Matt King
"Monk in Brazil"
Buy at Amazon.com
CD review by Roger Zee (04/27/23)
The Latin Jazz of Matt King's "Monk in Brazil" will Funk you Up! It now stands at the top of my favorite Jazz-ish records. Don't get me wrong. I still love my old Coltrane albums, but I could never really hear the bass on those "live in the studio" or club recordings. Here, the astounding crystalline clarity of sound, articulation, and front row immersion into the interaction of bass, drums, and keyboards just blows me away!
For years, I watched keyboardist King play live, mostly with guitarist Gil Parris. I also reviewed many of Matt King's previous albums including another favorite, "Welcome, Christmas". When I first spied the Facebook teasers about his collaboration with Brazilian musicians ("Re-grooving the music of Thelonious Monk"), I immediately reached out to him to grab a copy.
Initially, I expected something along the lines of Stan Getz Bossa Nova or Mongo Santa Maria Cuban Danzon. But surprise, there's no pure dance music here! And I only recognize a few of the Monk tunes. But King explained to me that he wanted to go deep in the Monk catalog.
The music revolves around a core trio of keyboards (Matt King), bass (Itaiguara Brandao, Nilson Matta), and drums (Mauricio Zottarelli, Adriano Santos). They augment that on many tracks with the addition of wind instruments (Anton Denner), guitar (Chico Pinheiro), percussion (Fernando Saci, Emedin Rivera), and cavaquinho (Kahil Nayton).
So let's "Tiptoe through the Tulips." PS: I actually opened for Tiny Tim in Manhattan many years ago, LOL! First up, the album opener and my favorite, "Brake's Sake." If this trio track doesn't shake you loose, check your pulse! The sheer chemistry and cross talk of the players blows my mind and limbers my loin.
If perchance you dig Indian snake charmers, "Light Blue" will mesmerize you with Matt King's sultry melodica, Brandao's slithering bass, and Denner's alluring flute... As the percussion fades out, seductive possibilities linger...
Every Jazz aficionado knows and loves the irresistible "Bemsha Swing." The trio adds guitarist Chico Pinheiro and that pushes the groove to the limit. Yet another CLEAR and fabulous bass solo by Itaiguara Brandao. How can your hips, let along your heart, resist this sly and irrepressible beat? Yeah baby. Ear worm!
If soft and romantic's your thang, "Round Midnight" will seat you in a dimly lit Greenwich Village Jazz club for a late night lover's rendezvous. Much to my surprise, the title hook of The Beatles' Broadway cover, "Til There Was You," keeps popping up in this rendition. But even more striking, Nilton Matta's bass purrs like a sultry, satiated cat.
The name "Ugly Beauty" belies its slinky charm. Feel your hips sway. Succumb to the beatific allure of this simple, basic trio.
Syncopate yourself to Anton Denner's sax propelled Funk-Swing, "Let's Call This." Does music get any more creative or push harder than this?
You want to frolic in the park? Then grab a friend and go "Jackie-ing" on a steroid propelled trip. It jumps off with large interval leaps, then bursts into straight ahead Swing. You won't, and can't resist the massive wave of energy that King lovingly rides with his melodica.
Yes, the Latin Jazz of "Monk in Brazil" will Funk the sh*t out of you! You can throw away the Ducolax. To quote "The Killer," Jerry Lee Lewis, this music will "shake your nerves and rattle your brain." One <3
YouTube - Monk in Brazil Promo - Matt King
YouTube - Brake's Sake - Matt King
©2023 Roger Zee
Matt King, Roger Zee
