Label: American Showplace
Source: Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa
Michel Benebig visits New Zealand once a year and we anticipate his
visits with Joy. His authentic B3 groove journey didn’t start in East
Philly, but in tropical Noumea; a South Pacific Island north of here.
After honing his craft he travelled widely and in consequence his star
steadily rises. The more North American audiences hear him, the more
they embrace him. He is now regarded as a B3 master. The B3 greats who
inspired him are all but departed and he deservedly steps into their
shoes. His travels in the USA have brought him into frequent contact
with a number of well-known musicians. As good musicianship and a
pleasant disposition are the highest recommendations possible,
the musicians he worked with recommended him to others. That is how he
teamed up with Carl Lockett.
I was in San Francisco in 2012 and as I had been tracking Benebig’s
latest tour, I saw that he was gigging in the Bay Area. I said to my
son, “Kid you need of piece of this, it will gladden your heart”. It did
and I will always remember the smile on his face as the sound of the B3
floated up the stairs from the Academy Francaise auditorium. That was
the first time I saw Benebig and Lockett together. I was over-whelmed by
the warmth and groove they created. Around that time Michele recorded
‘Yellow Purple’ in California with Carl Lockett on guitar, James Levi on
drums and his partner Fabienne Shem Benebig on vocals. Released in 2013
and the album brought him many new fans. The new album ‘Noumea to New
York’ is his finest to date (and true to label, recorded in New York).
Again Lockett features on guitar, Lewis Nash lays down the drum grooves
and special guest Houston Person appears on tenor saxophone. What a
marvellous line up this is and what an album they turned out. This album
alone will secure Benebig a place in the pantheon. It has modern B3
classic written all over it. All compositions are by Benebig, with one
tune co-credited with his partner Shem. There are so many treasures on
this album that it is hard to single out one particular tune, but if
pressed I would say ‘Noumea To New York’. A medium paced groove track
with enough warmth to melt the ice in your drink. The flawless interplay
between Benebig, Nash and Lockett is in strong evidence here. With Nash
creating a solid cushion of groove, it is no wonder that Benebig and
Locket sound so marvellous. The tour down under was minus Nash and
Person; Locals filled those gaps. In Auckland we had Roger Manins on
tenor and Ron Samsom on drums. Read more...
01 Blues for Rog 4:25
02 Nouméa to New York 4:39
03 Une Terre 6:09
04 Running After You 4:24
05 Ajc Blues 6:58
06 Blue Butterfly 6:49
07 Lucia 4:58
08 Something Happened 4:12
02 Nouméa to New York 4:39
03 Une Terre 6:09
04 Running After You 4:24
05 Ajc Blues 6:58
06 Blue Butterfly 6:49
07 Lucia 4:58
08 Something Happened 4:12
Michel Bénébig Hammond B3 Organ
Carl Lockett Guitar
Lewis Nash Drums
Houston Person Tenor Sax
