Search - James Hollihan :: The Funky Misfit

A cool trip to a place you've never been before!

smoothjazzandmore | Clay, NY USA | 03/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Funky Misfit takes us on a journey back to the late 50's. The cool album cover art gives us a hint of the voyage he'll take us on. James Hollihan is a multi-talented musician from Tennessee who has composed, arranged and produced award winning recordings with other artists in the past. This is his first recording venture on his own. His musical style is reminicent of guitarists, Lee Ritenour and Wes Montgomery with a hint of Henry Mancini in it. The title track and "Groove DeVille" reminds me of a acid jazz, b-side from Heavy Shift without the signature saxophone. It's hip, very cool and smooth. I expected more of the same genre on the rest of the album, but I was not at all disappointed in the long run. Other highlights included, "It Came from Brazil", which has a Bossa Nova flavor to it. My personal favorite, along with the title track, was "Angel Noir", which was very haunting and sophisticated. Overall, this is a great CD to have during quiet times and dinner jazz. Consider purchasing the fine CD."