Karl Denson's Tiny Universe took off in 1998 after saxophonist Karl Denson left the Greyboy Allstars after five years. GBA had proven themselves to be the ultimate jazz dance band with their westcoast boogaloo, but Denson wanted more and did this by adding funk, r & b and hip-hop to its sound. After several successful instrumental CDs, he uses his voice for the first time on Brother's Keeper.
He is accompanied by a true all-star cast consisting of bassist Meshell Ndegocello, guitarist Marc Ford (The Black Crowes) and members of the Lenny Kravitz Band, The Dap Kings, The Greyboy Allstars and Switchfoot. With such a diverse line-up, it is therefore not surprising that Brother's Keeper has not become a real soul, funk, rock or jazz album. The influences are mixed up and result in songs that deserve the predicate 'pop'. Pop with roots firmly anchored in soul, with occasional excesses to raw funk. (AD)more
