Euge Groove - 'Sunday Morning'

Pardon the pun, but “Sunday Morning” is Euge Groove’s grooviest release to date, a near-perfect blend of his trademark jazz, soul, R&B and funk with an added emphasis on gospel. Alternating between tenor and soprano sax and working with a live rhythm section, Groove (real name: Steven Eugene Grove) calls to mind contemporary performers like David Sanborn   as well  as stalwarts like Stan Getz and a young Junior Walker. And, musically, Luther Vandross: The way his melodic voice would soar over muted rhythms, take a breathing stop, then, as the volume lessened, float back over the action. Not surprising perhaps considering that guitarist Paul Brown, who worked with Vandross, co-produced the CD.

Groove reflects his funky Tower of Power roots on “Say My Name,” while his embrace of gospel, begun on 2007’s “Born 2 Groove,” is displayed on the title track and “The Gospel Truth,” both featuring Phillipe Saisse on strings. There’s a lone vocal, the love ballad “Yes,” featuring vocalist Dax Reynosa and Groove easing in and out of the track.

– Marvin Leon Lake

Tracks to download “Sunday Morning ,” “Get Ready ” (Links go to Amazon.com)

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.