Doctor Magnum

Pianist Robert Glasper, in the All About Jazz segment "One LP," talked about Slum Village's Fantastic, vol. 2 (Good Vibe, 1999), produced by J Dilla: "J Dilla is probably the only producer I know that changed the way musicians actually play their instruments." Exhibit A is Glasper's own piano playing with both his acoustic and electric groups.

Exhibit B could well be "Debbie Does Dilla (Waltz for Debby)," by the Albany, New York-based quartet Doctor Magnum. Glasper notes how Dilla's production "made people start playing in that hip hop way behind the beat—kind of sloppy hip hop way... you know what I mean." Doctor Magnum's drummer Rob Colpoys creditably provides exactly that sloppy hip hop beat, underlying pianist Bill Evans' canonical 3/4 tune. It's just one way in which the group's freely-downloadable two-disc Live at Red Square updates the repertoire and approach to small-band jazz.

Other hip hop references arise, most notably in a fine medley of Madvillain's "ALL CAPS" and Nas' "N.Y. State of Mind," which, in addition to being whimsically funny, also demonstrates that the Nas tune can be played as a kind of modal number. There are other covers—among them Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix (well, really, the Seeds, because it's "Hey Joe," but their take is pure Hendrix), and best of all, a magnificent version of Frank Ocean's smash 2012 hit "Thinkin' 'Bout You."

The instrumentation is classic rock 'n' roll—two lead guitars, electric bass, drums, and Doctor Magnum can call upon colorful rock 'n' roll effects, like the blast of psychedelia at the end of "Billie Jean," or the general resemblance to the Grateful Dead during some of the extended guitar solos ("Wormholes").

Nevertheless, this is not primarily a rock 'n' roll band. "Debbie Does Dilla" appears to be an important key to understanding what Doctor Magnum wants to be—a hip hop infused band whose members listen to each other the way the classic Evans trio did. And, you know, heard a slightly different way, those Jerry Garcia-like guitar solos unfold discursively the way a Dexter Gordon tenor saxophone solo might. Indeed, the Doctor Magnum songbook includes funky numbers ("Hello Stink," "Stanley") whose sinuous thematic lines are practically bebop.

Throughout Live at Red Square, Doctor Magnum marshals humor, chops and that "sloppy hip hop beat" to illustrate the enduring relevance and capacity for renewal of small-group interactive improvisation. And that is good news.

Track Listing: CD1: Thinkin' 'Bout You; Hello Stink; Billie Jean; Debby Does Dilla (Waltz for Debby); Upright; ¿Dónde está el retrete?. CD2: The Sign; Stanley; Hey Joe (Roberts); ALL CAPS/N.Y. State of Mind; Wormholes.

Personnel: J. Steele: guitar; Charlie Button: guitar; Boris: bass guitar; Rob Colpoys: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced - www.allaboutjazz.com

Charlie Button, aka Eb7#9 has started a jazz forward group called Doctor Magnum that takes on elements of 60s arrangement and production values into modern day hip-hop constructs, while embodying a post-constructural approach. On their just released album Live at Red Square, hear a new rethought instrumental arrangement of Frank Ocean's "Thinkin' About You", or covering Madvillain / Nas with "ALL CAPS/N.Y. State of Mind", or the featured original track "¿Donde Está el Retrete?" that makes a Spanish request for the latrine an adventure into the electric jazz spheres fit for a fancy supper club but dive ready. Heralding from Albany, NY; J. Steele, and Charlie oversee the guitars, Boris keeps the bass lines trill and Rob Colpoys on drums, take on covers to show the myriad applications of the originals while bringing out overstated sounds (i.e. the persistent synth sway and swing on the original version of "Thinkin' About You" gets brought out later in strange ways on the Magnum re-write) in new, unfound and understated ways. Doctor Magnum's Live at Red Square is available now via Bandcamp. - Impose Magazine

