Charlie Peacock & Love Press Ex-Curio

With Love Press Ex-Curio, Peacock finally makes the leap. While the record is as broadly informed as anything he’s ever done, this time it fits—better than any other single category—a jazz aesthetic. It’s not the kind of record that purists will warm to, but fans of contemporary cross-genre records like Bill Frisell’s Unspeakable, Me’Shell Ndegeocello’s Dance of the Infidel, or Herbie Hancock’s Future2Future will find plenty to like amidst Peacock’s universe of contemporary sound sculpture that still leaves room for inspired solos and a relaxed sense of interplay. ~ John Kelman - All About Jazz

"Joining the Grammy Award-winning producer on this cutting edge outing is an all-star crew of heavyweight improvisers and jazz luminaries. The result is a compelling, genre-defying hybrid that highlights the improvisational prowess of all the participants in the context of Peacock’s contemporary auteur vision."

Bill Milkowski
Author, "JACO: The Extraordinary And Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius"

• Love Press Ex-Curio features an all-star crew including trumpeter Ralph Alessi, saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Coffin (of the Flecktones) and Ravi Coltrane, bassists Victor Wooten and James Genus, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel and drummer Joey Baron. Also on board are sonic manipulators Myles Boisen and Gino Robair, guitarist and loopmeister Jerry McPherson, electronica mavens Tony Miracle and Kip Kubin of the group Venus Hum, and Tower of Power organist Roger Smith.
To Move.

• Love Press Ex-Curio will appeal to jazz, acid jazz, world music, and jam band fans alike. Compares favorably to successful projects by Dave Douglas (Freak In), Brad Mehldau (Largo), Terence Blanchard (Flow), and Matthew Shipp (Anti-Pop Consortium Vs. Matthew Shipp).

Media:
• Aggressive national campaign led by veteran jazz publicists Don Lucoff and Brad Riesau of DL Media (jazzpublicity.com)
• College and indie press push led by Team Clermont
• Press targets include JazzTimes, Downbeat, Cadence, Coda, Signal To Noise, Village Voice, and Jazziz
• Key media contacts will be invited to select performances (see target markets below)

Internet:
• Direct mail to Charlie Peacock and Runway Network email lists.
• Banner ads and promo services via allaboutjazz.com, the top-rated jazz content site on the internet.
• Buzz Plant Marketing to alert existing artist base via html email blasts and strategic website marketing

- PreRelease Campaign In Progress

Nashville keyboardist and bandleader Charlie Peacock has amassed such a reputation as a gospel and pop producer as well as a session player that his early roots in jazz aren't widely known. Peacock revisits his jazz heritage here with a set that won't excite hard-bop buffs but will delight those who enjoy first-rate instrumental music. Peacock blends a jazz sensibility with rock/soul fervor, and he's teamed with great players such as bassists Victor Wooten and James Genus, saxophonists Kirk Whalum, Jeff Coffin and Ravi Coltrane, drummer Joey Baron and trumpeter Ralph Alessi.
"Be Well Johnny Cash" combines a stirring contribution from guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel with great solos by Coffin and Alessi. The celebratory soul-jazz groover "When Diana Dances" features Whalum's gritty tenor-sax playing, soulful trumpet from Alessi and nasty organ licks from Tower of Power's Roger Smith. Peacock's two solo-piano pieces--the jagged, octave-leaping "Dodo's Whim" and the nimble "Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues"--obliterate any questions about Peacock's jazz viability.


-Ron Wynn - Jazz Times

Like a sound chemist, Charlie Peacock mixes acoustic jazz with electronica to create some interesting music on Love Press Ex-Curio (Love’s Pressure Exhibits Curiosity). The pop and gospel Grammy-winning producer/artist now proves his passion for jazz, and the results are impressive.

The recording features a list of jazz heavies including Ralph Alessi, Joey Baron, Jeff Coffin, Ravi Coltrane, James Genus, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roger Smith, Kirk Whalum, Victor Wooten, and others. Add the techno wizardry of Tony Miracle on laptop synths and Jerry McPherson on guitar loops and treatments, and top it off with Peacock leading the project with clever writing and solid chops on piano and various keyboards—and it all comes together in a hip and satisfying package.

The music grabs your attention with a successful marriage of technology and musicianship. Yes it’s been done before, but there’s some serious substance here. The fun “Be Well Johnny Cash” incorporates everything from sound effects to big horns, spaced out guitars, and expressive solos held together by an upright bass and real drums.

Peacock is also a gifted pianist who brings his skills to bear throughout the project, but he showcases the solo pieces “Frank the Marxist Memorial Gong Blues” and “Dodo’s Whim” with touches of blues and free expression. There are memorable performances by all of the musicians, proving the openness of these artists to experimentation. Other highlights include the cyclonic techno swing on “London Twist N Turn,” the instrumental isolation on “Longing for Lewis,” and the smooth flow of “All Or Nothing Grace.” This juxtaposition of idioms works well, and music fans on both sides of the electro-acoustic equation should find something to enjoy.

By Mark F. Turner - All About Jazz