Berkeley, CA's three man, three woman a cappella jazz ensemble Ro Sham Bo, who impressed us with a strong set at the '06 Harmony Sweeps Bay Area Regional (winning Best Original Arrangement and 2nd place overall), bring us this impressive debut CD of 12 songs. The salsa favorite "Mas Que Nada" starts the program, the brilliantly arranged "Nature Boy," the silly "Barney is the Devil," jazzy "Why Haven't I Heard From You," "Greasy Granny" and "It's Over," the bluenote, scattish "Anthopology," the Blues standard "God Bless the Child," the moody "Interlude" and the striking bluenote arrangement of "Ballgame," which was a special request that the group sang only one time, are favorites. "It's not over" is a beautifully selected, arranged and performed debut by this talented mixed Bay Area sextet! |
