Federation Of The Groove Federation Of The Groove

• 1 Carnival of the Night 07:36
• 2 So What's Up 07:46
• 3 Briar Patch 04:58
• 4 Groovy Waltz 06:20
• 5 Blues for John 05:56
• 6 Downhill 05:11
• 7 Naima 06:14
• 8 Topspin 06:43
• 9 Uh Huh 06:16
• Total Runtime 57:00

Info for Federation Of The Groove

This is possibly the best federation in the world! It is grassroots democratic, freedom-loving, humane and - above all - musically rousing. Whether funk or fusion, whether catchy soul, rich blues or sparkling straight-ahead jazz: in the Federation of the Groove quartet, no one style dominates the other, rather everything meshes together virtuosically, grooves together, as concentrated as it is passionate.

Federation of the Groove is Bruno Müller, Martin Sasse, Claus Fischer and Hendrik Smock, musicians who have known each other for a long time and always meet on an equal footing in a friendly and respectful manner. In a relaxed but never tense way, they combine their own creative ideas with their respect for tradition.

Three compositions by Bruno Müller and two more by Martin Sasse are complemented by three other compositions: a nod to the Federation's sources of inspiration. As an opener, "Carnival of the Night" by Wilton "Crusader" Felder exudes a casual portion of "Street Life" feeling with funky electric bass, soulful guitar riff and sparkling electric piano. "Briar Patch" by Jack McDuff is no less emblematic: after powerful drum beats, the song grooves soulfully and funkily with wonderful organ passages by Martin "Brother" Sasse. Completely different then is the ballad classic "Naima" by John Coltrane as a fragile hymn to the melody that is as simple as it is incomparably beautiful. Acoustic guitar, gleaming cymbals, percussive sprinkles and the atmospherically dense electric piano provide the contemplative climax of the album.

The Federation pays homage to John Coltrane with yet another piece: in Sasse's spirited "Blues For John", guest Paul Heller brings Coltrane's harmonic twists and dynamic phrasing power to the point in a stirring way. It is probably no coincidence that the final Bruno Müller piece on the album is called "Topspin". Even at the highest tempo and with the most intense sound density, the Federation plays musically precise passing strokes and serves its music imaginatively right at the feet of the audience. What previously only worked so perfectly on stage and set every Federation concert in motion now works no less enchantingly on the first album. To return to Brother Jack McDuff, it could also have been called: "Bringin' It Home".

Federation Of The Groove:
Bruno Müller, guitar
Martin Sasse, keyboards
Claus Fischer, electric bass
Hendrik Smock, drums
Guests:
Paul Heller, tenor saxophone
Roland Peil, percussion

Recorded and mixed by Reinhard Kobialka at Topaz Studio Cologne (October 12/13, 2020)
Mastered by Thomas Ölscher at Railroad Tracks Studios, Kerpen
Produced by Bruno Müller, Martin Sasse, Jens Bosch (Executive Producer)

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