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Jazz is perhaps the most democratic of all musical genres. Even the greatest and most renowned musician understands that he or she is basically performing in a group of equals where all of the sidemen members are leaders in other bands. The best leader understands that the way to get the most out of those sidemen is to give them ample opportunity to create and shine. That must have been what Gregg Holsey was thinking as he recorded the pleasant sounding Can't Stop.
Jazz is perhaps the most democratic of all musical genres. Even the greatest and most renowned musician understands that he or she is basically performing in a group of equals where all of the sidemen members are leaders in other bands. The best leader understands that the way to get the most out of those sidemen is to give them ample opportunity to create and shine. That must have been what Gregg Holsey was thinking as he recorded the pleasant sounding Can't Stop. Holsey is a bass player, and while he afforded himself numerous opportunities to solo on this disc, Holsey's smooth bass playing provides the rhythm for guitarists Stewart Scaggs and Kurt Alexander, as well as saxophonist Nick Stone, to create. At eight tracks, Can't Stop goes fast and the tunes - while not adventurous - are well crafted and varied enough in tempo to keep the listener's interest, making Can't Stop a solid piece of contemporary jazz.
Notable Tracks: Just Cooling, The One and This Feeling
Vocals: 2 stars
Music: 3 stars
Production: 3 stars
SoulTracks call: Recommended
By Howard Dukes