Jukebox

With the recent passing of Louis Johnson? It's coming into my mind that many of the innovative funk electric bassists are starting to age. And will likely no longer be with us by the end of the next two decades. Rather than dwelling on the possible "death of" syndrome? It feels significant to celebrate the musical accomplishments of these bass players while they are still alive. Jamaaladeen Tacuma (real name Rudy McDaniel) has become one of my favorite bassists within the past several years. And I've already reviewed two of his albums here. They aren't particularly easy to locate in record stores,if one isn't looking online. But my father scouted this one out for me. So with Tacuma's birthday being today? Felt like the right idea to listen to and review this album. "A Time A Place" is a pulsing,dreamy synthesizer driven piece with a steady Afro-Latin percussion beat and the Tacuma playing a fully rhythmic role through and through with melodic sax accents from Byard Lancaster. "Meta-Morphosis" has an unusual snare drum time signature with Minneapolis like electronic keyboards. "Rhythm Of Your Mind" features minimal and lightweight high hat and drumming that emphasizes Tacuma's ultra grooving jazz/funk slap bass soloing. "Jam All" is a thick sax fueled number with multi layered bass,drums and and Egyptian/Arabic style melody. "In The Mood For Mood" has a slow 80's drum pad pop/rock type beat with some glassy bass and atmospheric synths. The title song is a swinging uptempo jazz oriented number while "Naima" is kept faithful to the original save for the addition of more period electronic keyboards."Zam Zam Was Such A Wonderful Feeling" is a multi tracked and layered bass solo while the guitar driven power blues of "Solar System Blues" ends the album with more rocking out. This album displays the type of eclecticism and range of playing Tacuma eagerly possessed as a musician. And still does. Every song on here has a great level of enthusiasm and excitement. This album is mostly very strong rhythmic jazz fusion-with some unexpected timing as well embracing some rhythmic and instrumental elements of mid/late 80's pop music. It's very different in some respects from the thoroughly funk oriented music I've heard from him. Still,the funk is always there in his virtuoso slap bass style. And it brings in the groove from the very bottom of every song present here.