Andreas Oberg - Six String Evolution (2010)

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Andreas Oberg - Six String Evolution (2010)

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Andreas Oberg's "Six String Evolution" CD features a host of fine players including Oberg on electric and acoustic guitars plus vocals on "Papa Gato" (penned by L.A.'s own Poncho Sanchez). He has Darmon Meader on saxophone and vocals on "Maniac;" Filo Machado, vocals and vocal percussion; Dave Kikoski, Rhodes piano; John Patitucci, acoustic and electric basses; Decebal Badila, electric bass; Lewis Nash, drums; Charlie Bisharat, violins; Enzo Todesco, percussion; Antal Steixner, cajon; Marius Preda, cymbalom; and John Beasley, synthesizer, percussion, vibes. Nearly every cut on this CD is ear candy. For starters, anything Stevie Wonder writes is guaranteed to be a sweet treat and Oberg's instrumental, smooth jazz version of "From The Bottom of My Heart" makes for a pleasant airwave bonbon. However don't categorize this Resonance Records release as smooth jazz. Oberg immerses himself in a variety of jazz styles on this album, playing "Madame Grenouille" in a strictly straight ahead fashion (with classical overtones) and then switching to funk on "Archibald's Dance." There is a little of everything mixed up here, exemplified by the lushly arranged "Brother to Brother," a Gino Vanelli tune enhanced with strings. This was a huge platinum pop hit for Vanelli in the late 70's. It's a good choice, with Oberg's guitar solo particularly compelling on this song, as is the piano solo by Dave Kikoski. In the liner notes, the Swedish guitarist explains his choices of musical genres by saying, "I like many different kinds of music; it's just like a person who can speak many different languages, but with the same personal voice." To further exemplify his point of view, the song "Amar a Maria" (To Love Maria) is arranged with a Brazilian flavor and sung by the composer, Filo Machado, who uses wordless scats to punch his point across with Oberg featured on a nylon-string acoustic guitar. It's a joyful song that stimulates energy and excitement from this band of highly talented musicians. "We'll Be Together Again" is melancholy and beautifully executed. Oberg uses his six-string guitar to pull tenderly at the listener's emotional heart strings. He gives us one original song on this album entitled, "Dawn Ballad." It's quite haunting, pensive and showcases John Patitucci's excellence during his bass solo. The pop tune, "Maniac" is ushered into the room by harmonic keyboard voices as part of a polished arrangement steeped in blues. It's a wonderful, fresh arrangement and showcases pianist/arranger John Beasley on vibes. Not surprisingly, the three arrangers on this album contribute greatly to its originality and include not only Oberg, but the brilliance of Bill Cunliffe and the mastery of Beasley. Lewis Nash is forever present, adding creative interpretations on drums and anticipatory support that drives the others onward and upward. Nash lifts the music dynamically without being intrusive or overly-ambitious. The entire project settles into a warm mesh between the players, creating a nest where lovely songs are born and take flight.