CD review
James Whiton is a busy man. He’s bassist for the band Taarka, and according to his Web site, www.jameswhiton.com, he’s also currently involved with three other groups. Not to mention past accomplishments, namely as co-leader of the rock band Apricot Jam. And in spite of all of this, he has found time this year to record and release his own solo disc, “Rhythm & Motion.”
The Seattle-based musician’s solo project may bear his name, but the music’s focus isn’t placed entirely on Whiton. Instead of acting as a band leader, he plays host to the other musicians featured on the disc. Many more prolific, higher-budget albums don’t sound as good as “Rhythm & Motion.” And much like the Taarka album that Whiton was involved with, the album was recorded all at once, without overdubs. This equates to no second chances — what’s there is there, captured forever.
The tracks might be considered “traditional,” in that they’re mostly a combination of funk, jazz and rock styles. The arrangements are tight, comprised of horns, guitars and keyboards — not to mention Whiton on the double bass. Many are clearly very talented; Lewi O. Longmire on guitar and pedal steel, and Bill Jones on trumpet, among others. The songs alternately feature Whiton’s poetry and Longmire and John Oliver’s singing.
One standout is “Ancient Heroes,” an eight-minute poetry piece that begins with Whiton’s words and occasionally gives way to instrumental interludes (the funk guitar screams here). In a delivery that could be likened to beat or scat, Whiton’s poem starts “Smoke crowds the unwashed I / on nights when whiskey swirls / and all the colors run together / and all the beautiful girls / lit up by the neon, winking through the smoke.”
The most rhythmically interesting tracks are the appropriately titled “5/4,” 6/8″ and “7/16 (Michael’s Groove).” In mainstream music today, these time signatures seem more and more uncommon.
Unfortunately, the disc is not widely available, in music stores or otherwise. Interested listeners will have to order it from Whiton’s Web site.
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