Bass for your face! John Menegon’s newest release - Search Light - is a powerful example of what happens when the leader of a group is holding a bass. Everything stays funky. Whether it is a slinky down-tempo ballad groove or a straight-up swing, this CD kept me dancing - this is not always the case with jazz. Maybe, it’s simple: keeping the bass nice and high in the mix, or augmenting the rhythm section with two excellent drummers, Tani Tabbal and Mark McLean.
Basically, I think it comes down to this: when you have a strong well-rounded bassist like John Menegon composing, arranging, and laying down the serious low-end vibes, the music naturally flows out and around and back again seeking its root. This CD debuts nine of Menegon’s original compositions, which is another refreshing element in this release. It is, of course, essential to know your musical history inside and out. It is a very special thing when you come out of the womb and release your own material to inspire your peers and future listeners alike. John is capable of this and this is certainly owing to his accompanying many legends of jazz. He is currently playing with the groups of renowned tenor saxophonists David “Fathead” Newman and Dewey Redman (who is featured on Search Light). He has also recently released Misterioso with the great Jack DeJohnette on drums, Kenny Burrell on guitar, and Teri Roiger on vocals.
As I mentioned before, Dewey Redman (tenor sax) is featured on four tracks (my favorite is track one, “Back Road Shuffle,” a deliciously funky romp) and his deep history in jazz certainly adds a distinctive flavor to the mix. The rest of the group consists of John Gunther (sax/flute), Mark Dziuba filling out the rhythm section on guitar, and the etheric Teri Roiger on vocals. The two tracks featuring Roiger - “Search Light” and “Sacred Ground” - are sublime and dreamlike. “Search Light” has no words and starts with John calling the melody on bass, which is then echoed by Roiger and the guitarist Dziuba.
This is a brilliant release full of rich composition and arrangement. Without actually scoring the music for you in this review, the most important thing I can say is, go buy it, and let John Menegon’s Search Light brighten your soul.
-John Trent, Chronogram