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Release Date:
March 6, 2012

Reviewed by:
Harvey Cline

This aptly named project is the sixth from the two time Grammy winner as the multi talented guitarist invites some of his best friends over for ten tracks of fun.

Brown opens with the title track that he and keyboardist Jeff Carruthers co-wrote and play on. It is an excellent way to start and shows off some great licks by Paul as well as some nice background horns. “As Clear As Day” features Boney James as well as some nylon guitar from Marc Antoine. The approach is a little subdued but still comes across nicely. There’s no mistaking the sax of James here, and will sure be a favorite of many. He slows it down some what for “Montreux” and “Say It Like It Is,” before adding vocals on a nice one called “Love Don’t Come EZ.”

Keyboardist Jonathan Fritzen is on board for “Tuff Times” as he tickles the ivories with some nice interaction from Paul on guitar. I like how the two of them go back and forth here. It is a completely different feel as another keyboardist is added to “Backstage Pass.” Brown and Bob James mix it up well as the two explore their respected instruments in style and complete one of the better tracks here. Saxophonist Darren Rahn is featured on the bluesy “Ya Dig.” It’s a track you can catch the two of them performing as they tour together this year. A third sax artist is added to the project as he brings in the touch of Euge Groove for “From The Ground Up.” I like the way this one flows and is a good showcase for Euge’s sax. This one just makes you feel good as it moves along. He finishes up with a fun one of Johnny “Guitar” Watson called “I Get A Feeling.” Brown adds some bluesy vocals here and makes the “joint” complete.

Funky Joint is the perfect showcase for Paul Brown’s guitar while bringing some of the best talent in smooth jazz today. Be sure to pick up a copy from this legendary producer/guitarist soon and check out the “joint.”