Gotcha Rhythm Right Here (STP Records)
John Tropea
Released September 1, 2014
DownBeat Four-and-a-Half-Star Review
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ndPN-J6QC_e8PKaQ8Ft-3Ukepd-mmdXhA
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/album/5Ru54rs8Wr4ojekCyKHsz0?si=H9r1FGpzSYCwMUA-lBtSBw
About:
Experienced
American guitarist John Tropea recorded his first album as a leader back in
1975. Gotcha Rhythm Right Here is the eleventh album in his personal
discography. “In almost forty years, not so much,” some reader will
think. Perhaps this is true, but a solo career is only part of John’s
multifaceted activities. He is called a musician for musicians. He
enjoys the deepest respect from his colleagues in the shop. John Tropea is
a great session musician, for whom there are no “foreign”
styles. In this capacity, he has worked with artists as diverse as John
Lennon, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Laura Nyro, James
Brown, Roberta Flack, Eric Clapton and even Alice Cooper. In jazz he
played with Spyro Gyra, Ron Carter, Steve Gadd, Billy Cobham, in blues with Bo
Diddley, Bonnie Wright, Doctor John. And this, of course, is not a
complete list.
Berkeley alumnus John Tropea (b. 1946) formed as a guitarist influenced by Wes
Montgomery, Pat Martino and George Benson. You can hear these influences
in Gotcha Rhythm Right Here as well. But, of course, here they are all
melted down into his own flamboyant style of play. Almost all the
compositions for this album are author’s, Tropea composed them in collaboration
with his main partner in the new project, organist Chris Palmaro. In
general, many well-known jazzmen were involved in the work on Gotcha Rhythm
Right Here. To name at least such people as Randy Brecker, Steve Gadd and
Lew Soloff.
The album’s music is fusion with funk elements. The guitar and organ
interact with a solid horn section and a rhythm group within the framework of a
kind of mini big band with lineup changing from track to track. The
vocalists also participate in two compositions. All arrangements and
orchestrations were again performed by Tropea together with Palmaro. Listening
to Gotcha Rhythm Right Here is both easy and interesting. This music,
despite the rather complicated arrangements, is extremely positive and will
almost certainly evoke positive emotions in you.
Track Listing:
1. Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Pt. 1 (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 02:12
2. Black Eyed G’s (Leon Pendarvis) 04:23
3. Soul Surfin’ (Chris Palmaro / Shawn Pelton / John Tropea) 04:50
4. 7th Avenue South (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 05:26
5. Chili Wa Man (Chris Palmaro / Shawn Pelton / John Tropea) 05:52
6. Always in My Heart (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 06:12
7. Side By Two (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 06:36
8. Bikini Beach (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 06:45
9. Les Is Moe’ (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 05:46
10. NYC Direct 2014 (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 07:20
11. Hip to the Hips (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 05:19
12. Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Pt. 2 (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 06:46
13. Boulevard Strut (Chris Palmaro / John Tropea) 05:57
Personnel:
John Tropea: guitars
Chris Palmaro: Hammond B3, piano, bass, drums, percussion, strings
Steve Gadd: drums (11)
Keith Karlock: drums (13)
Shawn Pelton: drums (3, 5)
Cliff Almond: drums (9, 10)
Lou Marini: alto saxophone (2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12), tenor saxophone (11, 13), flute (6, 9)
Leon Pendarvis: piano
Randy Brecker: trumpet (8, 10)
Lew Soloff: trumpet (4, 9)
Neil Jason: bass
Will Lee: bass (6, 13)
Dave Mann: tenor saxophone (2, 4, 7)
Lee Finkelstein: drums (7)
Clint de Ganon: drums (6)
Tommy McDonnell: percussion (13)
Eric Udel: bass (7)
Zev Katz: bass (9)
Glenn Drews: trumpet (3, 4, 7, 10, 12)
Don Harris: trumpet (5, 12, 13)
Bob Millikan: trumpet (3)
Bill Harris: alto saxophone (5), tenor saxophone (8, 10, 12), baritone saxophone (13)
Bob Malach: tenor saxophone (5)
Larry Farrell: trombone (2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13)
Roger Rosenberg: baritone saxophone (2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12), bass saxophone (11)
Dave Riekenberg: baritone saxophone (4)
Scott Robinson: bass saxophone (3)
Duke Gadd: percussion (11)
Roger Squitero: percussion (4, 8)
Hanan Rubinstein: guitar (7)
James O. “D Train” Williams: vocals (13)
Rallybop: vocals (13)
Produced, Arranged and Orchestrated by John Tropea & Chris Palmaro
Executive Producer: John Tropea
Review:
The accessibility and authority of Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, guitarist John Tropea’s 11th leader project, make it a particular delight. Sparked by musicians who, like him, are among the best in the jazz business, Tropea drives 13 urbane tracks, most written with co-producer, co-arranger and keyboard wizard Chris Palmaro. Tropea’s versatility as a player and composer spans the romantic, widescreen “Always In My Heart,” the goofy pop sketch “Bikini Beach” and the two very different versions of the title tune. The launch version is modern and pointillist, its two-plus minutes the album’s leanest and most abstract. The sequel toward the end conjures “Shaft” on stimulants. Tropea and Palmaro can also plunk you right inside the carnival. “Boulevard Strut,” featuring the cheerleader vocals of Rallybop, Keith Karlock’s haughty drums and Tommy McDonnell’s Latin percussion, puts you in the middle of a party. No matter the configuration of musicians, the album is of a piece. It’s also produced with startling transparency and presence. If you like your funk rich, you’ll particularly like these cuts. If you like music with character and personality, Gotcha Rhythm Right Here is a keeper through and through.
Carlo Wolff (DownBeat)
