Frank Butrey – Malicious Delicious – Lust for Toys

by | Apr 4, 2011 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Frank Butrey – Malicious Delicious – Lust for Toys 01979FRK, 70:56 ***1/2:

(Frank Butrey – guitar co-producer; Tony “Stickman” Wyatt – drums (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 8); Clifton Kellem – acoustic and electric bass (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5); Tom Lowery – percussion (tracks 3, 5); Joe Ruscitto – percussion (track 3); Leonard “Hub” Hubbard – electric bass (track 8); Greg “Ju Ju” Jones – drums (track 6); Umar Raheem – soprano saxophone (track 6); Warren Oree – acoustic bass (track 6); Doug “Pablo” Edwards – percussion (track 6))

Philadelphia guitarist Frank Butrey delivers the goods on his latest outing, Malicious Delicious, a versatile platform for Butrey’s composing, arranging and especially his vigorous sometimes stinging six-string work. Although Butrey does not shy away from acoustics, more often he favors a tougher attack reminiscent of Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin or Al Di Meola which fusion enthusiasts will appreciate.

Butrey has studied jazz and classical; has performed with pop, classical and jazz artists; has led his own groups; and been a member of other bands, including a current gig with Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. Butrey’s numerous influences and multifaceted background are heard throughout his nine original tracks.

Those who like to hear musicians mix it up a bit will enjoy the acoustic-based “Dimitri, Birks and Dewey,” inspired by Butrey’s classical music instructor Dimitri Erdely, John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie and sax giant Dewey Redman. On this ten-minute piece, Butrey is backed by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble: drummer Greg “Ju Ju” Jones, soprano saxophonist Umar Raheem, bassist Warren Oree and percussionist Doug “Pablo” Edwards. Butrey begins with a classical guitar solo which has a Spanish temperament. Then percussion slowly slips in as Butrey lays out the main melody, then bass and drums enter, and finally Raheem’s genial sax. The tempo gradually perks up as Raheem’s sax takes on an urgent quality and things start to swing. Expert listeners will have to pick out which sections apply to Erdely, Gillespie or Redman, but that’s part of the fun of hearing this tune.

On the flip side is the hefty “Dodges, Denials and Delays,” with special guest and former Roots electric bassist Leonard “Hub” Hubbard. This is energized fusion imprinted with lots of rock stimulus and a suitable choice for jazz/rock fans who embrace funk, rock and impactful music. Hubbard outdoes Stanley Clarke with his precisely articulated prowess, while at different times Butrey produces heavily-distorted guitar pyrotechnics or slightly less agitated fret runs.  

Most of the record features Butrey’s Malicious Delicious Band: comprised of drummer Tony “Stickman” Wyatt, bassist Clifton Kellem and percussionist Tom Lowery. This quartet is in fine form on the robust title track, “Malicious Delicious Blues,” a bebop-tinted number which has an up-front groove, an excellent acoustic bass solo and a boisterous character. The percussion is deleted as the band goes all-out electric on the commanding fusion rocker, “This End Up,” where Kellem’s amped-up bass goes toe to toe with Butrey’s effects-laden guitar: think Di Meola jamming with Jaco Pastorius. The group reduces the pace on the ambient “Toast with a Ghost,” highlighted by Butrey’s reverb-drenched guitar and a sloping understated rhythmic bedrock completed by Lowery’s aquatic-shaded percussion.

Amid the firmer-edged arrangements are three expressive acoustic selections which provide a perception of rest and a sense of dynamics. Up first is the fittingly titled “Acoustic Afternoon,” a duet between Butrey and Lowery, who offers fluid hand percussion and – as the beat quickens – droning drums which accent Butrey’s nearly raga-like guitar motifs. Later, Butrey takes a lovely solo acoustic turn on “Little Workshops,” a heartfelt composition dedicated to his family. He does a similar solo demonstration on another beautiful acoustic guitar showcase, the closing “Niece and Nephews,” written for other kin.
 
TrackList:
1. Boisterous Voiceterous
2. Malicious Delicious Blues
3. Acoustic Afternoon
4. This End Up
5. Toast with a Ghost
6. Dimitri, Birks and Dewey
7. Little Workshops
8. Dodges, Denials and Delays
9. Niece and Nephews

— Doug Simpson

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