A polished fusion of Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Gospel at its absolute finest......That’s what Malcolm Hunter, and his band, The Makeshift Dream Orchestra, clearly embody. They are a true, clear-cut representation of the Sound of New York City. Sit back, and imagine, for just a minute, that you’re watching a movie that’s set in the heart of The Big Apple- you know, all the famous city shots and the sound of the hustle and bustle of traffic in midday afternoon. Well, while you’re watching this movie, you could easily hear their music in the background, setting the mood for the scenes all throughout. At least that’s what I think of when I listen to their latest album,Nostalgia in My Square Head. This album is a must-have for all true funk, pop and jazz-heads alike. Their uniquely lush, yet funky sound is the result of 10 extremely accomplished musicians, all of which having several musical accolades in their own right. Simply put, these guys are the Real Deal, and it shows throughout each and every track of this album.
I had the pleasure of catching one of the band’s shows at Le Pescadeux, a great French-Canadian spot in the heart of Soho. Even with only 3 members in the band for this particular show itself (Malcolm Hunter- keyboards/vocals, Jamie Fox- guitar, and Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley- bass), these guys had a sound that was so tight, and so cohesive that if you closed your eyes, you would have sworn that there were more than just 3 musicians performing this set. Each tune fit right in the pocket, complete with great chord changes from one minute to the next. May I just note that for most bands, this would usually NOT be an easy feat, seeing as though there wasn’t a drummer present, but in their case, they didn’t need it anyhow. Bass player, Ivan “Funkboy” Bodley made sure of that. His walking bass provided the right backbeat needed to effectively bring out each and every tune. That is a truly a testament to his skill and technique. Needless to say, the nickname “Funkboy” is very much well deserved. Jamie Fox, who is a former lead guitarist for the popular band, “Blood, Sweat, and Tears, made his guitar “sing” all throughout the show. His melodic solos were absolutely AMAZING, to say the very least- not flashy or overdone, but just right for the sound. Keyboardist/vocalist Malcolm Hunter, has a great jazzy voice, with just enough grit to make it uniquely all his own.
All in all, they did a great selection of originals and covers, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all; including a funky rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” a personal favorite of my own. I got the chance to ask Malcolm a few questions about his background, and why he decided to become a musician:
Tanya: Who are some of your influences?
Malcolm: Studying classical piano at a young age, I developed a love of Frederic Chopin and Claude Debussy, who were solid places to get a hold of. Later it was Steely Dan, Keith Jarrett, Charles Mingus and Mose Allison.
Tanya: How long have you been playing/performing? How did you get started?
Malcolm: Now, just over 42 years. I started playing by ear, and first learned to sight read out of Hymnals.
Tanya: How would you describe your sound?
Malcolm: Lush, and funky.
Tanya: How do you feel about the current state of the music industry?
Malcolm: I believe it has the potential to be much better than it is…
Tanya: How do you go about writing or composing music?
Malcolm: There’s no single answer; for me, it starts with an emotion, and in the best of worlds, grows into something coherent I can ultimately appreciate.
Tanya: What do you find to be most rewarding about being a musician?
Malcolm: Connecting with an audience, or the magic between musicians onstage, or hearing different interpretations of your work, or...
Tanya: Do you have anything else that you want our readers to know about you?
Malcolm: I have a new record out now that I’m very proud of – “Nostalgia in My Square Head” – check it out on my website, www.malcolmhunter.com
Tanya: A favorite quote? A particular anecdote regarding music?
Malcolm: “listen all you want – we’ll make more…”
I would strongly suggest that you go to their website, www.malcolmhunter.com and buy this album immediately. Trust me when I say that you won’t regret it!
Also, if you like what you hear, follow them on Facebook at:http://www.facebook.com/MalcolmHunterMusicHear
Until Next Time……
