Love Press Ex-Curio

Description

Love Press Ex-Curio (Love’s Pressure Exhibits Curiosity) is the first instrumental album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Charlie Peacock, independently released on Runway Network in September 2005. The album shows Charlie Peacock’s strong love for early 60’s jazz combined with modern day pop production. Love Press Ex-Curio features an all-star cast of jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Ralph Alessi, saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Coffin (of the Flecktones) and Ravi Coltrane, as well as bassists Victor Wooten and James Genus, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and drummer Joey Baron. Also showcased on the album is drummer Jim White, sonic manipulators Myles Boisen and Gino Robair, guitarist Jerry McPherson, electronica mavens Tony Miracle and Kip Kubin (Venus Hum), and Tower of Power Hammond B-3 organist Roger Smith. Love Press Ex-Curio was nominated in four categories at the Grammy ballot (Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Instrumental Arrangement, and «Be Well Johnny Cash» as Best Instrumental Composition).

It’s not the kind of record that purists will warm to, but fans of contemporary cross-genre records like Bill Frisell’s Unspeakable, Me’Shell Ndegeocello’s Dance of the Infidel, or Herbie Hancock’s Future2Future will find plenty to like amidst Peacock’s universe of contemporary sound sculpture that still leaves room for inspired solos and a relaxed sense of interplay. Peacock’s focus prevents the revolving door of players from giving the disc a “session” feel, ie. great playing but no cohesion. Indeed, Love Press Ex-Curio feels like a project with a plan, rather than simply a collection of individually strong but unconnected tracks…Of the seventeen artists who appear on the album’s nine original compositions – ranging from the deep grooves of «When Diana Dances» and «Super Jet Service» to the chill «All or Nothing Grace» – two stand out. Ralph Alessi, surely one of the most underappreciated trumpeters on the scene, plays consistently inventively throughout both sessions. Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel delivers fluid solos on both «Longing for Louis» and «Be Well Johnny Cash», showing that it’s possible to adapt to any circumstance and remain true to one’s vision. That’s true of Peacock as well. His two electronically-treated solo piano pieces, the choppy «Dodo’s Whim» and the slightly countrified, Jarrett-like «Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues», serve as evidence of his broader influences.” [allaboutjazz.com]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-press-ex-curio/1021413128)

CD tracklist:

01. When Diana Dances – 5:27
02. Super Jet Service – 7:14
03. Dodo’s Whim – 3:16
04. Be Well Johnny Cash – 5:06
05. Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues – 2:40
06. Bucketachicken – 7:08
07. London Twist n’ Turn – 6:28
08. Longing for Louis – 6:03
09. All or Nothing Grace – 3:20

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CREDITS. Produced by Charlie Peacock.

Musicians: Charlie Peacock (piano, rhodes, programming), Ralph Alessi (trumpet), Jeff Coffin (tenor saxophone – except tracks 2, 9), Ravi Coltrane (tenor saxophone – tracks 2,9), Joey Baron (drums – tracks 1,6,7), James Genus (acoustic bass – 1,6,7), Tony Miracle (vibes, laptop, synths, ambient treatments), Jerry McPherson (guitar loops, electric guitar, treatments, ambient treatments), Kurt Rosenwinkel (electric guitar – tracks 4,8), Kip Kubin (ambient treatments, ARP 2600 – tracks 2,4,8,9), Roger Smith (Hammond B-3 – tracks 2,4,8,9), Kirk Whalum (tenor saxophone – track 1), Jim White (drums – tracks 1,7), Victor Wooten (electric bass – tracks 2,4,8,9) Craig Nelson (acoustic bass – track 7), Henry Robinett (solo electric guitar – track 7), Myles Boisen (prepared and treated electric guitar – tracks 2,4,8,9), Gino Robair (percussion, drums – track 6).