Ron Eschete: Stump Jumper

This music is so pop-oriented that one wonders if fans of the genre are likely to read jazz magazines. The grooves are funky, the sound heavily synthesized, and none of the players mind referring to obvious devices.

That said, they really do it all extremely well. Even listeners determined in advance to stick their up noses will have a hard time keeping their feet still. In the deepest of his B. B. King bag, Eschete can pull off an unexpected phrase that will make you laugh out loud. I can’t criticize musicians who succeed in their intentions so completely, but do suspect that for most readers this will be more something that would be engaging if heard on the radio than something to seek out at the record store.

Originally Published March 1, 1999