Sly Joe & the Smooth Operators

Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators Band Review Live at Pi Nightclub in Green Bay, Wisconsin

By TJ
April 23, 2009
Tonight a full moon occurs, so it is safe to say that everyone is on edge as if it is some kind of catalyst for the abnormal events that may be ahead. It almost makes me wonder how many full moons have flown over the mind of Sly Joe while he has been busy reinventing soul music as we know it. Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators have entered a new territory in soul, funk and roots music. Blending the newest elements of smooth alternative, while avoiding the stagnant clichés of which this music has been derived from. Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators have a liquid flow of original tunes and some great covers revisited that create a wholesome yet breathtaking live performance. While Sly Joe and his Smooth Operators were laying down the glass tracks of the evening, there was not a single offensive note or jam to speak of. If I could attribute tonight's great performance to the full moon, I would, but I can't. This music is not by chance, and the performance tonight was nothing short of being marvelous and organic! Being able to chat with him gave me some insight on Joe and his music. He is the same in person as he is in his music: relaxed, composed and cool as a cucumber. When Joe is not out gigging with the Smooth Operators he is outfitted playing keys for some of the finest bands in the area, like "Jazz Orgy" and "Greg Waters and the Broad Street Boogie." Gaining strength and popularity on the road with what almost seems to be an intermingling co-op of musicians with the Fox Valley Area as their Rock Garden of influence. Joe's vocals are ultra sleek and soothing; he has no problem filling the range in such songs as "Isn't she Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. Joe fills the night with positive vibe tunes like this and all of his originals. Joe keeps busy on the ivory but will swap out for his jangly turquoise burst telecaster guitar and sometimes play both. His keys toggle between piano, Rhodes, clavi, synth and roto organ and he makes it look effortless, even when he is glossing by on some fast solo parts.

The connection that Joe has with the Smooth Operators is nearly indescribable watching their visual communication as they lead each other through the songs and solos was entertaining in its own right. The originals and covers this band chooses to perform are as fragile as a house of cards, one wrong note and it could all come down. Most notable was when they performed the Dave Matthews Band ~ Ants Marching. Ross Catterton on sax/vocals and Mike Underwood on drums were on top of this one! Ross's switch to the tenor sax on this one was a nice kick, and he has been pasting great note after note to Joe's keys all night! And Mike Underwood, seriously, what can't you play? What I enjoy so much about Mike's drumming is his ability to be a solid foundation in multiple styles while adding the small details that really might only be important to music freaks like me. If you can catch Mike in a solo or you find him cooking it up with brushes, sticks, pots, pans or whatever, you are about to witness some of the best drumming ever. Dave Jerabek's bass was crisp and clean, I really liked his tone, it had a nice punch running though the SWR set up, and skills, man you got skills. Robin Cardell was real hard to get a look at tonight because he got perched on a riser stand, but I could hear you man. Aside of the killer, filler congas and percussion what really caught my ear was when he hit the harmonica. Robin does a great job of making sure the sound doesn't thin out and his lead parts on the harmonica were a real delight. Greg Waters was easing it on the rhythm guitar and vocals adding the little intricacies that puts this smooth package together. Pi Night Club always has great ambient sound for their live bands, and the lighting is lower and active creating a chill atmosphere with an catalyst party element. Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators have recently released their third album "Surrounded by the Heart." It is available on itunes and on their myspace page. Be sure to catch some photos and some of my favorite Sly Joe and the Smooth Operator tunes on my link! There are a really cool and smooth band! You can see them play at Nakashima's in Green Bay on May 8th.
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