Artiste: Gene Harris
Album: Nexus
Spotlight Track: Koko & Lee Roe
Label: Blue Note/ Toshiba-EMI Limited TOCP-65752
Produced by Jerry Peters, Jim Shifflett and Keg Johnson (The Magnificent Three)
Cover Art by Scott Russell
Art Director & Designer – Bob Canto
Executive Producer- George Butler
Personnel- Gene Harris, Jerry Peters, John Rowin, Kenneth R. Rice, Chuck Rainey and Lee Ritenour
The supreme artistic funk quality of Gene Harris is really displayed and felt in this Spotlight piece titled “Koko & Lee Roe.” I don’t even know where to start in complimenting this very versatile and most accessible of all jazz pianists. Gene Harris was tutored by the great Oscar Peterson who taught him much of the ropes in his early years. Most notable of his works were during his stint with The Three Sounds during the period stretching from late 50’s to early 60’s (all early Blue Note recordings).
Now coming back to this review, the first time I actually heard this track played was during the heydays of the Acid Jazz scene, when Brand New Heavies and Mother Earth took the spotlight during the mid nineties. It was either Patrick Forge or Gilles who actually played this in one of their rare groove sets that I was blown apart to pieces by the style and arrangement of this piece. Full on headz a bopping, fingers snappin’ lahhhhhhhhhh.
The track starts off with a sicko mi loco drum groove break and toned down guitar licks and placid keyboard sounds and then at 25 seconds when u least expect it, Gene KILLS you immediately with his synthesized funk keys. Oh, and u can also sing along to the chorus “GET ON DOWN TO THE MUSIC NOW”. I mean how “get down” can you get when u doing the chicken flap dance and groovin’ to Gene’s artistry?
Gene’s preaching to you in more ways than one in this piece as the track consists all of the essential elements of funk, soul, cosmic and fusion grooves. If Gene were alive today, I probably would have customized for him a trophy engraved with the text “Heavy Weight Champion of Funk” for Koko & Lee Roe. This track really keeps you in the zone and I would rate it Eleven outta Ten… Perfection!! <<...>>
Tangkap This!!!
-Marcel
