http://audaud.com/2014/02/steve-davis-for-real-posi-tone/

Steve Davis – For Real – Posi-Tone

Steve Davis – For Real – Posi-Tone PR8116, 58:09 ****:

(Steve Davis – trombone; Abraham Burton – tenor sax; Larry Willis – piano; Nat Reeves – bass; Billy Williams – drums)

Steve Davis is one dependable cat. We’ve previously reviewed many of his prior CD issues, and they all hit the mark. Going back to Alone Together in 2007, to the more recent  Eloquence(on JLP), and Images and Gettin’ It Done (on Posi-Tone), the sense of swing and polished presentation is always there. Davis is an integral member of the new millenium’s version of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messenger’s, One for All. His solo projects, usually containing his own compositions, are eagerly anticipated by fans of hard bop.

Steve’s pedigree is first rate, having been mentored by Jackie McLean, and serving on the last version of Blakey’s Messengers from 1989 to 1990, before Art’s passing. He has taught at the Hartt College of Music, where his studies brought him in contact with Jackie Mac.

On his latest CD, For Real, his pairing with tenor saxist Abraham Burton, strongly brings to mind the Jazz Crusaders’ sax and ‘bone masters, Wilton Felder and Wayne Henderson. On the opening title track, they totally nail the funk and “grease” of the Crusaders appeal. With long time accompanist, the brilliant pianist Larry Willis bringing gospel tinged piano fills, it’s a great way to set the stage for what is to come. On “Nicky D” Steve Davis’ burnished tone kicks into a nice groove that the rhythm section supports. “Angie’s Groove” shows off the ensemble blending that One for Alldoes so well. They are locked in until Willis, and then Steve, and Burton take center stage. “Days Gone By” is a mellow ballad that will showcases Abraham Burton’s lyrical skills matched by Davis’ ability to enter the realm of JJ Johnson as a balladeer.

“Blues on Blues” is just that. Written by Larry Willis, it is manna from heaven for those that love soul jazz. “Tactics” is more assertive, and the closer, “Daylight” lets the group explore a Latinesque tinge, with Billy Williams’ percussion providing the propulsion to keep the juices flowing.

Kudos again go out to Posi-Tone’s main men: producer Marc Free, and engineer Nick O’Toole, for bringing supreme acoustics that help Davis and Company strut their stuff. Steve Davis is definitely “for real.”

TrackList: For Real, Nicky D, Angie’s Groove, Days Gone By, Big East, Blues on Blues, Tactics, I Found You, Daylight

—Jeff Krow

http://www.JazzWax.com

Steve Davis—For Real (Positone). Trombonist Steve Davis has hit a tasteful sweet spot here—a mellow, hard bop configuration that keeps the feel gentle but enveloping. All the songs are Davis originals except for one (that one is by pianist Larry Willis)—and the results are so cohesive and melodic you’d think they were from the Blue Note catalogue. Tenor saxophonist Abraham Burton matches Davis’ easy-does-it nocturnal feel. A gorgeous album. –

www.allaboutjazz.com

For lovers of straight-ahead jazz the Posi-Tone record label is a pretty safe bet, a mark of quality. Label owner and producer Marc Free seems to possess a knack for combining excellent musicians and high quality studios (aided and abetted by engineer Nick O’Toole) to create fresh and rewarding music.

Trombonist Steve Davis is one of those excellent musicians andFor Real is his fourth album for the label. Davis’ long career has seen him produce 16 previous albums as leader, while his sideman credits are extensive and include albums with Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter and Art Blakey. For Realfinds him once again in the company of pianist Larry Willis, bassist Nat Reeves and drummerBilly Williams, who all appeared on Davis’ previous release, Gettin’ It Done (Posi-Tone, 2012). Davis is joined on the front line by saxophonist Abraham Burton, a Grammy winner with the Mingus Big Band. The tenor and trombone combination works beautifully, the instruments complementing each other to boost the richness of the quintet’s sound.

“Blues On Blues,” written by pianist Larry Willis, is a pleasant tune that, unsurprisingly, gives the players a chance to show their bluesier side. The rest of the tunes are Davis’ own compositions.

Mid-tempo groovers such as “For Real” and “Angie’s Groove,” the Latin swinger “Daylight” and the up-tempo, hard bop “Tactics”—which features tight, assertive solos from all five musicians—are irresistible chunks of fun: effortlessly swinging and positive tunes. They’re impressive, as compositions and as performance, but it’s the gentler numbers that really impress. “Nicky D” may have a similar tempo to “For Real” but there’s more space (Burton sits this one out) and Davis’ trombone sound is at its warmest and most inviting. “Days Gone By” finds the quintet in a meditative mood. It’s a ballad that takes its inspiration from pre-bop rather than post-bop, with Burton’s solo and Willis’ comping proving central to its success. The easy-going romance of “I Found You” completes the trio of soulful tunes.

