Greg Adams - East Bay Soul: That's Life (2015) FLAC

With East Bay Soul, in demand trumpeter and arranger Greg Adams continues the legacy of Tower of Power the muscular funk R&B horn band with whom he waxed some classic recordings. Adams, who’s worked alongside marquee stars from Wilson Picket and B. B. King to Mariah Cary and Madonna, convened EBS in 2009 for the outfit’s self-titled debut recording. The album did well enough for the trumpeter to put out a second volume East Bay Soul 2.0, which he followed up with the new That’s Life (Ripa)

As it’s title suggest, the album borrows attitude a plenty from the Frank Sinatra staple of the same name – although the track here is an original- and features top-notch song craft and musicianship listeners might associate with the era from which it hails. Adams salutes genre-spanning influences throughout, from the funky, horn-driven blues and R&B of “Little Black Dress” with vocalist Darryl Walker out front. It could be a vintage TOP tune – to a trippy, muted trumpet romp through the Beatles’ “Come Together”. Once again, Adams leads an A-list horn section including fellow trumpeter and trombonist Lee Thornburg and saxophonist Johnnie Bamont and Greg Vail. The wistful ” Without You” our Selection, allows the leader to shine in a full- orchestral setting, his poignant lead conveying the heartache of lost love. ~ Jazziz Magazine