Album Review: Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble - Groove In The Face of Adversity

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble

Groove In The Face of Adversity

***and1/2 out of *****

For his newest project Don Was assembled a crack team from Detroit, titling the outfit the Pan-Detroit Ensemble as he states "we are on a mission to promulgate the music of our hometown". Groove In The Face of Adversity allows the laid back musicianship of all involved to shine through. 

Somewhat surprisingly the group opens with a cover of "Midnight Marauders", from a band Fat Freddy's Drop, about as far from Detroit as you can get, New Zealand. However, everyone involved works it wonderfully as the sparse electo-keys and brass blows, lead to a funky, reggae influenced beat that is well produced and bumping. 

The band is a testament to Detroit's musical talent as it includes Was on bass, saxophonist Dave McMurray, keyboardist Luis Resto, trombonist Vincent Chandler, trumpeter John Douglas, drummer Jeff Canady, percussionist Mahindi Masai, guitarist Wayne Gerard and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an. An odd thing about the "studio" record, is that the majority is taken from live outings by the group with some guests added. 

The slow grooving "I Ain't Got Nothing But Time" is a great live extended jam that highlights Christi'an's sultry vocals and pristine trumpet work from Douglas. "Nubian Lady" is taken from another live outing and is dominated by great drumming from Canady, McMurray's flute work and while the late night sounding, smooth session is fun, it does run on too long. The other extended live outing is "You Asked, I Came" which uses a foundation of a Bo Diddley beat with dynamite brass work from McMurray and guest Terrance Blanchard's fiery trumpet solo riding along the top. 

"This Is My Country" is a much shorter outing and harkens back to the Motown Soul sound in winning fashion while album closer "Insane" works the electro funk with more soaring vocals from Christi'an who really shines on the album in front of brass solos from the horn section. Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble's Groove In The Face of Adversity has a mixed bag feel, traveling between jazz, funk and soul, kind of like Detroit itself.  

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