Artiste: Cleveland Watkiss
Album: Green Chimneys
Spotlight Track: Song For You
Label: Polydor / Urban Jazz
Produced by Paul Hunt and Cleveland Watkiss
Engineered by Ashley Alexander & Paul Hunt
Recorded and mixed at Eel-pie studios
This CD ought to be within my uptown Top Rankin Jazzin’ albums of all time. If you are wondering if this Mr. Watkiss is that of the Metalheadz MC during the mid to late nineties, you are right! Those were the days when he was busy mashing it up with the likes of Kemistry & Storm, Doc Scott, Goldie and the likes. So here in its full glory, you can experience the real old skool days when Jazz was not pigeon holed into some genre, but rather a swinging and bebop style reminiscent of the Dingwalls period.
Looking at the inlay credits, it really brings to mind all the old skool headz who are now either semi retired or still carrying the Jazz Torch like Gilles P, Norman J, Patrick Forge etc…The spotlight track in focus is called “Song For You” and this fella really sings it with ease. You’ve gotta hear the way he scats it out when he does his up’s and down’s on the lyrics like nobody’s business. I got to remind you folks that it’s a full on finger snapping track and will sure to make your day when you start to groove from start to end. Just try imitating his stylized feel when he raves at 1min 26 seconds onwards. Now, if you can pull that off, I say you can fry C.K.T (Char Kway Teow) like the Hill Street Master.
For those seeking to purchase this album, not to fret as it’s still available at Amazon.com. The album contains 9 tracks, but it’s sure to keep you busy as it has Jazz flavors catered to every need. Other notable tracks are “Seeds of Sin 2″ < check the intro upright bassline and keys, sure sounds like Maiden Voyage aighht? Dunno wat else to say folks, but if u dig Mark Murphy and the beat poetry and swing flavors of the past, this is one hidden gem you ought to keep in your vaults. Well worth owning. : ) Keep it Jazzy peeps!
Tangkap This!!!
-Marcel
