Elegant and diverse, prepare yourself to be taken on an hours musical adventure into the new world of C.L. BOB and its instrumental music.
Imagine Coltrane, Weather Report and the Modern Jazz Quartet (circa 1951-52 Savoy recordings) rather heartedly discussing the swing potential of Dolphys' Out To Lunch, while sitting cramped in a box car heading to Dixie, and you kind of get the idea of C.L. Bob.
That said, the glue that holds all this in place is the distinctive feel of the band itself. Recorded live over four days at the Tokerahi homestead in North Otago, this music is challenging, graceful, soulful and, yes, fun. Needless to say, it cooks. Moments of pure joy include: David Leahy's double bass solo on Jane, which glides, caresses and somehow ''talks'' a mood; John Bell's mantra-like vibraphone patterns on Summer Song; the instantly silly group effort of Cartoon Donkey (complete with Bonanza motif); and the mournful, minor-key delicacy of Dancing Di, a piece written for a dead friend. There is so much to discover in C.L. Bob. If you have an interest in jazz, this is a must. And at all costs, see them live next time they hit town. - Chris Mooar.
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