Skip
Heller
Jazz From Hell(er)
Jazz
From Hell(er) (AIM Recording Co.) is the latest release
from musical workaholic and guitarist Skip Heller. At 36,
Heller has already compiled a musical resume befitting someone
twice his age. As a producer and musician, he has previously
worked on projects with exotica great Robert Drasnin, rockabilly
icon Ray Campi, Yma Sumac, Dave Alvin, The Blue Dahlia, John
Gilmore, and Big Jay McNeely, among others. Heller even had
a stint as a score librarian for big band legend Les Baxter.
With his new album, the prolific artist reminds us that jazz
is supposed to be entertaining, a feeling he believes Duke
Ellington and Benny Goodman were trying to accomplish through
the 1930s jazz that predated bebop and the less structured
styles that followed. To this end, Heller delivers 14 tracks,
including eight originals, with a variety of tempos, from
the upbeat "Savoy Trifle" to the softer, smoother "Don't Go
To Strangers." (Robert Drasin's clarinet and Mike Bolger's
trumpet on the former number will make you feel like you're
out on the town in 1930s Harlem, whereas the lovely vocals
of Polly Geller on the latter will have you swaying in your
lover's arms.)
Heller
has a tremendous sense of music that enables him to put the
most out of place song into a relevant context. He presents
a funky jazz rendition of L.L. Cool J's "Goin' Back To Cali,"
with vocals delivered in a style reminiscent of the '70s punk
group The Flying Lizards. Even the Allman Brothers' hit "Whipping
Post" is made more interesting by a slower arrangement and
Katy Moffatt's bluesy vocals. "Vamos A Baliar" is a hopping
live recording featuring Lalo Guerrero, who helped popularize
a blend of swing and Chicano music. And the classy, fast-paced
jazz number "Echoes of Primitive Philadelphia" highlights
Heller's own fine guitarwork, sweetly accented by Mike Rocke
on piano.
Heller's
recordings at times lean to the classic cartoon arrangements
of Raymond Scott (think "Powerhouse" and Bugs Bunny). In fact,
you can hear more of Heller's work on The Cartoon Network,
in the upcoming Flintstones On The Rocks animated release
and the series Dexter's Laboratory. But Jazz From
Hell(er) is not wackiness via jazz; rather, it is an expression
of entertaining jazz that flows from intriguing to soulful
in the tradition of the great bandleaders of yore.
Smilin'
Buddha Joe
Visit
the band at www.skipheller.com
|