Customer Reviews

Deep Blue Bruise

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The problem I have with a lot of 'soul-jazz' players is that they often use the 'soul' part as an excuse to avoid the 'jazz' part, ie, they ride over simple vamps for too long, and avoid the challenges of the more complex changes. No problem here. The DBOT are jazzmen with soul, and improvise with ease and groove over all of the satisfying extra chords. When in Chicago, check the "Green Mill"'s schedule. These guys play there weekly when in town.(No disrespect to the great Henry Johnson , or the reviewer who mentioned him, but Broom is simply on the next level above.)

If you dig the organ trio genre and the warm archtop tones of early George Benson, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, and Grant Green, you'll flip over Deep Blue Bruise. Whether the groove is moody, funky, or briskly swinging, guitarist Bobby Broom plays with a crisp, articulated attack and wraps his spiraling lines in timbres that glow like burnished copper. While still in his 20s, he toured with tenor colossus Sonny Rollins, and you can hear Newk's influence in the sheer length of Broom's lines. Not a lick player, Broom spins phrases that twist and turn across dozens of bars. He doesn't hesitate, he doesn't fumble -- he just goes. Organist Chris Foreman (who pumps out fat walking bass on his B3 pedals) and drummer Greg Rockingham sound like a super-tight band in their own right, and the trio's repertoire includes killer remakes of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" and the Doors' "Light My Fire."

I really love this CD. espicially the pop remakes. So often Jazz musicians feel the need to place over used standards on their recordings. Prince's Rasberry beret Offer the listener a new take on a pop clssic. Chris Foreman's Organ playing brings comparisons to the classic organists, ala Jimmy Smith Brother Jack McDuff to name a few. i really love the playing of Bobby Broom. A truly gifted and sophisticated player. The CD is Awesome.

To me Bobby Broom is "deep swinging lines drenched in beauty.
There is another fantastic player in Chicago that comes from the same school as Broom,that is Henry Johnson.although they differ somewhat in their approach..while Johnson is more "smack on the groove" Broom has a bit more laid back phrasing..but it is both great and to some extent a pity that Chicago has two players of this caliber that still has'nt got their full recognition.
Drummer Rockingham and organist Foreman both also plays in Johnsons Organ Express.
Chris Foremans B3 playing is very appealing very relaxed and he is "telling his story all the time" ...but Broom is the captain here..his sound is mellow and fat and he is cookin all the way.
If Wes hear Brooms playing on Willow Weep for me I think he smiles from up there ...this version here is just awesome.
The Doors old hit Light My Fire is done with a deep soul feeling and Brooms groovy imporvisation on the outro vamp just wants you to scream for more.
It is a joy to listens to this record..I just hope we get another one and another one and.....

The playing of Deep Blue is a bit more understated than maybe the typical organ trio--a controlled fire. The playing is always intriguing even at the slow tempos (e.g., Polka Dots) and Chris Foreman keeps things swinging throughout. The program of songs is well-varied and the arrangements (intros, little stop-time insertions here and there etc.) are interesting and reflect the large amount of time this group has been together outside of the studio. Highly recommended, one of the best organ combos playing today!