Eric Essix - Retrospective [2006]

Retrospective Link 2

Funky, smart, "chops-a-plenty", "guitar-filled" contemporary jazz featuring some of the hottest players in the genre. "Retrospective", is a collection of recordings that chronicle Eric's journey from his early years as a solo artist to present with 13 songs that showcase his skills as a player and composer. Fans of tasty guitar tones will no doubt appreciate Eric's ability to combine ultra clean melody lines with gritty, overdriven solos. Everyone else will bounce to the delightfully infectious grooves and undeniable talents of his world class rhythm sections. Throughout the album, Eric generously shares the spotlight with his bandmates, but knows how to pick his own moments to shine. His playing has a distinct vocal quality that is evident in his interpretation of melodies and he digs into each solo with soulful bends and flurries. Even on the CD's earlier recordings, Eric's guitar work is always concise and articulate but never flashy or self indulgent.

Eric Essix is a multifaceted artist who over the past ten years has created music for nearly every medium imaginable but has concentrated on recording and performing his own guitar- flavored instrumental and vocal compositions for audiences throughout the country.Considered a musical prodigy, Essix is the youngest musician to be inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. He was named "Best jazz Musician of 1995" by Birmingham magazine.














Eric Essix - Somewhere in Alabama [2004]

Essix Link 2

Contemporary Jazz; soulful, funky and spiritual with an infusion of southern music influences; gospel, blues and R&B. The album features a cover of Alabama native, Lionel Richie's hit, "Easy" and a very eclectic treatment of the civil rights march anthem "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" that mixes hip-hop grooves with Eric's jazzy approach to the melody. Eric also includes a very gospel rendition of the Hall & Oates classic "Sara Smile" that has been a staple in his live show for over a decade.

"Somewhere In Alabama's" real strength, however, lies in its seven original compositions all penned by Essix. The songs run the gamut stylistically opening with the funky, soul inflected "Sweet Tea" to the "straight out of the church" title track and closing with the driving Tower of Power influenced "Brown Town". Eric's guitar floats above the well crafted production throughout the albums 55 minute running time often "George Benson" smooth and silky, but at other times revealing his rock and blues influences with snarling, high powered, distortion laced solo's. If you have never heard of Eric but like the music of Norman Brown, early Robben Ford or Chuck Loeb, "Somewhere In Alabama" may be the destination you've been searching for!

All track info is in the comment section..