Album: Just Play / Artist: Craig Pilo / 10 tracks: 59:30 / On The Streets Now / Rue De La Harpe Records
Too often, a jazz CD opens with a cover of someone else’s work and the artist who has released the album relegates their own work to further down in the song list. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but when you are as good a 
composer and musician as Craig Pilo it is nice to see his new CD Just Play open with one of his own compositions the smooth “Early Cynical Mystery.” The song has an easygoing melody, great deep grooves and of course, the drummer Pilo supplies superb beats.
Particularly noticeable due to the quality of his playing is Mitchel Forman whose excellence on the Fender Rhodes in and of itself makes the opening track worth listening to. I fell in love with Forman’s introduction to the second song on the album, “Autumn Leaves,” a tune that American lyricist Johnny Mercer translated into English from the original French composition “Les Feuilles Mortes,” authored by Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prévert. Pilo and Reuben Valtierra wrote new arrangements for “Autumn Leaves.”
The Los Angeles native has long been regarded as one of the music industry’s top drummers, having played with Maynard Ferguson, Player (“Baby Come Back”), Pat Boone, Billy Vera, Chris Montez, Deniece Williams, Edgar Winter, Frankie Valli and numerous other high profile artists. In fact, Pilo is appearing this week on the Jimmy Kimmel show with Frank Valli. Watch for him on the evening of September 27th.
In his liner notes, Pilo thanks the musicians who appear on Just Play. Particularly poignant is his comment, “The playing speaks for itself.” That it does! The solo by saxophonist Roman Dudok on the song “Shades Of Blue,” is outstanding. He adds depth and a moody sensibility to the track.
Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay,” has new arrangements penned by Pilo and features another superb sax man Doug Webb. There is an extended sax solo at the mid point of this 8:57 rhythmic journey.
When you listen to song after song of excellent grooves roll off of the Just Play disc, it is very easy to discern why two of the songs “Shades Of Blue,” and “Early Cynical Mystery,” have received nominations for the 2007 Los Angeles Music Awards, to be held in November. The songs are nominated in the jazz instrumental category.
I have not often heard a call and response between a drummer and a keyboardist but I liked what I listened to on another Craig Pilo original, “Awkwardly Mobile.” The funky exchange between Pilo and Ed Czach is fresh and imaginative.
Other highlights to listen for include Bryan Brock’s bongos on the cover of Miles Davis’ “All Blues.” Valtierra and Pilo have taken a great tune and made it even funkier with some new arrangements.
The CD Just Play closes out with a good rendition of John Coltrane’s “Miles Mode.” Pilo, Czach and Dudok are all at the top of their game, while bassist Keith Hubacher builds a strong foundation.
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Reviewed September 2007
