Vu Jah De’
self-released
Fans of Allman Brothers Band instrumentals are guaranteed to love this tastefully executed instrumental electric guitar album with plenty of slide. But besides the southern-rock vibe, Pennsylvania-based Roth impressively channels jazz masters such as Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour and, to a lesser extent but just as effectively, funk greats like Steve Cropper and Leo Nocentelli.
Southern rock is foremost among Roth’s influences, as evidenced on kick-off track “Lakota,” a blues-jazz number featuring interplay between guitar and keyboards along the lines of Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell circa “Brothers and Sisters.”
On the jazzier side, the title track fuses smooth-jazz sounds with reggae for an effect akin to Steely Dan’s “Haitian Divorce.” “Funki Taki” is all the name implies, with more Leavell-sounding piano and some nice Takamine EF261s acoustic/electric fretwork (Roth uses a 1956 Les Paul on the rest of the CD), recalling both Sea Level and SD.
The rocking “Machu Picchu” and bluesy “Slow Burn” contain that Hammond B-3 sound Gregg Allman is so famous for. On the former, it’s paired note for note with guitar, like on the classic ABB instrumental “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” but with a rolling bass line added. “North Delta Heat” also is a highlight, with nods to multiple ABB songs including “Revival,” “Dreams” and “Jessica.”
For his sophomore effort, Roth again produces, engineers and mixes, and plays all the instruments — with the exception of drums on the title track and “North Delta Heat,” which are provided by his brother Barry.
Tracks
1. Lakota
2. Blue Funk Con-Fusion
3. Vu Jah De’
4. Machu Picchu
5. Funki Taki
6. Double Talk
7. Slow Burn
8. North Delta Heat
Total time: 34:41
External links
artist’s website
amazon.com
iTunes Store
