Customer Reviews

Groove Collective

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've seen these guys live and I have all their albums. This first album is spectacular. The first song, Rentstrike sets the stage with a quick scratchy-lp-sounding bebop swing intro which leads into a fat, flowing bass-heavy groove you can dance to. The next few songs almost blend together into one, cerebral, surreal, and heavily improvisational jam.

The sound is very hard to categorize since it defines definition and is so broad in scope. The Nerd is one of two rap-focused songs on the album which combines lyrical complexity along with a fat driving bass-line party sound with instrumental improvisation throughout.

The percussion section in the band comprising of a conga player and timbales player add a heavy layer of latin flavor and danceability which I've never heard of in any band.

The horn section, which includes a trumpet, a couple saxes, trombone and flute, gives the band a strong cohesiveness which is emphasized even further when each individual breaks out into a solo and leads the pack fluidly through the groove.These guys are so good, they could (and do) have incredibly successful solo careers.

Add the vibes player who would make Milt Jackson proud, the bassist whose creative chord phrasings and pounding bass-lines can drive a man to drink and the keyboardist who goes from Art Tatum to P-Funk without blinking-- and you've got a sound that'll knock you off your stool and onto the dance floor in no time.

In essence, this band is amazing. Although one could argue that they play best live, I think the studio work they've done captures them perfectly. In fact, I think it gives them a little leeway to be even more creative and try things that can't be done live. Buy this album and you will have turned yourself onto a band that will change the way you think about music.

I've seen these guys live and I have all their albums. This first album is spectacular. The first song, Rentstrike sets the stage with a quick scratchy-lp-sounding bebop swing intro which leads into a fat, flowing bass-heavy groove you can dance to. The next few songs almost blend together into one, cerebral, surreal, and heavily improvisational jam.

The sound is very hard to categorize since it defines definition and is so broad in scope. The Nerd is one of two rap-focused songs on the album which combines lyrical complexity along with a fat driving bass-line party with instrumental improvisation throughout.

The percussion section in the band comprising of a conga player and timbales player add a heavy layer of latin flavor and danceability which I've never heard of in any band.

The horn section, which includes a trumpet, a couple saxes, trombone and flute, gives the band a strong cohesiveness which is emphasized even further when each individual breaks out into a solo and leads the pack fluidly through the groove.These guys are so good, they could (and do) have incredibly sucessful solo careers.

Add the vibes player who would make Milt Jackson proud, the bassist whose creative chord phrasings and pounding bass-lines can drive a man to drink and the keyboardist who goes from Art Tatum to P-Funk without blinking-- and you've got a sound that'll knock you off your stool and onto the dance floor in no time.

In essence, this band is amazing. Although one could argue that they play best live, I think the studio work they've done captures them perfectly. In fact, I think it gives them a little leeway to be even more creative and try things that can't be done live. Buy this album and you will have turned yourself onto a band that you will not let go of...

I bought this album when it debuted a few years ago after reading an article on the band. It reminds me of Herbie Hancock and the Funky Headhunters sound minus the synths. The percussionists are diverse and lay the foundation for grooves that seem to last forever. This is definitely a must have to add to any music lover's collection. The second album, "We The People" was a disappointment, the style is totally different and leans more toward a mainstream pop/hip-hop/jazz fusion project. I sampled some of their later recordings but I have to say that this first album was and still is the best of them all, pick it up.

I remember driving to Ocean City, MD on a hot, humid July day with this CD in my stereo, and it created the perfect mood. The soloing is superb, with an uncompromising bop influence while retaining accessibility. Also, the great variety of instruments employed makes it fun to listen to repeatedly. I'm going to give it 5 stars despite some dubious rapping on tracks 3 and 9. Track 6, "Whatugot," is for me the standout with the smooth vocals, hip-swaying beat, and extended solos. The rapping would get a little better (and scarcer) on the next album. I challenge anyone who believes jazz is boring elevator music to listen to this CD and keep from nodding their head. Sadly, this band has been VERY inactive in recent years, with no new studio CDs since 2001 and few performances outside of NYC. Let's hope they take their show on the road once again.

Energetic and infectious music full of rhythms, brass section, and various other instruments with jazz overtones, performed by skillful musicians. You can feel the cohesion and diversity of the band in each piece played. I bought this CD several years ago and still listen to it. An impressive first release.

...1994 in NYC @ Tower Records on B'way with a new boyfriend, 20 years old.
i was looking for a particular Hip Hop record, and this album was being played. i fell in love...
i always had a profound respect for jazz, but because i wasnt raised on jazz music, i had no frame of reference to go by.
Groove Collective was my entrance that led me to the Legends and The gods (Coltrane, Miles, etc.)
However, as another reviewer stated in his/her commentary, this CD is Seriously Classic -
Ms. Grier is my favorite, however i cherish the entire Suite and deem The Musicians present on this albums as Legends.
This CD conveys Originality and Freedom, it conveys NYC's underground jazz scene, a time that i really took for granted, i wish that i could go back.
Brings me back to my first apartment, me and my cat in the basement with incense and this CD as our only company. I miss those days a Heap and i am so grateful that it can now be downloaded because i bought it 3X and ran them down, Lol...it's that Great.
hope this assists in anyone's pursuit of purchase...

this is a record you can listen to a hundred times, and that hundredth time it will still put a big gooey smile on your face. not generally a jazz fan, too cliche, but this is a desert island disc if there ever was one. most of the band is still together, though without the brilliant keyboardist Itaal Shur, the killer vibes and yummy dirty trombone (sigh), but they still have the ripping tight drummer, the toppest top shelf sax player, the perfect trumpeter, and that wicked good bass player. man to go back in time and see the classic lineup tearing it up live one more time...

buy this record. buy several, give them away.

The grooviest, pure sound for humans this side of of Y2k! This collective purifies, pacifies, electrifies!!!!! Raging dance, funk and percussive spirits...(i don't even know what that means).

From the manic energy of "Rentstrike" to the cool beats of "Nerd," Groove Collective puts an irreverent spin on the acid jazz groove. The bass and drum lay down the basic beat while groovy horns and samples float in the sky above. Great summer soundrtack.