Blooz
Futurism, 2023
9/10
The long running guitarist and composer Grant Geissman returns with a 16th album, where his atypical version of the blues welcomes a large cast for 12 very diverse tracks.
The gospel fueled “Preach” opens with Randy Brecker’s trumpet for the warm climate, and “Side Hustle” follows with Trey Henry’s upright bass and Jim Cox’s Hammond B3 complementing Geissman’s mesmerizing guitar work.
Further along, “Fat Back” welcomes Tom Scott’s well timed sax and Russell Ferrante’s playful electric piano for the melodic textures, while “Robben’s Hood” gets plenty funky thanks to Robben Ford’s meticulous guitar and Ray Brinker’s agile drumming.
Approaching the end, “Whitewalls And Big Fins” finds itself in Rockabilly territory thanks to Bernie Dresel’s frisky drums and John Jorgenson’s animated guitar, and “Sorry Not Sorry” exits with a mournful, bluesy appeal via Ferrante’s cozy guitar and dreamy atmosphere.
Even if Geissman’s name isn’t familiar to you, you’ve already heard his work as he’s scored plenty of TV and film, including the theme song for Two and a Half Men, and this highly creative body of work continues his non-traditional view of jazz that you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: John Allee- Past Imperfect; Ben Cassara- What A Way To Go!