| Jazz |
An album that, above all, represents a stroke of brilliance from the excellent drummer Towner Galaher, offering a jazz tinged with funk—a combination that suits us perfectly, as jazz is never more vibrant than when infused with diverse influences. Brothers is a project that brings him back to his roots in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, and to his musical “brothers”—organist Jimmy Sanders and bassist Randy Monroe, with whom he recorded his first two albums in 1979 and 1980. This new opus also showcases exceptional talents, such as tenor saxophonist Craig Handy and guitarist Marvin Horne, both hailing from New York, where Galaher has resided since 1986.
Granted, albums from this musician are rare, but each one is a pure marvel. Listening to this album is like revisiting the past, back to the 1970s, yet with a contemporary sound and compositions that sparkle with brilliance. The themes develop, forming a narrative under the hands of seasoned experts. There is as much joy in discovering the tracks as in reliving the memories these sounds evoke. At times, the music even calls to mind certain Motown productions. Ultimately, the album flies by far too quickly, leaving us yearning for a live performance by this group—so much so that one might suggest leaving the chairs behind and letting everyone dance!
Brothers features eight original compositions, written both collaboratively and individually by Sanders and Galaher. The pieces explore a wide palette of styles and moods, powered by a tight, energetic rhythm section and electrifying solos. The album radiates creativity, passion, joy, and camaraderie, perfectly embodying the spirit of its title, Brothers.
It is a fitting name for an album that makes us want to gather our friends and go see the Towner Galaher Organ Group live. Sweet Heaven, the closing track, feels like a true show finale, a perfect ending to this album. This type of jazz/funk is a specialty mastered by very few, and though it might sound effortlessly simple to the listener, the works here are deceptively complex. My enjoyment only deepened after ten careful listens, a process that revealed the intricacy of the arrangements. What we have here is not a big band, but a quintet of five artists delivering an intoxicating groove.
Take, for instance, the second track, Hit It and Quit It, where Towner Galaher’s rhythmic brilliance shines through. He has surrounded himself with musicians who clearly share his passion for this genre: Jimmy Sanders on the Hammond organ and more, Randy Monroe on bass, Marvin Horne on guitar, Craig Handy on tenor saxophone, and, of course, Towner Galaher on drums—and what a drummer he is!
I could speak for hours about such an album. All I hope is that you will enjoy it as much as I have and that, after listening, you will feel an undeniable urge to see this group perform live. With this release, they have delivered an “essential” album for 2025.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, December 17th 2024
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