Special Efx Party! CD

It's hard to guess why Chieli Minucci releases some albums under his own name and some under Special EFX. Party could have been a solo album since it includes the same principle lineup as Minucci's own Night Grooves, and once again he is the sole composer. Regardless of how he chooses to package it, Party is right up there with his best moments in Special EFX or on his own. As the title suggests, it's a funkier, more upbeat, and more straight-ahead Special EFX, with the late George Jinda's influence being felt on the occasional worldbeat moment. Minucci can deliver the tunes and unlike most of the smooth jazz competition, he gives the sidemen plenty to work with. Bassist Jerry Brooks doesn't waste any of his moments in the spotlight (check his Jaco-like runs on "Dusk Till Dawn") and saxophonist David Mann's turns are always meaningful and responsive to the other players. Even when Mann's soprano gets a bit too precious on "Fantasies," Minucci's contrasting trickle of notes keeps things interesting. So what if the boppers crinkle their noses? With both Party and Night Grooves seeing release in 2003, Minucci has delivered two polished and funky home runs in one year. ~ David Jeffries

Chieli Minucci - guitars, keyboards, drums & bass programmingDavid Mann - saxophones, fluteJerry Brooks - bassEmedin Rivera - percussionAll titles composed & arranged by C. Minucci (ASCAP)Published by C. Minucci (ASCAP)Audio samples courtesy of Spectrasonics, llio, Akai, Sampleheads, Best Service SoundwareWritten and Produced by CMPublished by Chieli Music (ASCAP)Co-Producer: Paul WickliffeExecutive Producers: Walter Lee, Nelly Neben, Danny WeissRecorded and Mixed at Horizon Studios, NJ by Paul WickliffePre-Production and additional recording at Baci Studios, NYCMastering by Paul Wickliffe @ Horizon Studios, NJChieli Minucci was born and raised in NYC. Son of Catherine & Ulpio Minucci (a concert pianist/composer, who wrote the 50s hit, Domani (Julius LaRosa), A Thousand Thoughts of You, and Felicia (both Nat King Cole). Chieli grew up in Queens, NY, where he still resides today. He began music early on, studying classical piano from the age of 5, and eventually switched over to guitar at 8. He was continually surrounded by the sound of music, through his father's piano playing, and composing, which was to play a key role in his musical future as a writer himself. At age 13 he joined neighborhood friends to form the band, Taurus, which stayed together for about 3 years. Chieli did a great deal of performing and traveling with this band, performing regularly on the Italian Line Cruise ships during Christmas and Easter school holidays, as well as countless school dances and parties, as well as local bars. It was during these teen years that he developed his love for performing, writing, singing, and traveling, all through music. He attended Ithaca College in upstate NY, where he initially majored in music, studying classical guitar, but eventually settled in as an English major. He continued studying music theory, history, solfeggio, composition, and big band arranging, as well as joining various local groups: Amethyst, a folk/pop trio; The New Band, his first foray into fusion-jazz/rock; Fast Food, a new wave vocal/rock group; Colombo, a Brazilian trio; and finally, a long stint in Gumbo, an original instrumental/fusion rock quartet. The college life gave Chieli an opportunity to be a part of many diverse musical situations, which was key in his future as a composer/guitarist. Following college he returned to NYC, studying composition privately with Nicolas Flagello. From ages 23 through 25 Minucci worked with many acts: The Commotion, Fran Eckhart, China Davis Band, Sapho, as well as continuing to write his own music, in particular, pop vocal music, for which he teamed up with lyricists Bobby Matthews and Norman Simon. He performed in various groups, including a two-year stint with Eartha Kitt, and eventually The B.JazzTimes (2/04, p.137) - "PARTY is that rare album that gets your feet moving and treats your ears."