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Eric Frazier: That Place

By Richard J Salvucci
October 15, 2024
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Eric Frazier

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Frazier has been at it a long time, the better part of a quarter century. He started out as a public school teacher and administrator in New York City, and became a conga drummer out of his interest in African music. He has, as the saying goes, been around, played at venues like The Knitting Factory and worked with people like

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders and

Jack McDuff

organ, Hammond B3
1926 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack McDuff. This is not his first CD by any means, and some reviews of earlier ones characterized Frazier's music as "self affirming." Frazier touches all sorts of genres, especially Latino and salsa variants, so if these appeal to a listener, this recording will as well. Frazier, who is more a narrator than a vocalist, is backed by some terrific musicians, including

Benito Gonzales

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Benito Gonzales and

Lonnie Plaxico

bass
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Lonnie Plaxico. He is a presence in the New York community, but probably less well known elsewhere.

The program on offer is a mix, beginning with the amusing "The Panther Woman." There are twelve tracks in all. "Mucho Caliente" is a montuno, familiar but upbeat. "Fresh Money" is wry, a kind of career narration any musician might appreciate. "Fu Man Shu" can best be characterized as a travelogue, and leave it at that.

No one will mistake this for chamber jazz, but it obviously is not meant to be. It will probably work very well to lubricate a party that is already well underway, Or perhaps just getting started.

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Track Listing

The Panther Woman; Everything You; Got to Give; Fresh Money; Mucho Caliente; You Don't Know; Chili Pepper; Bean Song; Graduation; In The Same Place; Mi Corazon; Fu Man Shu.

Personnel

Eric Frazier

percussion

Gene Ghee

saxophone

Mamiko Watanabe

piano

Benito Gonzalez

piano

Isaac ben Ayala

piano

Nori Naraoka

bass, acoustic

John P. Cooksey

drums

Noriatsu Narioka

bass

Salimah Karim

vocals

Aisha Rivers

vocals

Umahawa Rivers

vocals

Tracey Fuller

vocals

Album information

Title: That Place | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self-Produced

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