Will Bernard 4-Tet - Medicine Hat (1998) 320kbps

On Medicine Hat, their first release, the Will Bernard 4-tet came to groove. The disc kicks off with "Close Shave (Pt. 1)," a James Brown inspired romp that introduces these fine San Francisco-based players. Will Bernard is a hot guitarist who was heard with T. J. Kirk, which included the now well-known Charlie Hunter and drummer Scott Amendola, also heard here laying down his rock solid rhythms with typical finesse. The 4-tet is rounded out with newcomers Rob Burger on Hammond B-3 organ and John Shifflett on bass.

The second track, "Boomtown", sounds like a spicy recipe for chasing away the mid-winter blues. The guitar / organ-fueled jams are inspired and fun. But this isn’t just about partying. The compositions, all by Bernard, are interesting as well as danceable. The twisted tango groove of "Trap Door Spider" is enticing and the 4-tet ventures into Bill Frisell-ish territory on "Nobody’s Looking". Bernard and Burger switch to acoustic guitar and accordion for this beautifully moody track. "Tank Top" turns the tables again with a funky New Orleans groove, one of Scott Amendola’s specialties. Bernard lays down some smokin’ slide guitar on this cooker. "Pollyanna" features some wonderfully slippery guitar improvisations and they take us home with "Do Not Bend", a final funk excursion. Recommended to fans of guitar, organ, and fat, funky grooves. ~Rick Bruner