Guitarist/composer Joe Marcinek consistently pumps out great “theme” albums with teams of big-name and emerging musicians. Four of his previous albums were reviewed here (JMB4, JMB5, Dead Funk Summit, 1 River Street) and each is unique in its theme and sound. “The Groove Session” is an outstanding funk album from end to end. One of the terrific aspects of this collection is that Joe demonstrates his skills as a guitarist within the overall ensemble that he put together. His compositions allow the others to shine, and the songs are balanced to showcase the entire team’s talent.
As the liner notes say, “The Groove Session sees Joe Marcinek Band at the top of their game, expertly translating a live concert energy to a studio project filled to the brim with deep and danceable tracks.” This album is exciting and fresh all the way through. The keyboard work from Jesus and Greg is outstanding, and the addition of violin from Tracey Silverman is icing on the already-rich cake. I’ve always been a fan of live-recorded albums, ever since hooking onto the Snarky Puppy train a dozen or so years ago. It’s a great way to show the team dynamics and the joy of creating among the musicians. Thoughtfully, Joe recorded the sessions for each song, and they’re included below in my track-by-track coverage. Also, a big tip of the hat to my friend Aaron Schwartz for the album artwork—way to go! Relax, read, watch, listen, and enjoy!
I’ve been playing with Manny and Ronnie for almost 10 years now. They have a band called Groovesession and I named this album to honor them and our friendship. I met Jesus through a mutual friend in Vegas in 2021, and we became friends. I was unbelievably stunned when he said he would record with us, and we’ve done a few shows together since then. He’s one of the craziest musicians I’ve ever met, and his technique and rapid-fire hands are unbelievable to listen to, so I wrote some of these tunes with him in mind as a showcase. Especially “Gimmie One Second”!
I met Howard a few years ago as well, and Tracey Silverman (violin) last fall. I love the sound of those instruments together with the guitar, so I asked them to overdub, and they immediately made the record.
We recorded it in Inglewood, California, at Greg Spero’s tiny studio, and Greg sat in on a few tracks, including his amazing piano solo on the first two songs.
It’s crazy that I wrote the material for this record and 1 River Street in the middle to later half of 2022. 1 River Street was my standout guitar-heavy showcase, so on this album, I didn’t have any guitar solos.
– Joe Marcinek on “The Groove Session“
Track-By-Track
Funky G Sus (Fast) has a super-catchy theme that will stick in your head for a long time. It’s an exceptional instrumental that actually encourages vocalization based on its playfulness. It starts with Jesus Molina on synth and Greg Spero on piano playing a super funky intro with Joe laying down the backbone theme. Greg takes a jazzy solo turn, with Jesus thoroughly enjoying it in the video. Jesus takes over next and drizzles the funk in generous servings for the next course. The two keyboards plus Joe then sync up for the main theme, and it’s a thing. The final section features Manny and Ronnie Sanchez on drums and bass heaping on funk for the dessert in this tasty tune.
Funky G Sus (Fast) is a brow-furrowing, head-bopping toe-tapper.
Broad Strokes is the ‘slow’ song on the album, beginning with a funky groove from the Sanchez brothers and followed up with a dreamy intro from Greg on piano. Joe plays a thoughtful, beautiful melody in sync with Greg and Jesus plays some ethereal synth. At about the 2-minute mark, Joe and Jesus hook up to layer in some bluesy funk, albeit at a slow tempo. Ronnie and Greg then connect with some jazz-tinged grooves with some Ramsey Lewis live feels. Jesus picks up from Greg on electric piano, and its equally grooved—when he switches to synth, he takes it to another level up to the close.
Liminal Event is a short 45-second dream, introducing and featuring Howard Levy on harmonica. Presumably, it serves as an intro piece to the next song, Liminoid, one of my favorites in this collection.
Liminoid has Joe and Jesus starting out with a gorgeous riff taking flight. Ronnie Sanchez is playing the mallets on the drums. The opening section just feels like floating.
I checked AI and the appropriately word “Liminoid” describes modern, optional, and individual experiences of transition and suspension, similar to but distinct from traditional liminal rites of passage. the concept applies to leisure activities and modern phenomena like concerts, VR experiences, and even certain aspects of urban life, where people experience a temporary detachment from normal reality, a suspension of time and identity, and a sense of freedom or disorientation.
After the intro, the band kicks into high gear with a sensational groove. Ronnie gets both his stank face and head rolling going simultaneously. Joe plays a signature lick that will also stick in your head. The band looks like they’re having so much fun—it’s a standout selection for Joe on this album. Jesus shifts over to the grand piano, showing his stunning chops with a beautiful solo. He’s a phenom for sure, reminding me a bit of the late, great Joe Sample of the Crusaders. I’m definitely gonna keep my eye out for him going forward.
Note that at the 4:40 mark on the album version, you’ll get a harmonica solo from Howard Levey, sounding like the great Lee Oskar of the band War! You definitely don’t want to miss that either! This is on top of the fantastic addition of Tracy Silverman on electric violin echoing Joe on guitar.
Joe picks up where he left off, sounding like a modern Wes Montgomery, and I can’t get enough of it. Jesus actually then goes split-handed on piano and synth, with Joe playing the main theme and I’m wowed. This one is crazy good.
Liminoid features a standout performance from electric violinist Tracy Silverman melding seamlessly into the band’s sound.
Gimme One Second is fun right from Ronnie’s count-off, after which Joe and Jesus hit the main melody in unison. For me, it’s very reminiscent of the Chick Corea Elektric Band in the 80s. Joe and Jesus have a great synergy together and mesh perfectly. For me, this has a subtle Spanish flair, probably based on Jesus’ fantastic touch on the grand. It’s amazing to watch his fingers dance on the keys. The precision and clarity of the playing is terrific across the board.
This is another one that features the violin and harmonica talents of Silverman and Levy on the album version that you definitely want to be listening to in your headphones during your daily activities.
Gimme One Second has a “spirited” performance from Spirit Fingers leader Greg Spero (Buddy Rich, Halsey).
Vegas Nights main theme is a playful melody led by Joe and the two keyboardists for the first section. Greg takes the first solo section, and once again Jesus is in his joyful zone. When Jesus takes the helm, it’s magical, conjuring up visions of my late, great friend Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy.
Funky G Sus (Slow), as expected, is a slower tempo version of its opening counterpart. It’s a more chill but equally beautiful version. It allows the keys solos to air out a bit and makes the tune more jazzy than funky, a different spice but quite nice.
So Many Chords is a beautiful ballad with Joe and Jesus coleading the melody as a duet. At approximately the 1:15 it breaks off into a happy jaunt akin to “Sunny Side of the Street” but without lyrics of course. It then reverts back to the more tempered ballad up to the classic closeout.
The Band:
Joe Marcinek: Guitar
Jesus Molina: Keyboards
Manny Sanchez: Drums
Ronnie Sanchez: Bass
Greg Spero: Piano
Howard Levy: Harmonica
Tracy Silverman: Electric Violin
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