Search - Rod Mcgaha :: The Servant

Jazz Storm

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 06/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In 1999, Rod McGaha put out Preacherman. It was so popular with me that I bought 7 copies and gave them to my jazz loving friends as Christmas presents. I decided explore "The Servant," his first recording. Professional reviews have called the disc scattered because it has a number of different types of music like the Rick James style funk of the opener "I'll Never Know" to the rock-jazz fusion of "Just Clown 'n' Around to the introspective "It's Really Me (Who's Scared)." "Back Porch" offers an unusual hybrid of hip-hop & Arabic sounds. "Interlude" is a two minute-track with the first minute of percussion. McGaha gets traction on his version of Miles Davis' "All Blues," allowing the rhythm section and some searing electric lead guitar to interplay with his trumpet and keyboards. It's a delightful jazz storm. "The Servant" is a mix of differing sounds and styles, which is probably why it fails to gain as much traction. However, McGaha is an impressive trumpeter who deserves to be heard. Enjoy!"