The Groove Diggers

“The Groove Diggers”

(Self released TGD001)

This album was personally dropped off at my door by Ludlow based saxophonist and flautist James ‘Jim’ Hunt, a prominent musician on the local music scene - so many thanks to him for that.

I first became aware of Hunt’s playing when he appeared on Birmingham based trumpeter Bryan Corbett’s début album “Funk In The Deep Freeze” back in 1999. He then spent some time playing music and touring the world on cruise ships before returning to Ludlow and becoming involved in the family business. Hunt continues to play saxophone in various local jazz and function bands and has also promoted local jazz events, on one occasion bringing the great Don Weller to play in Ludlow.

Hunt is one fifth of The Groove Diggers (great name) an all instrumental jazz funk outfit led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Richie Lund, a vastly experienced musician who plays both guitar and drums. As a session musician Lund has played with Cliff Richard and Alvin Stardust among others and, like Hunt, has also worked on the cruise ships. Now based in the Welsh Marches he is currently a member of several locally based groups including Soul Survivors, Hot Climate and the Hannah Lockerman Band.

The Groove Diggers features Lund in his role as a guitarist and the line up is completed by Hunt on sax and flute, Lucy Roland on keyboards, Freddie Squires on bass and Vic Roland at the drums. The group’s eponymous début was recorded in early 2017 at The Mill Studio in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire with Paul Cobbold engineering. The programme features ten original compositions by Lund, almost all in a jazz funk vein, with influences including David Sanborn, Morrissey Mullen, Steely Dan and the Average White Band.

Opener “Groove Crusade” sets the tone with its catchy sax hook, melodic guitar lines and tight grooves. Hunt’s r’n’b tinged sax and Lund’s warm toned guitar combine effectively and each musician solos concisely. There’s also a brief cameo from drummer Vic Roland.

“In The Picture” continues in the same vein, and if anything is even more overtly funky. Lucy Roland deploys a Hammond sound and Squires makes a strong contribution on electric bass. But again it’s the combination of Lund and Hunt at the core of the group sound.

“Rubber Man” ups the funk quotient even more with Lucy again on Hammond and Hunt doubling up on a variety of horns as Squires solos briefly on electric bass.

“Sam’s Bar” maintains the energy levels while adding a twist of Latin to the mix as leader Lund produces a brief but dazzling solo as well as fulfilling a vital rhythmic role. Vic Roland briefly comes to the fore on a short passage of unaccompanied percussion.

There’s no let up with the sultry, Latin tinged jazz funk of “Heat of the Movement” with Hunt’s tenor sax to the fore and Lucy Roland now deploying a string-synth sound. Lund plays taut and funky rhythm guitar before switching to an almost ‘Spanish’ guitar sound for his solo.

The unpretentious piano driven shuffle of “Route Master” features an extended solo from Hunt on tenor as he shares the limelight with Lund, who contributes some of his most obviously ‘jazz’ playing of the set. Squires also features on electric bass and at certain junctures it sounds as if Hunt might be doubling on baritone. Vic Roland also gets to enjoy a series of short drum breaks.

“View From The Top” seems to be a particular favourite of the band’s and features on their Facebook page. Sassy and funky it features a variety of keyboard sounds sounds from surging Hammond to whistling synth plus a brief electric bass cameo from Squires. Hunt’s sax and Lund’s Larry Carlton styled guitar combine effectively and the whole piece is powered by Vic Roland’s sturdy drum grooves.

The breezy Latin-esque “Seventh Heaven” presents a change of style with Lund on acoustic guitar and Hunt doubling on flute with Lund impressing with his nimble guitar picking.

“Life’s A Funny Old Thing” is similarly laid back, particularly in comparison to the rest of the album. Paced by Lucy’s acoustic piano and featuring Hunt on tenor it’s the most obviously ‘jazz’ piece on the album, a searching ballad that demonstrates Hunt’s jazz chops at their best with Lund’s guitar only entering the proceedings in the closing stages of the piece.

The album concludes with the blues tinged funkiness of “On Your Way” with its raunchy tenor sax and tight, in the pocket grooves. Lund plays choppy, funky rhythm guitar as well as soloing alongside briefly alongside Hunt and Squires.

There’s nothing particularly profound here but the Groove Diggers début is nevertheless a thoroughly enjoyable album and one where the enthusiasm of the band shines through. The playing is admirably tight and cohesive throughout with all five members contributing well, whether individually or collectively, but inevitably it’s the front line of Lund and Hunt that most catches the ear.

Lund has written a number of arresting hooks and themes but in the main these aren’t developed in a conventional jazz manner which may deter some listeners. Such solos as there are mainly brief, and often little more than cameos. 

One suspects that The Groove Diggers would be a hugely enjoyable band in the live environment with their infectiously funky grooves and strong melodic hooks. Although they are local to me I’ve not noticed any gigs listed in the immediate vicinity but I’d welcome the chance of checking them out if the opportunity arises.
So Jim, if you’re reading this and you have any gigs lined up do please let me know.

More information on The Groove Diggers can be found at;

http://www.facebook.com/groovediggersband

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