| Jazz |
Once upon a time… Amidst the pandemic, Gerry Gibbs and his wife embarked on a 15,000-mile journey across America, recording in various locations. Joined by esteemed artists such as Chick Corea, Ron Carter, and Kenny Barron, they aimed to capture their musical essence. In San Antonio, Texas, destiny intervened when Gerry discovered a group of local musicians with undeniable chemistry and talent. With the addition of saxophonist/keyboardist Eric Hargett, saxophonist Jerry Espinoza, bassist James Suter, guitarist Tommy Howard, and vocalist Michelle Gaibay Carey, the Thrasher People family was complete.
The result was a double CD that one listens to as if reading a grandiose, explosive adventure book, leaving little time to catch one’s breath, as if a little imp takes you by the hand and leads you everywhere in a rush. “Family” is a concept as much visual as it is auditory, masterfully executed by Gerry Gibbs, who has accompanied on stage throughout his career nearly every jazz star the planet has to offer, from Chick Corea and Ron Carter to Cassandra Wilson, Patrice Rushen, Mike Stern, and the list goes on, as extensive as a phonebook. You can find more details on this page: https://www.gerrygibbsmusician.com/about.
The adventure that Gerry Gibbs Thrasher People offers on this double album covers practically every style of jazz, from the most traditional to the most contemporary. The first CD concludes with a festive, strange, and fascinating classic called “Fantasy,” as it represents the art of this musician and arranger, who constantly blurs the lines. Hang on tight, it’s not over, the second CD of this album also holds surprises, more reflective moments, as if the group felt the need to take a break at a hotel during the journey, with a track like “Everything Must Change,” which is savored like a good Italian coffee.
Everything ends humorously with “Band Of Losers.” This album is particularly amusing, puzzling, and fascinating, offered by Gerry Gibbs Thrasher People, in which each of us can recognize ourselves and pick the tracks that suit us best, or do as we did and enjoy the entire experience with amusement, taking nothing but pleasure from it.
However, this double album tries too hard to play on energy, leaving little room for comfortable listening or the necessary silence in a track to fully appreciate it. The drums, too prominent, end up tiring us, which is why this double album won’t be among our essentials, a shame because the musicians are excellent and the proposed tracks are interesting.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, July 23rd 2023
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjq7yNnfaxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aujIEK_cS8