MACHAN-
Motion of Love
NuGrove Records
review
| by M.R.Smith
Listening
to Machan’s latest CD, Motion Of Love, is like tasting a fine
Swiss chocolate filled with a sweet richness that makes you feel
just a little guilty. Machan’s mellifluous tone (and spot-on
pitch) has been in high demand at the highest level, providing solid
background vocals for Sting, Pink Floyd, Pat Benatar, George Benson,
and Gov’t Mule, to name but a few. Here, she steps out with
her own sophisticated Brazilian-influenced “nu-groove”
jazz, supported by some of the best musicians available, most of
them from the Hudson Valley.
How
about these folks for starters: Jerry Marotta, Rodney Holmes, John
Medeski, John Scofield, Randy Brecker, Shawn Pelton, Portinho. Machan’s
husband and Gov’t Mule keyman Danny Louis provides occasional
support, while a rotating cast of talent (standouts include harmonicist
Willian Galison and percussionist Nanny Assis) flesh out old-school
organic arrangements that are Steely Dan tight. Machan brings the
triple threat not only as a songwriter and vocalist, but also with
a deft touch on guitar, lending a Gilberto/Jobim flavor to the mix.
Bonuses include a pair of nice Medeski solos, and inspired horn
work from Randy Brecker, Aaron Heick, and Rick Depofi.
If
I call this music easy listening, I don’t mean it in a pejorative
sense. It’s just that the music goes by so smoothly - in a
friendly way - not the least bit dissonant or challenging. This
is well recorded, expertly played pleasant music, maintaining a
cool detachment, and it’s OK to indulge in it now and then.
Like chocolate.
www.thenugroove.com
| www.geishagirlmusic.com
www.myspace.com/machanmusic
|
