Victor Wooten | Palmystery
“It doesn’t matter how you go about writing songs,” says Wooten. “The music is coming from somewhere. If we think it’s our brain, or some strictly intellectual source, I would say we’re mistaken.” Victor Wooten
Music lovers, particularly bass enthusiasts, get ready to rumble because bassist of super-group Bela Fleck & The Flectones Victor Wooten latest “Palmystery,” his debut on Heads Up International, is here. As I listened, Wooten’s music on this project is reflective of his spiritual growth, patience, maturity, and understanding as a musician.
The opener: “Timer” qualifies as the being an expression of an immeasurable canvas, one that’s adorned with Wooten’s swelling aptitude as composer and player. There’s no question that on “Timer,” Victor navigates compositionally within the context of the mysterious landscape jazz-fusion pioneers Weather Report with power and plenty of substance. The same holds true for the potent “Cambo.” Victor rips this gem up as his furious and relentless playing, anchored by his brother Joseph on keyboards, adds an extra measure of intoxicating nuances to this already rhythmically indigenous jam.
“I Saw God,” is one of my favorite compositions, featuring fellow bassist and vocalist Richard Bona. Bona is also the featured narrator of this inspirational masterpiece as it embodies a garment of beautiful analogous voices captured inner and outer Townships around Johannesburg, South Africa.
Once you listen, you’ll discover there’s absolutely nothing superficial about “Palmystery.” If you love raw, inexorable playing and compositional innovation filled with a melodious flow of musical swagger, then tracks like “Left, Right, & Center”, the feverously funky Sifu” while infused with the soulful antics of “Miss U - (with The Lee Boys)”, then these cuts will certainly be your cup of tea. Wooten’s unstinting octaves carries on with the powerful “Flex,” which is dedicated to his longtime friend Anthony "Flex" Wellington and it also appears at the eight spot as Victor’s swift nibbling, gripping, and thumping bass licks will indeed sedate the hearts and invigorate the souls of Wooten fans worldwide.
The bluesy southern Gospel hymn titled “The Gospel,” brings its voice way down home to the dirty south with pulsating potbelly sound, with a recorded snippet sung by his mother [over the telephone]. Next up, Wooten steps up his game with his funky yet swinging rendition of the legendary jazz pianist Horace Silver’s classic “Song For My Father.”
Kudos to Heads Up International. Apparently they’re the go to label when is comes to jazz these days. “Palmystery" by bassist Victor Wooten is a prime example of the labels diversity as his debut exceeds expectations. Wooten’s addictive voice interweaves from alpha to omega with more then a significant amount of strength, creativity, and depth that compositionally defies category without question delivers his best recording to date.
"Palmystery" [CD] and The Music Lesson [Paperback Book] will be released April 1st.
J. "Jazzy" Desmond
The Urban Music Scene
For more information, song samples & purchase, please visit Amazon today! Or visit www.headsup.com
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