Now, I know that Paul Moran is musical director for Van the Man, and is well-known keyboard player, but I can’t get my head around this album at all. Paul provides Hammond B3 Organ plus trumpet and flugelhorn, and he is joined by Nigel Price (electric and acoustic guitar), Laurence Cottle (electric bass), Mez Clough (drums), Percussion- Michael Osbourne (percussion), Electric Guitar- Jim Mullen (electric guitar) Drums Adam Roman (drums) and Jeff Scantlebury (percussion). It is all very clever, and the guys are adept at bringing together a variety of jazz standards, pop numbers and originals in a warm soft jazz style. But, and it is quite a large “but” to be honest, all this album does is remind me of the musicians that used to be at holiday camps, playing their versions of the hits of the day, plus numbers that people would recognise. It was all done in a very meek and mild manner, causing no offence to anyone, but that was because most people weren’t listening to the music anyway but were concentrating on their chicken in a basket and watered down beer. This album takes me very much back to the early Seventies, but not in a good way.
Moran, Paul - Smokin' B3 Volume 2 Still Smokin'
, Kev Rowland
