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BIG BLOCK DODGE
featuring Bill Altman on guitar.
~Manifold Destiny~

THE ARTIST & THE DISC
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   Bill had sort of forewarned me that this CD was recorded live straight to two track. The whole thing is he mentioned it like it could be a bad thing. But in this day and age where you can have a professional recording studio in your home with only a computer. Just about everything is over produced. Nobody sounds live anymore!! Well, intentional or not, without all the overdubs and layers that a studio can add, this cd has a very live and very real feel. On some of the quieter jazz moments you can almost reach out and touch the band. The production of the CD is Grade "A".(each instrument crystal clear and audible at all times)  It's simply a great recording of the band live in the studio. No studio wizardry or tricks. The full focus 100% is on the songs and the musicianship. It makes me long to see this incredible band's show. Knowing that this is what they sound like live!!!
   Big Block Dodge is a jazz trio from the North Carolina area, that at times can sound more like a texas rock trio. They are also pioneers of the sound they call "Groosion". A mixture of groove and fusion. Groove being the driving force and the primary primal fuel for the Dodge. And that groove comes from Jeff Hinkle (bass) and Robin Tolleson (drums). The fusion I would guess is most apparent in Bill Altman's guitar playing. A technician who takes the listener on a ride that is at times safe and comfortable. And other times he's riding the cliffs edge on that mountain road.  (A band from the south called Big Block Dodge? And they say all guys from the south think about are cars!).
   All joking aside, this CD both entertained me and amazed me. I get a very happy almost a harmonious vibe on the disc. Listening to this CD just made me feel good. I noticed a little tongue in cheek humor too. As with the CD title and the song titles (erik's johnson, tour de pance). I'm not sure when the last time was, that a CD made me move some part of my body nonstop. Heck! I'm bopping in my seat as I'm writing this review.

If this CD doesn't make you move something..."Jack You Dead!"

My first thought was this is a jazz CD. But then upon further listening, I thought this is a blues/rock CD. I finally decided on a jazz trio that plays blues rock CD. Because there's no escaping the jazz foundation of Robin and Jeff. But Bill constantly steps over the line into rock. Sometimes stepping way over the line. If anyone can sell jazz to the rock audience, it's Bill. Bill plays his way masterfully through the many style changes this CD goes through. A skilled jazz player, a smokin' blues player, and a hot rock player. The kick is, many times you experience all three within a single song. Keeping the mood of the CD constantly moving.
* personal note: Robin Tolleson is one of the best drummers I've heard. I'm not a huge fan of drums, but Robin is not of this earth.....maybe from mars?

   A Jazz CD that will appeal to the rock fan. A Rock CD that will appeal to the jazz fan. And a Blues CD that will appeal to both! 

