Intoxicate

Synopsis

Michael Wolff follows his highly successful year 2000 debut, Impure Thoughts, with Intoxicate, a darkly alluring collection of transcendent grooves, exotic Indian tablas, and Brazilian percussion. Wolff's bandmates, collectively known as Impure Thoughts, provide exciting, enjoyable improvisations that complement Wolff's piano prowess. Eight-string guitarist Charlie Hunter and master remixer Master T, who adds a hip drum'n'bass-tinged remix of Wayne Shorter's jazz standard "Witch Hunt" on the bonus track, are among the guests on the CD. The ensemble delivers a brilliant cover of Lee Morgan's masterwork "Sidewinder," underscoring it with brilliant colors and compelling solos. Marvin Gaye's R&B hit "Sexual Healing" features Hunter in another eclectic Indian setting, while "Cool" is Wolff's centerpiece, featuring him on acoustic piano accompanied by tabla, berimbau, and bass. Overall, Intoxicate surpasses Wolff's debut because of its wealth of innovative world rhythms, jam band appeal, interesting takes on old friends (in this case, "Sidewinder" and "Witch Hunt"), and the topnotch originality and use of Indian music fused with jazz and soul. ~ Paula Edelstein