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Javon Jackson With Peter Bradley Soundtrack and Original Score Review by Gary Hill A soundtrack album, this is instrumental jazz. I've included it under progressive rock because we put fusion there, and I think there is enough fusion on this set to shoehorn it under that heading. Your opinions might vary on that, though. Either way, this album stands up as a great musical experience with or without the film. Or at least I'm guessing that because I haven't seen the movie. Note: The actual title of the album has quotes - "With Peter Bradley" Soundtrack and Original Score. It is listed that way in the book version, but the website interface makes album titles with quotes go blank, so it's presented without the proper punctuation here. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2023 Volume 4 More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2023.

Track by Track Review

Peter Bradley A piano chord gets things going. They take it out into a classy jazz arrangement from there. This is a short and quite pleasing instrumental piece.

The Game Drums get it going on this number. It has more energy and power than the opener did, but lands in largely the same basic sonic zone.

Brother G Now, this powerhouse takes us into more fusion-like territory. Yet it still maintains much of the same concept as the previous numbers. It has some smoking hot instrumental work. At 4:43. this is one of the longest tracks here.

Edith Ramsey Mellower, this is very exploratory and more fusion-like. It's a smooth flowing number that has a lot of magic and style built into it.

Amy's Theme More of a mainstream jazz concept is at the heart of this one. I really love some of the bass work on this so much. This does get more fusion-like later. At close to eight-minutes of music, this is the epic of the set.

1 Plus 1 This cut is less than a minute long. It starts with a piano solo. A saxophone rules the second part.

Easy Peasy This does feel easy going and pleasant. It's more of a mainstream jazz groove with a shuffling vibe to it. It moves toward more exploratory jamming further down the road.

On The Move Now this is more crazed and fusion-like. It has some killer drumming and great melodic vibes, too. It's just over a minute long.

Never Let Me Go Slower, mellower and more reflective, this is pretty stuff. At over six-and-a-half minutes of music, this is a ballad that's one of the longer pieces on this album.

C.B. I love the groove of this piece. In fact, it's one of my favorites here. It has some hints of fusion, but also plenty of classic jazz jamming.

That's Earl Brother This is another classy jazz groove. It works so well in a more traditional jazz way. They do get into more fusion-like zones later on, though.

Mr. Parker Coming out of the gate with a lot of style and energy, this is another killer fusion-oriented piece.

That's It More on the traditional jazz end of the spectrum, this is effective.

In The Clouds I really dig the melodies and grooves of this one. It's another that has some fusion built into it.

"D" Town More fusion treatments are on the menu on this energized groove. It's another that's particularly fun and one of the highlights for me.

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