Black Jazz Records #18 - CALVIN KEYS 'Proceed With Caution'

CALVIN KEYS
'Proceed With Caution'
1974, Black Jazz Records #18








One of the dopest albums on the sublime Black Jazz Records out of Chicago, guitarist Calvin Keys' second LP for the label ups both the musical complexity and the hard street vibe over his earlier, more straight-ahead, but still freakin' amazing 'Shawn-Neeq' album. The sound here is super-dense and constantly roiling, filled with tons of heavy electric piano and, as usual, simply amazing bass work from the best bassist no one's ever heard of, Henry Franklin (who actually released two LPs on Black Jazz himself). Intermingled with free-wheeling snatches of hairy avant jazz-funk like the title track and the intense modal guitar workout of 'Efflugence', you'll find groovy jump-toned paeans to 'Aunt Lovey' and the chilled-out , smooth-move heaven of 'Renaissance'. Another Black Jazz stalwart, keyboardist Kirk Lightsey, alternately pounds and strokes his Fender Rhodes electric piano into submission and the interplay between him and Keys' stun-funk guitar is pure improv magic. Like every other Black Jazz release, I can't recommend this record enough.