Search - Ray Marchica :: In the Ring

Not only is he in the ring . . .

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 07/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

". . . he delivers a knockout punch.



I've never heard of Ray Marchica before, but he's a drummer with monster chops, great timing, and a wonderful feel for swinging post-bop and funky jazz stylings. He's also a fine composer, arranger, and band leader. Plus, he knows how to choose bandmates: Rodney Jones (guitar), Teodross Avery (tenor saxophone), and Lonnie Plaxico (bass) are all exceptional players, if somewhat under-regarded and -recorded. Here, they mesh and interact like a working band, which I don't think they are, but they apparently have appeared on the bandstand with one another fairly frequently, according to the liner notes. And lemme tell ya, it shows. They lock into the wicked grooves laid down with uncanny ease and aplomb.



There are many things that set this encounter apart from the average modern jazz session. I mentioned the ensemble playing and band communication, as well as the multiple talents the leader brings to the table. But what really energizes this record is how the band reworks standards. I'm entirely taken with their funky treatment of the old Bird chestnut, "Billy's Bounce," as well as their nearly unrecognizable but still very cool take on "Tequila." But my favorite is their wacky reconfiguration of "Summertime," bringing both a cool bop and swamp funk feel to it that perfectly fits its nature, even though one wouldn't've naturally thought of this approach.



To me, a record like this defines what's best about jazz. It's not about names, hype, or posturing; it's about musicians who've spent countless hours on the bandstand and in the woodshed honing their chops, absorbing the rich jazz heritage, and transmuting it into something glorious, if ephemeral. That's what this fine disc does, even as it swings its butt off. And the listener is the winner."