Twennynine feat. Lenny White | Best Of Friends
Album Review: Twennynine feat. Lenny White | Best Of Friends
By Randy Holmes
Released in 1979 on Elektra Records, now reissued on Wounded Bird Records, is the first installment of 3 Twennynine releases. Co produced by Lenny White & EWF's Larry Dunn, the album is great combination of fusion and R&B. From the pulsating rhythm of the opening track "Citi Dancin'" to the fusion beat of the closing piece, "Tropical Nights", this is certainly required listening for those seeking the progressive sounds of '70's jazz fusion, with an R&B twist to it.
Opening track, the previously mentioned "Citi Dancin'", you'll hear the soulful vocals of lead singer/bassist Barry "Sonjohn" Johnson (Who later provided lead vocals to Kenny G's 1984 R&B classic "Hi, How ya' Doin"). The blazing Mini-Moog solo of Donald Blackmon, the tight percussion work of Lenny himself, along with the presence of EWF's Phenix Horns, made this song one of the albums standout cuts.
"Take Me Or Leave" features the funky guitar playing of Eddie Martinez (Eddie is the featured lead guitarist on RUN-DMC's trailblazing 1984 single "Rock Box" off their self titled debut release). It's feel good R&B groove, featuring the lead female vocal of an uncredited singer. My suspicions are that it's R&B/Jazz legend, Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Album title track "Best Of Friends" starts with a orchestra prelude beautifully arranged and conducted by none other than Jorge Del Barrio. Jorge orchestrated a lot of those charts for several classic EWF albums. Great lyrics of how past loves meet again years later, with the hopes of them being friends, as opposed to falling in love again
The R&B hit single "Peanut Butter" is one of the most funkiest tracks ever recorded. Period! Funky bass synth lines, live hand claps, the street jive vocals, the overall "just plain having fun" vibe of this track had this song added on many black radio station play lists across the country.
Other songs featured on "Best Of Friends", "Betta", Weldon Irvine's classic"Morning Sunrise", "Oh Sylvie", and the aforementioned "Tropical Nights" make this CD a must have from one of Jazz's legendary drummers... but from another musical perspective, as opposed to the straight ahead jazz fare he's also known for.
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 12/4/2009 1:41 PM 
Categories: Urban Jazz, Old School Soul, Jazz Fusion, Old School Jazz
Categories: Urban Jazz, Old School Soul, Jazz Fusion, Old School Jazz
Nothing more to add than a big nod to your review Randy. Enjoyed reading that, and still enjoying the Twennynine albums + Lenny's other solo albums to this day. Really would've liked attending a live-show of Twennynine back in the day.
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