Koppel, Benjamin
Cowbell Unit, 2020, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 27.1
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 5
Score: 96
O’s Notes: Danish Saxophonist, producer and band leader Benjamin Koppel puts together a fine team of musicians for The Ultimate Soul & Jazz Revue, two discs of live entertainment. Randy Brecker (t), Jacob Christoffersen (keyboards), Scott Colley (b) and Bernard Purdie (d) are the core members with Koppel for this live set. The solos are well-developed as the musicians take their time to establish a theme and make it work. Prime examples are ”Manteca” and “Con Alma and Sax”. There are jazzy covers of “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”, “Move On Up” and “Respect” featuring vocalist Marie Carmen Koppel. Purdie opens “Close To You” followed by crisp solos from Brecker and Koppel. They close revising Sly and the Family Stone’s “Sing A Simple Song”. ‘Lots of good memories here.
Publicist: Hubtone
