Deodato 2

by Deodato

Overview

Deodato's debut for CTI, Prelude, earned him a genuine reputation for funky fusion with its groove-tight cover of "Thus Spake Zarathustra," the theme from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The rest of the album isn't quite as memorable, but it fit the bill and got nice reviews for its innovative read of Borodin and Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun." On 2, the Brazilian composer and arranger dips into the funked-up fusion tank once again, and comes out with a more consistent disc than its predecessor. Arranged, conducted, and keyboarded by Deodato himself instead of CTI house arrangers Don Sebesky or Bob James, the maestro enlisted a fusion who's who of sidemen including drummer Billy Cobham, bassist Stanley Clarke, and flutist Hubert Laws, as well as rockers like John Tropea on guitar. The larger ensemble that provides brass, woodwind, and string support includes trumpeter Jon Faddis and Jim Buffington. "Super Strut" kicks it off. Deep-grooved lines of accented angular riffing and rim-shot syncopation by Cobham turn this simply notated four-stepper into a burning ball of greasy rock and souled-out jazz. This is followed by a wildly campy but nonetheless wondrous read of "Rhapsody in Blue" done Stevie Wonder-style. Deodato's keyboard work never lets the groove drop; he pulls the rhythm section down around him and hunkers his phrasing to punch up the long, sweeping horns and string lines. Less successful is a read of "Nights in White Satin," with its overwrought strings, and a "Pavane for a Dead Princess" that's a snore. The album officially closes with "Skyscrapers," another jazz-rock rave-up that blasts holes in the sonic sky with its dueling keyboard and guitar lines. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	10/20/2009
Label:	Col
UPC:	0886975696529
Rank:	124147

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Deodato   Primary Artist,Conductor,Keyboards
Jon Faddis   Guest Artist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
John Tropea   Guest Artist,Guitar,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Hubert Laws   Guest Artist,Flute
Billy Cobham   Guest Artist,Drums
Stanley Clarke   Guest Artist,Bass
Paul Gershman   Violin
Rubens Bassini   Congas,Percussion
Rick Marotta   Drums
Irving Spice   Violin
George Marge   Flute
Brooks Tillotson   French Horn
Alan Shulman   Cello
George Ricci   Cello
Garnett Brown   Trombone
Joe Temperley   Sax (Baritone)
Romeo Penque   Flute
Alfred Brown   Viola
Charles McCracken   Cello
David Nadien   Violin
Harold Kohon   Violin
Gene Orloff   Violin
Burt Collins   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Jim Buffington   French Horn
Tony Studd   Bass,Trombone,Trombone (Bass)
Harry Lookofsky   Violin
Harry Cykman   Violin
Marvin Stamm   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Harry Glickman   Violin
Alan Rubin   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Joseph Malin   Violin
Gilmore Digap   Congas,Percussion
John Giulino   Bass
Alvin Brehm   Bass
Russell Savkas   Bass
Elliot Rosoff   Violin
James Buffington   French Horn
Victor Paz   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Emanuel Vardi   Viola
Joe Shepley   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Wayne Andre   Trombone
Jerry Dodgion   Flute
Emanuel Green   Violin
Max Ellen   Violin

Technical Credits

Justin Hayward   Composer
Todd Whitelock   Mixing
Darren Salmieri   Artist Coordination
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Maurice Ravel   Composer
Seth Rothstein   Project Director
Patti Matheny   Artist Coordination
Howard Fritzson   Reissue Art Director
Stacey Boyle   Tape Research
Kristin Kozusko   Artist Coordination
Creed Taylor   Producer
Donald Fagen   Composer
Darcy Proper   Mastering
George Gershwin   Composer
Deodato   Arranger,Composer
Didier C. Deutsch   Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Walter Becker   Composer
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer