Standing Eight
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The veteran guitarist Jeremy Green employs the drums of Keith Carlock for this debut album, where many guitarists and bassists are present, as is Chase Baird’s saxophone and Mark Levron’s trumpet.
“Jackets Required” opens the listen with Mike Stern’s flowing guitar and Jimmy Haslip’s fluid bass lines in the melodic and meticulous landscape, and “Ain’t No Chevy” follows with Robben Ford’s precise guitar and Will Lee’s bouncy bass work illuminating the brass friendly climate.
"The Land Of Oz” arrives at the halfway point, and showcases Oz Noy’s always impressive guitar chops alongside Rich Brown’s infectious bass in the rhythmic album highlight, while “Big Shoes” gets a bit more rugged and welcomes Tim LeFebvre on bass for the harmonic and smooth delivery.
Near to the end, “Close With The Jab” places Michel Cusson on guitar and Moto Fukushima on bass for a very charming 6 minutes, and “Car Rock” finishes with Oz Noy back and in the presence of Ian DeSouza’s intricate bass to help make for a mesmerizing exit.
An album that took a year to make, this funk fusion formula that Green and company create makes for a very exciting and unpredictable listen, where the rotating cast of guitars adds to the experience.
Travels well with: Barry Coates/Jimmy Haslip/Jerry Kalaf- New Dreams; Troy Roberts- Nu-Jive: Nations United