“A Different View” (Sons of Sound Records)
This CD is Ray’s followup to 2005‘s
In the Ring”
Ray has assembled an all-star cast on this recording:
- Guitarist Rodney Jones (Chico Hamilton, Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne),
- Saxophonist Tim Ries (Rolling Stones),
- Brazilian percussionist Cafe (Herbie Mann, Gato Barbieri, Tania Maria, David Byrne),
- Bassist Dick Sarpola,
- Pianist Ted Kooshian
- Saxophonist Morris Goldberg.
Together they strike a swinging accord on Marchica’s superb sophomore release.
This powerhouse eclectic outing travels easily from earthy blues (“Pigfoot”) to driving Latin-tinged numbers (“Miss Match,” “Tune in E“) to soulful ballads (“Gospel,” “My Prayer Of Love”), edgy odd-metered funk (“Rat City”) and modal burners (“Raimuh”) while highlighting potent, envelope-pushing solos along the way by Jones, Ries, Goldberg, Kooshian, Sarpola and the leader himself (who showcases his melodic penchant on the kit on the unaccompanied “Eccentricity”).
Elsewhere on A Different View, “Song for a Rainbow” carries a distinct Jazz Messengers feel (reminiscent of those old school straight ahead feels heard on Messenger hits like “Moanin’” and “Blues March”) while the harmonically rich piano trio number “Concentricity” harkens back to Herbie Hancock’s classic Blue Note period. And the urgent and intricate closer “Intrusion,” which shifts nimbly from 6/8 to 4/4, is a suitable showcase of Marchica’s consummate skills on the kit.
“Ray Marchica is the CAT” – Peter Erskine
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