Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is quite remarkable. Imagine surf instros inverted to fit a blue jazz construct. It's amazing how some f these familiar surf classics just seem to naturally fit into this entirely different way of imagining them. The Kraft Quartet are Morgan Kraft - fretless guitar, Fender Rhodes, Madison Rast - double bass, and Dave Durst - drums, joined by various fourth members to complete the quartet, and fronted by Lex Samu - trumpet, flugelhorn.

Picks: I Wish You Would, Continental Missile, Tom Cat, Pills, Tragic Wind, Johnson Machine Gun, Roller Coaster, El Conquistador, Nervous Boogie, Boss, Whose Muddy Shoes, Pipeline, Ice Cream Man Reprise

Blue Jazz (Instrumental)

Billy Boy Arnold's seminal 1955 song "I Wish You Would" is done with extreme reverence, yet has a charming jazz edge delivered via trumpet, and trembled a bit by the addition of guitar. Very saucy.

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

The Chantays' "Continental Missile" seems a very unlikely vehicle for a trumpet instrumental. The addition of marimba and vibes is, to say the least, a brilliant move. It ties into the electric piano of the original, but also connects with jazz groups like MJQ. Great drums round out the experiment. Amazing!

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

"Tom Cat" slowly writhes against a repeated muted reverbed crash chord that plays at odds with the sultry slide guitar and horn. The tremble of the tremolo guitar hooks into surf. All I can say is, what a cool slithering monster!

Blues (Instrumental)

I'm not sure about this one. "Pills" didn't grab me like the rest here. It seemed almost tame and un-engaging, though the harmonica is pure Billy Boy Arnold stylistically.

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

All right, this is what this band was meant to do! The Chantays' "Tragic Wind" is utterly superb, played against very cool drums, vibrant with energy, and blissfully arranged with guitar shimmer and horn squirts. You just cannot ignore this or dismiss it, regardless of your feelings towards the notion of surf jazz.

Blues (Instrumental)

"Johnson Machine Gun" is a straight blues, with wonderful tremolo guitar and soulful slither. It doesn't stray far from home, drinking deep at the blues trough.

Blues (Instrumental)

This is a great jumpin' blueser with great harmonica! It may be all blues, but it's thoroughly infectious and cool! The muted chords add a surfish feel, and that beat... Man, I like this!

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

Muted reverb rhythm guitar and horn in the drivers seat when the guitar isn't in charge. This is the closest thing here to an actual surf instro. Great drums, digital reverb guitar, perfect surf bass, and squirting trumpet. Yikes!

Blues (Instrumental)

"Nervous Boogie" is another straight electric blues. Its energy and vibe are hoppin' good, and the trumpet just squonks!

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

The Rumblers' "Boss" is perhaps a natural for Lex Samu and the Kraft Quartet because it was, after all, a blues based sax lead instro in a guitar dominated genre. Then again, leave it to these guys to play the melody line on marimba with the trumpet squirtin' radical notes. This classic has undergone a very interesting transformation.

Blues (Instrumental)

The blues slowly ooze from every corner of "Whose Muddy Shoes." Arranged in a fairly traditional fashion, except for the trumpet lead, the song is both adventurous and safe.

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

This is reminiscent of the way Kai Winding and Kenny Burrell did it, and with the melody line incorrect the way Jerry Cole missed it, it has a certain uneasiness about it. yet, the Rhodes break lines are superb.

Blues (Instrumental)

The first version of "Ice Cream Man" on this disc is vocal, and this is very similar, but with trumpet lead against some great harmonica. Quite nice.