Future Jazz Project

Jazz and hip-hop once constituted a popular combination thanks to the likes of Gangstarr and A Tribe Called Quest. And while the mainstream has seemingly lost its taste for the blend, there's plenty of flavor left in it -- at least when Future Jazz Project is plugged in. The group's...

By Michael Roberts

November 30, 2006

Audio By Carbonatix

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Jazz and hip-hop once constituted a popular combination thanks to the likes of Gangstarr and A Tribe Called Quest. And while the mainstream has seemingly lost its taste for the blend, there's plenty of flavor left in it -- at least when Future Jazz Project is plugged in. The group's latest, whose release will be celebrated at a December 1 Herman's Hideaway gig, does right by both genres, offering impeccable playing and a surfeit of soul.

Keyboardists Greg Raymond and Greg Harris set the tone for FJP's sound, but there's plenty of swinging, too, courtesy of rhythm-section mates Casey Sidwell, on bass, and Dameion Hines, who handles drumming and DJ duties. Since these instrumentalists are interesting on their own, the passages in which they support MC Big House and vocalist Selina Albright feel doubly blessed. On the likes of the mellifluous "Stress," Big House injects a persuasive, rumbling flow that perfectly complements Albright's smooth, confident vocalizing.

Design's recipe may not be new, but the results are quite tasty.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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