Exciting and tasteful., April 5, 2009

GK - one sheet

With its soulful, snaky melody and irresistible uptown urban groove, the coolly cosmopolitan “Manhattan”—the first single from keyboardist Gregg Karukas’ upcoming Trippin N’ Rhythm release GK—is a long way both geographically and musically from the dramatic mountain landscapes of Thousand Oaks, California, where Karukas and his family relocated in 2007. But the new locale of his longtime Nightowl Studios gave him plenty of inspiration, too—his proximity to the hiking trails in the wilderness park adjacent to his backyard inspired the percussive, Les McCann flavored soul-gospel jazz jam “Wildwood.”

  The buzz is already building for “ Manhattan ,” which hit the radio airwaves in late January in anticipation of the release of Karukas’ new album in April. Midway through the first pulsing chords of the intro, attuned listeners will hear an echo of a familiar melodic phrase from “Girl in the Red Dress,” the keyboardist’s hit song from his last release, 2005’s Looking Up. It gets better from there as Gregg’s signature touch navigates “Manhattan” with a musical confidence that comes from 2 decades of producing chart topping, all original, solo CD’s that are both sophisticated and accessible.

  “Yep, as soon as I played it, I decided to keep that part in and take it to a different place,” he says. “I imagine the ‘Girl’ has come up in the world and moved uptown to the big city. She has more of an attitude this time. For me, writing is always an organic process, and my pace between albums is always a few years because for me to get back in the studio, I have to be excited about the songs I’ve been writing. With that in mind, I can confidently say that ‘ Manhattan ’ is one of the best tracks I have written in the past few years.”

  “Manhattan” and “Wildwood” are just two of the 11 compelling tracks on GK, an eclectic album that’s chock full of classic Karukas melodies and grooves and potential radio hits—but whose truest artistry comes across as he explores his equal love for urban jazz, R&B, blues/gospel, Latin and, especially, Brazilian music. Unlike many artists, who depend on outside producers, pop covers and co-writers to provide their material, Karukas is one of the few in the genre that scores hit after hit writing and producing his own projects, and he invites some longtime friends, major artists in their own right, to share the many musical joys of GK: Rick Braun, Paul Brown, Luis Conte, Jessy J, Russ Freeman, Pat Kelley, Michael O’Neill, Michael Paulo and Ricardo Silveira.

  Since the release of Looking Up, Karukas has worked on major projects with several of these guest performers. Karukas appeared on Jessy’s debut single “Tequila Moon,” which was a #1 R&R hit for almost two months in 2008 and also wrote “Tropical Rain” for her new 2009 project. On GK, she returns the favor with her inimitable sultry horn on the seductive, easy funk ballad “Soul Kisses.” In 2007, Karukas played on Braun and Richard Elliot’s smash “RnR,” another of last year’s top radio hits. Braun graces two songs on GK with very different styles, playing a bright and fiery flugelhorn solo on the jangling, high spirit “road trip” “ Napa Road ” and muted trumpet on the balmy, Brazilian flavored moods of “Floating in Bahia .”

  Karukas had a blast performing on several tracks of The Rippingtons’ 20^th Anniversary, a set that reunited the keyboardist with Russ Freeman, Dave Koz, Benoit and many of the other top name musicians who appeared on the band’s groundbreaking 1986 album Moonlighting. Gregg is also featured on the new Ripps CD, Modern Art, and making his first guest appearance ever on a Karukas solo project, guitarist Russ Freeman adds his tender acoustic sweetness to GK’s soulful and romantic closing track “Believe In Me.”

  GK’s other tracks lead the listener on a fascinating musical journey through all the great musical loves of Karukas’ life. Capturing a little of the Looking Up optimism, “Daylight” is pure sensual elegance and charm. After mood-swinging through “Napa Road,” “Floating In Bahia” and “Wildwood,” the keyboardist blends his sweet melodic flow with an easy rhythmic twist--with the help of guitarists Pat Kelley (electric) and Michael O’Neill (nylon string)--on “Walkin’ In Time.” As its title promises, “Jamba Samba” is a fresh dose of Brazilian excitement, with Silveira’s blazing guitar trading licks with Gregg and a very live rhythm section of Oscar Seaton, Melvin Davis and Luis Conte. Karukas moves a country or two over for “Mesa Moon,” a track that starts as a seductive romp before swinging into a full on mid tempo Salsa jam. “Coyote Party” is GK’s resident rocker, a retro-minded bluesy-churchy explosion featuring GK himself on Wurlitzer, Rhodes and organ and wild interaction with guitarist Paul Brown, saxman Michael Paulo and a killer horn section.

  When Karukas released Looking Up back in 2005, his goal was to offer a rhythmically diverse, beautifully performed and high spirited musical antidote for challenging times. As 2009 rolls along with a glimmer of hope amidst even more trying circumstances, the keyboardist draws us into his melodic world again on GK, an album that says to all of us: Stop for a moment. Be grateful for what’s still good. And celebrate that forward thinking spirit that still lies in all of us.