Bassist/producer Mocean Worker (aka Adam Dorn) & pianist/composer Joe Alterman have released Keep The Line Open, a funky, feel-good tribute to the late soul jazz legend Les McCann. The 9-track collection taps into the genre-blurring spirit that defined McCann’s music, as well as his influence on Adam & Joe, who knew him as a mentor, collaborator & close friend. With credits ranging from Eddie Harris & Ramsey Lewis to Hal Willner, Marcus Miller & Brian Eno, Dorn & Alterman fuse their distinct artistry into an electrifying set that celebrates McCann’s essence while standing on its own as a joyous, party-starter. They created the album by melding live instrumentation with sampling to pay homage to an era when the groove reigned supreme and the vibe was decidedly danceable. Sonically designed to evoke a live album, it invites the listener to imagine themselves at a late-night jazz club in the ’60s. They also draw on years of conversations recorded for posterity, saved voicemails and other aural documents of McCann, weaving his voice, laughter, and ever-present sense of humor throughout the album, which threads in and out of the tracks. Adam’s relationship with Les McCann began through his father, the legendary Atlantic Records’ staff producer Joel Dorn, who worked closely with McCann on several albums, including rare-groove classics like Layers, Invitation to Openness, and the multi-platinum Swiss Movement, which also featured electric saxophone pioneer Eddie Harris. As a kid, the younger Dorn would often overhear long conversations between his father and McCann who shared a deep friendship. As he grew older, he himself began a relationship with McCann via extended phone conversations. It led McCann to hire Dorn, an accomplished bassist in his own right, to be part of his rhythm section on live dates. Meanwhile, Joe started out as a devoted fan of McCann who received the rare opportunity to open for one of his heroes at The Blue Note. The 2 connected instantly, forging a friendship that lasted for years, primarily through near daily, hour-plus phone conversations. Although plans to record & tour together never materialized due to McCann’s health issues, they did co-write the song “Don’t Forget To Love Yourself.” Alterman would later release Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann: Big Mo & Little Joe, a heartfelt tribute to his mentor and friend. It was ultimately McCann’s passing that brought Dorn and Alterman together. They had both become aware of each other through their independent friendships with McCann who would mention each of the artists in his conversations with the other. Following his death, they’d finally meet and organically the idea of making a record of original material inspired by McCann was hatched. Adam began writing sections of music, creating beats & rhythmic ideas that he’d send to Joe over which he’d improvise. Adam would then take those parts and shape them into songs. The result is an album that is immensely funky with nods to Latin grooves, and always heavy on the backbeat. There are times on Keep The Line Open where the listener will feel as though they are being taken to church and at other times being taken on a trip to Haight-Asbury in the ’60s, and yet simultaneously the music to feel modern and of the moment. There is a Les McCann cover tune (“Burnin’ Coal”), there is a moment for Joe to thrill with his considerable stride piano skills, and throughout there is Les, commenting on the proceedings with his inimitable wit, humor, & loving nature, making it all seem like it is being played just as he’d imagined. And while Les McCann is the driving force, the entire spirit of his era, from Ramsey Lewis to Horace Silver, Eddie Harris to Cannonball Adderley, lives in the music. It’s this inspiration that guides Mocean Worker & Joe Alterman through each of the nine tracks. Keep The Line Open is a musical celebration that, like Les McCann himself, makes you feel alive and happy and ready to have fun.
I had the pleasure of hanGing out with friend of the program, Adam Dorn (Mocean Worker) & Joe Alterman shortly before the new album dropped. We got way deep into the ins and outs of the creation of the album. How the relationships with Les McCann and the love of the feeling of the 60’s soul acid jazz groove combined with a step into the now and future make this collection of form and rhythm so damn exciting. You can feel the love Joe had for Les and how his energy was woven into his daily life and Adam has the memories of longer ago and both speak so highly of the desire to find the fun within the music. There are personal stories shared that are both cool AND special, we dissect a track or two and we all feel the versatility of this new music. Joe & Adam both kinda let us in on how they believe Les would feel about this tribute to, the honoring of the music that he helped de and (re)define. While I can tell you how this music, these tunes, make me feel…it seems like the best way to really under and over-stand is to get some for yourself. This is sound that should find it’s way out to ears from under the needle, vinyl is not only available but most likely highly desired. I don’t often say things like this, but I feel like this could be an album of the year type release oif any one in the scene really is paying attention.
