"After
Midnight Grooves (Levtron 204) is the latest from Ron
Levy's Wild Kingdom, on which the legendary organist and producer
lays down a steamy set of soul-jazz tinged with Latin and funk.
The supporting cast is outrageous: 3 percussionists keep things
cooking, Karl Denson is a key player on sax and flute, and acid
jazz legend Melvin Sparks lays down devastating, tasteful guitar
solos on 'Groovin Wichu' the title track, and 'Just the Way it
Went'. The most accessible cut might be 'Like Back in the Day',
with its on the-edge-of-your-memory melody, but strings and programming
make 'Keepin' Up the Love' (with great guitar from Jeff Lockhart)
and 'Back at the Loveshack' equally hip. Levy's piano and vibes
add essential texture, his B-3 technique puts him in the top rank
of todays traditionalists, and his compositional and arrangements
skills put him in the next decade."
-
Blues Revue - Nov, 2004
"AFTER MIDNIGHT GROOVES extends the attention
to detail and groove obsession that FINDING
MY WAY demonstrated as my pick for '#1 Soul
Jazz Cd of 2003'. Levy slows the rolling boil to a steamy
simmer, at times adding "strings" appealing to the smoothest
of the hippest 'after hours' jazz crowds. On the other funkier
cuts, Levy and celebrated guest artists like Melvin Sparks
and Karl Denson add vibrant colors, new dimensions,
textures and intriguing arrangements to solid soul jazz rhythms,
with flavors of Hip-Hop and Blues sprinkled in. Another, outstanding
Levy effort!"
-
Chuck Ingersoll -- host of the Soul Jazz Spectrum
WGMC, Rochester -- www.wgmc.org
"Listen
to Ron Levy and you'll hear the sound-of- SOUL played in today's
modern-hip grooves. It's a low-down, blues/jazz funky swing that
makes & keeps Ron Levy's music stay above the pack."
-
Pete Fallico - host of The Doodlin' Lounge
KUSP, San Jose