3 Brave Souls / John Beasley

Urban Music Scene
3 Brave Souls
John Beasley / Daryl Jones / Ndugu Chancler - (BFM Jazz)
4.5 stars / 5 stars.
Album Review by Peggy Oliver
http://bit.ly/LBrmCi

Occasionally, I ponder about what truly inspires bands or vocal groups in choosing their names and what their thought process was behind it. For instance, the name 3 Brave Souls sparked immense curiosity. After checking their musical background, I particularly noted that John Beasley, Daryl Jones and Leon ‘Ngudu’ Chancler had one major common bond. These veteran musicians represented three generations who played behind modern jazz trumpet pioneer Miles Davis. Considering those 3 Brave Souls’ close association with Davis was partially enough for me to figure out that Beasley, Jones and Chancler must have been somewhat brave in interacting with his moody, intense personality..

Besides their Miles Davis credentials, 3 Brave Souls have contributed to the music industry in other capacities. Keyboardist John Beasley serves as musical director for the current reality talent series, “Duets.” Jones, who handles bass guitar duties for The Rolling Stones tours, has also worked with pop phenomenons Sting, Madonna and Lionel Ritchie. Chancler is one of the most respected drummer/percussionists around but one of his major calling cards is his pulsating funk beats driving Michael Jackson’s international hit, “Billie Jean.”

3 Brave Souls bridges their diverse talents for their self-titled debut to concoct an ambitious and mostly entertaining recipe of pop, world, R&B and soul injected with funk blasts and contemporary jazz class. “Black Friday” sweetly layers deep funk pockets with R&B and pop. Chancler and Beasley’s vibraphone and keyboard tandem run the table on “Nail It Down.” From the department of genius vocal casting, independent soul songstress Sy Smith is the perfect choice who compliments 3 Brave Souls’ eclectic personality. Her sassy lead and Beasley’s meaty organ solo propel “Wanna Get Away,” a Meters-esque romp that proudly stamps the lively spirit of New Orleans. The sleek eighties R&B-like “Love’s Graces” taps Sy Smith’s efficiency with slow jams, accented by Beasley’s spacey synthesizers. While Jones is very capable holding down the rhythm section, “Come and Gone” demonstrates his melodic bass lines with simplicity and fluidity. On the other hand, one of the few misfires on 3 Brave Souls is Jones’ lead vocal turn on “Stay.” “Ayala” ventures into jazz experimentation centered on different distinct textures of woodwinds: the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) played by Steve Tavaglione and Bob Sheppard’s baritone sax. “Yabis” is a certified African funk party complete with animated trombone by Francisco Torres, and a fierce percussion line of Leon Mobley on djembe (a hand drum originating from West Africa) and Chancler’s congas. “N2U” closes down 3 Brave Souls with Gregorie Maret’s harmonica and Beasley’s glistening keys locking in a relaxing jazz/soul vibe.

After experiencing this riveting debut, there absolutely is something about that name 3 Brave Souls that says slightly daring and dare I say – a brave and welcome move for the modern jazz market. I bet Miles Davis would be smiling on them as well.
http://bit.ly/LBrmCi

- Urban Music Scene

MIDWEST RECORD
Volume 35/Number 245 - June 23, 2012
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
http://midwestrecord.com/MWRBlog.html

3 BRAVE SOULS: Describing themselves as a funk power trio, this aggregation of three generations of Miles Davis sidemen, who have collectively played with everybody, join forces for a fun romp that feels like an off the clock session where the vibe is the major concern---and they let it lead the way. With more bite than a simple groove record, these major league jazzbos deliver a free and easy date that’s as friendly as a summer day with low humidity and just the right amount of heat. Tasty stuff that needs to happen more often. -
- MIDWEST RECORD CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher

