Shilts - Going Underground (2010)

Going Underground is the new album of Paul Weimar, who is better known as Shilts. Why Shilts? Paul comments: "English goalkeeper Peter Shilton allowed a goal to go through his legs and I jumped up and screamed at the TV, “Shilts! What have you done?” The whole tour, anytime someone made a mistake, we’d say that, and it soon became my nickname."

Shilts' career is strongly connected with the London Acid Jazz scene. His soulful, funky saxophone style was loved by The Brand New Heavies, whose touring member he was for 6 years. During this time he met Neil Cowley, which in turn led to an introduction to Chris J. Morgans at Internal Bass and Stuart Wade, the creative forces behind DTTB. For a long period he was the face of DTTB presenting the group as anchor man during their world wide tours.

His debut album See What Happens was released in 2000 by Higher Octave records. With his move from London to L.A. in 2004 Shilts concentrated now on the American music market and quickly found a connection to top acts like Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Paul Brown and Peter White. A logical move because lots of record stores, labels and clubs in London were closed to that time.

Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, co-founder of the label ARTizen Music, signed Shilts releasing his sophomore album HeadBoppin in 2006. His third album Jigsaw Life found a home at nuGroove Records. The music business isn't running well, so Shilts' new album is now available on Shilts' own record label. The easiest way to get a copy is on one of his concerts.

Most of you will know the Lambeth walk. Now you have to learn the Lambeth Strut. Bill Steinway's organ intro creates the retro feeling, before Shilts takes the lead on sax. Nick Colionne adds brilliant guitar riffs to this song. Sneakin' Up Behind You presents the Down To The Bone style. A great cover of the original Brecker Brothers tune from 1975.

But Shilts is also open for Smooth Jazz like 5 O'Clock In Rio flavored with Marc Antoine's flamenco guitar. With John Gilutin on Hammond B3 and Randy Jacobs (Boneshakers, Wasnotwas) on guitar Shilts has the perfect partners for funky moments on Tunnel Vision. But one funky song isn't enough, so both support him on Uncontainable too. It was Shilts matter of concern to bring some old contemporary funk fusion into his new album influenced by Earth, Wind and Fire and the Commodores.

Shilts lives now in L.A., the "harbor of the Smooth Jazz genre". Seeing Things Clearly with a sultry attitude is his contribution to this fact. With Eyes Down Shilts returns to the funky remedy. Insiders will know the London label Hip Bop Records with a solid roster of contemporary jazz all stars. Shilts perfectly hits the spirit of this label with his jazzy tune Hip Bop. Rick Braun on muted trumpet reveals his jazz heritage.

An event is described as Standing Room Only when it is so well-attended that all of the chairs in the venue are occupied, leaving only flat spaces of pavement or flooring for other attendees to stand. Certainly a dream of every artist. This is the final tune of Shilts' album with a strong jazz impact.

With Going Underground we witness Shilts' matured development as sax player, whose artistic range and compositional skills have now reached a high level. ~