The Casualties of Jazz - Dead Hunters Colored Vinyl LP

Expected: March 2025

The Casualties of Jazz started as three outstanding LA based session musicians and touring sidemen, playing jazz casuals at the River Bottom in the 1990’s.  Drummer Jimmy Paxson (Stanley Clarke, Steve Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Rod Stewart, Ben Harper, The Chicks), bassist Chris Golden (Rod Stewart, Mick Fleetwood, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel) and keyboard player Matt Rohde (Alanis Morissette, Prince, The Chicks, Jane’s Addiction, John Fogerty) held a weekly gig there, and became a tight unit.  

But the really interesting part happened when Jimmy and Chris were making a Rod Stewart record with producer and engineer J.J. Blair (June Carter, Johnny Cash, Smokey Robinson, Joe Bonamassa), who was engineering those sessions.  Chris spontaneously started playing the bass line for Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf” on upright bass, Jimmy fell in on brushes, and J.J. hit the record button.  J.J. came up with the idea to do an album of Black Sabbath covers in the style of Jimmy Smith or Brother Jack McDuff, for which they brought Matt in to play Hammond B3.  The result was “Kind of Black: A Rare Groove Salute to Black Sabbath,”  which gained a large cult following.

Over 20 years later a second album was made, but this time with J.J. on guitar, coming up with the idea of doing Grateful Dead music in the style of ‘70s funk jazz fusion, a la Herbie Hancock, Deodato, Jeff Beck and others.  The result is "Deadhunters,” and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.  It will truly transport you back to 1974 with its authentic sound and arrangements, and incredible musicianship.  It’s truly one of the best re-interpretations of Grateful Dead music to come along in years.  Get on the bus, buckle up your seat belt, and enjoy the trip.  

Tracks:

Side 1

1. The Other Side (inspired by Eumir Deodato)
2. Shakedown Street (inspired by the funk)
3. Fire On the Mountain (inspired by George Duke)

Side 2

1. Estimated Prophet (Inspired by Herbie Hancock)
2. China Cat Sunflower (inspired by Herbie Hancock)
3. They Love Each Other (inspired by Herbie Hancock)

Label: Experience Vinyl