UK soul/jazz/dance multi-tasker CHRIS BANGS has had a busy few years. In 2022 he collaborated with Mick Talbot on the ‘Back To Business’ album; the following year there was his own ‘Firebird’ set; earlier this year he launched his acclaimed Nova Vida project. Now, Chris continues his ongoing dalliance (lifetime really) with Latin jazz with this new 9 tracker.
Though his name’s up there on the cover, ‘Dream World’ is an ensemble piece. Chris plays bass, drums and other percussion but he’s supported by a stellar team – including Argentine keyboardist Luciano De La Rosa, Italian Massimo Morganti on trombone, Chile’s Juan Pi Salvo on trumpet, and Fabio Tiralongo on sax.
The album, though, is, of course, Mr B’s vision; if you would, “his own ever-expanding dream world of (acid) jazz that moves far beyond genre-casting.”. Thus because it’s his project, little wonder that the set features two tunes from artists dear to his heart – George Duke and Norman Connors. The Duke cover is a version of ‘My Love’ – a showcase for the shimmering piano skills of De La Rosa.
The Connors’ homage is a version of one of his signature songs – the Michael Henderson-penned ‘You re My Starship’, here shortened to just ‘Starship’. It’s what a proper cover should be – respecting the original but sufficiently different to make all the effort worthwhile. Here the sweet, soulful vocal’s down to South African TV reality star (honest!) Lee-Soulae. Chris explains the genesis of the track: “I couldn’t just do a straightforward cover version of this song and had to do something different. I had decided to increase the BPM by almost 50% and I was working on the track and Starship seemed destined to be a moody but beautiful piano, Fender Rhodes and vibraphone instrumental. However, I just couldn’t help singing along to the instrumental track, which was already sounding pretty great, especially once Italy’s Donata Greco had played her wicked flute parts on the track. Then, I ran across South African TV reality star Lee-Soulae on Youtube and managed to track her down and thought Starship would be a perfect” . The combination is pretty perfect! It’s the album highlight!
‘Dream World’ delivers plenty more interest though. ‘Better Days’ is a total romp – a wonderful showcase for Massimo Morganti’s trombone; ‘Sugar Slam’ is the most energized track – percussion à go-go; while, as the title implies, ‘Dream World’ is a little more ethereal.
Throughout this album hear influences of those that CB holds dear – the Mizell Brothers, Wayne Henderson, Latin jazz masters and, of course, Connors and Duke. They’re in the mix, yes, but essentially this one’s Chris’ own ‘Dream World’.
(BB) 4/5
