From JAZZCHICAGO.NET

Dave Sharp’s Secret Seven
[Vortex JazZ]

Dave Sharp may be best known as the touring bassist for the hardcore rock band The Melvins, but his first love is jazz. Here, the former bassist/composer for modern jazz ensemble Spheres of Influence presents a program of Afro-Latin groove jazz funk complete with lots of horns and percussion. Along with Sharp's chewy electric and acoustic basses, drummer Eric "Chucho" Wilhelm provides the wall of rhythm, Dave Grisa the B-3 and piano, while Chris Kaercher (the Temptations, Aretha Franklin) adds tenor, soprano, alto and baritone saxes, flute and harmonica. These four are supplemented by several guest musicians and singers (the "seven" must be tongue-in-cheek). "Africano" starts things off brightly with an Afrobeat blast, while the groovy "Chrispy Underground" is impossible not to move to. "Skeleton Key" has a touch of spooky New Orleans voodoo wafting like incense, while "Blackout" slows things to a pop ballad pace. "Boop Bwee Ahh" features Kris Kurzawa on wah-wah guitar on a catchy and truly funkalicious track. Meanwhile, "The Seventh Secret" races across the desert like a scirocco, "Lootmar (Wind Song)" features John Churchville on tabla, while a cover of Chuck Carbo's New Orleans Funk classic "Can I Be Your Squeeze?" rounds out this blistering hot groove jazz release.