Other than the tracks that fuse elements of blues music into them (e.g. �Uphill�, �Southbound and Blue�, �The Griswold Hump� and �Search for Peace�), this is a CD for fans of snazzy-jazz (more commonly known as �lounge music�, in my rockin� world).
Most of the tracks are fairly evenly paced at a medium tempo (with a whole lot of notes crammed in between), but for those listeners who get easily bored, there is quite a bit of thematic variance going on within each piece. I stop short of calling it �rhythmic� because I just don�t discern much, except on the more conventional tracks noted above, especially �Southbound and Blue�, which I actually like quite a lot.
The compositions of Windsor-Detroit keyboardist (piano, organ) and erstwhile drummer Mark Thibodeau evoke a naturally happy, easygoing guy who surrounds himself with like-minded players (John Barron on bass, Skeeto Valdez on drums and Perry Hughes on guitar). Having attained an obviously virtuoso playing-level, these guys are into prolonged jamming. However, it seems aimed more at the players pleasing each other, rather than an audience, but I�m willing to admit that I just don�t understand what it is about progressive jazz, even as smooth as this, that charges up fans of this genre.
Waiting for J.J. is 100% instrumental, and the tracks average at least five minutes in duration, so it�s all that more necessary to be a predetermined jazz aficionado. If you�re already into it, you�ll find it extremely pleasant, but I doubt it will win any new converts.
Anyone interested in booking Mark Thibodeau in a live setting is asked to contact Tier One Entertainment at 1-866-850-0001 (U.S.) or 1-519-254-6449 (Canada and elsewhere).
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