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On
Free, Alex Bugnon continues in the direction taken on 2003s
Southern Living, working in Atlanta with producer and fellow-keyboardist Phil Davis. Together theyre emphasizing a lighter, spacious, more natural sound. Theyve continued to reduce the heavy synthesizer tracks, spotlighting Bugnons acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes with strong melodies, light funk grooves and bright percussive detail. The band is made up of crack session players, including strong contributions from soprano saxophonist Vincent Henry, who coils in and out of the title track, and bassist Victor Bailey. Daviss production values come to the fore here, adding rhythmic insinuation with exotic world-beat detail on tracks like "Sierra Leone." As usual, Bugnons piano sound has a special resonance. Whether its the percolating "Fingertips," the sultry "Pillow Talk" or the deep soul groove of "Downtime," Bugnon creates some soulful, floating moods here, reaching a career high in the process.
--Stuart Broomer