Four80East

Native Language, 2007, CD
Instrument: Instrumental

Issue: 13.1

Jazz Ruler Type: funk
O's Jazz Ruler

Performance: 3
Performance Chart

Sound: 3
Sound Chart

Score:
Score Chart

O’s Notes: These guys, Jon Stewart (sax), Rob DeBoer (keys, b, g), Bryden Baird (t) and Tony Grace (percussion) have a polished contemporary jazz sound that comes together nicely on En Route. Many of the tunes have an ‘outer space’ feel that may lose some listeners. But songs like “Noodle Soup” capture their historic groove. “Five By Five” has a taste of reggae; “The Drop” has a funky backbeat and an incredible aura of suspense; that cinematic theme continues with “Double Down”; while “Been Too Long” and the title track have a cool R&B swing. They made an album that is off the beaten path yet still accessible and very creative.

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Publicist: Impress Media