Customer Reviews

The Bridge

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to be careful how often I play this album, because it hurts too much when it stops.
These guys are really good, the vibe fills you whether you know it or not. And when it stops... you become hollow inside, with cat-tongue scratches assaulting the pleasure centers of your brain. It's a painful Jones, but it's worth it. The answer to your question is I never get enough. Seriously, these guys have a great sound. Tranquil, yet insidiously agitating.

If I had to think of a criticism, I would say it's a touch too brassy. But since Karl Denson is a sax man, I think it just comes with the territory. I would like to hear a little more of the guitar and keys, and tune down the brass just a touch, but that's just me.

Trust me. Have I ever let you down?

"The Bridge" by Karl Denson's Tiny Universe crackles with energy and verve, meshing funk, jazz, and rock and infusing the mix with a rousing array of instruments, beats, and effects. If, for a moment, Mr. Denson's saxophone seems almost like something from a triple-z jazz (the light stuff) session, don't worry, for in the next instance he is chasing down a Sonny Rollins or Coltrane riff with abandon.

The excellent, tasty funk guitar from Brian Jordan demands attention without resorting to gimmicks; the bass lines from Ron Johnson center the songs; David Veith knows his way around keyboards, especially the organ; and the percussion and drums unit of Zak Najor and Mike Dillion propel these songs along.

The horns, however, are the front and center attraction, and Chris Littlefield's trumpet is a nice counterpoint to Mr. Denson's sax and flute. Guest players augment the core lineup on every track, offering density and depth. At times, I think I hear echoes of Gil Scott-Heron here.

(Really, the person who uses the moniker Bostonears has already sized up this CD so well, I refer you to this review).

One weak spot are some of the lyrics, which can be preachy at times. For example, it's not exactly clear what is meant by "But what is freedom . . . when it comes at a cost?" After all, we must all pay the price of freedom. But rather than take issue with some of the lyrics and innuendos, I leave that for the individual listener. I find I can still enjoy the music without buying into any sort of social message.

I can not stop listening to this cd. The tunes are so grooving and the recording so impeccable that I have been forced by the mothership to write a review on amazon.com. The Tiny Universe may be the best funk machine traveling the planet right now, and Karl Denson is confidently at the controls. The tunes on this cd are infectious groove laden slices of neo-funk that drip and ooze Karl's signature songwriting and horn lines. Every musician on this cd is given room to stretch out and express themselves. Thought provoking, feet moving solos abound. And did I mention groove? Hip Hop, Jazz, Funk, Rock & World Beat all are woven together to create an organic bubbling stew. I can not recommend this cd highly enough.

I first heard this group via its performance of "Elephants" on a video of the 2002 JVC Newport Jazz Festival, and I decided this disc was a must buy. The music here clearly isn't for everyone, and some listeners will no doubt dismiss it as junk food funk. But to my ears, The Bridge by Karl Denson's Tiny Universe is funky soul food.

The lyrics range from party-girl grooves to downright poetic social commentary. (It's no accident that the lyrics from only two tunes, "Freedom" and "The Bridge" are reprinted in the liner notes.) Denson's vocal delivery on "The Bridge" is just dripping with hipness.

The instrumentation migrates from the sizzling horn solos of "Freedom", through the burning bass on Curtis Mayfield's "Check Out Your Mind", to the flying flute of "Satisfied", culminating with the blistering beat of the instrumental "Elephants." Point your speakers out the window, crank this last tune, and even the corpses in the nearby cemetery will be tapping their feet to the beat.

Throughout the disc, the arrangements are all slightly off-kilter, in a positive way, enough to prevent monotony and keep things interesting, but not so much as to devolve into jazz noise. About the only nit I can pick with The Bridge is that the sound quality is distorted and boomy in the mid-bass, which muddies up the mix. But never mind. The Bridge isn't intended for pristine audiophile listening. It's the ultimate dance party disc, and it absolutely cooks.

Blown away!!! THE best thing on the block!!!!

totaly unique,...found this gem of a talent by freak coincidence,i have always found my best stuff by spontinaety .
Here in uk except for specialized "jazz watchers" Denson is easy to miss to the untrained eye,but found dance lesson played it and the rest is history!!!!!
I an wishing i had enough money to entice Karl Denson and his band over to gig in the uk!!!spread the gospel this man does for this muzak genre what Donny hathaway does for soul

I wish that I could categorize this is as jazz or R&B but it combines the best of both musical worlds. Karl Denson has put together a collection of songs that are inspired by old school R&B guys with great sax solo's inspired by the likes of John Coltrane. It's really that good. The songs are fun to listen to and while they have that 60's and 70's charm, they are also refreshing and new. It's as if you were to discover an album from thirty years ago that you never listened to. This is the best cd I've heard in years. If you like funk, R&B, and jazz, this has it all for you. Buy it now!!!

After purchasing "The Bridge" while listening to "How Fine Is That"(The cut was still playing!!) I actually stopped traffic when I saw a flyer announcing they were going to be in my home town of Ann Arbor, Mi.
After pulling a few strings so I could take off work I HAD to see them live. Needless to say I'm a member of the legions of fans that'll follow them wherever they play!
I grew up listening to Tower of Power, Sly & The Family Stone, War, Earth, Wind & Fire, just to name a few..and have seen them in concert...let me tell those who haven't seen Karl..they're right there in the pocket..one of the most energetic live performances I've seen in YEARS!! Two days later I'm still hoarse from cheering, yelling and partying..these guys aren't live...they're A-live!!!!

This album is, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of Acid Jazz. The tracks are melodic, groovy, and highlight many styles and themes. When giving "The Bridge" a good listen, you are reminded of Curtis Mayfield, Lenny Kravitz, Nelly, and many others. If you are into Groove Collective or Liquid Soul, you will find this album somewhat legendary.

Highlights include "Because of Her Beauty"-- an incredible groove with an excellent 'call and response' melody. "Groove On" is the penultimate groove. Bass chords and great percussion highlight the track. I can't really put much more into words-- but I can say with certainty, you want to buy this album!

No studio album could possibly compare with the experience of seeing Karl Denson's Tiny Universe live. As such, I wasn't expecting to love this album as much as I love their live shows. Nevertheless, it is a well-put-together collection of tunes without a single bad track. I bought it less than a week ago and have probably listened to it 10 times since then, I just love it. Interesting lyrics, nice mellow tunes. The one thing I did miss was the long, crazed instrumental jams, characteristic of their live shows, that just put you into a trance and take over your body and make it dance. None of those here (or maybe that's just not possible on an album). But the funk, groove, smooth sound and fantastic instrumentals are still there. This album is a reminder that I need to check when KDTU will be playing in Boston next, but it's also a fine bit of jazz to listen to while I wait.

Maybe I'm just not a sax guy, but this album was a let down. Soulless funk with atrociously banal lyrics, I'd have to be incredibly drunk to 'get it on' to this album. Drunk enough that I couldn't hear it playing, that is.