Bobby Vega – What Cha Got
Some musician names don’t set off alarms but have had interesting careers. San Francisco Bay area artist Bobby Vega (shark & Ribbecke basses/guitar/ukelele) could probably say he hit the ground running in his career. His first major project (1975) was recording with Sly Stone (Sly & the Family Stone).
As years passed Vega found himself playing with blues great Paul Butterfield, late-stage Quicksilver Messenger Service, legendary Etta James, Santana, Booker T (of the MGs) & both the Mickey Thomas & Paul Kanter inceptions of the Jefferson Starship. Isn’t that someone worth talking to?
Well, if you can’t talk to Bobby the second-best thing is to experience his instrumental funk-soul-rock-jazz recipe set at the table of his 9-course What Cha Got (Drops Nov 30-Little Village Foundation/38:00). The entrees were produced by Bobby with former Tubes sticks man Prairie Prince (drums/wave drum) acting as executive producer.
So, there’s little here that’s bland or cliché. Vega’s been with the best & though he creates a basic foundation on this set so feet can dance, hips can groove & hands can clap — he adds a decorative identity that’s his musical radiance & buffs it well.
The lead track “Gush, Say Hey,” is dedicated to Bobby’s baseball hero the legendary Willie Mays. It possesses grains of the tradition laid down by the Bar-Kays (“Soul Finger”) & Arthur Connelly (“Sweet Soul Music”) decades ago. Vega’s ingenuity modernizes each well-oiled part.
There are reminders of the music that may have influenced Bobby as “Skunk Train,” has a unifying coolness that was weaved by Booker T & the MGs initially. Jim Pugh’s organ soulfully struts through his paces with dazzling spurts of the old rhythmic steam. The groove is tightly woven & it’s music that transcends the years as it’s about childhood memories. It’s still a viable plateful of unifying musical flavors. Heavy duty bass, snap of the snare & crash of the cymbals with the excessive warmth of the organ notes. The arrangement is what brings it all to life. The melodies are all independent participants in a collective spirit.
What’s priceless is how Vega doesn’t offer these tunes as retro configurations. They all have a life of their own & “Kimmie,” is a long-sophisticated cut. With “Run With You,” Vega goes deep for an early 60s sublime instrumental relevance ala “Pipeline” style Chantay’s approach — than a funky line. That’s a smart move.
Highlights – “Gush, Say Hey,” “Skunk Train,” “Kimmie,” “Run With You,” “Can’t Wait” & “Run With You.”
Musicians – Jim Pugh (piano/Hammond B3 organ), Kid Andersen (guitar/upright bass), Chris Rossbach (guitar), Alan Hertz (drums), CVS (strings) & Jens Kruger (banjo).
Nice 6-panel CD package. Color image of Bobby courtesy of Seth Freeman Photography. CD @ Apple + https://littlevillagefoundation.com/bobby-vega-what-cha-got/
