Karl Denson
wants you to dance to his music. That's why the former
Greyboy Allstars
frontman named his first solo album
Dance Lesson #2
. The disc is a collection of funky,
soul
-driven tracks highlighted by
Denson
's fiery extended saxophone solos. Like a true student of
jazz
,
is always experimenting with new collaborations. Instead of enlisting his touring
Tiny Universe
band, he pulled together a lineup of musical heavyweights including
Medeski, Martin & Wood
bassist
Chris Wood
, turntable specialist
DJ Logic
, legendary organists
Leon Spencer Jr
. and
Ron Levy
, awe-inspiring guitarists
Melvin Sparks
and
Charlie Hunter
, ex-
drummer
Zak Najor
, and
Los Cubanos Postizos
percussionist
E.J. Rodriguez
. The album is a
hybrid that flows from the straight-ahead beauty of
"A.J. Bustah"
to the up-tempo title track, which is invigorated by
's scratching and the contrast between
's marching flute and wailing sax.
"A Shorter Path #1"
is a sweet tune that provides the theme for
"A Shorter Path #2,"
a stretched-out
smooth jazz
exploration of
"Path #1."
Throughout the album,
's dance-inducing, driving groove infuses each inventive track with contagious energy. ~ Carrie Nieman