Groove Junkies

In the liner notes to Groove Junkies by Harry Schnipper of Blues Alley Jazz, the music of arranger-composer Ben Patterson is accurately described as "hard-driving, bone-chilling, electrified funk." While there is no shortage of contemporary funk recordings, 13-horn 17-piece ensembles that perform in this style are not exactly common.

The Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra, which is based in Washington DC, plays five originals by its leader and Chris Potter's "Exclamation" with plenty of feeling, high-level musicianship, and passion. In addition to Patterson who has two exuberant trombone solos, the other key soloists are tenor-saxophonists Tedd Baker and Xavier Perez, altoist Antonio Orta, trumpeters Alec Aldred and Luke Brandon, trombonist Kevin Cerovich, keyboardist Chris Ziemba, and guitarist Shawn Purcell with electric bassist Paul Henry and drummer Todd Harrison really driving the rollicking ensembles. Percussionist Fran Vilema is a welcome guest on three numbers including the modern Afro-Cuban jazz of "Espiritu Valiente." Baker and Orta in particular really turn up the heat during their spots.

Even while the rhythms are funky rather than sticking to swing, the music on Groove Junkies is never predictable or repetitive. The performances with its often-raging ensembles are consistently high-powered and often explosive, making this outing by the Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra quite memorable.