Urban Flux
Rob Young - http://bit.ly/NcOPh9

Perhaps equally as important to their friendship, 3 Brave Souls collectively has an unparalleled common denominator. In fact, at various intervals early on they played integral roles and develop their character as musicians by performing with the legendary Miles Davis. Therefore, they unexpectedly became beneficiaries of their tenure with Miles. As a result, these astute alumni essentially qualify to make reoccurring deposits to others and frequent withdrawals from this expansive template of innovative, progressive and creative music rooted in the spirit of love, imagination and passion to play music.
Initially when I placed their “Self-Titled” disc into the CD player, I thought so but I wasn’t ready to plug into the sumptuous potion of distinct, powerful and peerless music created by this superb Trio. The beauty about this collaboration is when you have like-minded voices utilize their resources properly great things can happen. In this case, we have the multifaceted keyboardist and instrumentalist John Beasley from New Orleans paired with his homey Ndugu Chancler proficient drummer-instrumentalist needed yet another essential alias to complete this task. Therefore, bassist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Darryl Jones was the missing link to help accomplish their goal. Now that’s what’s up, this infallible threesome joins forces on their debut on BFM Jazz. Together, they collectively stir up a melting pot of jazz-funk, organic grooves, and soulful sounds resonate feverishly through the walls of these eleven songs is uplifted to greater heights by an extraordinary cast of guest performers.
Out of the box, the trio jump starts the session with the gutsy yet animated funk baptized in a pool of organic, contagious and penetrating grooves embodied in “Black Friday.” As anticipated, this gem groans with tempting flavors, beats and accents of old school jazz and funk rests in the body of homegrown Memphis soul. Next we have the soulful, hip and mesmerizing vocals by Sy Smith, the songstress will simply blow you away with her downhome swagger on “Wanna Get Away?”
Apparently the guys couldn’t get enough of vocalist Sy Smith, so they decided to marry her voice with Dwight Trible on the downhome greasy, easy and back porch Church grooves of “Nothing Left to Say.” At midway point of the album, the gifted Smith is showcased once again with the sexy and vivacious ballad titled “Love’s Graces.”
Actually it’s been years since I’ve had the opportunity to savor the soothing honey dew sounds of southern soul this project embellishes, the lyrically persuasive melody of “Come and Gone” brings back even more sweet memories. The next song features two distinguished and unsung sax giants in their own right Bob Sheppard and Steve Tavaglione. They are featured soloist on the fusion infected “Ayala.” The band cooks rhythmically by gradually blending a pot of mystic brew of off-metered progressions on this progressively funky gem!
Some artists are like fine wine they age proportionally and with maturity they simply get better and mo-better in a matter of time. Case in point, the multi-talented rhythm keeper of the trio Ndugu Chancler sings and raps on the funky and toe-tapping beats of “Nail It Down.”
“Ubiquitous” is up next, this track features Beasley on Hammond and Chancler on the Kalimba solos mirrors the flexible melodies and grooves of the Crusaders meets Earth, Wind & Fire with a heavy flow of tenacious and relentless beats as the centerpiece with danceable disco layered over the top surrounds this baby from beginning to the end!
Bassist Darryl Jones is featured lead vocalist on “Stay,” this Sly Stone influenced tune is engulfed sonically in this Titans groove certainly makes you wanna dance and shout. Finally, the album winds down with the distinctive harmonica solos featuring Grégoire Maret on the gorgeous “N2U” which is lavished with rich and compelling lyricism.
I will say this without hesitation, this album is seriously for old school jazz-funk and soul music aficionados. The consummate voice of this determined Trio serves up a tasty gumbo of raw, funky and soulful music not often expressed in sphere of today’s music. Over the years cats like Beasley, Chancler and Jones honed their creative voices by performing with infinite number of artists and mastered their skills. In return, a plethora of records have been created and recorded by them. At the beginning and end of the day, when it’s all said and done this Trio’s groove is tight, funky and fits perfectly in sync with relevant music while adapting the mythology of old school with their “Self-Titled” debut ultimately delivers a powerhouse performance.
Recommended by Rob Young | Urban Flux Media | Review
- Urban Flux Rob Young

Something Else!
Nick DeRiso - http://bit.ly/O515mY

3 BRAVE SOULS (R&B): An album of soul jazz that brings together three alumni from the Miles Davis bands? We are so there. And keyboardist John Beasley (from Davis’ late-1980s touring band); bassist Daryl Jones (with Miles for 1984's Decoy and ’85's You’re Under Arrest; and drummer Ndugu Chancler (who played with Davis in the early 1970s) don’t disappoint, creating a tangy, ass-wiggling funk on their self-titled debut for BFM Jazz. It’s tempting to focus on the great, greasy lines by Beasley, whose 2011 record Positootly! was nominated for a Grammy, but Jones and Chancler are just as important to this album’s potent pulse: Jones takes a vocal turn on the Sly Stone-influenced “Stay,” while Chancler — maybe best known for his later turn on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” — adds a spoken-word contribution to the sizzling “Nail - Something Else! Nick DeRiso

The Times
Album Reviews - John Bungey - Dec 01 2012

The Rolling Stones’ touring bass player joins an impressive line-up of talent on this tasty album of super-smooth funk.

Lurking in the shadows of the 02 stage this week, Darryl Jones, touring bassman with the Rolling Stones since 1993, may have wondered how rich he would be if just a tenth of the audience bought his music instead. Stones fans would probably take to his “funk power trio”, formed with drummer Ndugu Chancler and keyboardist John Beasley, also veterans of Miles Davis’s bands. They play super-cool funk that skirts just the right side of slick and is sometimes augmented by vocalists, mainly the soulful Sy Smith. Jones sings impressively on the Sly Stone-like Stay. Perhaps he should suggest it to Mick and the Boys.


The Sunday Times


Clive Davis, Dec 02, 2012

“Soul-jazz” evokes loose blowing sessions from yesteryear, but it applies just as well to this instrumental-based collaboration between three musicians who all worked with Miles Davis at some point. Beasley’s electric keyboards bring us more or less up to date, while Chancler’s drumming upholds the sweaty virtues of good old funk. A virtuoso bassist, Jones was prone to gee-whizzery when he was with Miles; here, though, he lays solid foundations, and turns out to be a husky vocalist. The singers Sy Smith and Dwight Trible, and the trombonist Francisco Torres, lead an astute guest list. Clive Davis

The Independent
Album Review: John Beasley, Darryl Jones, Ndugu Chancier, 3 Brave Souls (Challenge)

All have done time with Miles Davis, one of them is the long-standing drummer with the Crusaders, another the regular live bassist with the Stones.
So, no chops there then. Yet chops is what we get: tasteful, grooved, uptown chops, where less tends to be more and everyone digs Gaucho. Fans of late-period Steely Dan should indeed prick up their ears. An assortment of vocalists do the melodious honours, but songs are really not the issue. Grooves are.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/ios-album-review-john-beasley-darryl-jones-ndugu-chancier-3-brave-souls-challenge-8373732.html
Bit.ly: http://ind.pn/Yrao5Q
- The Times