Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Inspectors - Big Guitar Show
 | This KFJC live show was the debut radio performance by San Francisco's private eye jazz combo the Inspectors. The music is tight and well developed. Mostly melodic, it resides in a place not often covered by modern bands. Only one track with a surf edge, but an all instro band they are, and fun they do deliver. |
Picks: Red Tide, El Burro, Language of Love, Hay Ride, Ethiopian, Tres Patos, Cambodian, Trick Ponies, Monkey Beams, Train Song, Win Place Or Show
Track by Track Review
Spy Surf (Instrumental)
A bit of the whammy and then the guitar issues a melodic riff while the organ plays beneath. Great drums and solid bass. Infectious and rock solid, with nice harmonics and a friendly feel. A few tasty glissandoes as well.
Private Eye Jazz (Instrumental)
Jazzy Brazilian themes and cool tones create images of afternoon breezes and post Mardi Gras tranquility. Very pretty.
Romantic Sub Surf (Instrumental)
Somewhat jazzy exotic sounds and suave riffs fluidly portray the playful side of attraction. Bouncy and fluent in romantic exhilaration, "Language of Love" is a very smooth and pretty track.
Overalls And Suspenders (Instrumental)
A little carnival, a touch of overalls and suspenders, a red bandana, and a jazzy sub surf guitar... These things coalesce into a playful track with no shortage of suave.
Ska (Instrumental)
Not sounding even a little African, "Ethiopian" does emote a haunting Caribbean scene in western terms. Jazzy and delicate, with ska ethics and rhythms.
TV Jazz (Instrumental)
"Tres Patos" sounds to me like something designed for a TV spot, like "No Matter What Shape" was nearly forty years ago. Bouncy and catchy.
Rockin' Ska (Instrumental)
"Cambodian" rocks against a ska beat, with the organ carrying the lead. Great percussion and smooth guitar, and a solid bass.
Midway (Instrumental)
Quirky, carnival sideshow weird, and floating on a daydream nightmare sequence, "Trick Ponies" paints pictures of distorted yet comfortable environs, familiar and foreign. An interesting exercise.
Monkey Beams Simian (Instrumental)
Mostly, "Monkey" is angular and semi simian. Odd, but not interesting.
Railroad (Instrumental)
Smoother than what we generally think of as train tunes, "Train Song" does roll along in a kept-channel kinda way. Mostly, it's a little angular. The train whistles blow, the rhythm of the rails rocks, and the pumpin' steam engine of the bass powers the journey. A very cool song.
Jazz Rock (Instrumental)
Celebrating the win, honoring the place, and showing a good time to all, "Win Place Or Show" playfully prances and sways. A very happy track.