CD REVIEW

By Leif Skartland Sr.
Independent Music Reviews

By Marchand Melcher
Music Reviewer
International Recording Artist, Songwriter

 

 

Music From Beach Boulevard
Songwriter/Producer Tim Coffman
© 2005 Rolltop Records

By Leif Skartland Sr.
Independent Music Reviews

Sooo….. you like to drive fast? Check your rear-view mirror for those flashing red lights because this CD doesn’t slow down and neither will you. Catchy, memorable, and anything but predicable, writer and producer Tim Coffman has recorded a CD that brings you back to the excitement of the surf and sand.

From the opening flurry of notes “Music from Beach Boulevard” takes you on an exciting journey. Get ready to put the top down, let the wind blow in your face, and cruise to the beach because this latest release from Rolltop Music reinvents the adventure of instrumental expeditions.

Coffman has assembled an outstanding cast of musicians. Most notably, the gritty guitar work of Anthony Da Luz, the amazing John Rekevics’ with his soaring saxophone lines, and the remarkable keyboards of Tony Patler, to name a few, All of these musicians are also featured on Coffman’s previous CDs “This is Fun”, “Nonstop To Paris”, and “Beach and Guitar”. Coffman also adds the diverse talents of Hawaiian steel players Gary Brandin and Gordon Freitas, blues guitarist Billy Thompson and surf guitarist Matt Quilter to create an astounding ensemble.

In the liner notes, Coffman observes that, “every town that has a beach, has a road that leads to that beach”. I am going to put Music from Beach Boulevard in my CD player, put on some suntan lotion and enjoy my ride down Beach Boulevard.

Here is a track-by-track review.

1. Beach Boulevard
This is a great opening track. Driving rhythms and piercing melody, this song pushes you to stomp on the gas pedal and blaze. Unfortunately, on my first listen, I was stuck in four-thirty traffic inching north on Interstate 15. Like stop-and-go isn’t bad enough! This theme song gets you all hyped up by the screaming guitar and Hammond B-3, and then the sax kicks in and you’re punched into over-drive. Billy Thompson’s closing vamp is a classic.

2. Big Riders
Talk about mondo road trips; do guitars get any bigger than this? All through this engaging song Thompson and Da Luz lash out with raw guitar riffs, Duncan Moore pounds the drums and Tony Patler simply lifts off on the Hammond organ. And I’m still stuck in trafficouch!

3. Cruise Control
This is my favorite. The song opens with a great gritty surf tone, which sets you up for quite the surprise when the big band brass section takes over the song. John Rekevics, always the monster on sax doesn’t disappoint here. Not to be out done, Anthony Da Luz flat out rips it up and closes the tune with an inspired, if not amazing lead.

4. Which Way Is Up
Much more traditional surf feel to this number. Moore beats the floor tom and Da Luz revs up the guitar reverb to full effect. There doesn’t appear to be any lack of vintage gear at Rolltop studios either, all employed with great skill here by creative producer and musician Tim Coffman.

5. Motion Sensor
This is John Rekevics third appearance and for the first minute of wah-wah guitars and tight rhythm you are tempted to wonder why a sax guy is on a spy-groove-movie-soundtrack, until he begins to play. His smooth sax work is a delight.

6. Fascination
Okay I changed my mind, this is my favorite; I played it over and over. For you 60’s music buffs, that’s a Farfisa you hear on the way cool descending keyboard riff. Fascinating isn’t it? Seriously, just when you thought the CD might ease off and you’re about to pull over for a food break Fascination pushes you further down the road. Surrounded by keyboards, guitarist Matt Quilter’s guitar work is a stand out.

7. Flamingo Sunrise
After six non-stop, can’t slow down, hard driving songs, this is a pleasant change of pace. No beach journey would be complete without an early morning detour to an unknown locale in Baja. Gary Brandin appears for the first time with his romantic Hawaiian steel guitar, offset only by the deft, persuasive, and perfect guitar work of Anthony Da Luz.

8. Kona Cowboys
Do cowboys surf? In the islands they do. Anthony Da luz picks a catchy melody on his slinky cowboy guitar as Gary Brandin provides the Aloha textures on his Hawaiian steel. Perfectly placed in the song order to color our beach adventure.

9. Catamaran
Gordon Freitas makes his first appearance playing steel guitar and Ukulele, trading hooks with Anthony Da Luz in a sailing-country-contemporary jazz-inspiration mix. A clever closing demands a replay.

10. Procession of Champions
Tasty fills by Duncan Moore are a testimony to his craftsmanship and the subtle strength he brings to Music from Beach Boulevard. The sunset hangs over the horizon, the bonfire is lit, and the memory of good times shared fills this touching final song. The looping melody confirms a “good time

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Music From Beach Boulevard

CD Review - Music From Beach Boulevard
Musician/Producer - Tim Coffman © 2005 Rolltop Records
Marchand Melcher- Music Reviewer, International Recording Artist, Songwriter

My, oh so emotional, artistic self is titillated to the max by the extremely memorable and exciting melodic riffs in “Music From Beach Boulevard,” which has just been released by San Diego’s Rolltop Records. This is the fourth original music CD written, arranged and produced by the fabulously talented Tim Coffman. As a lyricist, I am aching to tell the stories I feel emerging from Coffman’s brilliant mélange of moods, all layered on top of the excellent, rock-solid drumming of Duncan Moore’s pulsating, driving back beat.

