Robby Krieger was, of course, the legendary guitarist with The Doors, but his solo career has had a life of its own as a successful Jazz/rock fusion guitarist releasing a number of solo albums. He has also kept busy playing and jamming with musicians from all over the soul, jazz and rock spectra – these even include Alice In Chains and Gov’t Mule.
This album came out of his Love Street Studios in Glendale, California, jamming with a tight quartet of renowned players and songwriters – Bassist-songwriter Kevin “Brandino” Brandon includes credits with James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, and Beyonce. Keyboardist-songwriter Ed Roth includes working with Ringo Starr, Brothers Johnson, Coolio, Shuggie Otis, and Annie Lennox in his CV and drummer-songwriter Franklin Vanderbilt is known for his drumming for legendary Chaka Khan, recording with fusion jazz pioneer Stanley Clarke, and touring worldwide with Lenny Kravitz. All the tracks were developed through jamming together and the ‘songwriter’ tag on each of the musicians is means that each was able to bring something to the party.
The result is decidedly tasty fare. 10 tracks, all instrumental and all loaded with funk, groove, whatever you like you call it. Right from the off, there is a jaunty quality to the music, a bounce and slap that is so much nicer that the decidedly December weather outside. The four men are clearly all expert players and the opening track ‘Shark Skin Suit’ brings the fire and funk with a powerful bass, some grand slide from Mr Krieger and deliciously cheesy keyboards – Hammond & synth – from Ed Roth. Vanderbilt’s drumming holds everything together as tightly as Ringo. ‘Samosas And Kingfishers’ follows, bringing a desert trance groove to the music, stunning sitar from Krieger, and a positively psychedelic throwback feel.
And on it goes, every track individual and intricately formed. Four top musicians having fun together and laying down some stunning sounds.
