KARL DENSON — Dance Lesson #2 (review)

KARL DENSON — Dance Lesson #2 album cover

Album · 2001 · Acid Jazz

4/5 · 2011-01-27
Matt

Karl Denson immediately grabbed my attention when I heard that he not only played tenor but also alto saxophone and flute and it his hardly no surprise because he started playing at thirteen and being into Soul and Funk mixed with John Coltrane and Yusef Lateef just to name two muscians he states are influences it no surprise to find a muscian who plays with groove. Organ is the undercurrent with the rythmn section and if not organ its wurlitzer as on "Rumpwinder" providing groove with DJ Logic putting his breaks and scrathes in. Alas not a piano in sight but groove and funk rule and when you have a band with these people in it nothing less would be expected. First up Melvin Sparks on guitar started back in 1963, next Chris Wood on Bass from "Medeski, Martin and Wood", DJ Logic spinning turntables, Zak Najor on drums and he also plays with "The Greyboy Allstars", Ed Rodriguez slapping percussion, Leon Spencer, organ and lets just say with Melvin on guitar above they backed Lou Donaldson back in the 70's and also Ron Levy doing organ and wurlitzer and a guest appearance by Charlie Hunter. Karl Denson himself has played with a few too, Lenny Kravitz, Fred Wesley from James Brown, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette but then he ran into Greyboy ( Andreas Stevens) DJ extradonaire and Acid Jazz had bit Karl so with Greyboy they formed Greyboy Records. Not long after "The Greyboy Allstars" was formed but things come to an end and after 1998 Karl put together his band "Tiny Universe" who he still tours with today but for this recording Tiny Universe is not used.

Nine compositions are on the album and "Dance Lesson # 2 " is first with a loopy intro and turntable with Karl really stretching out on alto over that organ groove. Plenty of scratching' by Dj Logic to break it up and a great solo by Melvin on guitar and Leon on organ "Like Like Dope" is Acid Jazz pure and simple with the turntable scratching away and that voice calling out and Karl plays flute with a great raspy solo. "Rumpwinder" with its Bass intro is Funk and nothing but with Karl laying down tenor and alto and Ron Levy on wurlitzer Charlie Hunter also makes his appearance with a solo on his 8 string. As always turntables are present but in the right place at the right time and always a great groove is maintained, tenor and flute for Karl on this one. Track six and seven are joined pieces both called "A Shorter Path 1 and 2" respectively with the first section being only 1.34 minutes with just the rythmn section and Karl on Alto and is quite a breath of fresh air for the album. We have the full band back for part 2 which is the longer section being 7.25 in length and sure they do a good job but section one seems just a tease for better things that could have come and perhaps if just for one track he kept the organ out, it would have been a nice break in the album. DJ Logic is not present in either section. The last two tracks are "I Want The Funk" with the title being ample description and the album finishes up with "Who Are You?" which is twelve minutes in length with everybody having a shot.

Quite a good album and one great for round the house but maybe just one tune to break it up but all in all still worth your money when chillin' is your thing.