Gentlemen, I Neglected to Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid

Charlie Hunter is an unusual guitarist. Not only is his musical approach unique, but so is his instrument. For nearly 20 years Hunter has played custom-built seven- and eight-string electric guitars that allow him to play melodic leads, fat bass lines, and rhythm guitar simultaneously. His technique is extraordinary yet his music is all about feel, a fluid mix of funk, blues, and soulful jazz. The way he locks in a bass groove with drummer Eric Kalb while still firing off crisp melody lines is jaw dropping. And there is plenty to groove to on this release. Moving away from his recent trio format for this album, here he and Kalb are joined by the ultra-talented horn section of Curtis Fowlkes and Alan Ferber on trombones and Eric Biondo on trumpet; the quintet catches fire throughout. “Antoine” and “High Pockets and a Fanny Pack” swing like mad, “High and Dry” and “Every Day You Wake Up and New York Says No” are marvelously mellow and melodic, and the title track is pure stuttering funk. These nine songs are concise, spare, and catchy with lots of space and precious few solos — just superb, no-frills jams from start to finish.