Dug Webb Archive

Bernie Mora (guitar) and Tangent – Transformation – Rhombus

Bernie Mora (guitar) and Tangent – Transformation – Rhombus

Ready to “funk you up.” Bernie Mora and Tangent – Transformation [TrackList follows] – Rhombus RHO 7133, 44:22 [6/3/16] ***1/2: (Bernie Mora – guitar, producer; Doc Anthony – drums; Robert Vance – bass; Doug Webb – saxophone; Corey Allen – keyboards; Lee Thornburg – horns; Charles Godfrey – percussion; Brian Bromberg – fretless and upright bass (track 9)) Guitarist Bernie Mora loves rock and funk. Mora—with his seven-piece ensemble dubbed Tangent—showcases an insistent exuberance on the 44-minute Transformation, Mora’s third release on the Rhombus label. Mora’s nine originals (including a few co-writes) are a mostly hard-charging foray through guitar-led and horn-fronted groove and rock which offers rambunctious music for jazz fans who listen to bands such as Tower of Power, the Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham and similar artists. Mora and Tangent come out of the gate with a solid, two-punch attack. The meaty and melodic “Chump Change” is like Spyro Gyra taken to an uncoupled extreme, and features Doug Webb’s powerhouse tenor sax. He’s played and recorded with such notables as Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Clarke, and his chops are formidable on this upfront piece. Mora doesn’t hold back one iota, and showing Prince is at least one […]