I haven't heard it yet,but I'm definitely gonna check it out!

SoulTracks album review

N 2 The Journey, the new CD by the Larry Dunn Orchestra, has Earth, Wind & Fire’s DNA all over it. You don’t have to listen too hard to hear the horns that were a signature part of the EW&F sound back in the band’s 1974-1984 salad days. The record includes two men who helped make that horn section famous : saxophonist and flutist Ronnie Laws, who joined the band in 1972 and remained with EW&F through the Last Days In Time album, and trumpeter Rahmlee Davis who played on the great albums of the 1970s as a member of the Phenix Horns.

N 2 The Journey also makes numerous nods to the jazz roots of EW&F founder, Maurice White. While Dunn contributes his trademark creativity on the keyboards, piano, B 3 organ and synthesizer, he also employs the Kalimba, the Sub Saharan Africa instrument that Maurice White used on several Earth, Wind & Fire albums.

Dunn’s frequent use of the Kalimba on N 2 The Journey is instructive because it serves as a reminder that the EW&F sound was always rooted in the music of Africa and the African Diaspora. Earth, Wind & Fire was instrumental in making clear the debt that western pop music owed to Africa. Dunn uses N 2 The Journey to show the impact that his immersion in world music had and continues to have on his artistry.

The instrumental track “Morning Sun” sports a percussive sound that merges Africa with the Caribbean, while another instrumental, “Brother To Brother,” is a fusion of Caribbean steel drums and jazz.

The classic Earth, Wind & Fire sound relied on a fusion of jazz with pop and R&B, strong lead vocals and tight harmonies. Perhaps example of this fusion on N 2 The Journey is Dunn’s remake of Swing Out Sister’s “Twilight World.” Luisa Dunn, Larry Dunn’s wife, provides the vocals on this track, which is a relatively faithful cover of Swing Out Sister’s 1988 original. Yet Dunn’s version of the tune features some signature EW&F tempo changes and a foray into jazz that allows Dunn to improvise on the keyboard.

The wedding song “Finally” is the prototypical Earth, Wind & Fire ballad with Beloyd Taylor providing the assertive vocals that historically were the stock and trade of Maurice White.

N 2 The Journey also includes an instrumental version of “Reasons”, one of Earth, Wind & Fire’s most beloved and covered songs. Dunn’s version of the tune is one of N 2 The Journey’s few disappointments because he pretty much gives the kind of by-the-books rendition we could have received from any smooth jazz artist. I would have hoped that a man who helped make “Reasons” such as revered tune would have treated the song a little less reverentially. He certainly is capable of mashing up a beloved EW&F song and turning it into something new - as witnessed by his work on the title track. The bass line on “N 2 The Journey” is more than just a passing homage to “Let’s Groove.” From that bass line, Dunn goes on to create a jazz fusion jam session featuring Laws’ creative flights of fancy on flute and sax and Dunn channeling Jack McDuff on the electric organ.

Taken as a whole, N 2 The Journey will remind longtime EW&F fans (and I count myself as one) of what we loved about the group and its music. The record gives us an opportunity to remember that EW&F was more than an R&B band or a funk band or even a pop band. The Larry Dunn Orchestra and N 2 The Journey serve as powerful reminders that EW&F was a world music band, and that each member who passes through the group is a musical citizen of the world. Recommended

By Howard Dukes

where's Paligap at? This seems like the type of project that he would go crazy over.

I think this CD was released awhile back,but SoulTracks is just now reviewing it? Oh well..better late than never and I'm glad that I found out about it.

SoulAlive said:

I think this CD was released awhile back,but SoulTracks is just now reviewing it? Oh well..better late than never and I'm glad that I found out about it.

I just got a copy, but have not yet listened to it....

I am a BIG Larry Dunn fan, so I am hoping this hits all the marks expected for an EWF alumni......

One of the key contributors to the EWF sound.....U knew Larry's unique sound as soon as you heard it....

Glad to know he is involved in the new EWF CD which, unfortunately, is not yet scheduled for issue to the world......Coming soon, as they say....

I listened to the sound samples on iTunes.Several tracks have that classic EW&F sound,with the kalimba and all I'm diggin' this! I was in the mood for a mellow,laid-back,mesmerizing album and this CD fits the bill.

SoulAlive said:

where's Paligap at? This seems like the type of project that he would go crazy over.

Here!!

Duly noted, and I'm on the case!!!!!

...

[Edited 9/14/12 14:52pm]

SoulAlive said:

I think this CD was released awhile back,but SoulTracks is just now reviewing it? Oh well..better late than never and I'm glad that I found out about it.

Around October of last year I believe.

I had something cued up and ready to post a few weeks ago about this album. Foley (who plays on it) told me about it.

I held off because I hadn't heard anything from it yet, nor were there any tunes up on YouTube.

A few other participants:

Sheldon Reynolds

James Ingram

Something from Foley's YouTube channel...

...Cum Round solo


Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

Thanks SoulAlive for the headsup Gonna check that joint out

theAudience said:

SoulAlive said:

I think this CD was released awhile back,but SoulTracks is just now reviewing it? Oh well..better late than never and I'm glad that I found out about it.

Around October of last year I believe.

I had something cued up and ready to post a few weeks ago about this album. Foley (who plays on it) told me about it.

I held off because I hadn't heard anything from it yet, nor were there any tunes up on YouTube.

A few other participants:

Sheldon Reynolds

Munyungo Jackson

Ronnie Laws

Hubert Laws

Stanley Clarke

James Ingram

Something from Foley's YouTube channel...

...Cum Round solo


Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

Man... awesome that Foley (or his crew) filmed Larry's solo on film!

Even the strings for Foley's tribute to the late Miles Davis are filmed!

arranged by Larry and conducted by none other than Caldera's Eddie Del Barrio!

"SEPTEMBER 28th, 1991" - ... - YouTube

<< video disabled

Another cool mix of various footage, and an impressive speech by Larry at EW&F's induction:

(audio of the induction-speech is not working synchronised with the video)

"Enchanted" latin from his first album with his orchestra

Doing a solo from 1:11 to 1:51, on a cover of Mtume's "Juicy Fruit"

[Edited 9/15/12 6:02am]

Purchased it from iTunes this album reminds me of the 'Devoted Spirits' CD that came out in 2004.Like that project,it sounds very much like classic Earth Wind and Fire.In many ways,both of these albums sound more like EW&F than the 'new' recordings by EW&F! Makes me wish that Maurice would gather all the original members (Larry,Al McKay,Verdine,Philip,Ralph,etc),go in the studio with them and see what happens.Make the magic happen one more time!! I would love it if we could get at least one more EW&F album by the original members.....a real Earth Wind and Fire album,you know.

"Brazilian Dream" is beautiful I'm gonna get a glass of wine and just chillout to this breezy,mesmerzing number.Love it!!!