DEODATO

DEODATO
2 (1973)
320 KBPS

On 2, the Brazilian composer and arranger dips into the funked-up fusion formula tank once again, and comes out with a more consistent disc than its predecessor. Arranged, conducted, and keyboarded by Deodato himself instead of CTI house arrangers Don Sebesky or Bob James, the maestro enlisted a fusion who's who of sidemen including drummer Billy Cobham, bassist Stanley Clarke, and flutist Hubert Laws, as well as rockers like John Tropea on guitar. The larger ensemble that provides brass, woodwind, and string support includes trumpeter Jon Faddis and Jim Buffington. "Super Strut" kicks it off. Deep-grooved lines of accented angular riffing and rim-shot syncopation by Cobham turn this simply notated four-stepper into a burning ball of greasy rock and souled-out jazz. This is followed by a wildly campy but nonetheless wondrous read of "Rhapsody in Blue" done Stevie Wonder-style. Deodato's keyboard work never lets the groove drop; he pulls the rhythm section down around him and hunkers his phrasing to punch up the long, sweeping horns and string lines. The album officially closes with "Skyscrapers," another jazz-rock rave-up that blasts holes in the sonic sky with its dueling keyboard and guitar lines. The remastered version of the CD includes three bonus tracks that include a steamy little bossa nova number, "Latin Flute," with Laws tearing up the solo spot, and a lounge lizard's dream of a cover version in Steely Dan's "Do It Again," with flutes and keys trading the melody lines and Tropea's wah-wah guitars chunking up the backbeat. Why this wasn't on the original album or a follow-up is a mystery.

1. Super Strut
2. Rhapsody In Blue
3. Nights In White Satin
4. Pavane For A Dead Princess
5. Skyscrapers
6. Latin Flute
7. Venus
8. Do It Again

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