Footwork

Footwork - Anderson/Sloski

"Footwork makes it 'Real'. Great playing and great fun. Anderson and Sloski maintain tradition while lighting a new flame to the music. From Gospel to Funk, Jazz to Boogaloo to blues they cover it all and really nail it. Knockout grooves. Great footwear too!!!!

Jake Langley - guitarist with Joey DeFranceso and Jake Langley Trio.

" ...On Footwork, drummer Michael Sloski and organist Lance Anderson mine heavy grooves with a dancer's touch. This wonderful mix of Blues, R&B and Funk is mostly instrumental and completely enjoyable."

Jeff Calvin - Blues Revue - Oct/Nov 2004

"The sound is simply breathtaking ... a combination of infectious enthusiasm, serious chops, probing musical curiosity – and most of all, an irresistible sense of swing ... "

John Taylor - ejazznews Jan '04

Buy the CD !

Aptly named, this CD of original and cover tunes features some hot 'footwork' from both these talented performers. Lance Anderson is a practitioner of the almost lost art of playing bass using both feet on the Hammond organ foot pedals. His feet literally dance through this solid collection of Soul and Blues standards. All eight limbs are employed by the duo, who sing as well.You will not believe your ears — that two people made all this music.

Michael Sloski is Canada's pre-eminent roots drummer and has a groove that is totally
unique. He has played with Bruce Cockburn, The Cameo Blues Band, Mary Margaret O'Hara and on countless pop, rock and blues recording sessions.

Lance Anderson is a well known producer (Leahy, The Oscar Peterson Multimedia CD ROM and Make It Real Records). He was nominated as keyboard player of the year at the 2002 Maple Blues awards for his solo piano release Shorthanded.

With Footwork, Sloski and Anderson have taken on a format which displays their virtuoso
technique and gut-bucket soul. It is a truly amazing performance that has been captured on
this CD. Their arrangements of such standards as 'She Caught the Katie', Devil with the Blue Dress', 'Right Place Wrong Time' and 'All 'Bout My Girl'' are show pieces of great
musicianship.

As a special bonus, they are joined on two tracks by Toronto's legendary George Olliver
(Mandala) and Steven Ambrose (The Lincolns) for killer versions of Domenic Troiano's 'World of Love' by the Mandala and Stevie Wonders' 'Superstition'. This was an historic occasion as these two Toronto legends had never before recorded together.

As with all Make It Real Recordings, these performances were captured 'live off-the-floor'.
This is Hammond organ playing at it's best, and more. These two not only have the goods but the soul to back it up. A truly unique and wonderful recording…but you will have to see them ... to believe your ears.

More Reviews

...(played) 'Michael's Blues.' and immediately got a phone call from a listener wanting to know where to buy it. Excellent sign!And I LOVE the CD. ... How can it miss! "

Ian Angus - Let The Good Times Roll - CIUT

" It's amazing that two guys can produce such a 'big' sound... Their version of Stevie Wonder's Superstition is outstanding. "

Christopher Michaels - Scene Magazine - London, ON Apr. 15th '04

"This record kicks with a mighty groove that doesn’t let up for more than 65 minutes! Anderson wields the soulful fire and funk of McGriff, McDuff and Holmes on this spirited release that sounds so much larger than anything four hands and four feet should be able to accomplish... A definite party-pleaser. "

Eric Thom - Penguin Eggs - magazine - May '04

"The new CD by Lance Anderson and Mike Sloski entitled 'Footwork' is a perfect example of vintage players on top of their game. George Olliver (my hero when I was a teen) hasn't lost a thing and of course Steve Ambrose (who I grew up with) sings fabulously. Mike Sloski is such a solid groove drummer with perfect time. It is such a basic full sound with just the drums and organ. This is an orginal work and has all the great sounds of 'Booker T and the MGs' and 'Jimmy Smith' It's a great, easy listen and a must buy. "

Robbie Rox

Track List

1.Funk You up

2. She Caught The Katy

3. Down At The Ottawa House

4. World of Love

5. Right Place, Wrong Time

6. Footwork

7. Chillin'

8. Devil With The Blue Dress

9. Michael's Blues

10. Superstition