Release Date: July
1, 2016
Label: Narked
Records
This was a learning experience once I took a look at
Arun’s website to find out more about him and his music. According to the
artist website here is an explanation of what kind of music this is: Bansuri Funk is a sound stylized by the
fusion of Funk, Jazz and Rock with a spicy hint of Worldly Pleasures, the
latter being a reference to the blazing performance on the traditional Bansuri
by acclaimed flautist Ravichandra Kulur.
The credits for this worldly slice of jazz and funk are
as follows:
Arun Shenoy (Guitar), Ravichandra Kulur (Flute), Jeff
Coffin (Saxophone), Nick Stefanacci (Saxophone), Jonathan Anand Wesley (Keyboards),
Ed Roth (Keyboards), Dave Gross (Keyboards), Felipe Praino (Guitar), Jim Kimo
West (Guitar), Owen Gurry (Guitar), Ian Cameron (Violin), Duke Purisima (Bass),
Jerry Chua (Drums) and Don Hart (Orchestration).
The first track “Sugar Free” sets the carnival ride into
motion with some brass, keyboards and stinging guitar lines. It is a great way
to start the show and worth every penny of the admission price to get in the
door. The music entices your soul to dance and your heart to sing and the
musicianship is to die for, there is no other way to put it.
The title track kicks things into high gear with good
dose of funky guitar for openers. And the melt like butter keys introduce some
great saxophone followed by a killer guitar solo. The bass gets real funked up
as well; it keeps the groove in line as the rest of the instruments join the
party. It reminded me of when I was just getting into jazz heavily in the 80s
listening to The Yellowjackets, Tom Scott and David Sanborn etc.
This entire album is like an invitation to the merry go
round of life we call emotions and rolling with the tides of change. The music
follows a similar course offering the listener an eclectic yet precise
representation of jazz rock fusion with worldly flavors. It is like a double
shot of espresso with the right amount of cream and sugar in the mix, not too
biter and not too sweet, but just right, strong enough to leave a lasting
impression and get back in line for that second cup.
There is so much good music on the recording that it’s
hard to talk about it with so much going on in each song. “Sad Clown” is
another highlight featuring the keyboards and the kind of music that could turn
that frown upside down. There is some melancholy with the orchestration and the
normally biting guitar toned down and tastefully done to reflect the pure
emotion and mood of sadness as well as some appropriate violin towards the end
of the song for extra measure. However again Arun and the band are able to lift
the spirits to another level, take sadness for what it is worth, and move on.
This is very descriptive music for all instrumental music
and for those who appreciate jazz, world and some rock thrown into the mix
making it a more uplifting experience and great listen. This band can rip and
rock when it wants to then take the softer textures and tones and mix them in
for the right measure of each component to make each track a complete musical
adventure, or that one ride at the carnival you will never forget.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Sugar Free, A Stagey Bank Affair, Sad Clown
Tracks:
01. Sugar Free (feat. Uziel)
02. A Stagey Bank Affair
03. Mary Go Around
04. Sad Clown
05. Speedway Rush
06. Pirate on the Seven Seas (Unplugged)
07. Hot Head Balloon
08. High Striker
09. Sky Coaster
10. Mermaid Crusade
Tracks:
01. Sugar Free (feat. Uziel)
02. A Stagey Bank Affair
03. Mary Go Around
04. Sad Clown
05. Speedway Rush
06. Pirate on the Seven Seas (Unplugged)
07. Hot Head Balloon
08. High Striker
09. Sky Coaster
10. Mermaid Crusade
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
Founder of:
August 11, 2016
Review
Provided By Write A Music Review
