Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Robben Ford & Bill Evans, earMUSIC 2019.
Guitar genius Robben Ford and saxophone legend Bill Evans have worked with some of the biggest names in the music business, performing in many different genres.
Their repertoire’s cover everything from rock, blues, soul, pop, funk, experimental, cross-over and jazz and on this album you get a bit of everything.
The main musical form is jazz but there is always experimentation and so there may be bluegrass elements that work their way into the most unlikely places.
The band’s wonderful abilities make the whole process seem completely natural.
This album arose out of a tour of Japan undertaken by Ford and Evans and one of the best groups of assembled musicians that they’d ever played with.
On completion of the tour they entered the recording studio accompanied by the first-class rhythm section of Keith Carlock on drums (Steely Dan) and James Genus on bass who has played with a multitude of big names including Branford Marsalis and Chick Corea.
Ford commented that: “this group of musicians has a great chemistry and ability to navigate uncharted waters, which allows real improvisation. Making this recording, playing with these guys, has been one of my favourite experiences in a long musical life.”
Evans enthused saying: “Rarely, but every now and then, likeminded musicians get together to create something that transcends musical boundaries yet can reach a wider audience.”
I love what the band has created on Sun Room.
They produce some of the best instrumental blues I’ve heard in a long time, especially in the track Catch A Ride.
The quality of the solos is remarkable and their ability to avoid musical clichés shows their level of mastery.
There is no self-indulgence.
Solos aren’t over-loaded with extraneous notes or technical gymnastics.
They play what is necessary to move the piece forward, that is all.
The band moves effortlessly between blues, funk, jazz, soul and fusion producing an album that is timeless.
