NEW RELEASE – THE GABRIEL MERVINE QUARTET

The Gabriel Mervine Quartet consists of trumpeter Gabriel Mervine, guitarist Alex Heffron, organist Tom Amend and drummer Alejandro Castano. The Denver-based soul jazz outfit released their new single Quickie on Color Red on August 27.

Quickie is unadulterated boogaloo jazz, modern but strongly rooted in the classic organ and soul jazz format of the mid/late sixties, particularly the commercial Blue Note affairs of Lou Donaldson, Lee Morgan et. al. It’s a catchy, clever melody and arrangement and a strong effort with vigorous statements by all four members.

I love the way Mervine, accomplished trumpeter who cooperated with Terenche Blanchard, Christian McBride, Maceo Parker, Houston Person and was part of funk outfit The Motet, glides over the funky backbeat, a greasy slur here, a surprising backflip of high notes there. Mervine displays a rewarding, balanced vitality.

Color Red confirmed the release of new tracks by the band in the near-future.