THE TRACKS

if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about....check out the samples below.
The Groove and Fusion links show two sides to the disc. Check both out!!
GROOVE  + FUSION  = "GROOSION"
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The C.D. opens with "ERIK'S JOHNSON" - This song had me shuffling and side steppin' across the room. The guys didn't waste any time showing where the groove in "groosion" comes from. This song alone could sell me the CD. Right from the start Bill(guitar) and Robin(drums) lay down a funky groove with enough gravitational force to suck you right in. And just in case you aren't close enough to get drawn in. About 10 seconds in Jeff(bass) comes up behind and shoves you.....All I know is I couldn't escape the force (honestly..I didn't even try). On first listen I kicked this track back three times for another listen. This song is tighter than....( a tupperware seal, bark on a tree, a bulls arse). A very funky jazz tune with guitar that goes from dreamy jazz to rockin' blues. Props to Jeff and Robin, you guys kept distracting me from Bill! Lots of hot jazz blues soloing in this track. Style reminiscent of robin ford/eric johnson. But a whole lot more danceable!............full song (bit rate reduced to 64k so you'll buy it)
Track #2 "LARRY SPEARS"- The only track with an overdubbed part (a second guitar). A rockin' tune with a major country influence. A very hot mover with some very rockin' and kinda nasty soloing, it reminds me of Pete Anderson at times. Real country and real rock at the same time. (personal note* I got bagged playing air guitar to this song @ work.....dohh!!!)
Track #3 "LYLE'S HOUSE OF lll" - Oh yea! This one starts out real laid back jazz. Then you sense things starting to get a little hotter. And things start to simmer until Bill brings it to a boil with some Hendrix/SRV influenced wah work. This one of the tunes I mentioned in the "artist & disc section" that goes through all 3 influences. Starting off a nice jazz song then turning very bluesy before Bill starts rockin' the wah...
Track #4 "WANG BAR JAM" -This song has a quirky almost un-natural feel. This is due to Bill's very creative use of the "Wang Bar". A white hot jazz tune where "you gotta move something". Even though the guitar is the first thing you notice. It's the sum of all 3 parts that create this high octane funkified fuel that runs BBD. Besides the aforementioned wang action, this track features Bill in prime creative rock mode. (huh? bill is very creative, but very aggressive)
Track #5 "KILLMANJARO" - Here the guys bring it down a little (give the senses time to re-coop). I immediately closed my eyes when I first heard this track. I just knew the music would take me someplace safe. And it did! A bluesy ballad that is brought to life by Bill's very expressive vibrato(and killer licks of course). One Word: Tranquil!
Track#6 "TOUR DE PANCE" - A Jazz/Blues song that feels like a strut with a cooool vibe. Actually it's a rock/blues....No,no,no wait, I know...it's both! A very hip jazzy..."feel like I'm walking into the fifty grand club" vibe. And a very "crank it up" rock vibe. Changing back and forth at will. You've gotta love it!
Track #7 "BINKER'S AMBUSH" - This song starts out a relaxed jazzy blues with a country flavor. (i'm sure that's easy to imagine) It slowly builds momentum into a bonified rocker. Bill's playing is very clean and tasteful on this track. Never overplaying, but saying just what needs to be said. A beautiful tune.....There's a killer blues change that sneaks up and comes out of nowhere that I love. (i dig surprises)
Track #8 "SOL" - Maybe the most radio friendly song on the CD. I can definitely hear this playing on some contemporary station. A hot Jazz song sort of in the stylings of say George Benson. But with a real bite. Some of the hottest Bill (in the rock and jazz sense). Here Bill finds a nice parallel between the two styles. Hey, Jeff and Robin...You guys drive this bad boy! This melody kept playing in my head for days.............full song (bit rate reduced to 64k so you'll buy it)
Track #9 "ALL BLUES" - OK, the cover of Miles Davis' "All Blues" caught me off guard. Two things came to mind. Number one: I can't wait to hear this guys treatment of such a milestone piece. And two: It had been a number of years since I last heard the original. I need to hear it before I can review the song. Luckily my resident Jazz Expert Scott Lerner was kind enough to set me up. Thanks Man!   
   Right at first listen, I was drawn back. Bill makes no attempt to play miles or copy or imitate. The cat has his own vision and interpretation. On this track Bill is downright in-sane! All three guys just blew me away. I remembered also that this is a live one take recording. This just makes it more unbelievable. I was glad they didn't do a 3 1/2 minute condensed  idea. They bring it to a full 7 1/2 minutes. Bringing the song through all the changes and shades like the original. This is clearly three guys near the peak of their craft offering homage to a lost master. I can almost feel Miles listening somewhere......oh maaaan!  This song shows the extreme (near genius) level these three cats can achieve. I don't know if they play this track live? But seeing this song performed live would be worth the  price of a bus ticket !
Track #10 "PLANET THROB" - This is a rocker plain and simple. I knew I could identify at least one of 'em. This song too, I think would work on mainstream radio (if it was a rockin station). A rocker of the serious breed, complete with the hottest Bill on the disc. Jeff and Robin showing they know how to rock too! Oh! man! Bill even kicks a little shred...dude!  

"MANIFOLD DESTINY"
AN ABSOLUTELY WICKED JAZZ CD,
A SMOKIN' BLUES/ROCK CD!

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