Love Over War
Irresistible/Revolutionary, 2022
8/10
An author, bandleader, composer and Grammy nominated producer, Don Paul brings along an impressive cast of musicians to this very diverse listen that embraces jazz, funk, gospel, rock and spoken word.
“Get Your JAM On!” opens the listen with bright brass, frisky drumming and soulful singing in the funk friendly climate, and “Glory Glory Glory Is For Us All” follows with warm piano and glowing horns interacting with a both restraint and adventurousness in the instrumental.
Elsewhere, “Love Over War, Every Time We Play” (with vocals) finds plenty of flowing melody amid the crisp drums, well timed keys and soaring vocals, while “My Old Man” is a more bare offering of gritty singing alongside Dhyani Dharma’s skilled slide guitar.
Close to the end, “A Baby’s Smile Is Sweet To See” recruits a tribal feel with firm drumming and expressive singing in a very sparse display, and “Bobee (What A Spirit Walks That Way)” exits with a lively energy of swift percussion, dense brass and a busy landscape.
Paul takes company with Roger Lewis (sax), Mario Abney (trumpet), Erica Falls (vocals) and and Kirk Joseph (sousaphone), to name a few, and it makes his 4th album as leader a very eclectic and profoundly unique listen.
Travels well with: Roger Lewis- Alright!; Evan Drybread- Tiger Tail