Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine
Connect with Damian in the Community
Wayne Krantz
"Krantz Carlock LeFebvre"
www.waynekrantz.com
Whoa... This is Krantz first studio release since 1993 (every
release since has been live) and he really does make use of the best of
both worlds here. Playing with his longtime band-mates Tim
LeFebvre (Le-Fave) and Keith Carlock, these guys had mastered the art
of the live trio navigating Krantz innovative & propulsive style
for years at the 55 Bar in Greenwich Village and around the
world. Taking that energy and applying it to a studio setting
with more production, ability to overdub, tweak sounds, play with
post-production, etc.. This album is pretty astounding! One
of the first things I noticed was quite obviously...
vocals?!?! Don't worry, the vocals do not detract from any
musical statements we're used to hearing from these guys. In
fact, to be honest, I found this the most listen-able album Wayne has
ever put out. Don't take that the wrong way... I am an
absolutely HUGE fan of Wayne and his various trios. His albums
have always seemed to me, however, a bit of a sonic assault and I could
never listen to more than a few tracks at a time intently. This
one is just different enough to give us what we love about his music
and playing without the brain strain. There are only vocals on a
few tracks and they mostly amount to a quirky or funny chorus (very
non-invasive), supported by and proceeded by the musical tour-de-force
we're used to from Krantz.
The grooves are fantastic. Keith Carlock is an entity unto his
own. Tim LeFebvre and Wayne are both masters of effective use of
effects and sound-scapes and this project is produced by the both of
them, resulting in a supremely interesting project full of layers,
interesting textures, deep grooves and all backed by the world-class
and ever unique Keith Carlock.
If you've never heard Wayne Krantz, you'll be truly astounded by the
musicality of these guys. Truly both a musical high-wire act and
high-art that pulls you in and leaves your jaw on the floor.
If you're a long time lover of Wayne Krantz's music, you'll find this
album to be a beautiful and stunning evolution of everything he's been
doing for the past 20 years.
