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McClenty Hunter: The Groove Hunter

By C. Andrew Hovan
June 27, 2018
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Drummer-led recordings are a rare item in most genres, yet there have been many memorable ones over the years. And what comes as a surprise to the uninitiated is how musically rewarding these efforts can be. Fact is that the best drummers are not only masters of manipulating rhythms, but are also highly skilled in understanding the harmony and theory of music as well. Having worked with an elite list of musicians including

Eric Reed

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Reed,

Kenny Garrett

saxophone, alto
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Garrett,

Lou Donaldson

saxophone
1926 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Lou Donaldson, and

Dave Stryker

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Stryker,

McClenty Hunter, Jr.

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">McClenty Hunter, Jr. was poised to have his say as a leader and the results are nothing less than impressive.

Although he's highly admired by Blue Note collectors, pianist

Herbie Nichols

piano
1919 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Nichols is not a household name, and his compositions are not regularly found in the books of today's jazzmen. So hats off to Hunter for jump starting his maiden voyage with Nichols' "Blue Chopsticks" in a sublime rendition headed by pianist

Eric Reed

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Reed. Other notable covers include a bristling romp through

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter's "Big Push," where tenor man

Stacy Dillard

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Stacy Dillard really shines, and

Gary McFarland

vibraphone
1933 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary McFarland's breezy "Sack Full of Dreams."

Co-producer Dave Stryker offers some greasy guitar runs on the shuffle groove that propels Stevie Wonder's "That Girl." Hunter is in the zone here as he delivers one of the finest shuffle feels around. He also steps out front for the freewheeling

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane opus "Countdown." Nonetheless, Hunter always serves the music here and never overplays in a flashy manner. Pay particular attention to his drum sound throughout the date. The bass drum and toms ring in a natural way and his crisp snare rounds out a full-bodied approach that is highly musical and recorded in a pleasing and natural manner.

Hunter's originals are as much the star attraction here as his organic drumming. A lovely waltz, "Autumn" plaintively sets a mood with Dillard again proving his case for talent deserving of wider recognition. Although it starts out like a whisper, "My Love" quickly fires up with Hunter in an

Elvin Jones

drums
1927 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Elvin Jones mood and Dillard in Trane territory. "I Remember When" is a fine showcase for the talents of pianist

Christian Sands

piano
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Sands in a medium tempo that Hunter supports with varied shadings and textures. The closing "Give Thanks" speaks in hushed tones with Hunter using mallets on his toms and Dillard's soprano conjuring its own spells.

Hunter debuts here with a sagacious mix of originals and choice standards and leads with an intelligent hand. It's a compliment to say that without looking, one would be hard pressed to guess that this is a drummer-led session. And that in itself is the sincerest form of flattery.

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Track Listing

Blue Chopsticks; The Big Push; Autumn; That Girl; My Love; Sack Full Of Dreams; I Remember When; Countdown; Give Thanks.

Personnel

McClenty Hunter

drums

McClenty Hunter Jr.: drums; Eddie Henderson: trumpet (2); Donald Harrison: alto saxophone (2, 8); Stacy Dillard: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone (2, 3, 5); Eric Reed: piano (1-3, 5, 8-9); Christian Sands: piano, Fender Rhodes (4, 6-7); Dave Stryker: guitar (4, 6); Corcoran Holt: bass (1-3, 5, 8-9); Eric Wheeler: bass (4, 6-7).

Album information

Title: The Groove Hunter | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Strikezone Records

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