“Take the Floor and Lift the Roof” is the seventh album by jazz guitarist Christy Doran’s New Bag. It features an illustrious and bouncy mix of free funk, jazz rock, art and prog rock. The harsh “Hurry Up ’n’ Wait” displays some King Crimson influence (not least in the title which is a direct quote from King Crimson’s “Neal and Jack and Me” from their 1982 album “Beat”). Odd time changes and signatures, uptempo guitar phrases and a funky rhythm section characterize the album. I don’t usually endorse scat singing, as on “For Basil (part II)” and a number of the other tracks, but I can endure it if the music is as groovy as this. The aptly titled “Mesmerized” is a truly spellbinding piece, one of the album highlights and recommended listening. As are the title track and the abovementioned “Hurry Up ’n’ Wait.”

by artistxite