| Funk and jazz. Smoothed out but meaty, | | | | knowledge and the way they control the |
| pungent beats made from an organ, Fender | | | | musical elements of their various influences |
| Rhodes piano, bass, and fat back drums. A | | | | - the harmonies, rhythmic feel, appropriate |
| woman's soulful voice; doin' it like Tina | | | | use of chops - takes them beyond mere homage |
| Turner said back in the day when she and Ike | | | | to a unique sound. |
| took the gentle, country, rock song "Proud | | | | |
| Mary" and dowsed it with grease and lit it on | | | | "New Train" is an upbeat song that leans to |
| fire: nice and easy then nice and rough. | | | | the easy going, California, soul side of the |
| Yeah, we've been hearing this sound from | | | | funk. The intertwining piano, organ and |
| Chaka Khan, representing the funky soul side | | | | guitar licks are the template for most of the |
| of the sound to Norman Connors and vocalist | | | | record. Spencer waits to the end of the song |
| Jean Carn playing their unique brand of | | | | to wail a solo, taking the song to another |
| multi-cultural, freedom jazz. For those | | | | level. |
| opening your ears for the first time in the | | | | |
| 1990's, there was the Brand New Heavies, | | | | It is on the song "Getting Nowhere," however |
| whose live action British-born acid jazz (the | | | | - the halfway point of the album - where |
| funk breaks from '60's and '70's artists like | | | | things get interesting. Luiz' lyrics capture, |
| Horace Silver, drummer Idris Muhammad, and | | | | in the timeless, classy manner of soul |
| electric saxophonist Eddie Harris) injected a | | | | storytellers like Smokey Robinson, the |
| hip hop flava, which was the main seasoning | | | | complexities of keeping relationships alive. |
| on the neo funk and soul souffle of that | | | | The intro to the song is a series of tight |
| time. | | | | unison stop hits by the band, while she sets |
| | | | up the story of the song: "Need help |
| Add to this tradition the band Chewy. Band | | | | understanding this problem with some friends |
| co-founders Lorrie Ruiz and Joe Doria have | | | | of mine / ... they wonder if / The other |
| created a tight musical unit and a satisfying | | | | one's still in love." The music switches |
| record. Ms. Ruiz' voice is authentically | | | | gears at a key emotional point - "Where? |
| soulful and Doria's Hammond Organ and Fender | | | | They're gonna get there" - with a blast of |
| Rhodes electric piano captures the sound and | | | | electric space jazz, courtesy of Doria's |
| feeling of the McCann, Joe Zawinul (yeah, he | | | | keyboards and Spenser's noise guitar. The |
| played in Weather Report but check out his | | | | funk snaps back in and rides out the song to |
| song "Country Preacher" with Cannonball | | | | its bittersweet conclusion. Lyrical content |
| Adderly for the essence of soulful piano) and | | | | this sophisticated is the biggest surprise. |
| other keyboardists from back in the day. And | | | | |
| when he isn't playing airtight, scratchy, wah | | | | This creative mix of lyrics and music that |
| wah, rhythm riffs or airy, jazz chord | | | | supports and enhances the emotions of the |
| voicing, Chris Spencer adds sizzling rock | | | | songs is evident throughout the record. On |
| guitar leads to the mix. Anchored by a rhythm | | | | the otherwise straightforward smooth-groovin' |
| section of bassist Dayna Smith and Larry | | | | "Don't Wanna Let You See" the last upbeat |
| Bichler on drums, this band creates tasty | | | | line, "Maybe you and I could fall in love / |
| tracks that lean heavily on jazzy, funk | | | | Daydream," the beat switches to a light |
| without all sounding the same. | | | | Brazilian bossa nova, the essence of romance. |
| | | | On "Your Love Changes Me," after a somber |
| They are true to the music and keep it real. | | | | intro, the song kicks into an upbeat jazzy |
| The authenticity of their approach is found | | | | soul groove (think Stevie Wonder's "Jesus |
| in their taste and restraint; particularly in | | | | Children") while she sings: "Nothing changes, |
| Ruiz' singing. Even Christina Aguilera and | | | | nothing ever stays the same / Til I met you |
| Sharon Jones, two of the best soul/R&B | | | | and the world began to change / ... In each |
| vocalists out there, sometimes go too far | | | | day I see / a brand new thing that your love |
| into the land of vocal gymnastics. Chewy also | | | | takes ... Your love changes me." Where upon |
| differentiates itself from most groups with | | | | the music breaks down to a slow, strident |
| its smart arrangements, melodies and hook-you | | | | groove with gospel style voices and organ. |
| riffs. Their groove can veer into a swing | | | | Clearly this is the song's epiphany. Then it |
| feel or Latin. This Seattle band nods its | | | | kicks into the up tempo groove on the chorus, |
| head to late '70's Steely Dan's | | | | where Doria plays yet another soulful |
| jazz-informed, pop sensibility and Oakland's | | | | keyboard solo. |
| Tower of Power in their groove. Their obvious | | | | |