Mcphee, Joe – “Nation Time ” – [Atavistic (Unheard Music)]

Thurston Hunger   5/29/2006   CD, Jazz

John Corbett’s fight against and/or tribute
to rare recordings continues. This is a
total knockout. Gentleman Joe greets the
audience with a shout of “What time is it?”
and then rephrases the question with four
notes, throughout the rest of the song.
With plenty of other sizzling commentary
from his horn. Melodica is pumped in as
well, and Mike Kull’s electric piano really
matches well with the roadhouse sound, xlnt
lower chord blocking here. Track 2 adds
gritty guitar, and delivers some pressure
cooker funk flavoring..Joe gets a nice alto
shadow from Otis Greene on it as well.
The closer is nearly symphonic in scope,
the promise of the percussive pair comes
through on this. A thriller. -Thurston Hunger