Gary Bartz – “Damage Control”

Gary Bartz, the legendary alto saxophonist who turns 85 today, releases his first studio album in a dozen years. On “Damage Control”, the sax maestro and his group NTU Troop start a trilogy called “The Eternal Tenure Of Sound” where they cover ten songs from the vast songbook of soul, pop, and Black American music. Starting off with Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Fantasy”, stripped down to an amazing, soulful paean to music as a healing force (with Brandee Younger on harp), you are in for a real treat for the next 50-plus minutes. On “100 Ways”, the immortal ballad by Quincy Jones and James Ingram, drummer Kassa Overall and pianist Barney McCall move the track to a percussive, shuffling jam towards the end which should make both Q and James immensely proud. It’s a little masterpiece and shows Gary’s innate command of showcasing pure quality and excellency. The album was produced, mastered, and recorded by Om’mas Keith who said about Gary: “He said he got some songs he wants to do that he likes to sing in the shower.”

The band turns incredibly funky on two tracks from the McCoy Tyner songbook, weaved together as a medley: “In Search of My Heart” and “Love Surrounds Us Everyhwere” is jampacked with exquisitely emotional and powerful sax lines from the leader and guests Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, and Nile Rodgers! It makes me go back to McCoy’s original 1982 LP “Looking Out” with Phyllis Hyman, Stanley Clarke, and Carlos Santana. Hard to believe what Gary is still capable of at his age (no offense). Nile plays some incredibly funk/blues licks on this monster of a track which clocks in at over ten minutes. Things go back to more laidback moods on the utterly beautiful take on Curtis Mayfield’s “The Makings Of You” with Gary himself on vocals and Brandee again on harp. Can’t get any sweeter than this. Or maybe it can: Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy” with Daniel Merriweather on vocals and the perfect blending of background vocals and Gary’s soulful sax work, bring out some more nuances you wouldn’t know existed. It reminds me of the best CTI fusion albums of Grover Washington,Jr., circa 1976. Oh and then there’s one of my alltime faves: “You Are My Starship”, written by Norman Connors and Michael Henderson from the 1976 album of the same title, heavily featured Gary back then (listen to his solo on the original!). This new version has a rolling, spacy, absolutely thrilling Rhodes solo and some heavenly vocals too. What a trip!

Remember “Slow Jam” by Midnight Star from 1983? It comes back to life here as well. Full of sass and sweet swagger and featuring Shelley fka DRAM on vocals, it is literally dripping with tears of sweet joy. When Gary chimes in here with his triumphant blows, it is simply awe-inspiring. Oh and Patti LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew”? Singer Rita Satch does an amazing job (please check out her “Meet Me In The Garden” LP) with Gary at his soulful best. Incredible backing vocals again. Another immortal tune, “The Biggest Part Of Me” by Ambrosia, features Theo Croker on trumpet and this mouth-watering album concludes with “Love Me In A Special Way”, the DeBarge classic from 1983, with Daniel and Rita again on soothing, delicate vocals with Gary’s highly melodic alto.
The album is a first in a trilogy which will continue with the second installment in early 2026 with members of Hiatus Kaiyote. Gary is on tour in Europe this fall, see dates below. Now all we need is the vinyl version please.

11/01 Hamburg – Überjazz Festival
11/07 Heidelberg – Enjoy Jazz Festival
11/08 Rotterdam – LantarenVenster
11/09 Utrecht – Le Guess Who? Festival
11/11 Helsinki – Fi G Livelab
11/12 Tampere – Fi G Livelab
11/17 Berlin – Gretchen
11/19 Gdansk – Monk Club
11/20 Warsaw – Jassmine
11/23 Cagliari – Jazz In Sardegna
11/26 London – Union Chapel
11/27 Paris – Duc Des Lombards
11/28 Paris – Duc Des Lombards
11/29 Paris – Duc Des Lombards