East Bay Soul 2.0

Greg Adams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 28, 2012)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ripa Records
• ASIN: B006NP2YXW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,333 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

EAST BAY SOUL 2.0 Much of the early buzz surrounding the release of East Bay Soul 2.0 has been about how a sensational campaign to raise the $25,000 necessary to record the album hit its target. However, now it s all about the music. Make no mistake, this is a collection of the highest order and everything (plus a little bit more) that one would expect from the creative genius of its creator Greg Adams. Of course Adams was the founding member of Tower of Power where his signature sound as performer and arranger made the TOP horn section a sought out entity all it's own. Now, factor in Darryl Walker's powerful soul drenched vocals, add eight other world class artists and the result is a singular vision of instrumental funk, jazz and soul music brought to audiences in a fresh new way. This is new a movement in Urban Jazz; this is East Bay Soul 2.0 . If anyone is in any doubt as to the credentials of this highly anticipated release they need look no further than the big, brassy and in your face The Getaway which provides a wonderful platform for Adams on muted trumpet. Totally in the finest traditions of what he does best it is mirrored by Back to Oakland , which serves as a superb showcase for the entire band. This tremendous coming together of the horn and rhythm sections also includes a taster of Darryl Walker s vocals, yet Walker is found at his soulful best for the albums only cover, Adams silky re-imaging of the Marvin Gaye classic What s Going On . When Walker returns for the emotionally supercharged I m Coming Home he helps to provide one of the CD s more tender moments yet truth to tell Adams creates adequate time and space for some outstandingly soul tinged ballads. In this respect there is none better than the magnificent Once and For All while elsewhere The Love Of My Life proves to be another big, soulful ballad with Walker very much center stage. He sticks around for the high octane and totally enthralling The Devil You Know but when the emphasis switches back to instrumentals, the joyous Carry On finds Adams in fabulous form. It s the sort of track to put a huge smile on your face and, with a smattering of Hammond-B3 from Joey Navarro, is completely on the money. The aptly named Brassalicious just about explains all you need to know about this lusciously funky tune and the first single to be serviced to radio is To Catch A Thief which features Adams on Flugelhorn. The title To Catch A Thief was inspired by the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. In writing the song it conjured up for Adams the role of John Robie, a reformed jewel thief known as The Cat who, in the film, was played by the great Cary Grant. With a languid yet easy grooving vibe this ultra cool cut benefits from more killer Hammond B3 Navarro and is certain to do well. The street date for East Bay Soul 2.0 has been slated for February 28, 2012 and is sure to be a highpoint of the contemporary jazz year. --Posted by Denis Poole at SmoothJazzVibes.com February 11, 2012 9:01 AM

Product Description

The sound of Greg Adams is one of the world s best-known musical signatures. A musical journey that has spanned nearly four decades from the time he first arrived on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene of the early 70s, Greg has been a driving force to define artistry that transcends musical genres, still seeking out a course not yet traveled, is at his best when set to explore a new artistic destination. For Adams it is always about the journey and where it will take him and he is always ready to go the. The journey continues with East Bay Soul 2.0- completely produced, arranged and co-written by Greg. A collection of 10 dynamic songs backed by his band East Bay Soul. Adams signature sound is clearly stamped through out the album s 10 tracks, an equal mix of instrumental and vocal songs- a blend of Funk Jazz, R&B and Soul. In a musical travelogue that has earned him both Grammy and Emmy nominations, and an International Broadcasting Award from The Hollywood Radio and Television Society. In sync with an ever evolving musical landscape and a life s work that has included success as an arranger, songwriter, producer and performer, taking him on worldwide tours and contributing to some of the most important recordings in pop culture. With a nod to the music Adams loves, and inked in his own style creates music that is relevant and fresh. Greg takes you on an incredible ride that is groove driven, weaving his horn melodies with soul drenched vocals into a collection of songs that are all at once dynamic and dreamy, cinematic and oh so to fall in love with. In what defines who he is, Adams owns the natural talent to produce the beauty of harmony and expression of emotion through his arrangements. They give this collection of songs their essence. With no set direction of where the music would go, Greg says, I was surprised to see how many ballads I ended up with, but I m really happy I did. I was also happy to have all the songs ready before the first down beat, so it really gave me the freedom to flesh everything out and let the songs breathe. This very special recording boasts the full strength of the rhythm and horn sections, performing in layers of percussive up-tempo instrumentals to lush romantic ballads sung by Darryl Walker. Walker possesses a true classic voice- an effortless delivery with complete commitment to the emotion of the song. Adams diversity has made him he consummate performer, setting no boundaries and seeking no labels. Greg has arranged, performed and recorded with countless artists as diverse as his career, including. Elton John The Eurythmics, Rod Stewart, Lyle Lovett, Heart, Linda Ronstadt, Luther Vandross, Aaron Neville, Phish, Little Feat, Wilson Pickett, Huey Lewis and the News, Raphael Saadiq, Al Green, Quincy Jones, Chicago, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Peter Frampton, Josh Groban, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Celine Dion. Adams is a founding member of Tower Of Power, legendary for the horn arrangements that made the TOP horn section a sought out entity all its own. Greg has played on over five hundred recordings. You ve heard Greg s collaboration with Paul Shaffer on the opening theme of Late Show With David Letterman and on score arrangements in such films as, Duets, Mask, Top Gun, Austin Powers In Goldmember with Smashmouth. Teaming up with Stanley Clarke on Little Big League and on Sgt Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band with the illustrious Sir George Martin. Fueling Adams passion for his masterful new CD is the way it came to be and the sensational campaign to make it a reality. This project is a labor of love for so many reasons and a real treat to give back to the fans of my music and East Bay Soul. I really wanted to bring a variety of emotion to the project, songs that challenged me, moved me, hoping that it will do the same for the listener.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Greg Adams brings style and polish to East Bay Soul 2.0 March 1, 2012

