Jazz and rock hit it off just right on
Greg Kurstin's self-titled debut for the Verve label,
Action Figure Party. The keyboardist brings together a diverse group of rock musicians including
Flea from
the Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Sean Lennon on turntables,
Gabrial McNair of
No Doubt, and
Gary Novak, who has played with
Alanis Morrissette and
Chick Corea. All songs were written by
Greg Kurstin except one, which was written by his wife and co-performer, Pamelia Kurstin.
Action Figure Party opens with "Everybody Ready," setting the party atmosphere with a radio-friendly track that's still true to the jam-band idiom. Elements of jazz are introduced by way of
Kurstin's Moog and electric piano work on "Pong Baby," a freewheeling mix of rock and jazz. "Flow," spotlights
Kurstin's improvisational skills on acoustic piano that create a visual mood with pat but not overly familiar soloing.
Flea fills in the basslines with his eclecticism, making this song happen while drummer
Gary Novak provides additional rhythmic charisma with his accessible performance. Together their energy is electric, but still down to earth enough for jazz radio. On "No Sleep"
Kurstin is playing great and so is Yogi on guitar with the wah-wah working just right.
Kurstin's special guests, with origins in both rock and jazz, make this ensemble of musicians one of the better jam bands in recent years.
Action Figure Party is a likely inheritor of that crowd since the featured ensemble incorporates a lot of their licks but still haven't made this just a record for lovers of the jam-band scene. ~ Paula Edelstein