© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Al Basile
Soul Blue 7
Sweetspot #6946908812

When listening to Al Basile's latest work Soul Blue 7 you would be very hard pressed to call it blues. It's more or less from the big band era of Louis Armstrong.

Enlisting players like Duke Robillard and Bruce Katz further fulfill Al's vision of original compositions that swing with jazz grooves and croon like balladeer soul. Basile's cornet playing lives for the past of a post Depression America.

Opening cut "House Key Blues" sets the course as it coasts along on a wave of jazzy after hours smoke. With Robillard's guitar punctuations and Katz' organ runs permeating the rest of the tracks, the old jazz traditions are further honored.

Even Duke Ellington himself would love to jam on "Dollar On A Dime”. Robillard's guitar work adds texture when put against a bands brass sounds. Katz' piano jazz fills are the cornerstone of the urbanized jazz track "You Showed Me Something”. Robillard cuts loose with a solo in a slow and ominous "Lonely Are The Brave”.

Basile may be center-stage with the songwriting. But he doesn't project screaming me attitudes and hot-dog tendencies that would otherwise ruin a solid piece of work.

There's a spirited optimism in an up-tempo jaunt of "I Hope You're Right”. Even a snippet of reggae makes it way into "Causing Joy" without diverting it into an unwelcome path.

The only real blues on this recording is on the last track "Termites In My Basement”. This Delta derivative stands in sharp contrast to an otherwise musical collection of jazz standards.

Those who wish to seek a respite will buy this CD if they wish to connect with the past.

- Gary Weeks -


Southwest Blues CD Review - October 2009

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