Rob Diener and Anomaly definitely carry a large funk bag with them when traveling down the music making highway. However, the bag has plenty of smaller compartments of almost anything one would need on the journey, from reggae to swing; it is in the bag somewhere. The listener is not going to find a nice pair of pressed slacks with a dinner tie in this traveling bag. No, only comfortable wrinkled blue jeans (blues) and t-shirts (funk) are packed in this traveling bag entitled, Some Assembly Required.

From the first drum beat to the last horn hit this group is all about the raw side of making music feel good. The modern septet interprets seven originals and one jazz standard, “Bye, Bye Blackbird.” Diener’s trumpet sound is warm and focused, and his soulful playing displays obvious respect to the tradition, his is definitely a hard shelled traveling bag and not a soft sided day tripper. Diener is joined by Chris Heslop (tenor sax), Chuck Dressler (trombone), Marty Bonk (guitar), Mike Gordon (electric bass), Mike Grossman (keyboard), and Paul Gallello (drums). The group takes a loose; almost jam band approach to the arrangements. You will have no trouble assembling the music if your travels are accompanied by artists such as: The Godfather of Soul, Phish, seventies Freddie Hubbard, or today’s P.Diddy. Yes, P. Diddy the rapper, only because of the use of turntable scratching, this “ain’t no gansta rap,” its pure funky fun and modern jazz harmony.

Overall, Some Assembly Required can be assembled to form a very enjoyable musical listen. The wide ranges of styles are executed with precision by all the players. At times one might wonder if all the players a jelling, but what would Jello surprise be with out different layers and flavors filled with that special “Cool-Whip” surprise, bursting with flavor and colors to delight the senses.

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