WARREN WOLF

SMOOVE VIBES

Independent Label

Warren Wolf, vibraphone/marimba/drums/piano/fender Rhodes keyboard/organ/vocals/ Logic Pro Sounds; Brandon Lane, electric bass; Terrence Cunningham, organ; Elan Troutman, soprano saxophone; Brent Birckhead, alto saxophone/vocals; Imani-Grace Cooper, vocals.

Warren Wolf is a Baltimore-born vibraphonist who plays a plethora of instruments. This album was recorded in the comfort of his basement studio.  Using Logic Pro X, the multi-talented Wolf plays marimba, drums, keyboards, piano, sings and of course vibraphone. After he laid down the song structures, Warren contracted longtime collaborators to complete the tracks.  He first explored this singular, home-studio approach in 2020 on his album “Christmas Vibes.”  His style is a mixture of traditional jazz, loops, R&B roots, and Smooth Jazz.  Wolf titles this new work, “Smoove Vibes.”

I was first introduced to Warren Wolf’s vibraphone excellence when he was performing with Christian McBride’s ‘Inside Straight’ and when he was a member of the SFJAZZ Collective.  His mastery of the vibraphone always brings color and excitement to any piece of music he plays.

A composition called “Fabrica” opens his album with a laid-back production that laps across my listening room like ocean waves.  The multi-rhythms grab my attention, with various instruments keeping their own beat, like a pulsing undertow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-HflCet3zI&list=RDp-HflCet3zI&start_radio=1

“Take Five” is a recognizable Desmond jazz standard that has Stevie Wonder influence at the top of the tune. I enjoy Wolf’s unique arrangement of this tune, making it more modern and refreshing, with moments that sound like ‘loops.’  Wolf’s busy drums spur the production ahead, but it’s his swiftly moving mallets and the vibes that excite and stimulate this music.

It’s certainly impressive to hear Warren Wolf play so many instruments and play them well!  He has been inspired by many masters, including Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, D’Angelo, Kenny Garrett, Miles Davis and Lennon/McCartney. He covers Ramsey’s big hit record “Sun Goddess.”  Once again his vibe solo is on fire!

A roll of the drums introduces the voice of Imani-Grace Cooper on Warren Wolf’s original song “First Kisses.”  It’s a gospel-based ballad with a melody that explores giant step intervals, demanding the vocalist scoot up and down her wide range.   The other original tune by Wolf is titled, “Will the Real Kenny Gee Please Stand Up?”  It sounds very much like a Kenny G production.

This multi-instrumentalist has rearranged a Randy Brecker tune called “Some Skunk Funk” originally recorded by the Brecker Brothers and heralded as one of their very best funky recordings.  Wolf flies across his vibraphone with a tempo much faster than the original Brecker recording. The bass rides this tune like a jockey riding Golden Tempo through the finish line at this year’s Kentucky Derby.  This album continues the rapidly growing legacy of the very gifted, Warren Wolf.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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