Worlds (Vortex Jazz Recordings, 2013)
Detroit-based bassist and composer Dave Sharp has put together an impressive group of guests that appear on his latest album, Worlds, released this month. Dave Sharp’s style is an engaging mix of jazz and world music from various parts of the globe.
Worlds begins with Congolese rumba, but Sharp quickly turns the music in very different directions. The second cut takes the listener to the Big Easy, with a New Orleans-style brass and percussion band that accompany African music star Cheick Lo.
From Africa, Dave Sharp’s Secret 7 crosses over into the sounds of Asia Minor and the Middle East. Eventually, the band encounters the exciting sounds of India in the form of vocals, percussion and the Indian-sounding glissentar.
Highlights include ‘Nu Africa the D Mix’, the fabulous Indian fusion pieces ‘Eastern Flame’ and ‘Rain Raga’ and the Middle Eastern inspired ‘Desert Sky.”
Special guests include Cheikh Lo (Senegal), Parthiv Gohil (India), Gayelynne McKinney (USA), Walter White (USA), Gary Schunk (Detroit) Jonita Gandhi (Canada), Elden Kelly (USA) Mehdi Darvishi (Iran), Andre Frappier (USA) Chris Codish (USA) Evan Perri (USA) Inrdrajit Chowdhury (USA), and Mehdi Darvishi (Iran).
Dave Sharp was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. While earning a degree from the University of Michigan, Sharp became deeply dedicated to the study of jazz. This devotion led him to move to San Francisco where he studied jazz and music theory with legendary bassist Herbie Lewis (McCoy Tyner, Cannonball Adderly, Les McCann) at the New College of California.
While living in San Francisco, Sharp served as bassist and composer for the modern jazz ensemble the Spheres of Influence and the Killer Joe Trio. Sharp returned home to the metropolitan Detroit area in 1998, where he continues to compose, record, teach and perform live.
Worlds, released by Dave Sharp’s Secret 7 is one of the finest world music-rooted jazz albums of the year.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
