THE RHYTHM ROCKETS

She Swings Blue – Volume 2: After Hours

Brother Raccoon Records

12 tracks/42:50

By Mark Thompson

After the success of their first recording, She Swings Blue – The Joint Is Jumpin’, the Rhythm Rockets are back, ready to give listeners a glimpse at another facet of the band’s sound. Where the previous title featured barn-burners from the group’s repertoire, the new release focuses on a slower pace with plenty of tracks that will put you in a late-night, laidback mood. If you think that a disc full of easy-going ballads would suffer from a lack of excitement, be assured that the Rhythm Rockets manage to generate plenty of heat at the more deliberate tempos.

One of the band’s strengths is the veteran horn section anchored by Mike Bielecki on tenor sax on all tracks.  Sam Burckhardt (Sunnyland Slim’s band) on tenor and Justin Keirans on baritone sax appear on half of the cuts. The rhythm section - drummer Mark Fornek and either Michael Quiroz or Lou Marini on upright bass - consistently settles into a tight, swinging pocket that maintains a propulsive drive even at the more languid tempos. One would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite between Tony Kidonakis or Brian O’Hern’s contributions on piano. Another constant is Dave Downer’s melodic six-string phrasing, whether he is comping chords or doing some single note soloing.

Nicole Kestler is the featured singer throughout the disc. She has a lighter tone that is a good fit for most of the material. When she wraps her voice around an obscure tune like “My Baby Left Me,” she makes it sound like a classic from the vault. “I’ll Take a Holiday From Love” was composed by Downer’s grandmother back in the day. Kestler gives it a breezy reading while the band executes arranger Jon Novi’s chart with finesse. Even better is her measured performance on “Let’s Rock A While” as she steadily builds the emotions in her delivery with the band rolling along behind her.

Other highlights include a rendition of Hoagy Carmichael’s “Bread & Gravy” featuring a superbly executed Kestler vocal and some smoky sax from Bielicki. “Send For Me” was a hit for Nat King Cole in 1957.  The Rhythm Rockets version shifts to an unhurried tempo bolstered by accents from the horn section. Dinah Washington’s hit, “Mean & Evil Blues,” glides along with the horns again playing with distinction. The band handles the darker hue of Washington’s original, “Duck Before You Drown,” with aplomb, giving Kidonakis room to stretch out.

          Ed Enright’s baritone sax is featured in the arrangement of “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey” while the band band’s most energetic performance occurs on a spirited “40 Cups of Coffee”. Kestler’s seductive tone is a perfect fit for “You Was Right, Baby” and O’Hern spins out some nimble phrases during his piano solo.  

The proceedings falter a bit on the classic “Trouble in Mind” as Kestler’s phrasing stretches things out a bit too far. Downer makes a notable statement with some cutting fretwork, followed by Bielicki’s robust tenor solo. The disc closes with the instrumental “Blues in Orbit”, originally performed by Duke Ellington and his orchestra. It highlights Novi’s skill as an arranger with his chart making the Rockets sound like a full-fledged big band. And they have no trouble negotiating the intricate chord changes of the Billy Strayhorn composition.

While this project concentrates on a mellower vibe, there are enough variations in tempo to hold your attention.  The Rhythm Rockets don’t just offer tepid recreations of music from bygone eras. In their capable hands, the horn-driven dance band tradition lives on in the Chicago area.  Once again, this accomplished ensemble offers a recording that is well-worth a listen!

To buy the CD or for info: www.therhythmrockets.com