An Honest Tune
March 5, 2001

Wise Monkey Orchestra: They Live
Lauan Records, 2000

The easiest comparison to describe this music is to the funk of Deep Banana Blackout, but that is hardly precise. While they explore some of the same territory as DBB, Wise Monkey Orchestra's music is more nuanced and slightly less in your face, despite its burning jam-funk-jazz-rock-soul groove. This San Diego-based sextet features guitar, bass, drums, keys, trombone and the vocals of a woman identified only as Alley, but on this record, which was recorded live over several California dates in early-Y2K, the majority of tracks also feature contributions from saxophonists Dave Ellis (Charlie Hunter Trio, Ratdog, The Other Ones) or Robbie Helm. Alley's sensuous growling vocals can cause some purring in listeners, but the band is truly at its best when jamming instrumentally. The Latin flavored cha-cha groove of "SLM" and the improvisational "Space" > "Brainchild" (which features trombonist Andy Gelb on a flute reminiscent of that sometimes found in the music of Lonnie Smith or George Clinton) make this record worth exploring alone.

?da flower punk

Three Sets Vol 2 Luaun Records, 2000 The second in a series of live compilation discs, Three Sets Volume 2 from Lauan Records features three diverse yet equally entergetic bands. The three bands represent different parts of the country too. Ancient Harmony hails from Georgia, Larry is from Austin, Texas and Wise Monkey Orchestra from California. Luaun calls itself "The Jamband Label" and each of these three bands could certainly be classified as such. All favor loose arrangements and extensive improvisation. And that ethic is more apparent in the live setting than anywhere.

That?s why it?s nice that this disc is exactly what it claims to be?three live sets by three different acts. The disc is divided equally bewteen the three bands with Larry contributing three tunes, two clocking in at over 10 minutes; Ancient Harmony contributing a single track, the 25 minute marathon "Memory" and Wise Monkey Orchestra checking in with four funkified numbers.

But while there are certain similarities, there are differences too. On Larry?s three tracks, they focus of driving, richly textured rythms, most notably on the gospel-tinged "Just Ask Yourself (What Jammin Can Do For You)". And on each song the furious and sometimes sweltering harmonica of Rick Cannon drives the percussive jams. Given that Larry includes a drummer, a percussionist and a washboard player, it?s no surprise that most of their jams focus on percussion. But it?s a mix that?ll make you smile.

Ancient Harmony is a band with a darker side. Their heavy and sublimely psychedelic opus, "Memory" focuses intently on the jam and over the course of these 25 minutes they explore a deep, sweeping fabric, recalling Pink Floyd at times.

Wise Monkey Orchestra, on the other hand, is a different animal altogether. Horns propel a funky dance beat and soaring vocals by Alley Stewart.

You?re bound to find something you like here. If not, you?re still stuck with a great CD to throw on at a party.

?Tom Speed