Artist.......: Charlie Hunter, Chinna Smith and Ernest Ranglin
Album........: Earth Tones
Label........: Bread Fruit
Genre........: Jazz
source.......: CDDA
rip.date.....: Feb-02-2006
str.date.....: Nov-29-2005
quality......: VBR/44.1Hz/Joint-Stereo
Url..........: http://www.charliehunter.com/discs/index-earthtones.htm
track title time
01. Long Bay 05:52
02. What I Am 09:18
03. Mestre' Tata 04:16
04. I've Got The Handle 06:48
05. One Foundation 05:10
06. Fade Away 07:27
07. Passion Dance 06:34
08. Rivers of Babylon 08:33
09. Island In The Sun 03:58
Runtime 57:56 min
Size 84,1 MB
Release Notes:
Charlie Hunter - 8-string guitar
Earl "Chinna" Smith - acoustic guitar
Ernest Ranglin - electric guitar
Shawn Pelton - drums and programming
Manolo Badrena - percussion
It's been nearly a decade since Charlie Hunter
collaborated with other guitarists (the great T.J.
Kirk band of the mid-'90s). Hunter got together
with legendary Jamaican guitarists Ernest Ranglin
and Chinna Smith for an easygoing set of (mostly)
covers that largely tread the kind of
Jamaican-flavored jazz that Ranglin's been known
for for years. There are some reggae and dub
elements here and there, but you'd be hard-pressed
to call it a reggae album. Recorded with very few
overdubs, the cooperative arrangements are perfect,
with plenty of space for everyone and the players
almost finishing each other's thoughts. Hunter's
guitar always has a bit of Leslie effect on it
(remember, he's throwing down the basslines at the
same time!), Chinna sticks to acoustic, and Ranglin
plays with his trademark clean electric sound, so
it's really easy to pick out who's doing what and
compare their different styles. Ranglin's fluid
melodic lines contrast nicely with Smith, who makes
some surprising yet wonderful note choices and wild
intervalic leaps in his solos. Sharing the
spotlight, there's less of Hunter's soloing than on
his "proper" albums, but his playing is always
fantastic and he lays down some big fat basslines.
Drummer Shawn Pelton is ultra-supportive on drums
and contributes tasteful drum programming that
sometimes bubbles up from underneath, while session
percussionist Manolo Badrena adds just the right
accents. This album has the casual feel of a
one-off affair, but that certainly doesn't mean
it's any less enjoyable than Hunter's myriad other
projects. In fact, this would have to rank right up
there with his best, although one wouldn't
necessarily consider this a Charlie Hunter project;
it's a true collaboration. Regardless, putting
these guys together was a stroke of genius. ~ Sean
Westergaard, All Music Guide