Hybrid Jazz From Trish Hennessey - with Skinny Hightower!

. Edited Review :)

"Skinny Hightower has intrigued me for a while. In hearing his music in conjunction with his life story - and seeing past both to the Old Soul that he truly is. One who has absorbed the rhythms of his inspirations.  While the myriad of influences filled my ears during 'Retrospect', I heard Joe Sample & "Soul Shadows" & Bill Evans with his understated classicism.  The training/genius of young Herbie Hancock. George Duke at his fluid and funky best.  And I saw Isaac Hayes smile in my mind's eye - because there's "Shaft" in here, too. Shut yo mouf!  Smile.

 Dr. Skinny cuts open the chest of what has been, finds the heart and lays it on top of the patient - who is US.  If we are the listeners that we SAY we are, we are experiencing a multitude of emotions while that heart is beating.  American sketches of longing, searching, romance and reality.  Pain, power and pleasure.  Highly evolved fusion, fearlessness and Scorpio energy.  The detours into stone-cold Soul birthed from memories of Mom and Afghanistan.  Childhood blueprints of Gospel are here, too.  Don't think I didn't contemplate the newly departed Aretha Franklin - who I imagined on a piano bench, side-by-side with a brilliant visionary who she would have adored.  This is a new kind of CHURCH. 

Skinny Hightower blows me away.  It's impossible to try and label this artist.  Some will force that label and that's injustice.  He's Aaron Copland and "Appalachian Spring."  ALL of the legends mentioned - and - finally - authentically, wisely, fiercely and ONLY Skinny Hightower.  He has breathed in the past, heard the beat of its heart and has given Jazz LIFE back to us. Fused and whole.  

For this, he deserves our gratitude"