Reviewed For TheFunkStore.com..By
Compiled For TheFunkStore.com..By:Tylard Tatt II
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RICK GARDNER
RUBBER HORN
TFS/TCC Release Date:12/08/2009
LABEL: Rubberhorn.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:USA
DISC : 1
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE:2009
CONDITION:NEW
STOCK STATUS:INSTOCK
Classic Miles, Maynard Ferguson, Wynton Marsallis, the legendary Al Hirt. A ‘screetch’ artist. A trumpeter with chops so badd he regularly lives above high C. Highly regarded and respected in funk circles and just as much a legendary member of that same club is Rick Gardner. ‘Rockin’ Rick’ first appeared on my radar during Parliament’s anthemic 1977 P-Funk Earth Tour. Night after night across the USA he thrilled fans with blistering solos on tracks like the crowd-pleasing funk bomb “Do That Stuff”.
Along with JB alumni Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker and the late Richard “Kush” Griffith - the greatest, fattest horn section in the history of funk music-The Horny Horns would crush audiences with complex, intricate riffing over improvisational , jazz-intoned arrangements that not only augmented but defined the entire Parliament/Bootsy’s Rubber Band sound in the late 70’s.
The ace musicianship of these funky horns propelled both Clinton & Bootsy to numerous gold & platinum RIAA Awards and it was this potent riffing effortlessly executed on albums like Mothership Connection & Player of the Year that influenced a whole generation of imitators and duplicators throughout that fertile musical period.
Just as fascinating as the funk revolution he helped to create, is the story of how he ended up the only white boy in the Funks at that time. Fred Wesley recounts the tale for Recollections of a Sideman. “Bootsy asked me if I knew a trumpet player who could play real high notes. I already knew of Chase, a trumpet band performing arrangements that seemed impossible for human beings to play”. Having already played gigs behind Iggy Pop & The Holiday on Ice earlier, turns out Rick had just left Chase, Fred contacted him and rest is funk history.
Rick has stayed plenty busy and has been in high demand since the break up of Bootsy’s Rubber Band in the early 80’s for his authentic, signature charts and fresh, technical arrangements. He toured the world with Marvin Gaye and turnt out Montreux Jazz with the soul legend.
Staying true to his craft during the whole synth-horn drenched devoid of funk drought period , the early 1990s found the funk stew going back to its more genuine, organic feel and Rick Gardner was a part of that renaissance. You’ll find him blowing his thang on projects by artists as diverse as Brian Culberson, master producer Maurice White of E,W,F fame & U.S. Pipe led by P-Funk alumni guitarist Citrus.
All of these influences have come to full fruition over 12 tight tracks of funk/fusion inspired groove, Gardner’s resulting “rubberhorn” sound is now emerging. This is an unfeigned and unique mix of latin-influenced rhythms, ambient textures, raw funk grooves, techno and neo-jazz interposing. All flawlessly interpreted by this master player with over 40 exhilarating years of veteran experience in his chops.
Hey, he’s just doing what Rick Gardner has always done best. That is combine rotund, richly textured tones with incredible range to craft an album that unites future and past with the present. In an industry where the prototypal horn man is often an ill-starred afterthought, it’s a positively refreshing and prompt time to…..give the horn player some!!
Noted Cincinnati-OH Funk Journalist~"Bustin'"Bob Mitchell
1.Motion 3:19~Listen
2.Get Paid 3:22~Listen
3.Yin 3:00~Listen
4.Rapid Fire 2:40~Listen
5.Rockin' Rick 3:18~Listen
6.Blue Tune 3:22~Listen
7.Daylight Saving 2:54~Listen
8.Horny Horns 2:28~Listen
9.Bewise 4:03~Listen
10.Gentle Sex 4:10~Listen
11.Wrong Turn 3:32~Listen
12.Spaced Out~Listen
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