The Night Is Young

from The Portland Press Herald – August 2, 2006 by Aimsel L. Ponti

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett - This Is What You Want

I listened to “This Is What You Want,” the debut release from Morgan, Fogg & Grimmett, over dinner on Monday night and quickly realized I had made a good decision.

Matt Fogg is something of a jazz piano virtuoso, not to mention an accomplished arranger. He also fell in love with Wurlitzer and Hammond organs. Scott Morgan, of another local act, Tribe Describe, also shines on the record with his guitar. Singer Cheri Gaudet Grimmett ties it all together with her bright, polished voice.

The record starts out on an instrumental note with “Blues in the Water,” which has a bluesy guitar feel courtesy of Morgan and is laced with the sound of Fogg’s vintage organ. Then we are introduced to Grimmett’s singing via “Bottle Down,” which also shows off the dazzling, free-flowing piano chops of Fogg.

The record has a fantastic flow to it and is genre-bending throughout. “Go Down Moses” clocks in at over 7 minutes and starts off with the distant sound of African drums, among other instruments. It sounds like a nouveau olde spiritual.

Jazz fans will dig this record for sure, but so will anyone looking for something as refreshing as a Mojito on the beach with added shots of soul, spirit, heart and sparkle. Visit www.mattfogg.com, where you can dig some samples off the record and read more about the twists and turns that culminated with the release of “This Is What You Want.”

Morgan, Fogg & Grimmett CD release show, 7:30 p.m. Saturday [August 5, 2006] (followed by reception), Maine Sound Stage, Fort Andross, Brunswick, $10, reserve by calling 229-2738 or 837-2955.

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