Dave Sharp's Secret 7: Worlds

Dave Sharp is a Michigan based musician who has honed his skills as a bass player touring with The Melvins and performing with the Killer Joe Trio. His new ensemble, Dave Sharp's Secret 7 has just released their sophomore effort Worlds.

This is truly an international effort with musicians hailing from the States, Canada, Iran, India and Senegal. Listening to Worlds is truly a passport to a variety of World music influences and classic American jazz. It is an intriguing combination that works extremely well.

The album's first track "Sherehe" offers infectious African rhythms and melodic saxophone flourishes. Playful drums and percussion intermingle with horns and guitar reminding me of Juluka's Scatterings of Africa.

In "Nu Africa" the horn intro rings of New Orleans jazz before African sounds enter the fold, especially the vocals of Cheikh Lo. Chris Codish's Hammond B3 provides a cushion of sound and the trumpet work, courtesy of Walter White, is excellent.

The shortish "Return" has the ensemble travelling to India. The subtle instrumentation combined with Parthiv Gohil's vocals shrouds this one in a veil of mystery that is quite intoxicating.

"Mystery Blues" as an amalgamation of classic American jazz and Indian style lead vocals. Gayelynne McKinney's drumming is a highlight throughout offering complex patterns and rhythms while Gary Schunk's jazzy piano licks take this into jam style territory.

The Eastern influenced "Sunrise" features the oud, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, and is another solid track with strong Arabic leanings. The rest of the disc offers us a similar template of World and jazz sounds.

Worlds is an intriguing listen of jazz and World sounds fused in melodic and interesting ways with superb musicianship and fine song craftsmanship. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Sherehe (4:26)
2. Nu Africa (4:55)
3. Return (2:12)
4. Mystery Blues (4:19)
5. Sunrise (4:18)
6. Eastern Flame (6:56)
7. Desert Sky (2:33)
8. Kalinjar (7:48)
9. Rain Raga (5:44)
10. Dakar Detroit (2:46)
Bonus Tracks
11. Nu Africa Nola Mix (4:27)
12. Nu Africa (Radio Edit) (4:55)
13. Nu Africa Nola Mix (Radio Edit) (4:27)

Added: January 9th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1908
Language: english

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