By balancing the individual player with the band and the songwriter with the performer the legendary Spyro Gyra has maintained its position at the forefront of modern jazz for more than three decades. Throughout this time both founder member Jay Beckenstein and keyboard player Tom Schuman (who joined shortly after) have guided this changing collective through a myriad of musical milestones. Although the band’s self titled debut was released in 1976, it was three years later when the platinum selling follow up ‘Morning Dance’ set a benchmark that endures to this day with the new for 2009 ‘Down The Wire’.
The feisty title track is a slice of the hard driving, edgy contemporary jazz that typifies what Spyro Gyra is all about. It’s a piece that affords the opportunity for the entire band to shine and in this respect Julio Ferandez on guitar proves to be inspirational. Indeed a feature of the album is the way the spotlight is generously shared and ‘Make It Mine’ serves as a tour de force for drummer and percussionist Bonny Bonaparte who, as well as composing this funk drenched gem, provides a vocal that is totally on the money.
Bonaparte also writes the jazzy and intricate ‘Ice Mountain’ for which Schuman delivers a top-notch Grusin-esqe piano solo while in similar vein is ‘Not For Nothin’ that drips with a distinctly 80’s inspired vibe. Writing credits for the tender ‘A Flower For Annie Jeanette’ go to bass player Scott Ambush. Here Beckenstein’s sophisticated sax is a joy and although ‘La Zona Rosa’ sparkles with the energy of its Latin origins, Fernandez on guitar provides a distinctly rock inspired edge.
The Beckenstein Schuman composition ‘Tippin Point’ gives a nod to the straight ahead influences that often permeate Spyro Gyra’s music and the band use ‘What It Is’ as the chance to display more of its trademark groove. A true ensemble piece it climbs from mid tempo beginnings to a riotous conclusion but, that said, the splendour of ‘Down The Wire’ really shows when the tempo is eased down. A case in point is the warm and comforting ‘A Distant Memory’. Not for the first time Schuman on keys is at his best and although Spyro Gyra stays in mellow mood for the easy on the ear ‘Island Pond’ the real Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite is ‘Unspoken’. Tranquil and Latin tinged this Julio Ferandez penned tune is beauty personified and as Beckenstein’s understated sax weaves its magic Schuman interjects with keyboards that are out of this world.
Whether in for the long haul or discovering the music of Spyro Gyra for the very first time ‘Down The Wire’ is a ‘must have’ CD.
