WDCB Review

WDCB Local

CD Review
'Instant Groove'
from Chicago's Bobby Lewis
used by permission from Chicago Jazz Magazine

by WDCB Music Director Paul Abella

'INSTANT GROOVE' RELEASED MARCH, 2006 (2006-04-29)

It's a BIG DEAL when Bobby Lewis releases a new CD!

Of course, any big deal would quickly fade away if it didn't have the substance to live up to the hype. Thankfully, that's not the case here. Bobby's playing and the playing of the stellar cast supporting him is awesome as always.

There's a lot of music to wade through on Instant Groove, from standards to enticing originals, from acoustic fare which serves Bobby well, to synthesizer laden experiments that rear their heads for a couple of moments in the album.

Instant Groove is Bobby's latest and his eighth from Southport Records (Real Jazz Made In Chicago!). The album works best when Bobby can play over an incredibly grooving rhythm section, which isn't a problem with this group. Jim Ryan sounds great as always! And Rob Amster, Curtis Robinson, Alejo Poveda and Jeff Stitely are their usual phenomenal selves. Pat Mallinger, Bobby's saxophonist pal for many years, is his usual tasty self, flowing with ideas on every track that he's on. His shining moment on the album is his solo on Wayne Shorter's "Edda". He wisely doesn't try to sound like Wayne on a Wayne tune. Instead, he sounds like Pat Mallinger, and when and where there are similarities, they are beautiful to hear.

Of special note is the appearance of the late Thomas Kini on the album. It's dedicated to him, and on "Saudade II", you can hear why so many jazz musicians in town dug him. His groove, along with the playing of Curtis Robinson really make this one stand out. It's a fitting tribute to a great bass player!

Instant Groove isn't just the name of the album, it's also truth in advertising. The album is a wonderful jam, for the most part, from beginning to end. Bobby plays to his strengths and proves why he is such a beloved name in the Chicago jazz community. Here's to hoping that the next Bobby Lewis album comes out sooner than later.