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Alex Bugnon
…As Promised
By Steven G. Fullwood
What you want is good jazz music. What you desire is intelligent and thoughtful
rhythm and blues. What gets your feet moving is a just little bit of funk. Mix all that
together and you get the latest offering from fusion jazz pianist Alex Bugnon on his sixth
album …As Promised. And what a nice pastiche it is.
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I’ve always loathed how some contemporary jazz
musicians indulge in making glorified elevator music. Bugnon (pronounced Boo-nyon)
doesn’t even move in the same stratosphere. His skills as a pianist are bolstered by
his love of jazz, soul, and funk, which season, rather than wash out, his music.
You might remember Bugnon’s fantastic cover of Brenda Russell’s “Piano in
the Dark,” a few years ago, and on …As Promised, he takes on “All That I
Can Say,” recently recorded by Mary J. Blige. The pianist’s version features
Christopher Williams, whose voice blends nicely with the sexy horns encircling the chorus.
Bugnon also takes on John Coltrane's distinctive classic, “Naima.”
An understated approach is signature Bugnon. His virtuosity has a nice calm, steady flow,
which makes it all the easier for his guests to shine. Songstress Lalah Hathaway lends her
mocha vocals on “Simple Song,” while sax master Gerald Albright sets the
smoldering title track afire. R&B newcomer Angie Stone graces the sweet “Won't Be
A Fool,” and the legendary Branford Marsalis makes it funky for you on the bouncy
“Chasing Spirals.” Other notable tracks include the cosmic “Scirocco”
and the funky “His Coolness.” M
April 2000
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