Doug Webb – Bright Side (2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 01:02:42 minutes | 1,15 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Posi-Tone Records
From one perspective, Doug Webb’s Bright Side is basically twelve tracks clothed in very recognizable forms a few varieties of soul-jazz, a couple of heartfelt ballads, a taut bossa nova, and an array of middling and up tempo straight ahead swingers. Although the material is thoroughly enjoyable, it’s tempting to succumb to a nagging notion that its all been done countless times before, and then simply move on to a record by yet another brave soul planting his/her flag in the jazz tradition. Fortunately, what enables Bright Side to add up to something more than a competent, professionally executed jazz record, is a slew of highlights, bright moments, and outright cool stuff that populates every track.
A quintet consisting of Webb’s tenor sax, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, guitarist Ed Cherry, organist Brian Charette, and drummer Steve Fidyk (all of whom have led dates for the Posi-Tone Records label) operates like a well-oiled machine. Listening to how nicely all of the parts fit together, and the fact that you can easily discern each player’s contribution, are important facets of the disc’s appeal. For instance, Cherry’s work on the heads and his comping behind individual soloists are delivered in subtle yet decisive ways that add rich, distinctive flavors while taking up a minimum amount of space. The same can be said about Charette, whose primary concern is holding down the band’s bottom, but, with due cause, asserts himself by means of vivid chords. Fully capable of inhabiting any role the music requires, Fidyk often jolts the band with thickset snare accents, frequently plays fluid, inconspicuous jazz time, and always executes smart, stimulating fills regardless of the type of groove.
Tracklist:
1. Doug Webb – Society Al (06:00)
2. Doug Webb – Silver Lining (05:49)
3. Doug Webb – The Drive (03:26)
4. Doug Webb – Bahia (05:14)
5. Doug Webb – Doctor Miles (05:20)
6. Doug Webb – Steak Sauce (05:26)
7. Doug Webb – Melody For Margie (04:40)
8. Doug Webb – Slo Mo (05:51)
9. Doug Webb – One For Hank (04:45)
10. Doug Webb – Lunar (04:18)
11. Doug Webb – Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (05:58)
12. Doug Webb – Funky Medina (05:49)
