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 06/2014

    RICHARD OPPENHEIM
    Greenhorn In A Red State

  • reviewed 05/2006

    The RH Factor
    Distractions

  • reviewed 06/2007

    THE GODFATHERS OF GROOVE FEATURING REUBEN WILSON, BERNARD “PRETTY” PURDIE, AND GRANT GREEN JR.
    The Godfathers of Groove

  • reviewed 07/2007

    FOUR FINGER FIVE
    Enormous Pocket

  • reviewed 05/2009

    DAVE SIEBELS
    With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

  • reviewed 02/2010

    GALACTIC
    YA-KA-MAY

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.