Dave
Erickson is a guitarist and composer from Denver, Colorado who founded
the contemporary jazz band Dave Erickson Project in 2013. Their debut album 'Pinnacle' was also released that year, and Dave composed all the songs for it. Its successor 'City Nights' was released in 2015, in 2020 it was the turn of the EP 'Open Sky' and in 2021 the EP 'Upside' followed.
The band now consists of Dave on guitar, Chuck Leichner on keyboards and piano, Deon Kuhl on drums and Kim Stone (Spyro Gyra, The Rippingtons) on bass. On April 24 their latest album was released, containing 10 tracks.
'Smooth Brew' is the opener, which immediately takes you on a pleasant "feel good trip". 'Welcome Back' follows next, while 'Eventide' sounds pleasant. The title track is an up-tempo song, which is particularly suitable for dancing.
Things are a lot calmer on 'After Hours', but the funk takes the crown on 'Funky Bones'. Then you can enjoy a relaxed 'Fine Time', followed by the single 'Blue Waves', which makes you dream of a tropical beach with soft waves. This song reminds me a lot of The Rippingtons.
On 'Hit the Green' the tempo drops again, and closing track 'Give Up the Hate' goes more in the direction of up-tempo jazz funk with even a bit of fusion.
All in all, for me a pleasant introduction to this contemporary & smooth jazz from The Dave Erickson Project!
Tracks:
Welcome Back
Eventide
JAMB
After Hours
Funky Bones
Fine Time
Blue Waves
Hit the Green
Give Up the Hate
Dave Erickson Project