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For Immediate Release. Melusine Records Releases “The Great Blues Sea” Berkeley, California – March 15, 2004 – Melusine Records released Brook’s first solo CD, “The Great Blues Sea”. The album uses the blues as a spring board for musical explorations of American musical genres with themes of environmental awareness, progressive political action, loves found and lost, and personal transformation. Noted for his deep blues feeling, Brook was nicknamed by saxophonist Richie Cole, “The Bluesman”. Brook explores his roots through a series of 13 musically related but highly diverse selections. Accompanying Brook’s vocals and guitar playing, a list of Bay Area musicians make appearances. Bruce Unsworth from Pride and Joy takes turns with section horns, tenor work, and flute. Ellen Hoffman who took Ed Kelly’s seat in the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir when he retired, plays piano. Earth Rhythms speaks to the beauty of the planet. The melody line works over a funk groove pulled along by an African rhythm pulse. But surprisingly for a funk oriented tune, all the guitar work is acoustic. It is in this way that original material like Double Double and The Lightning Strikes respect traditions without formulaic treatment. Double Double makes a conscious nod to Albert King in his Stax years, but don’t miss the doumbec adding color to the rhythm section. Similarly, The Lightening Strikes finds Brook edging towards jazz. And, covers like Rollin’ ‘n Tumblin’, Gamblers Blues, and Dust My Broom are given new treatments. Ain’t Nobody’s Business is a piano and guitar vehicle in the style that American blues greats like Otis Spann recorded with British bands. In the collection, there are re-workings of standards as well as 9 original tracks. The originals include a blues, 12 Long Years, which evokes Chicago with its gritty harmonica fill. There are also related genres like gospel in Wounded Healers, a simple rag romp in Summerland, and the simplicity of early rock n roll in Enough! Moon Circle fills in the collection with a “smooth jazz” ballad. The Great Blues Sea sums up the album in a blues-rock statement that music, like water, can heal. Brook has worked with Bo Diddley and his BoKay Production Company, Chuck Berry, “The Reverend” Steve Weist, and appeared with Bruce Langhorn, Laurie Lewis, and Michaelle Goerlitz, among others. Brook’s folk and local rock work includes Linda Hershorn, Mokai, Anne Hill, T. Thorn Coyle, Pat Wynne, The Welfare Cheats, and The Freedom Song Network. He has also accompanied many jazz performers like Bill Watrous, Bobbie Shew, and Al Shachman. He co-led the African Jazz Ensemble with Motown percussionist Renaldo Jackson. He took Mimi Fox’s vacated seat in the Joyce Baker Group, accompanying jazz singer Opie Bellas for 3 years. In addition, he has worked and recorded with many local groups, including blues, rock, folk, American roots, fusion, big band, and progressive jazz, making appearances at the Berkeley Jazz Festival, in clubs, on radio, and on television. Press Contact: |
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Contact Brook at: info(at)magicbrook(dot)com |
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