For Real is a superb album, an object lesson in small band jazz and a shining example of the trombonist’s art. It can proudly take its place as one of the Posi-Tone label’s finest releases—as a quick check of the label’s catalog will show, that’s quite an accolade.

http://steptempest.blogspot.com

Any recording by trombonist/composer/educatorSteve Davis is a reason to celebrate.  A 1989 graduate of the HARTT School’s Jackie McLean Institute (at the University of Hartford), Davis has performed with Art Blakey, Chick Corea, Christian McBride and so many others, especially the collective One For All.  He’s also served on the faculty of his alma mater since 1991 as well as working with Hartford’s Artist’s Collective.

“For Real” is the title of Davis’s 4th release for PosiTone Records and an apt description of the man himself.  Though he can play with great fire, Davis eschews histrionics in favor of a smooth, steady, tone and music that builds from solid melodic lines and a strong chordal structure.  Joining him for this date is long-time associates Larry Willis (piano) and fellow HARTT faculty member Nat Reeves (bass), McLean Institute graduate Abraham Burton (tenor saxophone) and the fine young drummer Billy Williams.  Right off the bat, the title track reminds this listener of the sounds of the Jazz Crusaders with its funky blend of ‘bone, tenor sax and piano. Burton is a strong soloist, blending the drive of John Coltrane with the bluesy explorations of players such as Booker Ervin and Hank Mobley.  Willis, the 71-year old native of Harlem (New York City), is, at turns, playful, wistful, swinging, and always melodic.  On the rousing “Tactics” (all the songs on the CD are Davis originals save one), the pianist’s solid chords give Reeves the freedom to fly while Williams supplies the drive.  Willis’s impressionistic chords open the handsome ballad “I Found You” with its 2-part melody line – his graceful solo unwinds freely over the classy foundations supplied by his  partners in the rhythm section.  The trombonist’s solo blends short phrases with longer, sweetly flowing lines. Brazilian rhythms underpin the sprightly closing track “Daylight“, giving the soloists a springboard for imaginative and hard-driving explorations.  Burton’s joyful romp builds off the energy created by Willis’s ebullient solo.  The leader picks up on the dancing quality of Reeves’ bouncy bass lines and Williams’s enthusiastic percussion, delivering a sweet melodic statement.

Yes, “For Real” is just that – “real” music that is as exciting as it is entertaining.  Steve Davis connects with his audience on a number of levels, his honest approach to his art refreshing and certainly enjoyable.

http://jazzwrap.blogspot.com

Steve Davis: For Real

Steve Davis (trombone)
For Real (Posi-Tone; 2014)
Abraham Burton (sax)
Larry Willis (piano)
Nat Reeves (bass)
Billy Williams (drums)

Steve Davis is in superb form on his new album, For Real. This is probably the best I heard in a couple albums now. While the bandmates remained the same for this album, with the inclusion of Abraham Burton, their tone and Davis’ writing feels stronger and more confident.

“For Real” takes a calm but groovy approach, with some additional homage to the Blue Note legacy (you’ll know what this means when you hear it). While keeping the hard bop tradition, Davis still manages to make his compositions stand above some of his contemporaries. The lovely ballad “Days Gone By,” excels thanks to the raw but lush notes from Burton and the always steady hand of Willis. Davis’ playing is understated and warm reflecting a soft elder statesmen quality.

“Daylight” closes out the album on a wonderful Brazilian swing. While having the infectious flavour, Davis crafts the tune with a number changes that allows for some adventurous movements throughout the piece. Not your typical number. And not you typical Brazilian influence tune. Well done.

With For Real, Steve Davis show that he has a lot more to write about and he continues to go from strength to strength. For Real is probably his best record to date for the Posi-Tone label. And its well worth seeking out. Right now!

somethingelsereviews.com

Jazz Messengers-alum and sideman trombonist of choice Steve Davis makes his fourth Posi-Tone disc For Realyet another enjoyable collection of no-bullshit, genuine hard bop.

Retaining Larry Willis (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and Billy Williams (drums) from the dandy Gettin’ It Done of 2012,For Real pairs Davis with only one other horn this time, the tenor sax of Abraham Burton. Burton, whose sweet elongated notes lifts “Angie’s Groove,” fits in splendidly with Davis’ ’60s Blue Note soul-jazz vibe, the major reason I get a kick out of Davis’ records.

True to that vibe, Davis himself is often remindful of the great Curtis Fuller, and he can burn (as on “Tactics”) and cool down (as on “Days Gone By”) as well as any ‘bone player alive today, in a rare class with Steve Turre and Michael Dease.

This time, Davis went with a slate of all-originals, which, save for Willis’ “Blues On Blues” are self-penned. As before, Davis introduced tunes that could have been conceived fifty years ago and rarely conceived as well since then. Davis’ tunes have a flair for rhythm, too, from the “Sidewinder” boogaloo present on “For Real” to the festive Brazilian carnival groove of “Daylight.”

Steve Davis has led another sturdy date that packs a lot of soul, plenty of acumen and tight ensemble playing. It’s all you can ask for from a straight-ahead date, and Davis does it with regularity. For real.