UK-based multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Max Beesley, who has performed alongside notable artists like Incognito, The Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, Paul Weller and others, has returned with his ‘High Vibes’ and releases the project’s debut full-length on Légère Recordings, titled Zeus. This marks the first release for the project since he put out two classic 12inches under the same alias on Boogie Back Records during the height of the acid jazz movement in 1993-1994.

This superb 8-track recording features a funky and soulful dose of cosmic jazz grooves led by some heavy synths and vibraphone playing. Primed for the dancefloor, the full-length brings together the best elements found on those classic jazz fusion albums of the late 70s and early 80s, along with influences from the 90s acid jazz era, and brilliantly morphs them together while still pushing the sound well into the future.

The session includes some of the most accomplished and notable session players in the world like drummer Steve Gadd (Bob James, O’Donel Levy, Joe Farrell, George Benson, Hubert Laws), trumpeter and flugel horn player Walt Fowler, guitarist Dean Parks (who is one of the most recorded players in the 21st century), percussionist Luis Conte, and Max’s two good friends and remarkable musicians in bassist Jerry Meehan and rising superstar pianist Christian Sands. Rounding out the recording is a number of Max’s favorite horn players in Nichol Thomson on trombone, and trumpeters Tom Walsh and Mike Davis.

Even though we’ve had to wait three decades for a full length release to come to fruition, Max Beesley and an impressive cast of musicians have definitely delivered one of the standout recordings of the year.

Max Beesley’s High Vibes — ‘Zeus’
(Légère Recordings)

1. Zeus
2. Snake Oil
3. Saturn’s Dust
4. Juice
5. We’ll Always Have Yesterday
6. Fire
7. Sergio’s Bag
8. Ice

BUY RECORD

• Jazz
• Jazz Funk
• Jazz Fusion