Melting Pot (2005) is the debut effort from a combo led by one-time
Jerry Garcia Band and
Gideon & Power keyboardist
Melvin Seals. With roots running deeply into sacred music, it was actually his nearly two-decade-long tenure as
Jerry Garcia's organist of choice that brought a whole new audience to the Bay Area ivory tickler. In terms of originals,
Seals vacillates from the gorgeous and acoustic "When You Love Someone" -- with the artist on a remarkably realistic sounding synth-guitar -- and the languid after-hours jazz vibe of "Love Is in the Air." He balances the ballads on the funky and low-down "Travellin' Man" -- highlighted by a guitar solo from
Elvin Bishop -- and the upbeat and quirky jam band rocker "Celebrate" -- the latter featuring a rare lead vocal from
Seals himself.
Joe Goldmark's weeping steel guitar glides into the achingly poignant "I'm Not Going to Cry Anymore," as Dallas Colt (vocals) offers up what is possibly her finest contribution on the disc.
Frank Zappa compatriot
Ray White guests on the hard-driving "Woman With an Attitude" and even though Richard Healy probably won't be giving
Zappa a run for his money, he does provide some blistering fretwork throughout. Fellow Bay Area associates
Mario Cipollina (bass) and
Steve Kimock (guitar) ably assist on the skankin' "Reggae World" and the former
Huey Lewis bassist can be heard on the aforementioned "Travellin' Man" and the soulfully spiritual "Hands." This departure from the extended instrumental interaction of the various
Garcia-related combos is the perfect platform for
Seals to display the wide variety and diversity in not only his unparalleled playing, but underutilized composing as well.