Urban Jazz Coalition - Down To Get Up

The Urban Jazz Coalition (UJC) are a brassy collective that were producing superb soul orientated jazz long before they ushered in the new millennium with their debut release ‘Into The Night’. The buzz that it created led to an invitation to perform at The Mercedes Benz Silver Cup competition, a ‘battle-of-the-bands’ contest that featured some of the Midwest’s top jazz groups. Basing their decision on the UJC’s solid writing skills and their show stopping live performance, judges Russ Freeman and Michael Fagien selected them as winners of the trophy that brought with it a coveted JAZZIZ recording contract. Their 2002 follow up release, ‘Contempo’, attracted more critical acclaim and ‘Long Street’ followed in 2004. Now the band, which base themselves in Columbus Ohio and cite both the Ohio Players and Spyro Gyra as major influences, are back with the noteworthy ‘Down To Get Up’.

Underpinned by rhythm, groove and a horn section to die for this feisty concoction of flavors and styles starts out as it means to continue with the big and funky ‘Back In The Ville’. Here both Lee Savory on trumpet and Keith Newton on tenor sax are well in evidence and are also prominent on ‘Groove 4U’. Anchored by a compelling bass line from Phil Raney this is a horn driven gem that will grow on you. The band create a real Tower Of Power feeling with the up tempo title track but elsewhere on the album they capably reveal themselves as able to play jazz in a variety of complexions. The evocatively delicious ‘Intimate Journey’ features delicate piano from Brandon Howard and Howard is equally impressive on the mid tempo ‘Accelerate’. With a foundation of rippling bass running right through it this is an extremely edgy piece of contemporary jazz. Ben Sherburne guests on soprano sax for the superbly smooth ‘The Wizard’ and although ‘Nosotros’ starts out in similar mellow style it is gradually fuelled by the bluesy rocked tinged guitar of Joe Gothard towards something altogether more funky.

The one vocal track on the album is the smooth and sophisticated cover of Toto’s 1978 hit ‘Georgy Porgy’. A version of this David Paitch composition was also included on Nils 2005 smash ‘Pacific Coast Highway’ and this fact creates a connection with Nils that doesn’t end there. He co-writes and plays on the delightfully mid tempo ‘True Love’, a cut that is instantly ‘in the pocket’. It’s a contender for best track on the CD and ‘En Mis Suenos’ is right up there with it. With Keith Newton again huge on sax, and with the mellowest most infectious hook that you will hear in a long time, this is Latin lusciousness of the highest order.

‘On The Radio’ is the song written by former Earth Wind and Fire leader Maurice White and made famous by the Urban Knights. The UJC’s immense rendition of it brings all the elements of the band together, gives Jim Bridges on drums and Hector Maldonado on percussion their chance in the spotlight, and provides a fittingly high octane climax to what is an excellent album.

For more on The Urban Jazz Coalition go to www.urbanjazzcoalition.com