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Producer’s Commentary – Free Access
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Four of a Kind – Free AccessAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Four Of A Kind is a fusion-type groove reminiscent of what I would have played back in the 70s, it’s in the key of G and we recorded at 170 beats per minute. This track features drums, bass, two guitar parts and guitar solo by me and a keyboard solo by Jeff. Any soloist who like to blow over fusion type grooves would have a ball playing on this tune and a horn section would very much appropriate!” |
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Freeway – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Freeway is a chord melody blues-oriented song in the key of E, recorded it at 126 beats per minute. Instead of using dominant 7th chords, I used sus chords, which gives a soloist ample opportunity to stretch their harmony while still playing with a blues attitude. The melody would sound great with three horns; trumpet, tenor, trombone. Stack the chords and play that melody!” |
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The Simmer – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “The Simmer is a smooth contemporary-style instrumental groove in the key of F, which we recorded at 88 beats per minute. We have guitar, bass, drums, Fender Rhoades and an overdubbed B3 organ on the tracks and only the guitar solos. The melody lends itself to being played on sax or trumpet and a horn section would sound great as well.” |
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West Coast – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “West Coast is a tribute to the great jazz guitarist, Wes Montgomery. It’s in the key of Bb minor and I recorded it at 100 beats per minute. The tune was cut with a trio – guitar, bass, and drums. West Coast is kind of a call and response type of melody, which would work well with a pianist playing a single note melody or octave melody and then answer with a rhythm section comp.” |
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Sad but True – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Sad But True is another blues-oriented type of tune but while it feels like a blues, it’s written more in the style of a song that might be written for a vocalist, like a Ray Charles kind of singer. We recorded it in the key of G minor at 62 beats per minute. We’ve got guitar, bass, drums and keyboard on this version but I think lyrics and a soulful singer would be a very powerful addition.” |
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Remember Me – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Remember Me is recorded in the organ trio style which was very, very popular throughout the 60s and late 50s. It’s in the key of E flat and I cut it at 138 beats per minute. We’ve got guitar, bass, drums and B3 organ on the track with both Jeff and I soloing. True to form with this style, the tune never gets huge dynamically. Any soloist would enjoy playing on this tune.” |
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Chillin’ After Dark – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Chillin’ is the kind of a groove that reminds me of the early days with The Crusaders. It’s in the key of F minor, recorded at 95 beats per minute. Drums, bass, two guitar parts, and two keyboards are tracked with the guitar being the only soloist. Add tenor sax and trombone and you’d get a great Crusader vibe or R&B vibe very quickly and both approaches would sound very, very cool.” |
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The Shade Tree – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “The Shade Tree is a slow blues in the key of A, cut at 63 beats per minute. I recorded it with a trio; my guitar, bass and drums and I’m the only soloist on the track. Because it’s a basic blues, and because I’ve enhanced the harmony substantially and so the tune would sound great played on a keyboard, or played instrumentally with a horn playing the lead.” |
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The Little Sneak – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “The Little Sneak is just a vibe, blues-oriented tune without the traditional I-IV-V changes. The track basically sits on an E vamp for a very long time to give the soloist a chance to just play blues-oriented, sneaky lines against that great backdrop of bass and drums. I recorded this one at 112 beats per minute. The tune would work great for sax, piano or even harmonica.” |
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Bits and Pieces – Password RequiredAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Bits and Pieces is a little slow funky groove that goes back and forth between the key of A minor and C minor, C minor and A minor. It was recorded at 85 beats per minute. The tune is made up of a lot of little bits and pieces designed to inspire you to incorporate them into your own composition. It’s two guitars, bass and drums but it’s filled with tons of sampling ideas for you to work with.” |
