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The
Magic Hour
Combining
his love for everything from traditional bebop to funk and R&B,
Steve Allee fills The Magic Hour with a wistful yet savvy, lighthearted
yet meaningful sense of groove and melody. Despite the vast eclecticism
within its thirteen tracks, at the heart of each tune is Allee's dynamic
solo piano spirit, which dances over a wide variety of tempos, moods
and textures.
Produced
by Tom Borton
Executive Producers: Tom Borton, Tom Griswold, Stan Hillis and Steve
Allee
The
Players
- Steve
Allee - Piano and Keyboards
- Vel
Lewis Synth Bass
- Kevin
Chokan - Electric Guitar
- Lenny
Castro - Congas and Percussion
- Tom
Borton - Saxophones and Drum/Perc Programming
- Mark
Browne - Electric Bass
- Mark
Goldenburg - Electric Guitar
- Bill
Moore - Carpenter Drum Loop
- Jerry
Hey - Trumpet
- Ray
Fuller - Electric Guitar
- Bob
Sheppard - Tenor Sax solo
- Debra
Dobkins - Congas and Percussion
- George
Adjieff - Acoustic and Electric Guitars
- Yara
Figiuera - Vocals
Album
Reviews
STEVE
ALLEE / "THE MAGIC HOUR"
NOTEWORTHY RECORDS (NWR 9504)
STRICTLY JAZZ ...... by Warren White
"An appropriate name for a fantastic CD. Pianist Allee has integrated
all the right ingredients, which include good musicians (Jerry Hey,
Bob Sheppard, Lenny Castro and Mark Browne), and great songs. Steve's
playing is very lyrical, and filled with passion. He also wrote or co-wrote
twelve of the thirteen tunes. Songs range from slow to up-tempos. This
is a CD where your money is well spent."
*****
INDIANAPOLIS NEWS REVIEW ...... by Mike Redmond
"Being contemporary, piano -led stuff, Allee's work falls into
that gray zone where jazz, blues, R&B and funk overlap, which means
it's pretty accessible. Don't go looking for Monk or Bud Powell here.
That's not the point. The point instead, and this is where "The
Magic Hour" shines, is a collection of hummable melodies with strong
rhythmic underpinnings and improvisational flights that make sense,
and move the music along without leaving the listener behind."
HOUSTON STYLE MAGAZINE ...... by Shaakir
"...music that feels very inspiring and refreshing. Hat's off to
Steve - a very talented, warm and down to earth individual."
DAVID BAKER ....Professor of Jazz Studies, Indiana University
"This CD is the complete package: great concept, imaginative compositions,
an all-star line-up of sidemen, exceptional playing, and something for
anyone who likes good jazz. Steve Allee is a major voice in today's
music."
JAZZIZ ....... by Jonathan Widran
"...Steve Allee combines a graceful, "Joe Sample", acoustic
piano sensibility with jazzy edges over a shifting, rhythmic playground...touching
on such magic moments with a blend of romance and frolic. While the
dynamics and sonic hues are constantly shifting under the direction
of Allee and producer/saxman Tom Borton, the numerous charms of The
Magic Hour comes in three basic patterns...urban, pop jazz and lush
balladry."
THE MAGIC HOUR (Noteworthy NWR 9504) proves a grand time for keyboardist
Steve Allee, a longtime studio sideman and TV/film composer making his
debut outing with his own band. Allee, an Indiana University bandmate
of Michael Brecker and Jerry Hey, proves his own mettle in both pop
and jazz settings, showcasing a lithe melodic touch on piano. Quietly
melodic tunes like the conga-wrapped "Stormfront", and shuffling
"Blue Vista" are appealing, but Allee pushes the envelope,
exploring unexpected avenues like the sharp-cornered "Swoonaire",
which exercises his jazzier chops (along with Hey's trumpet magic).
"Quantum Soup", the albums funkiest cut, has the added juice
of live congas and percussion (courtesy of Debra Dobkins), as well as
meaty Hey/Tom Borton brass duets. For the most Allee-driven magic, check
out "Cirrus", high- lighted by the keyboardist's bell-clear
melodic doodles contrasting syncopated chording. Allee's piano work
muses lightly and breathes in sensitive phrasings reminiscent of a Fred
Hersch, making The Magic Hour prime-time listening.
GAVIN REPORT
SAN FRANCISCO
STEVE ALLEE / THE MAGIC HOUR (Noteworthy)
Indiana keyboardist Steve Allee lays down some tasty, funky grooves
on this Noteworthy release, "The Magic Hour". It's a bit reminiscent
of Kim Pensyl's early "Pensyl Sketches" on the old Optimisim
label, a careful mix of commercial and jazz. As the performances gather
steam, Allee's piano influences begin to unfold. As the jams begin to
solidify, he pulls out some jazz clusters and sneaks in a few bop phrases.
"Stormfront" is entirely smooth in feel and definition,
with some nice churning fretless bass lines from Mark Browne (who tours
with Melissa Etheridge). Allee skillfully blends acoustic grand with
contemporary synthesized keyboard. His unison melody lines with bassist
Browne are especially crafted. There's a baker's dozen of tight tunes,
five co-written by producer and saxophonist, Tom Borton. "Swoonaire"
has some punchy horn parts that pierce through the satiny arrangements.
Again, a mild jazz feel presides. When it comes to selecting pertinent
tunes for full time A2 airplay, The Magic Hour" is a virtual "pick
'em".
http://www.steveallee.com
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