SideSteps

In the organizer's words:

"SideSteps", the name says it all.

The quintet from the Rhine-Neckar region does not tread the jazz paths that have been trodden a thousand times, but takes an innovative approach.

The band

• Uli Wehrmann: Vocals,
• Gerd Baier: electric piano, synthesizer and piano,
• Walter Dieterle: guitar,
• Franz Basler: bass,
• Otmar Prokein: drums

mixes pop, funk and fusion to create an appealing fusion of styles. With a gnarled, expressive voice tanned by life experience, Wehrmann intones songs such as the Neue-Deutsche-Welle classic "Telephon" by Ideal, Jorge Ben's Brazilian pop hit "Mas que nada" or Jamiroquai's soulful "Space Cowboy". With great originality and the courage to come up with his own ideas, he makes the originals his own.

The fact that he sometimes gets carried away with scat escapades in his exuberance, which may not be everyone's cup of tea, or that the funk-rock in a version of Bob Marley's rearranged "I Shot The Sheriff" is rhythmically all too rustic, is of little consequence. Sidesteps' album sounds immediate, atmospheric, emotional and authentic. Instead of the sterile sound cosmetics that are common on many live recordings these days, the band focuses on liveliness. You can literally feel the sweat flowing on stage. Gerd Baier, a veteran of the Heidelberg scene, pleases on the electric piano with gripping percussive funk runs reminiscent of Joe Zawinul's contributions to Cannonball Adderley's soul jazz band. And the Mannheim guitarist Walter Dieterle, otherwise more active as a pedagogue, pop and pop instrumentalist, takes the opportunity here to deliver furious liberating blows. In pieces such as Gregory Porter's "Hey Laura", he unleashes unexpectedly wild, extravagant solos. He catapults himself from the depths of his soul to expressive heights.