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Karl
Denson- Dance Lesson #2
May 8, 2001
Original Release Date: 2001
Karl
Denson/Saxes Flute, Melvin Sparks/Guitar, Charlie Hunter/Guitar,
Leon Spencer Jr./Organ, Ron Levy/Organ & Wulitzer,
Chris Wood/Bass,
Zak Najor/Drums, Ej Rodriguez/Percussion, DJ Logic/Turntables
 1.
Dance Lesson #2 
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2. Like Like Dope
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3. Rumpwinder
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4. Flute Down
5. A.J. Bustah
6. A Shorter Path #1
7. A Shorter Path #2
8. I Want The Funk
9. Who Are You?
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Review
See,
didn't I tell you Karl Denson would make it big? Now
he gets signed onto Blue Note Records. Not that it means
anything, it only means Denson's funky sounds can be
distributed to a wider audience. That's what Blue Note
does. Remember it made St.
Germain big this year? Denson's success may
not be compared to St. Germain as of now, but we have
yet to see the results.
I
have a few things to say about this album. First, this
is Denson's first commercial album, away from the influence
Greyboy Allstars
and his Tiny Universe. No doubt Denson is a fabulous
musician, but everytime he plays with Tiny Universe
on stage, he doesn't show his full flair. I have seen
them twice on stage and both times I was disappointed.
This album shows that Denson may be a better studio
artist than a live one, where he takes advantage of
all his strong suits.
Second,
this album features an allstar cast, stemming from Melvin
Sparks, a legendary guitarist who virtually appears
on every great funk album ever made, to Chris Wood,
who is of Medeski Martin & Wood's fame, taking care
of the major bass role here. It's good to have these
talented ones on board. Also featuring Greyboy Allstars'
drummer Zak Najor and Blue Note guitarist Charlie
Hunter. Surprisingly, DJ Logic even sounds
good on this album!! I usually don't dig DJ Logic's
stuff because it is too formulaic. But his formula works
here with Denson's studio stunts. DJ Logic sounds good
for the first time in his career.
Finally,
this album should be a three part series in the Blue
Note direction after St. Germain's and Soulive's immense
worldwide success. This album should also be added to
the must-listen list other than Cachaito
and Philadelphia Experiment.
This reminds me of Cachaito because they both use a
DJ, making funky sounds more funky. Make sure to keep
you feet tapping when listen to Denson's resurgence
of funk!
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