Search - Flying Monkey Orchestra :: Back in the Pool

Fall In, Jump In, Dive In, Go Back In........

Douglas J. Hultsman | Corinth, Texas United States | 10/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back In The Pool That Is!This excellent 1993 album showcases Rob Mounsey's great production skills and demonstrates his ability to show the fun side of making great jazz-fusion-pop-funk music. Nice grooves, minimalist "tongue-in-cheek" lyrics and outstanding musicianship all come together to make for a jolly good show.The guest musician list on this CD reads like a who's who of session players and jazz greats: Michael Brecker(EWI), Steve Khan(acoustic guitar), Will Lee(4 & 8 string basses), Jeff Miranov(classical & electric guitars), Nana Vasconcelos(percussion), and Mr. Toots Thielemans on his trusty harmonicas.Two vocal tracks, one slower and dreamy sounding(BACK IN THE POOL), and one more lively and funky(YELLOW TAXICAB)start off the proceedings. Then the fantastic DRINK MOON GARDEN slows things down a bit with some tasty Steve Khan acoustic guitar and Mounsey adding some accordion sounding fills over great percussion by Vasconcelos.I LIKE THE ORANGE THING is another upbeat funky tune that just repeats the title in the lyrics. Don't know what the "orange thing" is, but they sure do like it!EMMA is a moody slow piece with a nice fretless bass and classical guitar backing by Lee and Miranov. Kacey Cisyk adds a mournful vocal treatment to the track.THE SAND COVERS EVERYTHING picks up where Drink Moon Garden left off, speeding up the tempo and giving plenty of room for some more Steve Khan acoustic guitar and some EWI soloing by Brecker.WHEN THE MOON PEOPLE COME features some beautiful Toots Thielemans harmonica work over a nice melody and fun lyrics sung by the Flying Monkey "choir". "When the Moon People come, all the children will sing".STONE DOG EATS A RED SKY is another upbeat funky tune with "who knows what they're talking about" lyrics.ISLAND OF THE PALACE OF JOY starts off with a lovely "choir" of harp glisses until joined by Lew Soloff's solo trumpet and an insistant Vasconcelos talking drum that sets the backbone. A great track.NO HO is another upbeat funky number with a catchy wooden flute solo by George Young, who also handles alto sax. More off beat lyrics about "aliens landing on Lafayette Street".MACKEREL SKY is another slower tune with a friendly harmonica over a catchy steel drum melody.I can't say that every song on the CD is a standout, and for that reason I won't give it 5 stars, but the tracks on it that DO standout(BACK IN THE POOL, DRINK MOON GARDEN, THE SAND COVERS EVERYTHING, ISLAND OF THE PALACE OF JOY & MACKEREL SKY)could easily rate 10 stars!"