Pablo Embon Funky Side of the Road Review by Gary Hill
I love the mellow jazz on display here. You'll note that I've included this in the progressive rock section of Music Street Journal. That's because we generally put fusion there, and this comes close enough to making that label from start to finish. However you classify this, though, if you like great melodic jazz, you'll love this.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2016 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Is that You?
There is some amazing jazz on this killer tune. I love the piano work, but I am also enthralled by the basic groove here. There are definitely fusion sections later in the track, but parts of this are based in traditional jazz.
Golden Peak This is another classic jazz type tune. it's got some great piano soloing for sure.
2222 There is some exceptional melodic material here. This is such a great piece of music. Both the guitar and the piano shine brightly, but the whole band puts in good performances.
Wedding Day An energetic tune, this one lands more in the neighborhood of fusion. The keyboard soloing later in the track really solidifies that.
Green Lizard
Thanks in part to some space music, this is another that is definitely a fusion piece. I dig the almost psychedelic proto prog groove of this tune a lot. There is some great piano work on this tune, too. There is also some cool electric guitar soloing on this number.
Our Last Dance Here we get a piece that's much more in line with old school jazz music.
The Time Has Come Another great melodic jazz tune, this has some definite fusion-like changes. There are world music elements at play here, too.
Naughty Lucy Bluesy rock, fusion and something a bit like Booker T. and the MGs all merge on this killer tune. It's one of the most instantly accessible things here.
Misfortune Melodic guitar is one of the driving factors of this piece. It's very much a fusion based number. It's quite a classy tune, too.
One Day Left This is a pretty piano solo.
Midnight Blues I love the guitar soloing on this piece. It's a fairly mellow, but also energized number. It definitely lands on the realm of fusion.
Fools Game (Unplugged) Acoustic guitar serves this mellow jazz number quite well. It's built on a great groove.
