New from Denmark comes this Blues/Jazz live album, recorded at three different venues in Denmark. The Band is Uffe Steen (lead guitar), Adam Nussbaum (drums) and Lennart Ginman (bass). The album is appropriately named "Play" and has 9 songs, of which 6
are originals.
Uffe Steen is a well known guitarist in his native Denmark and has played
with many artists over the years, including Jimmy Smith and Bernard Purdie.
Adam Nussbaum has played with John Scoffield, John Abercrombie and
many others, Adam is an active session player. Lennart Ginman is a top
session player who has played with Al Foster and Mike Clark and many others.
"Mac-Riff" starts the album off with some luscious guitar playing from Uffe Steen,
in a fast blues riff style. Gershwin's "Summertime" is also given a lush guitar
sound and a definite summer feel as the song rolls along in a dream like
cantor. The album has a distinct Jazz feel to it as demonstrated by Miles Davis's
"Solar" which has some wonderful dynamic drum playing from Adam Nussbaum.
The album has a magnificent version of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful" to which Lennart
Ginman provides some rock solid bass playing as Uffe Steen gives us a sterling
performance with some melodic bluesy guitar.
"BTU" written by Adam Nussbaum is a showcase for his talented drumming, in
a jazz/rock style. "So ...How Is My Girlfriend" written by Lennart Ginman, is a bass
lead mid tempo classy tune.
The album on the whole is more of a jazz album than a blues one. Something
I noticed about the CD was the sheer quality of the playing, it is hard to think that
it is a live album, it sounds better than allot of studio albums. If you like jazz/blues,
this is an album you could appreciate very easily
Uffe Steen has a website at www.uffe-steen.dk
sundance@sundance.dk
Sundance The Scandinavian Music Company www.sundance.dk
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.