ZACCAI CURTIS

SONOLUMINESCENCE VOL. 1

Truth Revolution Recording Collective

Zaccai Curtis, piano/Fender Rhodes/Yamaha keyboards/vocals; Luques Curtis & Mike Boone, bass; Aurelien Budynek, guitars; Brevan Hampden, congas/percussion; Joe Dyson, drums; Craig Handy, tenor saxophone/flute; Julie Acosta, vocals.

Clearly, Zaccai Curtis’s compositional approach embraces Afro-Caribbean rhythms blended with soul, rhythm and blues roots, and fusion jazz.  He has drawn inspiration from Ahmad Jamal, Herbie Hancock, Santana, War, and Roy Ayers.  But I also hear traces of Eddie Harris in the grooves Curtis so successfully lays down to make us pat our feet and freedom dance.

The opening tune on this album, is a Zaccai Curtis original called “Joust.” It is a strong example of his style and purpose. Craig Handy’s blustering tenor saxophone is king throughout this arrangement that depicts two medieval warriors jousting on horseback. When, Zaccai enters, his keyboard solo and war dance is spurred on by the drums of Joe Dyson and the congas of Brevan Hampden,

These songs seems to signal a new phase in Zaccai’s artistic evolution.  Clearly, he’s still rooted in the Afro-Caribbean rhythms that were predominant on his “Cubop Lives!” Grammy-winning album. But now, his sonic landscape is also exploring 1970s jazz, funk and soul.

This is followed by a tune that immediately reminds me of a groove Roy Ayers might have played.  It’s titled “Last Call” and offers a melody that plays with key changes and time. It is spurred ahead by powerful percussive grooves. Three-quarters of the way through this tune, the musicians double-time the arrangement to lift the energy and build dynamics.

Zaccai Curtis is a groove master! All the songs on this album are composed and arranged by Curtis. I note that each song production extends past five minutes long. Some songs like “I Want to Feel the Way You Move” play over ten minutes, as does the tune “Message.”  Zaccai creates space for his piano and keyboard parts to be innovative. He moves freely, sliding like fingers over silk, enhancing his melodies and improvisations. He allows the rhythm section to engage the groove, hypnotically pulling the listener into their musical energy. No matter how long these tunes play, I’m never bored.

This is vibrant, soulful music that sooths and inspires. Zaccai Curtis offers us musical freedom with his compositions. He creates a vocabulary steeped in jazz tradition, African rhythms, Afro-Cuban grooves, and his own sense of original compositions. Together, they celebrate hypnotic arrangements and an innovative style.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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