Men with a message…
Soulful baritone Allan Harris works the Blue Llama room with Arcoiris Sandoval/p-key, Marty Kenney/b, Norman Edwards Jr/dr and Irwin Hall/as-fl on this mix of grooved jazzers. He gives a modal read of the 60s classic “ Sunny” , and goes romantic with Sandoval on a exotic “Spain”. Hall’s sax bounces on the bopping “Jeannine” and his flute is lithe on “Shimmering Deep Blue Sea”. Harris is in rich form throughout, giving insightful intros, melding with Sandoval on the intro to “The Very Thought Of Y ou” and then jamming on guitar on a gritty “Black Coffee Blues”. The heat was on!
Easy swinger Luis Giraldo gives tribute to Doris Day on this fun filled album with Ben Paterson/B3, Ed Cherry/g and Jason Tiemann/dr. The Hammond is a plus here, adding pep on the joyful “Sometimes I’m Happy” and boogalooing with Cherry for “What Now My Love”. Giraldo double times with eaes on “What N ow My Love” and is 60s cool on “ Where Or When”. Bria Skonberg pops in for a cozy duet, singing and growling on the horn for “ Moonglow” and giving some repartee on the conversational “What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry”. Miles of smiles.