Review: The Andy Pizzo Project – Bouncin’

The Andy Pizzo Project

Bouncin’

The mix of live and studio recordings in this CD makes for a good introduction to this jazz-tinged funk outfit. Pizzo’s trombone occupies center stage throughout most of the record, but never really overtakes the burbling funk bliss of the band. Like all things funk, the live recordings, captured from a night at SoGo Live, really bring the best out in the music. The extended showcase piece “All Blues” in particular along with the experimental “Why?” mix up this recording to keep it from being the usual funk soundtrack album. Less successful are the vocal numbers like “Boogie Bus” and their version of “When You’re Smiling.” Less talk and more rock, please! Pizzo’s voice and barker deliver comes off as thin, but he more than makes up for it with his barn burning trombone on the techno-tinged “Just Do It” and the urbane swing of the title track.