Family Dark Key Music 2011
"Family" is somewhat of a conceptual work with tunes that capture or acknowledge his relationship with relatives, artists and friends. From a purely compositional standpoint the tunes are far more "open" than perhaps any other work of Watts that I can reference. The playful if not classic Michael Jackson drum intro from "Rock With You" opens the tune "Little Michael" and is but one of the many musical highlights on this Dark Key release.
Bassist James Genus is another one of the "stealth" musicians that sneaks up on you only to make you scratch your head and think, " Where have I been?." Pianist Dave Kikoski and saxophonist Steve Wilson provide stellar performances while "Tain" remains comfortably "in the pocket" at all times.
Watts swings like a beast. There is simply no other possible way to say it.
The seventh release as a leader, Watts seems to display a far more accessible side to his music while never taking the easy way out or limiting his genius as composer. A "working band" feel to this release allows the music to be the driving force and Watts simply the glue that makes for one of the tightest swinging bands I have heard in perhaps the last ten years.
I have added the Dark Key Music link to my site. With releases such as this; a label to keep a careful eye on!
