Dawn of a New Day O'Donel Levy Artist

{|Dawn of a New Day|} expands the Baroque funk horizons introduced on the brilliant {|Breeding of Mind|}, {|O'Donel Levy|}'s previous collaboration with arranger {|Manny Albam|}. A bigger, bolder effort, {|Dawn|}'s panoramic sound also borrows much f... Read more

{|Dawn of a New Day|} expands the Baroque funk horizons introduced on the brilliant {|Breeding of Mind|}, {|O'Donel Levy|}'s previous collaboration with arranger {|Manny Albam|}. A bigger, bolder effort, {|Dawn|}'s panoramic sound also borrows much from blaxploitation cinema. Joined by collaborators including trumpeter {|Cecil Bridgewater|} and organist {|Charles Covington|}, {|Levy|}'s remarkable leads seem to cut and paste elements from across the history of jazz guitar, most closely recalling the lean, mean genius of {|Wes Montgomery|} and {|Grant Green|}. His solos are graceful yet muscular, each note crackling with energy. The material here is also excellent, sidestepping the usual {|Groove Merchant|} soul and pop warhorses in favor of material including {|Maiden Voyage|} and {|People Make the World Go Around.|} {|Levy|}'s originals are also strong, in particular the title cut. ~ Jason Ankeny Less