Patrick Yandall - Laws Of Groovity (2008)

Patrick Yandall, guitarist extraordinaire, surprises us with his 9th international release called Laws of Groovity, now available at Amazon and CDBaby. Born in Bay City, Michigan, he found his luck in San Diego and L.A., where he has established himself as session musician. His new album was recorded at MoBops studios San Diego and was edited and mastered at A.M. studios in L.A. This outstanding musician has performed all instruments of his album himself and with the exception of two songs he has also written and composed all tracks.
Starter of the album is a rendition of Always There originally written by Ronnie Laws, William Jeffreys and Paul Allen for the Jazz Crusaders. The group Incognito has released more than 20 albums with this song. You see how vital and potential this tune is. Patrick couldn't resist to serve his own interpretation and he did right in doing so. What an asset for every guitar player.
When I listened to Laws Of Groovity first time, I immediately thought of George Benson's Love X Love and indeed Yandall's electric guitar sound owes a bit as well to heavy childhood influences George Benson and Wes Montgomery. But Patrick adds his own notes of creativity to the popular keyboard loop.
In case you visit Brazil, you will feel that Latin way of live Viejo Amigo is right on the way that Latin flavor. Yearning For Your Love was a huge hit for the GAP Band in 1981, although not that classic Funk style, the group usually practiced, this love ballade was often covered in the smooth jazz scene by such artists like Alex Bugnon, Kevin Tooney and Tim Cunningham. Patrick makes this track irresistible by combining the melody with the rhythm loop of Marvin Gaye's monster hit Sexual Healing.
Let's Flow is an astonishing piece of guitar rapidity plastered in a plain and simple melody. You have to drive nice and slowly to enjoy Your Satisfaction. A relaxed guitar piece with a golden heart. Turn Down The Lights has so much emotion. Patrick Yandall reveals his great potential and talent as composer and performer in this slow ballade.
Law St. Locals is a good example for the ease of Yandall's performance. Build on a simple melody structure Patrick convinces with his major play. No San Diego based musician can escape from the Latin influence. Gaviotas is Patrick's contribution to the Latin flavor. The New Sound is a trial to incorporate new elements of music like Hip Hop into this harmonic scheme. My personal favorite is the final tune Madre showcasing Patrick's strength, the melodious guitar play.
With Land Of Groovity Patrick Yandall marks anew his claim of one of the best guitarists contemporary jazz can offer today.

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