egroj world: Keith Pray • Down the Middle

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Keith Pray • Down the Middle


 


There's just something about the sound of a B-3 organ that touches one's soul. Its awesome power seems to resonate the entire body. Perhaps it's the roots in religious environs. With Down the Middle, Albany, New York area saxophonist Keith Pray leaves his horns and reeds home and assumes the high Hammond throne along with a fine guitar and drum duo as Three Bass Hit. Together, they deliver an engaging rock and funk fest.

As one might expect given the B-3, the album is infused with soul and energy. And this trio certainly makes the most of it. The tunes are all Pray originals featuring riff-like heads with classic call-response melodies, boom box bass lines, and chords which provide a muscular platform for extended soloing.

Over the seven tracks, the trio covers all the bases that are in the funk-rock-jazz genre. "Mohawk Funk" launches the date with a four- note melodic riff over a hip James Brown-like rhythm bed. The slow rock groove of "Back Atcha" is quite infectious with Pray's comps, Michael Wooten's hot guitar solo, and Ploss' digging in deeply. "Down the Middle" offers an intensity that's reminiscent of a Jimi Hendrix vibe. "El Toro" is a head-bobbing boogaloo that has an ear-worm head melody and an ace guitar solo.

Pray, now six years into learning "the Beast," covers the instrument exceptionally well and gives out all the usual organ tricks— tremolos, runs, punches, etc. And yes, he's all about that bass, too. While it is not yet his mortgage-paying instrument, Pray has spent time learning from B-3 jazz giants such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland and other organ grinders more known in the rock arena such as Billy Preston. Those latter influences are noticeable on "Low Down Ditty" and "The Pace." Pray's fine soloing fits well with all of the grooves here.
By Nicholas F. Mondello
March 10, 2022
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/down-the-middle-keith-prays-three-bass-hit-praynation-records

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Hay algo en el sonido de un órgano B-3 que nos llega al alma. Su impresionante poder parece resonar en todo el cuerpo. Tal vez sean las raíces en el entorno religioso. Con Down the Middle, el saxofonista de Albany, Nueva York, Keith Pray deja sus trompas y cañas en casa y asume el alto trono del Hammond junto con un buen dúo de guitarra y batería como Three Bass Hit. Juntos, ofrecen un atractivo festival de rock y funk.

Como era de esperar, dada la B-3, el álbum está impregnado de alma y energía. Y este trío lo aprovecha al máximo. Todos los temas son originales de Pray y presentan cabezas de riff con melodías clásicas de respuesta a la llamada, líneas de bajo de caja de resonancia y acordes que proporcionan una plataforma muscular para extensos solos.

A lo largo de los siete temas, el trío cubre todas las bases del género funk-rock-jazz. "Mohawk Funk" lanza la cita con un riff melódico de cuatro notas sobre un lecho rítmico a lo James Brown. El lento groove rockero de "Back Atcha" es bastante infeccioso con los compases de Pray, el ardiente solo de guitarra de Michael Wooten y la profundización de Ploss. "Down the Middle" ofrece una intensidad que recuerda a las vibraciones de Jimi Hendrix. "El Toro" es un boogaloo que hace vibrar la cabeza con una melodía de gusano y un solo de guitarra.

Pray, que lleva seis años aprendiendo "la bestia", cubre el instrumento excepcionalmente bien y ofrece todos los trucos habituales del órgano: trémolos, carreras, golpes, etc. Y sí, también es todo un experto en el bajo. Aunque todavía no es el instrumento con el que paga la hipoteca, Pray ha pasado tiempo aprendiendo de gigantes del jazz B-3 como el Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland y otros organilleros más conocidos en el ámbito del rock como Billy Preston. Estas últimas influencias se notan en "Low Down Ditty" y "The Pace". Los finos solos de Pray encajan bien con todos los ritmos de este disco.
Por Nicholas F. Mondello
10 de marzo de 2022
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/down-the-middle-keith-prays-three-bass-hit-praynation-records




www.keithpray.com ...


Track Listing:
1. Mohawk Funk 07:48
2. Back Atcha 07:42
3. Come on Over 04:34
4. Down the Middle 05:42
5. El Toro 06:23
6. Lowdown Ditty 05:17
7. The Pace 07:14

Credits:
Keith Pray: saxophone; Michael Wooten: guitar; Chad Ploss: drums.
Additional Instrumentation
Keith Pray: Hammond B-3 (all tracks)

Recorded 8.21.21 at NRS Studios in Catskill, NY
Released: 2022 | Record Label: Praynation Records





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