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Toronto
based musicians Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace are Four80East.
They started with The Album in 1997, followed by
Nocturnal (2001), Round Three (2002),
En Route (2007), Roll On (2009), Off Duty
(2012) and Biblotheca (2013). Their newest album
Positraction will be released July 17th, 2015.
From the musical style the formation offers many possibilities of assignment. Soul music, acid jazz, smooth jazz, electro-jazz. There are diverse elements of style in a large mixer. Originally a studio project the band already presents since some years a high-energy live show with supporting stage musicians.
On the new album both musicians are joined by Jon Stewart (sax), Bill McBirnie (flute), Alexis Baro (trumpet) and a horn section with Bob Rice (trumpet), Gene Hardy (tenor sax) and Gord Myers (trombone). All songs are written, recorded and produced by Rob DeBoer and Tony Grace.
Positraction is a portmanteau formed from positive
attraction. Sometimes you have to invent a word to summarize
good music in words. Believe me, the starter is definitely
hot! Eegee Beegee kicks off with a vintage synth
sound, drops in some funky horns, wah guitar, cowbells and
sax, all in the duty of entertainment. This is like a
transformation of Birdland into future.
Now I am curious. Is the group able to keep
this tension in position? Into the Wind
offers a natural bass run, a rocket born trumpet and a
restless and lively flute. A new sound revelation.
Apodictically the next track is entitled Hold A Candle.
Everything is here in mood, perhaps gloomy, but definitely
exotic.
Meanwhile, we have 36 degrees Celsius outside temperature
and raising. But this album has me
under
control. Dirty Stack is a new sound experience like
a children's carousel next to a roller coaster. The
musicians have fun during the recording because they create
something great. Innovative funk, on which Bootsy Collins
would be jealous. Here gives everyone, especially the horn
section a master work.
Tikitango comes with a fast paced Bossa Nova pulsed
electric piano and
Bill McBirnie's
mesmerizing flute. Latin lounge at its finest. Soft
Focus sets a counterpoint with dreamy gentle keyboard
and sax elements. Cookie Strut walks the lounge
line. Something for relaxing. Window Seat is
designed foe the electro dance scene. Fortunately, purely
electronic sounds are blending with instrumental sound and
the rhythm is intoxicating. Final tune is the reggae based
Moment to Moment. Thrilling, pulsating, in the right groove.
Four80East
and their album
Positraction have earned
the prize for innovation.
Entertaining, varied and captivating. A real recommendation.
Buy the album in all stores
Album Information
Title: Positraction
Artist: Four80East
Year: 2015
Length: 0:57:43
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Boomtang Records
Tracks:
01 Positraction [5:00]
02 Eegee Beegee [5:25]
03 Into the Wind [5:05]
04 Hold a Candle [6:12]
05 Dirty Stack [6:22]
06 Tikitango [5:47]
07 Soft Focus [5:33]
08 Cookie Strut [5:31]
09 Window Seat [6:54]
10 Moment to Moment [5:54]
Further reviews: