RON LEVY, KARL DENSON, MELVIN SPARKS: After Midnight Grooves

Ron Levy, Karl Denson, Melvin Sparks

After Midnight Grooves

© 2004 Levtron.com (786851133820)

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"Listen to Ron Levy and you'll hear the sound-of- SOUL played in today's modern-hip grooves. It's a low-down, blues/jazz funky swing that makes and keeps Ron Levy's music stay above the pack." - Pete Fallico - host of The Doodlin Lounge

notes

Named among the TOP 10 JAZZ RELEASES OF 2004 by the editors of www.AllAboutJazz.com

"After Midnight Grooves" (Levtron 204) is the latest from Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom, on which the legendary organist and producer lays down a steamy set of soul-jazz tinged with Latin and funk. The supporting cast is outrageous: 3 percussionists keep things cooking, Karl Denson is a key player on sax and flute, and acid jazz legend Melvin Sparks lays down devastating, tasteful guitar solos on "Groovin Wichu" the title track,, and "Just the way it went." The most accessible cut might be "Like Back in the day," with its on the-edge-of-your-memory melody, but strings and prgramming make "Keepin' Up the Love" (with great guitar from Jeff Lockhart) and "Back at the Levshack" equally hip. Levy's piano and vibes add essential texture, his B-3 technique puts him in the top rank of todays traditionalists, and his compositional and arrangements skills put him in the next decade." Blues Revue 11/2004

"AFTER MIDNIGHT GROOVES extends the attention to detail and groove obsession that FINDING MY WAY demonstrated as my pick for '#1 Soul Jazz Cd of 2003'. Levy slows the rolling boil to a steamy simmer, at times adding strings appealing to the smoothest of the hippest 'after hours' jazz crowds. On the other funkier cuts, Levy and celebrated guest artists like Melvin Sparks and Karl Denson add vibrant colors, new dimensions, textures and intriguing arrangements to solid soul jazz rhythms, with flavors of Hip-Hop and Blues sprinkled in. Another, outstanding Levy effort!"
- Chuck Ingersoll -- host of the Soul Jazz Spectrum -- WGMC, Rochester NY -- www.wgmc.org

"Listen to Ron Levy and you'll hear the sound-of- SOUL played in today's modern-hip grooves. It's a low-down, blues/jazz funky swing that makes & keeps Ron Levy's music stay above the pack."
- Pete Fallico - host of The Doodlin' Lounge - KUSP, San Jose CA

"I'm speechless!" - Bob Porter - WGBO Newark NJ

"Listening to Ron Levy and his Wild Kingdom churn out one infectious groove after another is like getting on your favorite ride at the amusement park and not wanting it to end. Hearing Levy's attack the organ is bound to give all listeners a degree in Funk 101."
- Eric Cohen - WAER Syracuse NY

reviews

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  • :)
    author: Jacek Brzostynski

    Music - very good.Blues,jazz and soul.Fantastic Ron Levy on his Hammond:warm,gently,dark.Full mood of jazz/blues.Service - better,than very good.BUT!!!Cdbaby is the best store in the universe!!!I love You all my heart!!!

  • Great latin-soul-jazz Hammond grooves!
    author: Marco Vienna

    Ron Levy has developed definitely a very unique style in his Hammond playing. The music in this CD is a crossover between jazz, soul and latin grooves and moods. The tune are somewhat simple but clever, rhythms slow but burning, solos straight but always interesting. The band members are top class, especially Melvin Sparks, one of my favourite jazz/soul/blues guitarist. Not the usual Hammondish licks and bag of tricks... if you are a bit tired of listening to happy-dinner-party-style-shuffle-pentatonic-blues in F, this is a CD you'll enjoy a lot and you'll listen to often. Moody, nocturnal, intriguing, sexy, hot, dark, mysterious... A really fresh and fashinating addition to my organ records collection.

  • These pleasureable persuasions are pleasing to the senses!!
    author: 'Smacjazz' Mack

    Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom has not only; captured the pleasureable essence of physical romanticism, through his spiritual writing and playing but, his band has imprinted passion right onto the disc! The gentle roaving organist has made it possible to be not only hip but, peevishly cool and funky too. The title track leads the way...especially when you hear Karl Denson's inspiring flute woaven into this titillating tapestry. After Midnight is inspiring and evocative without being foolishly overt. Ron's vibes and keys wiggle and twist along a friendly up-tempo set of couplish tunes. Melvin Sparks appears on 3 tracks. Lev uses two gamers on drums this time. Russ lawton and his pulsing beats are the perfect compliment to Levy's ticklishly bluesy lill' strut on 'Groovin' Wichu.' Meanwhile, Adrone 'Acid Man' MacHine keeps time with the brilliant pulses of percussionist extrordinaire Yahuba Garcia. Garcia's congas and Ron's folksy solos on 'Keepin' Up The Love' just dazzle yah! Lev has a few special guests to keep the listener off ballance as well. Karl Denson brings his saxaphone and his A-game to the office as well! This project is inventive and sassy! Brilliant musicianship and superlative writing once again Lev!

  • Visit the Vibe
    author: Mike Raphone

    Like totaly wild daddio its groovy hep cats gettin funky and swingin there booty's off into the night.

  • Stellar band. Cool Grooves. A nice change up for Ron
    author: Andy Goldman

    After Midnight Grooves is the third CD Ron Levy has done with the same core band, but it has a difinitive change of groove that is intentionally slower, smokier and seductive. It lives up to the title. Throw on this CD, dim the lights and wind down for the night with your darlin'. On this CD, Ron lays down his signature B-3 tones and lets Karl Denson take the wheel. Karl is his usual phenominal self, playing flute and sax with soulful feeling, not just perfect technique. Melvin Sparks' and Jeff Lockhart's guitars blend perfectly with these grooving jazz tunes and provide some sweet leads here and there. Yahuba Garcia, Russ Lawton and a few others flesh out these tunes with solid percussion and other touches. Buy this CD and you won't be disappointed.

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