After their highly acclaimed 2nd album (Jazz Magazine) this 3rd opus performed by 7 Lyon and St Etienne based musicians is 14 tracks of pure funk groove. Novox continues is course and it’s unique blend of influences.
A warm double bass and the soft touch of the Fender Rhodes are combined with sharp horns, a raw electric guitar and the distinctive scratching from DJ Mat.
Awards
Jazz Magazine Revelation Award for the 2d album "Hollywood is on fire" 2011
Gear
Guitar, Fender Rhodes, Double Bass, Turntables, Drums, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet
Novox – Over the Honeymoon THE SMOOTH JAZZ RIDE
Apr. 13, 2014
Here is an interesting project from the French jazz group Novox that uses the black “B” movies of the 70s as its motivation, citing the superb and funky grooves of the soundtracksNovox from those movies. The album, Over the Honeymoon, definitely has some solid moving grooves that are reminiscent of that period, and it has a substantial amount of jazz influence to carry it along the way.
Combined with scratching, double bass, and the distinct presence of the Fender Rhodes, Over the Honeymoon displays the soul of James Brown, the consciousness of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, the depth of Isaac Hayes, and the heady jazz fusion of Herbie Hancock
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Novox – Over the Honeymoon THE SMOOTH JAZZ RIDE
Apr. 13, 2014
Here is an interesting project from the French jazz group Novox that uses the black “B” movies of the 70s as its motivation, citing the superb and funky grooves of the soundtracksNovox from those movies. The album, Over the Honeymoon, definitely has some solid moving grooves that are reminiscent of that period, and it has a substantial amount of jazz influence to carry it along the way.
Combined with scratching, double bass, and the distinct presence of the Fender Rhodes, Over the Honeymoon displays the soul of James Brown, the consciousness of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, the depth of Isaac Hayes, and the heady jazz fusion of Herbie Hancock. With potent horn arrangements also in the mix, there is body to this work.
From the lead track, “Clanga,” which, by the way, not only reminds one of that 70s era of funk in the movies but hints of the super cool horn arrangements used by the likes of the powerhouse funk machine Mandrill, this album moves surefootedly through uplifting vibes all the way to the end.
The funky “Betty’s Back” may just have you revisiting in your mind’s eye the confident strut of those many movie heroes, including the sexy stride and presence of actress Pam Grier as “Coffy.”
The jazz/funk quality of track 5’s “MP” is pretty representative of this entire album’s tenor. The group’s slows the pace in one instance to bring back a slice of the period’s funk/rock persona in the form of Funkadelic as it tackles George Clinton’s “Maggot Brain” (a tune that has always been a fave of mine) with notable intensity as guitarist Pierre Alexandre Gauthier (clearly influenced by the genius of Clinton and Jimi Hendrix) lights it up.
There’s plenty here that can shake the cobwebs from your memory logs: The funk, the swagger, the character of the era, and the often reflective – even introspective — messages.
Obviously a fun album to make, Novox brings to your ears and memories reasons why we so loved the music of that era of consciousness and funk and the masters who brought it all to us. Thanks for the ride, Novox. – Ronald Jackson
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