I must admit I haven't listened to alot of the new "hot" players, I have a couple of Wooten Albums, and the Allman Bros, live with Othiel, Don't have any Matt Garrison yet or Michael Mannering or Richard Bona. I have I think one Gary Willis thing. Most of the new stuff leaves me cold, great Technique, Monster Chops but I don't hear great songs and in some cases I don't hear "creative-melodic" soloing. I do like Marcus, He seems to be able to take a Standed and make it his own, like his version of "Lonnies Lament" or "Round Midnight" and he's a pretty good writer too, I have a feeling "Tutu" will wind up in the real book some day! I even feel the same way about some new hot players on other instruments, Chris Potter for instance can blow a horn, but his solo work always tends to be forgetfull, Where's the Melody? Too me when I think of great solos I think of Jaco on "Bright size life" or "Havana" or Miles on "Old Folks" who said more with ten notes then most say with sixty-four. Here's my Question, Are there any new players who are writing the "real book standreds" of tomorrow that you can reccomend?, stuff with strong memorable melodys?, and solo's that are musical (strong melodys on there own)?. In other words are there any new players with the old senstitivities!
BUT, Soulive is an awesome band, with very memorable, melodic components, a groove that wont quit, and really funky basslines that happen to be played by the left hand of their Organist Neil Evans. They have some very good horn players that sit in with them from time to time, as well as some amazing singers here and there.
