RUSS ANIXTER’S HIPPIE BIG BAND

WHAT NEXT?

Independent Label

Russ Anixter, arrangement/orchestration/conductor;

Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band is an exciting mix of jazz funk, rock, and fusion, mixed proportionately with rhythm and blues. They reimagine pop and rock songs for us to hear in a completely different way. Anixter’s stellar arrangement of the famed Beatles tune, “I Saw Her Standing There” is a perfect way to begin this musical experience.  It screams of the 1960s “Let’s-Twist-days.”  Just as I pulled my bobby socks on and my crinoline skirt was bouncing around my wild twist-days, they cut the time to a blues.  Surprisingly, it works! Michael Aarons’ guitar is the star during this arrangement. The horns blasted and Bill Hayes’ vibraphone tickled the momentum.

Russ Anixter follows this terrific album opener with another great Curtis Mayfield tune, “Freddie’s Dead.” This arrangement is funky and fusion wrapped in a bold hug. Danny Louis is brightly featured on organ. I love the Frank Vacin baritone saxophone solo.  Matt Hong’s flute gives the arrangement a spark and the drums of Scott Neumann never let the groove drop.  He is dynamic and pushes the Hippie Big Band forward in a wonderful way.

Dr. John’s “I Walk on Guilded Splinters” comes next, with Dan Levine’s trombone weaving through the production like a solid gold needle and thread. On the arrangement of “Freeway Jam” Michael Aarons takes me back to the days of Jimi Hendrix solos and on “Shakedown Street” Matt Owens brings his electrified trumpet to the forefront of the production, while the drums shuffle along with gusto.

Soloist and special guest, Erica von Kleist brings her piccolo to the party on this Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter tune. Stan Harrison plays his tenor saxophone with improvised fluidity. The jazzy horn arrangements reiterate that you are listening to a serious big band.

Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band continues to thrill and delight me with their ‘take’ on Gene McDaniel’s hit record, “Compared to What.”  Anixter has certainly reinvented this familiar tune, but never loses the drive and excitement.  He uses his horn section to harmonically embrace the familiar melody. The spotlight swivels from Stan Harrison on tenor saxophone to solos by Trumpeter Matt Owens, alto sax man, Matt Hong, and the big bad baritone sax of Fank Vacin.  They close with a medley including “No Quarter” and Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew.”

This is non stop big band bliss. Russ Anixter’s outstanding arrangements shine.

RUSS ANIXTER’S HIPPIE BIG BAND: RHYTHM SECTION: Bill Hayes, vibes/xylophone; congas/toys; Michael Aarons, guitar; Steve Count, bass; Scott Neumann, drums. WOODWINDS: Matt Hong, alto saxophone/flute/bass clarinet; Stan Harrison, tenor saxophone/clarinet; Frank Vacin, baritone & soprano saxophones/alto flute/bassoon. TRUMPETS: Matt Owens, trumpet & flugelhorn; Audrey Flores, French horn; TROMBONES: Dan Levine & Jack Schatz. SPECIAL GUESTS: Danny Louis, organ; Erica von Kleist, piccolo on “Birdsong.”

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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