Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Album Review: Charlie Hunter - Kick, Snare, Baritone Guitar

Charlie Hunter
Kick, Snare, Baritone Guitar
**and1/2 out of *****

The multi-instrumentalists newest offering is a collection of immensely groovy jaunts that can be easily sampled for other offerings (particularly hip-hop) as Charlie Hunter presents Kick, Snare, Baritone Guitar.

Hunter has always excelled in these loose instrumental waters and this collection is no exception as the direct cuts deliver a base to expand on as Hunter uses the three title instruments to craft sweet sonic pastures. The opening "Root's Hobby Hut" is a chunky, strutting number with splashes of light feedback that keep the growl real before things clean up for some of his best snake like guitar work on the funky "Stop The Clock".

The blues based "Flint's" is a master class in straight ahead riffs and blues drumming while "Silver Ball Gardens" could play as a late night, upbeat, Tom Waits inspired backing track. Speaking of influences, Steve Ray Vaughn shows up in spirit for the strictly guitar based "Sneaking Into the UC Theater". The best drumming arrives with "Oscar's" marching beats while the head bobbing "Tiki Massage" and the shaking good time party track "Fat Dog's Clown Car" wrap things up on bright notes.   

The brief album is a quick run through of Hunter's easy flow and sound. These base tracks are not drawn out, layered or swollen by excess, they simply roll with ease as if Hunter just decided to record an afternoon jam session he alone was delivering. On Kick, Snare, Baritone Guitar, Charlie Hunter breaks it down to the essentials and sounds lively doing so. 
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