This CD is filled with sophisticated, continental “style” Flamenco guitar-flavored goodies that makes me feel like eating “tapas” and stomping my feet to the fiery beat with a red rose between my teeth. The wonderfully subtle chord changes, possess heart wrenching major to minor themes so reminiscent of an agonizingly romantic Italian love song, each change is superbly executed by the inimitable saxophonist, John Rekevics and gifted guitarist, Anthony Da Luz. I sense the south-sea-island feeling of caressing trade winds, graceful swaying palm trees, fragrant, exotic flowers permeating the senses while watching a pinkish golden sunset descending over a tropical azure-blue ocean, all thanks to Hawaiian steel masters, Gary Brandin (Blue Hawaiians and Vanduras) and Gordon Freitas (local boy from Oahu who also doubles on the Hawaiian guitar).

The growling guitars and intense rhythms bring to mind gorgeous, long-haired girls with beautiful, tanned, taut bodies and big, muscular, handsome guys dancing together and driving them around in their fast, expensive convertibles. The whole experience is truly a multi-course feast for the senses. As a James Bond aficionado, there were moments when I felt I was listening to a 007 soundtrack, hence the beautiful people and fast foreign cars.

The slight hint of a western feel, loping along on horseback, takes me back to when I was a young girl, being raised on a cattle ranch and it makes my little heart swell. It is just like home except “Music From Beach Boulevard” has a much more glamorous, sophisticated, international flavor, which I crave.

Since childhood, my big philosophical quest was to decide which was more important, music or humor. I still haven’t decided, but I do sense an incredible sense of laughter and humor in this music. It is, as if, Coffman is seriously composing and arranging really satisfying, fun, hinting at danger, danceable music with a wink and a twinkle in his eye. I hunger and thirst for elegant sophistication, and with its driving beat, sensual excitement, and world-class musicianship, “Music From Beach Boulevard” did not disappoint me.

I truly sense divine intervention in Maestro Coffman’s work and I am very honored to review this fabulous CD. BRAVO.

TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW

BEACH BOULEVARD
Strong driving dance beat. Shades of my favorite TV show, Miami Vice. If I was to color this cut, it would be pink and green with wonderful close ups of beautiful people dancing. Billy Thompson’s bluesy guitar is unstoppable, Bravo. One of the best moments in the whole CD is John Rekevics’s sultry-sassy sax solo on the bridge. It makes me want to move and groove.

BIG RIDERS
Growling guitars a la spaghetti westerns, sophisticated, gutsy beat, driving music, creates an image of big, handsome cowboy types. The interesting change to a minor key inspires such tremendous emotion. I imagine big, brave guys either on horseback or in a chopper. Very nice Hammond B-3 work by the wonderful Tony Patler.

CRUISE CONTROL
This is my favorite. Very “continental” almost Italian Rivera sounding. John Rekevics sax work is incredibly rangy and talkative. Lots of major to minor chord changes. Makes you want to dance, drive fast and cuddle with your true love. I wanted to get on a plane, go to Europe and be cool, shades of Mr. Bond.

WHICH WAY IS UP
Funky, cute, almost humorous guitar work. Anthony Da Luz really kept it interesting. I felt the guitar was laughing. Very danceable. Again, Coffman shows his tremendous versatility.

MOTION SENSOR
Another wonderful “Italian Western Spy Song” and a groovy, warm “yakety-sax” sounding solo from the saxophone master himself, John Rekevics. Starting from the bridge, you feel like you’re on horseback, maybe dressed in a long black coat, cowboy hat, boots and spurs, looking for bad guys.

FASCINATION
Talk about a driving beat. This is real thriller. Excellent guitar work by Matt Quilter. Totally spy oriented. Very, VERY cool. Where are my shades? “Jeeves, bring the black Jag convertible around.” Very continental and sophisticated.

FLAMINGO SUNRISE
The flamenco guitar flavor is irresistible. If I HAD to choose one style of music above all others, flamenco would be it. When did we land in Spain? The Chorus always returns to a very satisfying theme. Haunting, Hawaiian steel player Gary Brandin is super. The marriage of flamenco and Hawaiian is very satisfying. I love this cut.

KONA COWBOYS
A real two-steppin’ treat by handsome cowboys in boots, silver belt buckles and aloha shirts open in front. Again, the mixture of Hawaiian and western styles is so comforting. This should be a classic country hit. Nobody does this stuff better than Coffman. This style is his baby. Kudos.

CATAMARAN
We are definitely in the islands. Gordon Freitas is a very gifted steel player. Honolulu city lights, the sweet heady fragrance of ginger, tuba rose and plumeria flower leis, trade winds, and a really gutsy lead guitar riff by Anthony Da Luz. So yummy. So good. Don’t want it to end.

PROCESSION OF CHAMPIONS
Bluesy slow dance music with a memorable riff that makes you want to tell the story in your own words. Dramatic, flowing poignant melody reminiscent of Vangelis and his masterpiece, “Chariots of Fire” which took about two weeks to receive heavy worldwide acclaim. Great lap steel guitar work by Gary Brandin. Fabulous cut.

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