Ray Anderson Lapis Lazuli Band - Jazz, Funk / Soul, Blues

Trombonist Anderson has assembled quite a quintet for this tribute to the blues, dubbed the Lapis Lazuli Band. Keyboardist Amina Claudine Myers, mostly on organ, electric guitarist Jerome Harris, electric bass guitarist Lonnie Plaxico, and drummer Tommy Campbell are the funkifiers. Anderson and Myers sing on several cuts, sometimes kitschy or jive, but mostly in a good-time spirit. Anderson's trombone playing is always interesting to listen to as he is able to exploit all the smearing, plungered, and wailing techniques of a 'bone to full effect. It's also a treat hearing Myers and Harris getting down in this context. Jackie Raven contributed the lyrics to four of nine tracks, with all the music written by Anderson. Of the vocal cuts, "I'm Not a Spy Blues" is pleading but convincing, and very cute. "Monkey Talk" is the wildest, Anderson wackily scatting up a storm on a hard swinger where Myers is heard on piano. Less enjoyable are the overt pop-funk of "Mirror Mirror" with some good call-and-response singing from Anderson and Myers, while "Damaged But Good," a play on "damaged goods" is a slow, stealthy, late-night blues groove, with Anderson and Myers admitting their faults amidst a wah-wah bridge, and trombone and guitar observing the confessions under a full moon. The instrumental pieces are extra hip. "Runnin' Round" is a hard swinger where trombone lines run behind the bar and contrary to organ pulsations and skating guitar. A long bass intro by Plaxico sets up loping lines with Harris on slide guitar evoking more than just a spoonful of grease during "Willie & Muddy." The coolest groove, "Hammond Eggs," has the band all simmering in one pan, combining unison and contrary melodies, while "Pheromonical" is the most bluesy swinger with subtle organ shadings, and the title track is an amalgam of funk, blues, and swing that is a true showcase for Myers' multi-faceted talents, getting churchy as she is wont to do. While not quite terrific, "Funkorific" is quite enjoyable, a fun loving romp through various phases of blues-cum-jazz expressionism by musicians who feel it in their bones. Not sure if Lapis Lazuli is a one shot -- hopefully not, because this band has a deep well to mine.

Funkorific (1998)

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