Tony Monaco: Over and Over
Chicken Coup Records

Some albums are so instantly likeable they almost render critical assessment moot, Tony Monaco's Over and Over a prime example. From the moment the Ohio-based Hammond B-3 organist, guitarist Zakk Jones, and drummer Reggie Jackson dig into the impossibly funky opener “Da Daddy,” the music exudes an infectious energy so potent it pushes critical detachment to the sidelines. All seven of Monaco's originals appeal in different ways in a set-list rich in variety and stoked by inspired performances.

The path leading to Over and Over has been eventful, to say the least. At the age of twelve, he was first exposed to Jimmy Smith and, after being taught and mentored by the organ legend, would later play at his California club. When Monaco met Joey DeFrancesco in 2000, Tony's fellow jazz organist offered to produce his debut CD, and with the release of the aptly titled Burnin Grooves, Monaco was off and running. Other releases followed, as did a multi-year stint performing and recording with guitarist Pat Martino. Extra-musical matters have factored into his journey, too. Monaco worked in the family restaurant business (while also performing weekly in the lounge) plus as a supervisor in his father's company, Monaco Concrete. For a number of years now, he's been able to solely concentrate on music, the result a series of albums on Summit Records and on his own Chicken Coup, a Summit subsidiary.

As mentioned, “Da Daddy” inaugurates the set on a blistering high. A contrafact of Stanley Turrentine‘s “Sugar,” the buoyant tune grabs the ear with a tasty melody and a smoking groove, and it's immediately clear that while Monaco's the leader his partners-in-crime are as responsible for the music's impact. Jackson and Jones are both terrific players who deepen its funky pull and help make the trio sing. The three handle the bluesy call-and-response of “One for Pat (Martino)” as adroitly, with Jones serving up a delicious solo to set the mood and the others egging him on with a frothy shuffle. Shifting gears again, “My Lil' Rosie Girl” finds the trio tackling a breezy bossa groove elevated by Jones and Monaco solos so transporting you'll feel like you're lounging beachside with a margarita.

“Over and Over (I Want You)” returns the vibe to the funk of the opener, though the tempo's a tad slower and the feel more soulful. The trio stretches out for nine invigorating minutes, the delivery tight and the players engaged. The relaxed pace calls forth a fine expression from Jones, who's buoyed by the smooth comping of the leader and the crisp snap of Jackson's snare. Executed at a breathless clip, the hard bop burner “Ready Set Go!” is enlivened by trade-offs between the three as the tune sprints towards its close. And with Jones sprinkling the steamy groove with R&B accents and rock-tinged theatrics, “UpRooted” takes the album out with one final soul-funk anthem.

Central to the album's appeal is its rousing live feel. Compositional structures are clearly followed, but the performances are in no way constrained by them. Smith and DeFrancesco are no longer with us, but with people like Monaco and Mike LeDonne (see the latter's recent Cellar Music Group release Wonderful!) enthusiastically flying the Hammond flag the B-3 tradition shows no signs of waning.

May 2024