by Brian D. Holland.

Nudge It Up A Notch, featuring Steve Cropper and Felix Cavaliere, was released July 29, 2008, on Stax. It’s such an interesting collaboration that even the record label is synonymous with great R&B. Renowned guitarist and R&B legend Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MGs, the Blues Brothers, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave) and vocal/keyboard legend Felix Cavaliere (leader of The Rascals) convene to create an album of incredible proportions. Both known for their R&B and soul aptitude for over 40 years, it can be perceived as a milestone event. However, the fact that these two musical icons reside in Nashville, as does iconic producer Jon Tiven, can leave us wondering why such an affair didn’t happen sooner. But the truth is, it did. Although the two iconic musicians have collaborated before, at special events, this is the first time their music has made it to a recording studio and onto CD. The world deserves brilliant music like this! They joined forces at Tiven’s Nashville studio with drummer Chester Thompson, bassist Sammy “Shake” Anderson, and others for a collection of wonderful R&B, soul, funk, and rock.

Though it’s actually much more than this, the easiest way to describe the music in “Nudge It Up A Notch” is to inform others to just try and imagine the vocal and organ sound of Felix Cavaliere meshed with the slick-licked guitar additives that Steve Cropper has always been known for. In fact, much of the included music is just that. And of all the included Cavaliere/Copper/Tiven compositions represented here, it’s those in the Cavaliere and Rascals approach that stand out the most. Being an old Rascals fan, I must say that these songs are really very good, a breath of fresh air, and certainly something we’ve missed over the years. “If It Wasn’t For Loving,” “Without You,” “To Make It Right,” and especially “Impossible” are all in this category. These songs are timeless. And it isn't just Cavaliere that makes them as good as they are. It's the guitar playing additives and licks of Cropper, the R&B rhythm section of Thompson and Anderson, and the backup singers. This is a perfect R&B song, one that would be a huge hit if the year was 1966.

The opener, “One Of Those Days,” gets into a funky groove immediately. Cavaliere finds his place in this easily, and his vocal prowess keeps it flowing along smoothly and soulfully. That said, Cropper’s signature style is all over it. His funky rhythmic chops and lead licks dominate in the background. Another interesting characteristic that dominates throughout the album are the background vocals of Mark Williams and N’nandi Bryant. They insert an old Stax and Motown ambiance into the songs, especially those in an R&B vocal prevailing groove. However, for a change in scenery, the background vocals add a genuine worldly and modern feel to “Imperfect World.” Cavaliere picks up the vocal pace a notch in “Make The Time Go Faster,” in which the band gets going in a funky hip-hop approach, displaying just how contemporary and flexible they can be.

Listen to "Full Moon Tonight" from Nudge It Up A Notch

Though Cavaliere is the lead vocalist throughout, Cropper is by no means overshadowed in this collaborative effort. His funky signature Telecaster twang is everywhere. He shines throughout, both in the lead instrument area and rhythmically. And the album isn’t lacking of infectious instrumentals, an area in which he has always excelled. That Booker T & the MGs sound is obvious in a few places. “Full Moon Tonight," “Cuttin’ It Close,” “Jamaica Delight” and “Love Appetite” are outstanding instrumentals. Veteran drummer Chester Thompson and bassist Shake Anderson add their own spice and influence to these instrumentals, as well as every other track on the CD. It's particularly noticeable in the funky bass lines in some of the intros, and Anderson’s Curtis Mayfield influence is blatant everywhere. It's nice to hear the bass so prevalent in the music.

The diversity in Nudge It Up A Notch takes the listener down a few suggestive roads. The contributing musicians add their own styles, influences, and professionalism to the pot, merging all of their soul, r&b, funk, and rock proficiency to a simmering point of perfection. It’s a wonderful collaboration that finally made it to CD, and it’s all good music.

Nudge It Up A Notch Track Listing
1. One Of Those Days
2. If It Wasn’t For Loving You
3. Without You
4. Full Moon Tonight
5. To Make It Right
6. Impossible
7. Still Be Loving You
8. Cuttin’ It Close
9. Make The Time Go Faster
10. Jamaica Delight
11. Imperfect World
12. Love Appetite

Label: Stax 2008

Link
Nudge It Up A Notch on Amazon