CHRISTIAN de MESONES

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

That 555 Lyfe Label

Christian de Mesones, bass guitar/composer; Mike Gamble, Drew Davidsen, & Jack Turner, guitar; Elliot Levine, keyboards; Carl “C-Man” Anderson, drums; Christopher Valentine, keyboards/drums/ percussion; Bill Dickens, Vail Johnson, Brendan Rothwell, & Andrew Gouche, bass guitar; Rob Maletick, Keith L. Anderson, Jaared Arosemena, & Eddie Baccus, Jr., saxophone; Bill McGee, Rob Zinn, & Clarence Theodore Kyle, trumpet; Greg Boyer, trombone; Nia Simmons, David Blamires, & Nes Powers, vocals; Sheila Shabazz, Eddie Montalvo, & Curtis McCain, percussion; Michael “Arch” Thompson, flute; Maurice Chevalier, keyboards/drums. Featured guest: Bob James, piano.

The opening tune is driving music. It makes me want to get on the open highway and speed into the sunrise.  This is smooth jazz with memorable melodies that pop with groove. Bass player, Christian de Mesones is a gifted composer who knows how to create great ‘hooks’ while being a solid piece of the rhythm section. On a shuffle tune called “Throb” the bass guitar is king!  Interestingly, there are several bass guitarists listed as playing on this tune, including Gouche, Johnson, Rothwell, and Dickens, as well as Christian de Mesones. Many of the arrangements are rich with background vocals that add depth to the production. Nes Powers brings her bright, soulful voice to the party on Track 5, “Stay.”  On a tune called “Capsule in Space,” Michael “Arch” Thompson shines on flute.

This is funky and contemporary jazz at its best. The pianist on the “Hispanica” tune snatches my attention and when I reference the musical personnel, I discover it is the dynamic Bob James. Also of note is the bright percussion work of Curtis McCain, who helped propel this tune forward, adding his spice and flavor to the piece. This song quickly becomes one of my favorites. They close the album with a composition called “Don Pedro,” beginning with finger snaps that develop into a slow, sexy groove, featuring Jaared Arosemena on soprano saxophone.  Maurice Chevalier’s keyboard improv-solo is beautiful and when Christian de Mesones steps into the spotlight on his bass guitar, he offers a wonderful, melodic solo.  David Blamires adds warm vocals to the mix with no lyrics, like a human horn. This sensitive ballad Christian composed for his late father, and it becomes another favorite tune of mine from this production. Here is an album of both funky and contemporary jazz at its best.

Christian de Mesones is the poster-boy for turning your life around and second chances.  Formerly, a New York City cabbie and a heavy-metal bassist with a penchant for the dark, seedy side of NYC, he turned that life upside down by getting ‘clean,’ and discovering jazz funk.  In this new musical lifestyle, Mesones pursues contemporary jazz, soulful grooves and Latin rhythms. They celebrate his composer skills and spotlight Christian de Mesones’  amazing talents on the bass.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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