By Andrew R. Ebon

Format:Audio CD

East Bay Soul 2.0 is the second act of Greg Adams' second act. Greg began his solo career in the mid-90's after 25 years as the architect of Tower of Power's horn section arrangements. His first solo effort, Hidden Agenda, featured Greg's trumpet and flugelhorn, out front, in a smooth jazz environment.

And as his solo career blossomed, Greg decided to build his own 10-piece band, East Bay Soul, from the ground up. The sophomore effort by Adams & company in East Bay Soul 2.0 features a range of smooth jazz and soul, instrumental and vocals, solo brass and signature-Greg-Adams-arranged horns.

My personal favorites are the original, The Devil You Know, a syncopated soul and lyrical masterpiece... and a groove-worthy cover of What's Goin' on featuring Greg on trumpet, interwoven with soulful vocals of Daryl Walker.

It's the kind of CD you can listen to from start to finish.... and that's rare.

Andy

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb blend of power horns and smooth jazz March 3, 2012

By Kirk Fischer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a 40-year plus Tower of Power fan I have enjoyed following the solo efforts of TOP alumni as they branch out and show their individual style. Greg Adams pedigree with TOP was more than just a world-class trumpet - most TOP fans know that he was behind many of the iconic often-imitated horn section arrangements. So when he started solo recording in 1995 I was quick to pay attention.

Greg's solo efforts have blended his funk pedigree with virtuoso jazz chops. With East Bay Soul he found the sweet spot between those two styles and sealed the deal with a steady cast of some of the best funk/jazz players out there. This sophomore effort, East Bay Soul 2.0, is a mature, musically complex blend of driving R&B, cool jazz progressions, and seriously great playing.

The opening song, The Getaway, proves that Hermann Matthews is the groovemaster drummer, Joey Navarro is one of the tastiest keyboard players around, and establishes this horn section as second to none. Back to Oakland reminds us why we love this genre - an homage to Greg's pedigree. My particular favorite is Brassalicious, an aptly named powerhouse song with deceivingly complex chord progressions and some great licks by Greg's long-time co-writer and guitarist James Wirrick. And The Devil You Know is horn funk at its finest. Interspersed with the high-energy songs are some lucious ballads with EBS lead singer Daryl Walker whose singing is every bit as good as the playing on this CD.

And then, of course, there is the playing of Greg Adams. The contrast of his muted trumpet against the wailing band he fronts is a total blast to listen to. Already a chart-topping CD on the smooth jazz charts, EBS 2.0 goes way beyond smooth jazz to blend high-energy funk, richly sophisticated chord progressions, and familiar yet fresh-sounding interplay between an uber-tight rhythm section and the horn section you'd expect from an Adams effort.

East Bay Soul 2.0 is a must-buy for any TOP fan and stands with any of the best jazz/R&B music on today's charts. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Music From The East Bay (again)! March 21, 2012

By T. Miraglia

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great reviews posted already, but I still want to add my two cents worth. This is a great cd, well rounded, good mix of music, and the kind that will grow on you the more and more you listen to it. The singer, Darryl Walker, is an exceptional talent that I hadn't heard of before EBS, but let me tell ya - he's good! We just saw the band live at Yoshi's in Oakland, and besides having a great voice, he plays tenor sax, too, making it a 5 piece horn section on instrumentals for that fat "Brassalicious" sound made famous by TofP. The other end of the horn section from Greg is held down by the ultra talented Johnny Bamont, a high school classmate of Greg's, who plays alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, flute, some percussion, and background vocals - you've probably never heard of him, but he is amazing. This band is so talent laden it just gushes off of the stage! I'm never happy with covers of Marvin Gaye classics because they never can measure up to the original - but I sure do like this one. Darryl's singing does "What's Goin' On" some real justice.

For those of you audiophiles that like listening to a high powered system at "concert hall" volume (like I do), you'll like this. The recording quality is superb (and I think better then the first EBS cd), so crank it up.

Excellent Cd and I highly recommend it. And if you get the chance to see them live, do it!