March 2008

Pete Mills featuring Tony Monaco
Fresh Spin
Chicken Coup

By Forrest Dylan Bryant

Recalling the classic sax/organ team-ups of an earlier generation, tenor man Mills and B3 burner Tony Monaco lay down the law in this thoroughly entertaining set. Mills pops and glides in a buzzing yet easygoing style, using Monaco’s flowing bassline grooves as grease for some smooth acceleration. The rest of the quartet ricochets off each other like popcorn: Funky organ proclamations collide with Jim Rupp’s joyous drumming, while Pete McCann’s breezy guitar grooves drop a subtle harmonic depth into the mix.