Jim Duffy and Haxty

Jim Duffy “Mood Lit”
It’s rare that I’ll review an instrumental album. But this one hit my sweet spot – and with Dennis Diken (Smithereens) on the drums, I figured it was worth looking into. Jim Duffy gathered a small jazz combo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to put this lounge pop confection together. Included are Paul Page (bass) and Lance Doss (guitars) from Ian Hunter’s band. If you enjoy Burt Bacharach or The Vince Guaraldi Trio you will really love this album. The keyboards are where Jim shines on every track here. You’ll hear a bit of a Stevie Wonder styled melody on the tribute “Stevie Says.” Occasionally it takes a detour – “Memento Mori” is one of those songs where the horns take you on a journey, and you don’t miss vocals one bit here. Every song tends to flow in a different direction, so unlike other jazz pop albums I’ve heard it doesn’t get stylistically repetitive. Superior production and mixing work here balances out the players, so no one overshadows the other and the combo plays like a well oiled (organic) machine. Overall a very enjoyable album, and a big cut above your average instrumentals heard in Starbucks. So put down the coffee and enjoy a cocktail with Jim Duffy.

Haxty “Haxty EP”
This is a bittersweet story from Philadelphia. A local band named Panel took a break from touring — but during that vacation the bass player, Greg Haxty was tragically killed in an auto accident. As a result, the band broke up. A few years later the band reconnects and reforms in the studio under the name Haxty. And after this debut, you’ll want to hear more from this band. Opening with the smooth guitar rhythm and a clean vocal of “Bones & Stars” it proves to be a muscular pop single. However, the next track “Signs” is a pure hook filled delight that comes across like a cross between The Rembrandts and REM and is the real keeper here. Another winner is “Revolution Song” with it’s bouncy lead and ascending chorus of “if it feels alright, I don’t mind anymore.” It’s a short 5 track EP, but it gets the point across. And it’s most definitely ipod worthy.