SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA

Reel To Reel

2012-08-17

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, drummer, sought-after producer, and collaborator, Shawn Lee, has a new album. Reel To Reel is his eleventh release as Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra. Yes, he calls it an orchestra, but this is pretty much all Shawn Lee, having played or sampled most things here himself. Funky instrumentals, fun samples, and unique instrumentation are what one expects from Mr. Lee and those things can be found here. In fact, the disc starts out on the right track with "Boomwack" and "Mirror Mirror". Fifth track, "Daylight Robbery" is one of the best tracks here with it's blackxploitation sound. Mid-disc, however, Mr. Lee loses focus and the disc seems to toil along with several plodding ("Well Hung", "Spy Seduction") and downright unimaginative songs ("Big Ben" and "Biker Chick") Even the "Song For Ennio", which has all the cinematic elements one might expect from a song for Ennio Morricone, somehow fails to capture my interest. Shawn Lee is one of my favorite artists, but Reel To Reel doesn't quite measure up. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 06/2006

    Dr. John
    Mercernary

  • reviewed 02/2014

    JOHN CLAYTON
    PARLOR SERIES

  • reviewed 09/2009

    LAVAY SMITH & HER RED HOT SKILLET LICKERS
    MISS SMITH TO YOU

  • reviewed 02/2012

    THE SOUL REBELS
    Unlock Your Mind

  • reviewed 02/2005

    Alice Coltrane
    Translinear Light

  • reviewed 10/2009

    DIGITAL PRIMITIVES
    Hum, Crackle, and Pop

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.