Search - Plan 9 :: Rearview

Smoothjazz.com Review

Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 08/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's such a good idea. To record an album of songs that we grew up with, fresh `em up a bit, jazz `em up a bit and recruit the original singers for several of the tunes on REARVIEW. Like Dave Jenkins for the Pablo Cruise hit, "Whatcha Gonna Do?" and Larry Hoppens for the Orleans' smash, "Dance With Me" and a guest appearance by Chris Thompson for the Manfred Mann's Earth Band anthem, "Blinded By The Light". See? A good idea! That's what we've come to count on with Plan 9, the campy, brassy, highly skilled band of seasoned players from the fun-filled state of Florida. In addition to the above nuggets, you'll find tracks that will put you right back there among the faded blues and the macramé. Those crazy Plan 9 guys covered all of the good ones including the Zombies' "She's Not There", Earth Wind & Fire's "Fantasy", Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find", the Beatles, "No Reply", Steely Dan's "FM", Kool & The Gang's "Too Hot" and a wickedly awesome, Caribbean version of the theme song to Gilligan's Island! Two originals grace the project, "Super friction", a tribute to the funk bands of the 70's (James Brown + Tower of Power, etc.) and the title track, the reflective "Reaview" featuring the soulful sax of the band's ace sax man, Charlie DeChant. REARVIEW is a very clever homage with a jazz filter. Way to go Plan 9. ~Sandy Shore"