TONY MONACO — Over and over (review)

TONY MONACO — Over and over album cover Album · 2024 · Soul Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
js
Back in the 60s and 70s, Hammond B3 soul jazz was a gateway into the jazz world for many RnB and rock fans since so many rock/RnB bands had organ players who brought their soul jazz riffs to a larger rock oriented public. Greg Rollie, Billy Preston, Jon Lord and Greg Allman were just some of the rockers whose solos reflected their interest in the jazz B3 greats they emulated. Unfortunately the B3 and soul jazz fell out of favor during the synthesizer and Rhodes dominated fusion years, kind of ironic since soul jazz was the original fusion, but lo and behold, in the past couple decades soul jazz has staged an unlikely comeback and the sound of the B3 is back on the jazz air waves and nightclubs.

Tony Monaco is a big part of this B3 revival as he has cut 13 albums since 2000 and is still going strong. “Over and Over” is his latest release and it reflects the sort of diversity one can expect from a good soul jazz record. High energy hard bop is represented by “One for Pat Martino” and “Ready Set Go”, and Latin grooves come with “My Lil Rosie Girl” and “Sailboat”. The rest of the album features funk and hip-hop rhythms topped by album closer “Uprooted” which is a dead ringer for a JB’s track, complete with Jimmy Nolan style chicken scratching.

Tony lists the usual B3 suspects as influences, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, Jack McDuff etc, but probably the influence that shines through the most is Jimmy Smith. Jimmy always had a little more bebop to his playing and less RnB riffing, and Tony’s playing reflects that influence. This should come as no surprise as Tony studied with Smith for several years and has performed at Smith’s club as well. Guitarist Zakk Jones has a contemporary John Schofield influenced sound in which RnB, hard bop and blues blend seamlessly. On the album closer he goes distorted jazz rock style recalling Mike Stern’s work with Miles Davis. Reggie Jackson is the funky drummer that drives this trio as they offer a non-stop joy ride with no dud tracks.
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