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Groove Legacy: Groove Legacy

By Chris M. Slawecki
May 8, 2016
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Built around the core of saxophonist Paulie Cerra, keyboardist

Billy Steinway

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Steinway and bassist

Travis Carlton

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Travis Carlton (son of legendary guitarist

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Carlton), Groove Legacy is just as much a sound and feel as it is this band and the title of their eponymous debut. Although they've collectively played with everyone from

Al Green

vocals
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Green through

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder to Carrie Underwood, this debut shares the trio's mutual passion for the sound of 1970s jazz-funk—

Creed Taylor

producer
1929 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Creed Taylor's seamless, sparkling productions for CTI Records,

The Meters

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Meters, Stuff, and especially The

Crusaders

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Crusaders.

"Ever since I had the pleasure of working with The Crusaders, I fell in love with the tenor and trombone melody blend," Steinway explains. "I can't think of a better group of musicians than Groove Legacy to recapture that sound—also putting a fresh spin on instrumental music." Highlighted by contributions from trombonists

Andrew Lippman

" data-original-title="" title="">Andrew Lippman and Lee Thornberg, drummer Lemar Carter, plus several guitarists, Groove Legacy honors and consolidates this sound but keeps it moving forward, too.

"Odd Couple" is only one example of Groove Legacy's mastery of the classic Crusaders sound: Bright and sharp yet a little bit funky and round (and more than a little soulful around the edges), with the combined horns singing as a single voice; Ceara's tenor sounds as big as Texas and cuts as sharp as a cowboy's spurs while bassist Carlton and drummer Carter keep its rhythm rolling and tumbling.

Cerra and Travis Carlton co-wrote "Cornell" to feature

Larry Carlton

guitar
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Carlton (Travis' dad) surfing on a tune assumedly written to honor legendary groove guitarist

Cornell Dupree

guitar, electric
1942 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Cornell Dupree, who held down the guitar chair in Stuff. While the rhythm section gently lays down a Memphis groove, like the instrumental track behind a lost

Al Green

vocals
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Green single, Papa Carlton's guitar dominates this piece with his twangy and tangy tone. Next comes "The Know It All," which featured guitarist

Robben Ford

guitar
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Robben Ford slashes through in a more spindly and sharp,

Albert King

guitar, electric
1923 - 1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Albert King blues-rock style.

The sound of Memphis also comes through the rhythm, sound and feel of "Memphis 40 oz. Hang," a leisurely groove that sounds cut straight from a Stax Records session by Booker T. & the MGs with

The Memphis Horns

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Memphis Horns, and which pours nicely, with a sharp, robust body and creamy, foamy head.

Frank Malfitano's stylish liner notes describe Groove Legacy as, "It's the 'If Stuff and the Crusaders had a baby' band." There's no better way to say it.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Sweetness (for Walter Payton); Odd Couple; Cornell; The Know It All; Moneybags; Lolly's Dream; Memphis 40 oz. Hang; 47 Degree Angle; My Someday Girl; H-Town Hipster.

Personnel

Groove Legacy

Paul Cerra: tenor sax; Bill Steinway: Fender Rhodes; Travis Carlton: bass; Kirk Fletcher: lead guitar, rhythm guitar; Lemar Carter: drums; Sam Meek: rhythm guitar; Andrew Lippman: trombone; Robben Ford: guitar; Larry Carlton: guitar; Tim Curle: percussion; Chris Lovejoy: percussion; Ricky Peterson: Hammond B3; Lee Thornberg: trumpet, valve trombone.

Album information

Title: Groove Legacy | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced

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