George
Gee And His Jump, Jive & Wailers
Buddha Boogie
If Harlems famed ballrooms were only swingin again,
they would undoubtedly be filled with the sounds of George Gees
arrangements. Gees smaller line-up, The Jump Jive &
Wailers, manages to capture the authentic big band sound of days
gone by, and the bands newest offering, Buddha Boogie,
brings back the allure of The Savoy era.
With
a name like The Jump Jive & Wailers, one might assume the album
is a collection of Louis Prima-influenced swing. But Gee sticks
with his trademark sound of smooth, Basie-influenced big band and
jump-blues compositions across all 14 tracks. Tenor saxophonist
Lance Bryant and lead trumpet player Walt Szymanski, two of Gees
top performers, take the reigns under his band leadership. Bryant
wrote four of the tracks off Buddha Boogie, Buzzin
Baby, Shes Never Satisfied,
Duckin & Divin and Foo-La-Di-OoWee
Dot, which help define the George Gee/Manhattan sound. Meanwhile,
Szymanski has rearranged several classic big band numbers, including
The Continental, My Heart Stood Still and
Youre the Boss (which many will remember from
Brian Setzers duet with No Doubts Gwen Stefani on his
Dirty Boogie).
The
10-piece Wailers are a leaner, more efficient team of musicians
compared to Gees 17-man Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra,
and the music on Buddha Boogie is better to dance to,
better arranged and more reflective of Gees live performances.
Consider this album another milestone for Manhattans big
band sound.
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Smilin' Buddha Joe
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