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German
bass player Peter Muller is no unknown to the contemporary jazz
scene. He sets the first signal with his debut album M-Vibez
(2003), later followed by his sophomore album The Flow
(2008). The wait is over. Peter returns with No Mind,
scheduled for release November 15, 2014.
Peter comments:
"The
new album explores my favorite musical worlds from Soul to Jazz,
Fusion to R&B - but Funk is the red line that holds it all together.
This is where I come from and the reason I started making music!"
Peter gathered his supporters from his musical environment. Included are the musicians Tobias Neumann and Coen Molenaar (keys), Frank Mead (sax), Tim Cansfield (guitars), Mr. T (Talkbox), Nick Gibbs (vocals, beatboxing, synth, drum programming), Oliver Spanuth (hi-hat, cymbals), John-Dennis Renken and Christian Kappe (trumpet), Sebastiaan Cornelissen and Kristof Hinz (drums).
If you like fender bass and funk, than start the album immediately. Berlin Street Funk has a heavy dose of both. With the punchy Talk box the tune gets the right kick and Frank Mead on sax lets the rocket finally lift off. We go back, way back with Time. Right into the period, when funk was really dirty. Peter describes it as funk with neo-soul elements.
Listening to The Player a rattling noise as rhythm stick element remains in the memory. At this the other instruments adhere to, especially John-Dennis Renken on trumpet. Did I say that is funk? I did! Nick Gibbs has composed and written the lyrics of Golden Rules. He shares vocals with Peters lead bass even with some scat elements. Both spread the somber mood of a film noir, which nonetheless has certain hovering.
At concerts I have often observed that during fast performances the audience erupts in applause. Stagger is based on the assumption that speed is an indication of professionalism. But here the pace is not an end in itself. On Analogue Moon Peter searches with fretless bass the depths of fusion jazz. Something 'Bout Your Love is the second song, which is strongly influenced by singer Nick Gibbs. He reminds me of Jamiroquai and stylistically of acid jazz and rock jazz. An Australian singer, who found his second home in Germany.
Back to the funk with The Trek. On this track Peter uses his bass (not a piccolo bass) as melody maker in the style of late Wayman Tisdale but more in a raw format. Earth Tune is a percussion oriented smooth jazz tune with Peters' bass and Frank's soprano sax in the lead. Nick Gibbs brings an exotic touch with African sounding vocals and beatboxing. With the nature-loving Horizon Peter closes the album in a peaceful resting in itself kind.
With No Mind Peter Muller shows in an impressive way, that he does not copy but reinvents himself. His comrades contribute to this successful project with their own creativity, led by the outstanding singer Nick Gibbs.
Title: No MindBuy the album
Album Information
Artist: Peter Muller
Year: 2014
Length: 0:57:52
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Mullenium Records
Tracks:
01 Berlin Street Funk [5:20]
02 Time [6:47]
03 The Player [6:02]
04 Golden Rules [6:13]
05 Stagger [5:22]
06 Analogue Moon [5:11]
07 Something 'Bout Your Love [5:10]
08 The Trek [5:03]
09 Earth Tune [6:15]
10 Horizon [6:29]
Further reviews: