The album opens with the song Mister Mellow. This is an
instrumental track from Maynard Ferguson's album "Conquistador"
(1977). This exceptional tune features George Benson on guitar
and Maynard on trumpet. Bluey pays tribute to the jazz legends
with his rendition, which chooses a modern interpretation
framework but nevertheless reproduces the melody and its
progression in such a way that the song retains its character.
Mystic Brew is a funky jazz tune by saxophonist Ronnie
Foster. It was released in 1972 on his debut album, Two
Headed Freap on the Blue Note label. Bluey's interpretation
takes the atmospheric line of the song and redefines it in a
contemporary guise. But he doesn't stop there; in the last third
of the song, he develops the song further in his own style with
a skillful routine.
The title In Search of the Blue Note evokes a journey
into the world of jazz reflecting the protagonist's quest for the elusive blue note.
Dominic Glover on flugelhorn and
Graham Harvey on keyboards
The
formation Citrus Sun is a side project by Jean-Paul 'Bluey'
Maunick, known for founding the acid jazz band Incognito.
It allows him to explore instrumental Jazz-Fusion alongside some
familiar faces.
While Citrus Sun doesn't have a
fixed lineup, Anaconga features many of the same musicians from
Incognito.
Erykah Badu celebrated the sweetness of love with
Honey (2008). British soul musician Natalie Duncan gives
the song a new timbre, perfectly supported by Kevin Robinson on
trumpet and flugelhorn.
After his unexpected death, singer
Booby Caldwell remains a lasting memory. His song Down For
The Third Time was released in 1978 on his self-titled
debut album and corresponds to our contemporary ideas in terms
of both stylistic approach and instrumentation. Natalie Duncan
takes the opportunity to bring her own vocal personality to the
remake. But the instrumental changes by Dominic Glover and
Charlie Allen also give the song new flashes of brilliance.
Twilight Reimagined internalizes the atmosphere with a
contemplative mood, inviting the listener to reflect on the
passage of time and the beauty of impermanence. It is
particularly carried by the soft trumpet sound, which gives the
whole thing an ethereal and dreamlike shimmering character.
The Boy Beneath the Sea may be alone, but he is
surrounded by a world of beauty and mystery. This is
instrumental smooth jazz with a slight detour to jazz fusion.
We Fight We Love juxtaposes two opposites in its title.
However, this dichotomy is not reflected in the harmonious piece
on which the trumpet takes center stage.
Both are featured on Sing To My Beat, which is mainly an instrumental apart from the scat interludes by the female singer I don't know by name. The final track Santiago stands out due to the lead instrument. Featured artist is the young Indonesian harmonica player Rega Dauna, who already appeared on band’s Hard Boiled instrumental hit from their last album Expansions & Visions.
Citrus Sun's fourth album, Anaconga, is a tribute
to the jazz and soul legends that inspired them. Even if this
approach is new, the formation retains its inimitable stylistic
character and underlines its exceptional qualities with a high
recognition value.
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Album Information
Title: Anaconga
Artist: Citrus Sun
Year: 2023
Genre: Acid Jazz
Label:
Dôme Records
1) "Mister Mellow" (4:31)
2) "Honey" (4:49)
3) "Mystic Brew"
(7:34)
4) "Down for the Third Time" (5:49)
5) "Twilight
Reimagined" (4:59)
6) "The Boy Beneath the Sea" (3:49)
7)
"We Fight We Love" (3:47)
8) "In Search of the Blue Note"
(5:34)
9) "Sing to My Beat" (3:55)
10) "Santiago" (4:15)
Further Reviews:
Another Time Another Space
People Of Tomorrow
Ride Like The Wind