David Hughes - Swoosh
Since
the success of the music group ABBA all listeners know, good music is
coming of Sweden. The bass is David Hughes' instrument. So why not
call his website swedebass.com. Born
in Stockholm, Sweden, Hughes has been a Californian since 1994.
He got his merits as a member of the jazz crusaders. Now he is back
with his debut album "Swoosh", featuring Hughes playing six-string fretted and fretless bass
guitars.
"The two extra strings provide an
expanded range suitable for playing melodies, solos and chords, tasks
somewhat unusual for a bassist" Hughes informs.
The album is starting with an unusual soundscape (Wind and
lightening). After this intro Swoosh
presents the Marcus-Miller-like bass player accompanied by a blowing
organ.
Benoit
is dedicated to David Benoit and he is really playing Grand Piano on
this romantic piece. David Benoit hasn't changed the style of his
piano play. So this tune could be right of his album "Fuzzy
Logic", especially because he is playing with Andy Suzuki, who is
also David Benoit's sax player.
Waiting For
The Crowd is a melodic sound collage of piano, bass and drums.
Although not mentioned in the liner notes, I would give a tip on
Benoit again.
Carlton is
a typical guitar tune. The guitar is performed by Allen
Hinds with much sensitivity. "Allen has the ability to add so
much character, color and dimension to any tune he plays. His sense of
time is impeccable, and he always knows what to play and just when to
play it. He is also one of the most dynamic soloists I've ever
heard," says Jeff Kashiwa about his band member. What a wonderful
homage to the great contemporary jazz guitarist Larry Carlton.
After a thunderstorm when the
first rays of sunshine brighten the nature, that's the time and
atmosphere of Clearing. A romantic piece
featuring Greg Mathieson on grand piano and David on fretless bass.
Larry Carlton and many other great artists had this fellow perform on
so many of their terrific works. "Clearing, is my musical
painting of a Swedish forest clearing on a sunny spring morning,"
comments David.
David Hughes is obviously a friend
of good piano music. So he recorded one another piece with Greg. Riverside
offers David more room for extensive soloing. Andy Suzuki on flute
adds a nice accompany. "I'm just trying to do the music I
love," concludes Suzuki. "I used to think that the world of
music was this huge thing and I was a little dot. Now, rather than be
consumed by music, I've found a friendly, healthy place for it. I used
to feel more of an obligation to music and less to myself. How, I feel
more responsibility to myself to do what's right: playing music is
it."
Millertime
shows David in the role of a deserving Marcus-Miller-successor. Very
convincing. A top notch bass player. The funky piece is hooky.
Brian Price on guitar is the hero
of Sunshine, a measured tune with some
strings in the background. "I am so thrilled to have Wilton
Felder's sax performance on Sunshine," comments David. Wilton
Felder spent over 30 years with the group known as the Jazz Crusaders,
where David is regularly playing the bass. Felder remained with the
Crusaders until its end in the late '80s and had a reunion with Wayne
Henderson in the '90s in a new version of the group.
Contemplationalism
reveals more of the funky David. Andy Suzuki sparkles in with his
flute. There is some fusion, some contemporary and some smooth jazz.
The romantic acoustic side of
David is showcased on Kenny. No it's not a dedication of Kenny G nor
Kenny Logan. Just pure instrumental.
David is living in LA. So the
ocean is influencing his live. Waves is
the result.
Swoosh is a real treasury for friends of the
bass.
