Paul Jackson Funk On A Stick CD

- Funk on a Stick is the second solo release from legendary jazz bassist, Paul Jackson. (featuring Tony Adamo, James Levi)Jerry Stucker Guitar on Hey Lou,Funky Fingers Paul Jackson: Funk On A Stick Paul Jackson Funk On A Stick Backdoor Records BD1041 www.myspace.com/pauljacksonbassPaul Jackson on bass, vocals and keyboards featuring various artists including Tony Adamo on vocals, James Levi on drumsAs a member of the “Headhunters," Paul Jackson was instrumental in the development of Jazz-fusion along with bandmate, Herbie Hancock. This CD pushes the envelope even further with a foray into hard core funk.The CD leads off with a seven second “Warning" ("boys, I'm gone, please don't try this at home") which then segues into the title cut of “Funk On A Stick" with Jackson driving the melody on bass behind his vocals and a rap lyric by Jorge Guerrero. “Hey Lou" features suave vocalize by Tony Adamo that sets the pattern for this hip tune that has Ernie Watts making a musical statement in the background on saxophone. “Funky Fingers" highlights percussion work by Bill Summers and Mike Clark and Herbie Hancock on keyboards. The funky “Everything You Got" has a hard-driving rhythm with engaging vocals by Paula Johnson punctuated by an experimental bass solo by Jackson. “In God We Funk" expresses the soul of protest with its intense fusion groove and rap vocals. The pace slows down on “Prelude To Pain" with Patrick Brady doing a lovely melodic guitar introduction to the tune “Pain" spotlighting Jackson's vocals filled with tenderness. The final cut is an instrumental reprise of “Funk On A Stick."This CD is a cornucopia of rhythmically interesting music. Jazz purists may cringe but the open-eared will find much to savor in this effort that is splendidly presented and well worth a listen.Paul Jackson: Funk On A Stick Anyone?Paul Jackson Is One Incredible Bass Player and His New Album Is The Ultimate Testatment To That Fact...Paul Jackson: Funk On A Stick Anyone?Artist: Paul JacksonTitle: Funk On A StickGenre: Jazz-Funk-FusionLabel: Backdoor Recordswww.myspace.com/pauljacksonbassAs Paul Jackson says-"It’s All A Groove" baby, and man does this dude have his groove down. A founding member of the Headhunters under Herbie Hancock, Jackson help form a sound that propelled a new direction in jazz-fusion and funk music and he continues to forge his own unique path for jazz-funk bass playing innovation on his latest outing Funk On A Stick. This is the best possible title for this recording as its some of the funkiest and slickest bass playing I have heard in quite some time.Bay area standout Tony Adamo (vocals on "Hey Lou") and James Levi (drums on "Funk On A Stick" and "Hawk") get into the mix to make this album extra special for Jackson fans and jazz-funk enthusiasts in general. Your bass playing has to be in the stratosphere for it to sound good as the lead instrument and Jackson certainly proves his point on 13 tracks of funk filled jazz fusion workouts. He is in contact with the human equation on "Pain" and then really tells the whole story about his gig with the title track. "Funk On A Stick"- it is that simple folks and this man has his chops down in a big way. He has plenty of reason to be struttin’ his stuff proudly, I guess you cannot blame him, he is one the best bass players I have ever heard. I really did dig his vocals too, he has that deep and strong masculine thing going on, and it matches his upfront bass playing just perfectly.Yes sir, "In God We Funk" what else can you say? Mr. "Funky Fingers" gets it on from beginning to the end of this CD and proves without any doubt that Herbie Hancock knew exactly what he was doing when he teamed with this man, oh yeah.© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

Personnel: Paul Jackson (bass guitar); Jorge Guerrero (rap vocals); Jerry Stucker, Vernon "Ice" Black, Carl Lockett, Patrick Brady, Char (guitar);