Spyro Gyra

Wrapped In A Dream

Heads Up International  HUCD 3107

           Spyro Gyra, a mainstay of the contemporary jazz scene in the mid-1970s, would like to make their dreams become a reality by taking home the coveted Grammy Awards trophy when the music industry's biggest night convenes on Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The nine-time Grammy Award-nominated group is keeping it's fingers crossed that their latest release, Wrapped In A Dream (Heads Up International), will bring them Grammy gold.

Wrapped In A Dream has been nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Others competing in the same category include saxophonist Gerald Albright (New Beginnings - Peak Records); guitarist Larry Carlton (Fire Wire - Bluebird/RCA Victor); the super group Fourplay (X - Bluebird/RCA Victor); and rocker Peter Frampton (Fingerprints - A&M Records/New Door Records). (See 2007 Grammy Nominations)

Spyro members penned most of the compositions on this twelve-track disc. Saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, the group's backbone, contributed four tunes to the album, including the jazzy title track. He also plays keyboards and percussion on his Impressions Of Madrid, and even sings and plays flute for the first time on the disc. he also handles the vocal chores on the gospel-infused closer, Woogitybop.

Longtime keyboardist Tom Schuman delivers the heavy groove of Walkin' Home and the edgy Lil' Mono (written with drummer Ludwig Afonso).

Bassist Scott Ambush wrote The Voodooyoodoo, with its killer grooves, while guitarist Julio Fernandez contributed the funky Spyro Time and the bluesy After The Storm.

Rounding out the project, is drummer Josh Dion and special guests marimba/vibraphonist Dave Samuels, trumpeter Nathan Eklund, trombonist Eric Oliver and percussionist Cyro Baptista.

Track selections:  Spyro Time, Midnight Thunder, The Voodooyoodoo, Tuesday, Impressions Of Madrid, Impressions Of Toledo, Wrapped In A Dream, After The Storm, Walkin' Home, The Lowdown, Lil' Mono, Woogitybop.

- Stephen Fratallone/Jazz Connection Magazine

Rating: ****

*****