Doc Gibbs & Picanté - Servin' It Up!
HOT!!!
Recently
I listened to the album "Two Of A Kind" by Bob James and
Earl Klugh (1982). On this sophisticated masterpiece I found Leonard
"Doc" Gibbs mentioned as the percussion player. Tracing his
musical career one finds collaborations with such illustrious
musicians as Bob James ("Ivory Coast"), Alexander Zonjic
("Neon"), Will Downing ("All The Man You Need") or
Loose Ends ("So Where Are You"). Although drum-programming
is in mode, a lot of artists still prefers the real percussion. Thanks
God for some different music! The explanation for his nickname
"Doc" is written in his bio: "Leonard Gibbs became
Doc when Grover Washington announced to his audience, “…There
are two doctors in Philly…Dr.J (of the 76ers) and Doctor Gibbs”.
"Servin'
It Up! Hot!!! is "Doc" Gibbs debut album. Obviously there
are many artists with a certain reluctance as for example Michael
O'Neill ("Never Too Late"). You are wondering about the
spicy title of the album, are you? "Doc" Gibbs
became the
musical director for Emeril Live in 1997! -- The hottest cooking show on the
cable Food Network (TVFN).
Bam!
The first song bursts into brain. "Doc" shows a
parade of his instruments such as congas, bongo ganza, wind chimes,
guiro, gua-gua. But don't worry, that 's not a pure percussion album.
Cliff Starkey, a maestro of piano, rolls perfectly over the keys. A
Latin jazz feast for all fastidious palate.
Hilda's
Lullaby isn't lulling at all. Although slow tempered
"Doc"'s percussion and Cliff Starkey's keyboards background
combined with his magnificent piano recitation warm up the heart of
every jazz friend.
If you like the music of Santana,
go ahead to Baila Pammi. The Brazilian
sun is shining about this fine Latin jazz piece. Terrell Stafford
plays a sophisticated trumpet solo. Anew "Doc"'s percussion
tempts to play with him on desk or everything else which is ready to
hand.
The title Miles
Of Hope is a wordplay and reminiscence to Miles Davis' music. Terrell
Stafford searches the nearness to Miles' muted trumpet.
Waiting
4 You is my favorite on this album. Melody and arrangement are
impressive and the dynamic tune gets its own groove by John Blake's
violin play.
Don't miss Salvador
Bahia, the Brazilian center of carnival. Jon Lucien catches
Latin American's spirit with his smooth vocals. "Doc"
demonstrates his mastership of the cuica.
On
Servin' It Up! Terrell Stafford 's
trumpet introduces into jazz fusion elements with a Latin touch.
"Doc"
Gibbs reveals his African heritage on Madre Del Mar with his speaking
udu, Eubie Snow's pretty flute solo and the sing-sang of deep Africa.
On
the next two pieces Rose and Seven
Up, Six down Gerald Veasley, one of my favorite bass players,
is sharing the party and the second tune also features Michael
"Patches" Stewart (trumpet) and Gerald Albright (sax).
Although both Gerald's are counted to the smooth jazz genre they are
perfect jazz musicians.
Another
percussion interplay is Doc's Pots.
"Doc" Gibbs is obviously a fanatic collector and player of
African and Brazilian percussion instruments. If you want to hear more
of this, try to attend his show ILU AIYE (e-lou-ah-yeah)
or better share one of his workshops,
where you can learn all about percussion, if you have the necessary
skills and a feeling for rhythm.
Starline
has a rockish attitude: Felicia Collins plays extensively distortion
guitars.
Arroz
Con Pollo (Rice with Chicken) tastes well. Try this recipe
in Spanish. Eso es muy caliente. More fusion jazz with a Latin temper.
There
is no way. This album is a must buy. Get it before it is sold out.
