto’s Blues” (an awesome song title, by the way) launches into bebop and straight-ahead jazz, while “Saturday Night, Sunday Morning” is laden with gospel influences. “Two Worlds” has a bossa/island feel which then gives way to the CD’s title track, “Catch A Corner,” an understated, funky groove, and “Over The Humpty Dump” of the more traditional jazz sound. Rounding out the disc is the jazz standard “Bolivia” with its party jam melody and the group’s gospel/bluesy take on the Paul Simon classic, “Still Crazy After All These Years.”
Some may find Catch A Corner too laidback and free in spirit, but I think it’s a refreshing and hip twist on the jazz music that’s heard today. With this album, these instrumentalists don’t need to prove themselves to anyone - Catch A Corner is merely a meeting of great minds who’ve created a funky, yet relaxed style of music for all to enjoy.
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