Doctor Magnum is a relatively new band that doesn’t appear to take itself too seriously. As far as I’m concerned, Doctor Magnum can record their next album in their underwear for all I care. The group’s hybrid of smooth jazz with funky hip-hop beats raises the question of why this genre crossover wasn’t scouted even further after Guru’s death (was Buckshot LeFonque shamed into retirement?). Doctor Magnum’s debut release Magnum Carta Holy Grail is chock full of these insistent little moments that stay with you long after you’ve given up on what label you should give the music. Jazz that swings is good, but you can’t neglect the art of the dirty groove either. John Garratt - www.popmatters.com

octor Magnum are currently being described as a hip-hop inflused jazz combo, though that might be a little misleading to some jazz listeners. The hip-hop element serves their sound as a flavor and a source of covers, not as you and I may know of it in its raw form. Yes, their music is kinetic and funky but the it can also be relentlessly tuneful. Magnum Carta Holy Grail is stuffed full of easy-going, falling-off-the-log greatness that blends rock with soul, R&B and jazz and whatever else the moment may call for. They cover Kendrick Lamar’s “good kid, m.A.A.d. city”, Nas’s “N.Y. State of Mind”, Tyler, the Creator’s “Awkward” and Alice in Chains’ “Rooster” and leave room for some memorable originals like “Agent Zero” and “Boiler Room Blues”. And in case my recommendation isn’t enough for you, just know that they are giving away a double live album for free. It too has the Kendrick Lamar cover.
Rating: - www.popmatters.com

Doctor Magnum - 'Magnum Carta Holy Grail'
Alex Marianyi
Contributing Writer
alex.marianyi[at]gmail.com / @alexmarianyi

In the past, I’ve tried to avoid music that is self-described as jazz and hip-hop. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard a jazz standard played with an unnatural, ungrooving backbeat. However, we’re getting to a generation of jazz musicians who have spent large parts of their musical development in a world where hip-hop is more mainstream and more easily accessible.

This is certainly true for Doctor Magnum. While much of what they play sounds more like jazz, the production, specifically on the drums, is much closer to hip-hop or even rock, and their tempos sit right in a comfortable range for most rappers, making it feel like a freestyle verse could be spit at any moment. This feels especially true on certain sections of "Awkward

"ALL CAPS/N.Y. State of Mind" is one of those songs where you let out some sort of vocal approval for a familiar bit of music being played seemingly out of nowhere. It’s good to hear them take some liberties with one of the greatest hip-hop recordings of all time without totally beating you over the head with it. I’m not sure if this track is different enough from the version they put out just last year to merit including it on an album only six songs long, but it is still my favorite cut from this release.

Despite often changing grooves and sounds, a couple of the lengthier tracks stretch a little long for my liking. But in general, there’s enough going on musically to keep things interesting and to further blur the lines between jazz and hip-hop, such as the rock guitar tones, the simple blues form on "Boiler Room Blues", and the theme and variations concepts used throughout "good kid, m.A.A.d city". Doctor Magnum is able to recreate in studio much of the energy and intensity from their live recordings, and I think that’s what makes this album worth picking up. Also, owning a jazz album with a title that cleverly plays on a popular hip-hop release adds to your hipster cred.

"Boiler Room Blues" - Nextbop.com

DOCTOR MAGNUM TO RELEASE DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM MAGNUM CARTA HOLY GRAIL
We are very excited to introduce you to Doctor Magnum and their infectious brand of transcendent, hip hop and jazz fusion. Self-described as “the mess left behind after a drunken Craigslist orgy between Led Zeppelin, the Jazz Messengers, and the Wu-Tang Clan,” Doctor Magnum’s sonic personality is as unique as its parts. The group is made up of talented musicians: Jerome Steele, Boris, Steve Keator, Rob Colpoys, and Charlie Button (aka Eb7#9 – the force behind last year’s incredible release Foreboding Prophecies from the Exalted Truth). In preparation for the release, which was recoded in all live sessions, sans overdubs, Doctor Magnum has shared two awesome videos encompassing a performance of two cuts from the record, “Boiler Room Blues” and a cover of Tyler, the Creator’s “Awkward“. Doctor Magnum Holy Grail is set to be released April 29th via the group’s Bandcamp as a free download and was mastered by the ever-amazing, Kelly Hibbert (J Dilla’s Ruff Draft, Karriem Riggins’ Alone Together, Flying Lotus’ 1983). Check out the press release from Doctor Magnum and enjoy the first look into Magnum Carta Holy Grail below.
From Doctor Magnum:
While combining elements of hip-hop and jazz, Doctor Magnum eschews the directionless noodling often associated with improvised guitar music in favor of engaged interaction. Self-described as “the mess left behind after a drunken Craigslist orgy between Led Zeppelin, the Jazz Messengers, and the Wu-Tang Clan,” their intricate arranging, blistering improvisations, and progressive sonic palate define a strikingly original brand of instrumental music. - Sound Color Vibration