Former Was (Not Was) saxophonist Dave McMurray knows how to conjure a party spirit, a jazz spirit, and for some bizarre reason, the spirits of South African saxophonists Basil Coetzee and Dudu Pukwana. Though he’s a Detroit native who’s worked with everyone from the Rolling Stones to Nancy Wilson to Bootsy Collins, his groove-splayed tunes contain a township vibe, of celebration, of funk, of souls set free.
For Music Is Life, McMurray has chosen pleasant originals and a handful of covers that should endear him to listeners of all stripes, including the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” George Clinton’s “Atomic Dog,” and “Que Je T’Aime,” a tune made famous by French pop star Johnny Hallyday. Luckily, his throaty horn holds this exotic brew together. Working with only a bassist (Ibrahim Jones) and drummer (either Ron Otis or Jeff Canady), he creates a big sound with a small crew.
Opener “Naked Walk” drives a skittering beat over which McMurray blows and squeals, leading to a brief drums-and-horn trading of fours and a jazz-contoured horn solo. Much of Music Is Life follows this trajectory, blending funk punch and jazz sheen, raucous R&B shouts and bop romanticism. The title track builds on a sparse groove, sleek arrangement, and yearning saxophone blowing. McMurray’s “Freedom Ain’t Free” joins an irresistible melody to a dub-skanking groove. “Seven Nation Army” is surprisingly effective, like the Clash jamming with Tubby Hayes.
There’s a sameness to the sound if not the music of Music Is Life, its rollicking toughness as resilient as the Motor City (or Soweto) itself.
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