Greg Adams: Midnight Morning

On the power-packed solo outing Midnight Morning (Ripa), funk pioneer Greg Adams blows today’s moody trumpeters away. The mind behind Tower of Power’s groundbreaking arrangements gives a master class in trumpet styles, cruising through the dizzying, busy atmosphere of “Crosstown” and winging strutting, jazzy riffs through the classic slap-plunk funk of “Roadhouse” (which also features a super cool horn arrangement featuring tenor and baritone sax). “‘Sup With That” spikes its bustling groove with fiery brass, and the atmospheric electronica of “Siena” builds its mystery through Adams’ sweeping, long lines of muted trumpet. A pair of well-known covers further demonstrates Adams’ invention: he wrings emotion from every note, soloing over a light bed of keyboards on Toni Braxton’s hit “Breathe Again,” and effectively captures the eerie quality of the Police chestnut “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” cutting the melody in evocative Miles mode.

Originally Published September 1, 2002