Jazzelicious Presents

Roy Shakkard is not only the esteemed owner and primary producer of Groove Gravy Records, he is also the mastermind behind the new album from Kriztal Entertainment called "Jazzelicious Presents". This 12 track CD features a variety of ethnic world sounds matched with a stylish jazz template. The guitar and electric piano cuts found throughout the album find common bonds and intelligent familiarity from track to track, and the downtempo electro grooves make the CD an enjoyable listen from beginning to end. The solo instrumentation on the album as a whole has an extremely experienced feel and although the credits are not given, one can only estimate the sheer musical talent that went into the samples.

RioListic's BOSSA NO.5 kicks the album off with a bossa groove in a sort of Latin mash-up sound complete with piano and percussion to suit. The bansuri flute and vinyl transistor cuts quickly reassure the listener that this will be a most eclectic album.

Le D comes in next with FLOAT, a dubby downtempo groover with a very intelligent string arrangement and cinematic score samples. The bubbling electro backdrop makes for a nice listen.

CALI4NIA is the next track and comes via Jazzelicious. A very hip track indeed, it features some Les McCann styled electric piano grooves, smoky female vocals, and a bit of excellent solo work from both bansuri flute and electric guitar.

Groove Matter brings us 97 WAYS, which begins with some brush work and follows up with a downtempo jazz groove. Big band strings, a grand piano melody, and slick electro synthwork give background to the groove as well as the jiving electric piano solo.

DON'T BREAK IT is another Jazzelicious tune that works around a swinging guitar lick; complete with some smoking sax work, transistor cuts, and dubbed out brass samples.

Groove Matter's KINDA' GOING CRAZY begins with a bit of vox stating the title following up with a funky groove and smooth synth arrangement. This track features a bit of brass and sax and a slap-happy bassline to suit.

A bussing upright bass starts out the next track by Le D called KING COBRA. The slick reverbed electric piano solo is the highlight of the piece and the guitar and rimshot percussion back it up nicely.

BEACH DAY by RioListic introduces us to a nice jazz guitar rhythm followed by a bouncy bossa/house groove with an electric piano giving us a melody. The light bansuri samples and cutlery at the end of the track finish it off nicely.

Maya F.S. gives us a funky jazz groove featuring a blend of vinyl dj cuts and throw-over work. I REMEMBER also has some sultry female vocals from Andrea Miller backed up by a bit of guitar and horn solo samples.

One of the heavier tracks on the compilation, VOODOO comes in with a heavy trip groove with an eerie synth and string arrangement comping a few minor chords here and there. The artist(s) Zigo gives the track an eclectic feel by adding an excellent electric piano solo matched with vinyl transistor cuts.

Still hanging with the darker side of the groove, Maya F.S. comes back with JUST LIKE THIS. A bubbling and dark bell piano takes the lead as the funky rimshot groove drives it on. The sax solo is as hot as the reverbed female vox and conga percussion included within.

Finishing off the album is PRELUDE by Zigo. The piano begins as if it were being played on a victrola plate through a horn, eventually swelling into life with the accompanying chamber string arrangement and light tripped out backbeat. The track makes off as if it were the score for a silent French film.