Royal Jones
Posted by: admin in CD Reviews, tags: Buddy Williams, Chevis Packer, Leo Traversa, Lily White, Myoshi Marilla, Rogerio Boccato, Royal Jones, William GalisonRoyal Jones
a Dear in the Head Lights
reviewed by Cherry Herring
“Somehow in the process of life itself I’ve become jazzy…” - Royal Jones
In the trendy east village of Manhattan you’ll find the self anointed king of quirk’ funk poet Royal Jones. He is going from door to door hanging his promo posters and giving away free CDs and eye catching business cards. All this in the hopes of garnering a sale or two of his new CD which was recorded in NYC in 2007 at East Side sound studios. Engineered by Marc Urselli. It was released April 11 2008. No balloons, no fan fare. just a few novenas from the Salesian sisters of east 12th St and Avenue A “Yes that’s me in the Royal Jones Tee shirt trying to entice wouldn’t say I’m desperate but I’d hate to think I recorded this wonderful CD in vain. I simply have no management or promotional skills. I am no spring chicken either” Jones stresses.
Assisting Royal Jones on this eclectic acoustic funk set produced by Janice Friedman (who also plays all keyboards as well as collaborating on 5 songs) is legendary Buddy Williams on drums: Soulful Leo Traversa on bass: Rhythmic Rogerio Boccato on percussion: Melodious William Galison and powerhouse Lily White all shining big time on their guest spots. Completing this well rounded original offering of jazz/funk are Myoshi Marilla and Chevis Packer who add their great harmony spice to the mix for 5 of the 11 songs. 9 of the 11 songs were written by Jones with Various collaborators. The new set also features two cover songs written by Dennis Belfield ‘Smokin’ Room’ and Alee Willis and David Lasley’s ‘Come What May’
Indescribable and full of surprises and originality…”somehow in the process of life itself I’ve become jazzy….a 1st for me…. performing with a live band is so thrilling and Ms Janice is such a true ‘Jazz Pro’ having worked with Woody Herman , Milt Hinton as well as Marian McPartland”.
I finally have arrangements like a Tony Bennett or a Tiny Tim might….
Jones quips “they told me to get down…..and I did”….
What is the genre? It’s been called acoustic acid funk…trip hop jazz a flava alternative
The jury is still out on this…I pray there’s an audience for it - whatever classification it may happen to fall under.
The musicians on this CD are all top notch. I can’t wait to get us on the road and deliver the funk fun…so Git your Jones as he pleads to the passers by in Tompkins Square Park .
Jones quips “they told me to get down…..and I did”….
reviewed by Cherry Herring
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/royaljones3
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