Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » John Tropea: Gotcha Rhythm Right Here
John Tropea: Gotcha Rhythm Right Here
John Tropea
guitarWhile there is some improvisation, by Tropea, Palmaro and others, as jazz this would barely produce a blip on the radar screen. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as the listener is aware in advance of what to expect. What Tropea and Palmaro have spliced together is a series of funk-drenched (and manifestly rhythmic) themes that would not be out of place on any R&B radio station from coast to coast. The session's sizable number of well-known guests play their parts well but serve by and large as no more than cogs in the wheel. They include trumpeters
Bob Millikan
trumpet
Randy Brecker
trumpetb.1945
Lew Soloff
trumpet1944 - 2015
Lou Marini
saxophoneb.1945
Bob Malach
saxophone, tenor
Roger Rosenberg
saxophone, baritone
Scott Robinson
saxophone, tenorb.1959
Dave Riekenberg
woodwinds
Steve Gadd
drumsb.1945
Most of the solos, however, are taken by Tropea, and they are always appropriate if less than groundbreaking. There's no point in dissecting every number; suffice to say each one flows easily along in a sturdy rhythmic groove that sets toes to tapping without leaving much lyrical residue. "Boulevard Strut," marked as a bonus track, could have been imported straight from Havana, and includes a brief rap vocal, the only one on the album (kudos for that). In sum, Tropea (and Palmaro) knew what they wanted and set about to make it happen. That they "gotcha rhythm" is obvious; whether the rest of what they've got is auspicious is for the listener to decide. ">
Track Listing
Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Part 1; Black Eyed G’s; Soul Surfin’; 7th Avenue South; Chili Wa Man; Always in My Heart; Side By Two; Bikini Beach; Les Is Moe’; NCY Direct 2014; Hip to the Hips; Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Part 2; Boulevard Strut (bonus track)..
Personnel
John Tropea
guitarPersonnel (collective) – John Tropea: leader, composer, arranger, guitars; Chris Palmaro: Hammond B3 organ, piano, Fender Rhodes, bass, drums, strings, percussion; Bob Millikan: trumpet; Glenn Drewes: trumpet; Lew Soloff: trumpet, flugelhorn; Don Harris: trumpet; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Lou Marini: alto sax, flutes; Dave Mann: tenor sax; Bob Malach: tenor sax; Bill Harris: tenor, baritone sax; Roger Rosenberg: baritone sax; Dave Riekenberg: baritone sax; Scott Robinson: bass sax; Larry Farrell: trombone; Hanan Rubinstein: guitar; Neil Jason: bass; Will Lee: bass; Eric Udel: bass; Zev Katz: bass; Shawn Pelton: drums; Clint de Ganon: drums; Lee Finkelstein: drums; Cliff Almond: drums; Steve Gadd: drums; Keith Karlock: drums; Roger Squitero: percussion; Duke Gadd: percussion; Tommy McDonnell: percussion; James “D-Train” Williams: vocal (12); Rallybop: vocal (13).
Album information
Title: Gotcha Rhythm Right Here | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Stp Records
Tags
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
Go Ad Free!
To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.Showcase
Buy Now
Featured
Darwin AI: Surivior Choice
By Alex Otey buy
Carnaval - The Songs Were So Beautiful
By Antonio Adolfo buyGiveaway
