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Album Title: Matorning Performer: Rudder Label: Rudder Music Play Time: 50'20" Recorded: 2008 Resurrecting the improvisational supergroup role, New York City quartet Rudder draw from a treasure of influences, then pound them into a joyful jazz-funk pulp on Matorning. Drummer Keith Carlock is the ultimate mover and shaker here. His tenures with Wayne Krantz, Steely Dan and Sting make his daring Mississippi-meets-New Orleans rhythm partay all the more fire-raising. |
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Kicking second line madness under bassist Tim Lefebvre's oozing riffs or firing displaced funk through keyboardist Henry Hey's comedy strewn lines, Carlock is equal parts Zigaboo Modeliste, Bernard Purdie and John Bonham. Rudder drive a rush-hour vamp on the Brecker Brothers-ish "Tokyo Children", with freak-stop time gaps and spewing synths recalling some children's show for LSD-addled grownups. Rudder intimate a Quiet Storm mood on the mellow "Lucy", confusing the listener with smooth jazz dread before Carlock's big beat kicks in and the soul majesty takes hold (again). Rudder are really at their best when the message is wide open and fully engaged. Think fully improvisational as in the bullet train hammering of "One Note Mosh" (more Brecker intonations). It features the wah-wahed saxophones of fourth member Chris Cheek. |
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Or take the noise smash-up and effects-recreational area of "Innit". It segues from computer software exploitation to down 'n' dirty B3 Hammond organ set ablaze. Like a band of merry marauding pranksters performing the soundtrack to some vintage Manhattan After Hours ride, Rudder hijack the tourist bus and make a freak-out detour to New Orleans, Memphis, Mars and beyond. |
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