Harvie S & eye Contact
New Beginning
On his recent work titled "New
Beginning", New York based musician, bassist Harvie S and
his band Eye Contact offer one of the best examples of modern
Latin Jazz which is rising to prominence within mainstream Jazz
in the new Millennium. Harvie is no stranger to Jazz circles
having performed on hundreds of recording as a sideman and over
two dozen recordings as a co-leader with a slew of notable Jazzmen--including:
Michael Brecker, John Abercrombie, Kenny Barron, Chick Corea,
Mike Stern, Art Farmer, David Samborn, Grover Washington Jr.,
and many others.
Talk about a multifaceted musician, Harvie's songwriting skills
have been well documented, having written over sixty original
composition which have been recorded by various artists, including
a 14 year association with vocalist Sheila Jordan which have
set a standard for bass and voice duos. Along with his performance
endeavors, Harvie S has also carved an impressive career as a
Jazz educator at the Manhattan School of Music since 1984, as
well as conducting Jazz clinics worldwide.
Lately, Harvie has taken a keen interest in Latin rhythms
thereby enhancing his musical arsenal. Along the way he has performed
with Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers, Annette A. Aguilar &
Stringbeans, Paquito D' Riviera, Bobby Ramirez and other local
Latin Jazz bands in New York. Already, Harvie has released his
debut Latin Jazz CD on the Bembe Records label titled "Havana
Manana" which received excellent reviews. On his latest
CD "New Beginning", bassist Harvie S takes another
giant step forward in solidifying his place in modern times as
a paramount musician.
This CD boosts a crew of musician which perform as part of
his band Eye Contact--including guitarist Bruce Arnold, pianist
Daniel Kelly, drummer Adam Weber, and percussionist Renato Thoms.
Adding to this excellent lineup of top-notch musicians are special
guests saxophonist Michael Brecker, Ray Vega on trumpet, guitarist
Haru Takauchi, and violinist Gregor Huebner. Except for track
5, all compositions were written by Harvie S.
Right from the onset, Harvie S establishes his bold acoustic
bass sound on the title track "New Beginning." The
rhythm is a contemporary groove with opening solos by guitarist
Arnold and nothing less than a monster solo by Brecker. Things
get really heavy on the next track "En La Batalla"
as the band starts to cook some sabroso Latin Jazz grooves with
Harvie displaying enormous agility on his acoustic bass solo.
Daniel Kelly also explodes with a great solo that swings. Next,
the band switches gear and touch on swing rhythms on "Chump
Change." There's a most interesting part to this tune where
the drums maintains a Jazz swing beat while Harvie interposes
a Latin tumbao groove on the bass. This sounds amazing and innovative
especially when Renato adds an intense solo on the bongos; clearly
one of the best tracks on the CD.
The next track "Luna Romantica" has a slow bolero
feel and features some nice interaction and harmonies by violinist
Gregor Huebner. Also worthy of mention is the great brush work
by drummer Adam Weber--very tasty. Towards the end of the composition
the beat turns into a cha cha guajira groove; then enters trumpeter
Ray Vega with a fine trumpet solo.
"African Heartbeat" has a 6/8 Afro-Cuban Jazz beat
featuring great counter-melodies carefully overlapping a towering
bass groove, as well as another intense violin solo, and climaxing
almost like a rock symphony of Afro-Cuban Jazz polyphonic rhythms.
Pianist Daniel Kelly demonstrates some impressive Latin Jazz
chops on "A Bright Moment" amidst an impeccable groove
by Harvie and his rhythm section.
Brecker and Vega return to interact and trade solos on "From
the Ashes." Percussionist Thoms adds some colorful nuances
that highlights a slow guaguanco Afro-Cuban groove in "Tres
Mundos." The session ends with a tune that has a hard Rock
new age musical texture sounding more like a "Jimmy Hendrix
Experience" meets Afro-Cuban rhythms, a nearly ten minute
odyssey titled "Mothership."
This CD is undoubtedly on the cutting edge of Latin Jazz in
today's music scene. Not only is Harvie S an amazing technician
on the bass, performing with power, passion and poise, also demonstrating
unparallel command of the Latin grooves; but, his compositions
show extraordinary authenticity within the genre of contemporary
Latin Jazz. All of the musicians, especially the rhythm section,
are well versed on the intricacies of Latin rhythms and execute
their parts with great passion, evenly and with precision.
Drummer Adam Weber sounds tight and in the pocket along with
percussionist Renato Thoms. Pianist Daniel Kelly shows great
character and depth adding some fantastic solos--definitely a
talent to watch.
But clearly, the cornerstone of this CD is Harvie's fearless
acoustic bass sound--always there and everywhere holding all
of the pieces together, the catalyst that sets the wheels in
motion, a massive unsinkable vessel navigating in deep uncharted
water exploring the outer boundaries of Latin Jazz. From start
to finish, this CD is a smooth and pleasant listening experience.
As evident on this CD, Harvie S has a clear musical vision of
the future direction of Latin Jazz. "New Beginning"
with Harvie S & Eye Contact is well recommended--a must-have
for music fans of Latin Jazz.
review by John Davis
JDavis@latnjazzclub.com
Contributing writer
LatinJazzClub.com Magazine
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