Elvin Jones Tribute Band

(Aketa's Disk 2007)

Tamaya Honda : Drums

Shigeo Aramaki: Bass

Satoshi Izumi: Guitar

Hiroshi Inoue: Saxes

Electric, energetic and eclectic, Elvin Jones Tribute Band sounds like Elvin Jones in the furious power and uncompromising intensity to the music, but sounds nothing like him in the rest of what they do. That's good, though, since a closer read of the band's name shows the emphasis might equally be on "tribute" and "band."

This group rocks, with electric guitar and electric bass guitar laying down a surging flow of hard-driving power, while Honda concocts wave after wave of rhythm, while Inoue's sax ranges far and wide. These guys know each other's musicality well, and give each other plenty of space to play hard. In terms of sheer musical force, the band has everything.

"In the Truth" takes off at a fast past, furiously peeling layer after layer from the melody. The short sharp head quickly turns to a full-on romp, with everyone piling on and clearly enjoying the chance to just play. "For the Other Time" starts slowly and calmly, relaxing into the sounds and opening up a huge sonic space. The take on this tune is rather soothing, unlike most of the rest of the CD. The lilting melody offers plenty of space for Inoue and Izumi to play to their heart's content.

"Getting' on Way" segues neatly into a Led Zeppelin jam, and you get a sense these guys all went to experimental schools when they were young, or just dropped out altogether. The medley of half-remembered, half-mumbled vocals is all in good fun, and surely aimed at sticking to the jazz purists who can't stand an electric guitar in their ears when the amp's turned up to ten. The music of their youth erupts with a sense of how it all flows together. It sounds as if they are being interviewed about how they got into jazz, and answered honestly.

The standard "Everything Happens to Me" is a pretty, soft, subtle ballad, starting with guitar and sax. It's not unconventional exactly, and more of a tonal exploration of the tune, but has a clear, if musing take. "Minimodes" takes out the cd with Caribbean-ish rhythms, blended with an African feel, easy blowing, funky guitar riffs and a super-fat electric bass solo. As everything accumulates, the song opens up fully into a driving piece of work with an assured, right-on spirit.

For the band members, all of whom have other, more acoustic music, this project must be a gas. That's how it sounds anyway, and a good time with magnificent musicianship is all anyone would ever want in a recording.