What do Mos Def, a Dean Martin wannabe, a sultry alto and a jazz guitar virtuoso have in common? Probably not a lot, but when they get together, they make some damned good music.
Charlie Hunter provides the glue that holds this unlikely combo together with his eight-string bass/guitar, a self-designed instrument he uses to kick ass in his synthetic style of jazz, fusion, funk, blues and rock. The instrumental tracks on the album are flawless, but guest appearances make for Songs from the Analog Playground's most memorable moments. Newcomer Thorah Jones' velvety alto is beautiful on covers of Roxy Music's "More than This" and Nick Drake's "Day is Done." Blue Note singer Kurt Elling also lends his pipes to a pair of tracks, sounding like a mix between Dean Martin and the Music Man with his singspiel croon.
But the guest of honor on the Charlie Hunter Quartet's effort is Mos Def, who transforms himself into a soft soul singer on "Creole," a song that will undoubtedly surprise fans who are more accustomed to hearing him lay down rhymes than sing bub-bah-dee-dooh lines over smooth jazz. Who knew Def had so much soul?
--By Kelly McVicker
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