Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe BOOGSIE’S “FRESH AIR”

Review

In recent times we’ve engaged with composer/pannist Len “Boogsie” Sharpe mostly through his masterly arrangements for Phase II Pan Groove and other Panorama contenders. It’s been a while since he’s given us a solo recording, and we’ve been duly rewarded for our patience with Fresh Air.

Rare for a pan-jazz offering, the album does not include a single jazz standard or pop cover; Fresh Air is 100% Boogsie – an indication of the artist’s immense talent and confidence. The prevailing mood is a cool, breezy Caribbean-jazz groove (Fresh Air, Taking It Easy), but there is calypso-funk here as well (Sunday Morning Funk, Calypso Nights), and, naturally, Boogsie’s awesome wizardry on the tenor pan. Overlook the couple of over-slow, cloying moments – this may well be the perfect soundtrack to a cool Caribbean evening. (GP/eC)