THE MICHAEL O’NEILL SEXTET with TONY LINDSAY

SYNERGY

Jazzmo Records

Michael O’Neill, tenor & soprano saxophones/bass clarinet; Tony Lindsay, vocals; John R. Burr, piano; Dan Feiszli, bass; Jason Lewis, drums; Omar Ledezma, percussion; Erik Jekabson, trumpet/ flugelhorn.

Tony Lindsay has one of those rich, full, warm voices that intoxicates as soon as you hear him sing.  He is an 11-time Grammy winning vocalist, legendary for his long tenure with the popular Santana group.  As Michael O’Neill and Erik Jekabson lay down a strong, harmonic horn groove, O’Neill’s voice floats above them, warm as sunshine.  He draws us into this Latin-tinged arrangement of the popular Bill Withers tune, “A Lovely Day.”  John R Burr takes a spirited solo on piano, followed by Erik Jekabson’s power-packed trumpet improvisation.  Michael O’Neill dances into the spotlight on soprano saxophone and the band gives the drummers some space to shine.  Percussionist Omar Ledezma shows off his percussive skills, locking in with the drums of Jason Lewis.  This is a great, energetic way to start Michael O’Neill’s Sextet album.

The next tune covers a song by the legendary Stevie Wonder called “Pastime Paradise.”  The theme of this album seems to be adding the spicy Latin beat into these arrangements and it works beautifully.  It will make you want to dance.  My toes cannot stop tapping.

“This is truly a collaborative effort, hence the title ‘Synergy,’ interaction or cooperation giving rise to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts,” Michael O’Neill explains the title of his album, along with appreciation of his musical cohorts.

Generally, Michael O’Neill arranges all his music.  This time, he has shared that work with his bandmates, featuring their unique arrangements along with his own.  It was John R. Burr who arranged the Bill Wither’s opener into a happy samba.  Bassist Dan Feiszli is the engineer on this project and co-produced it.  On the Stevie tune he reaches back into the 1950s and adds a Cuban cha-cha-cha groove to the song from Stevie’s award-winning album, “Songs in the Key of Life.”

This project includes not only pop songs, but a handful of standards including “There Will Never be Another You” that the sextet celebrates as an Afro-Cuban mambo arrangement. Erik Jekabson has arranged this tune and steps into the spotlight to blast his joy through the bell of his horn.  Michael O’Neill offers a smooth saxophone solo before Ledezma is featured on percussion.  This album infuses my spirit with joy.

Drummer Jason Lewis has arranged “But Not For Me,” painting the tune with bright, boisterous, neon colors.  Michael O’Neill lets his tenor saxophone dance over the enthusiastic rhythms.  Once again, I am encouraged to get up and move.  Another favorite song of mine was arranged by Lewis. It’s the hit pop tune, “I Can’t Help It” composed by Stevie Wonder and the amazing vocalist Susaye Greene.  This time they employ an African-Caribbean groove with Tony Lindsay’s vocals expressive and sincere.  Once again, the arrangement both surprises and pleases.  I recall how Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones arranged this catchy song.  O’Neill’s sextet makes it sound brand new.  They have chosen several of Wonder’s iconic compositions to ‘cover’ on this production,  including “Another Star” and “Bird of Beauty.”   On “Another Star” O’Neill picks up his bass clarinet to introduce us to the familiar tune and he sounds beautiful.  “Bird of Beauty” features an inspired solo by pianist John R. Burr.

On the song “I Will Be Here For You” I hear inflections in Lindsay’s voice that remind me of the late, great Al Jarreau.

The sextet finally simmers down to a slow boil on “If I Should Lose You.”   Tony Lindsay’s voice is butter!

Their pianist, John R. Burr, is given free rein to explore his composition “Apes of Autumn.”  The solo piano piece is only an interlude, but it still captivates me.  They close with “Autumn Leaves” and the piano accompaniment sounds like leaves drifting down from branches to the ground.  After Lindsay sings it once at a moderate pace, the band jumps into the mix, slapping a Latin beat down and energizing the arrangement with blaring horns and exciting percussion.  This is an album full of “Synergy,” surprises, and excitement.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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