On July 21, our National Holiday, the new album by R&B and jazz saxophonist Mekiel Reuben will be released. On his ninth album he pays tribute to the heydays of jazz, funk and soul. Growing up in Chicago, Reuben listened to a lot of funk, jazz, and soul music on the radio, and the songs on this album recall and celebrate many of the artists who influenced his sound. From his 1994 debut album, 'Miles Away' to Miles Davis, to his latest collection of rhythms, grooves and melodies that pay homage to the artistry of Sly & The Family Stone, The Jazz Crusaders, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Grover Washington Jr., Archie Bell and War. Reuben started writing the set during the Covid quarantine. Although he now lives in the US Virgin Islands, he regularly traveled to Los Angeles in 2021 to play the tracks for Vasquez, who began making arrangements for the songs. A year later, they had eighteen songs to choose from. Vasquez provided keyboards, synth bass and percussion, while Mekiel himself took care of tenor and alto sax and percussion. He also enlisted the help of drummer Phil Martin, and guitarist Mauricio Guerrero Jr. Mekiel then selected 10 new tracks and decided to reinvent 2 from his first album. He opens with ‘Sly Jungle’ after the funk of Sly Stone, which relies heavily on African percussion. 'FB Maze' is a warm tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, after which he expresses his gratitude on 'What a Life'. The title track references Archie Bell & The Drells' ‘Tighten Up’, followed by ‘Time Piece’ which is a reworking of a track from his debut album. Steel drums are a new addition to 'D Vaz' and 'Last Sunday' swings out. Then we are on the beach for a 'Sunset Breezin'. ‘Groovin in V.I. Twin City' refers to the Virgin Islands where Mekiel lived as a teenager, and to where (more specifically St. Croix) he returned seven years ago. ‘Cool Livin’' is the second reworked track from his debut album, reminiscent of Kool & The Gang. This is followed by the gently hip-swaying samba 'Mellow Tuesday', while the inspiration for 'Girl Dancer' came from the observation of a young Caribbean girl. This is therefore a cheerful tune. Memories from his childhood, when he listened to the radio, form the basis of this project. I enjoyed it anyway!
		Tracks: Sly Jungle FB Maze What A Life Just Like The Radio Time Piece D Vaz Last Sunday Sunset Breezin Groovin in V.I. Twin City Cool Livin Mellow Tuesday Girl Dancer Mekiel Reuben