Built around legendary Earth Wind & Fire guitarist, Al McKay, and a group of top Los Angeles studio and road musicians is the aptly named "Al McKay Allstars." They are all about the music.
Performing hit after hit of the super group's material, in the original keys with the original feel, the Al McKay Allstars offer a stunning demonstration of a living, vital performance - with every component of the band upholding the high standard of excellence that established the original EWF sound.
From Al McKay's guitar, the rhythm section locks down the grooves McKay did so much to create in the first place. The horn section, under the leadership of original EWF trumpeter and Phenix Horn member Michael Harris, and featuring the talents of former Tower Of Power and Doobie Brother members, deliver performances that any band leader would be proud of. The vocal section anchored by the incredible vocal talents of Tim Owens - plausibly surpasses the powerful vocal ensemble of most groups.
In a day and age when many top pop groups perform with carefully prepared click tracks and prerecorded vocals and padding, it is refreshing to find that the legacy of this historic American music is alive and well with McKay's stunning new group.
So the Al McKay Allstars may be the only group capable of rendering this music with the original feel and with no smoke and mirrors. And for fans of EWF and American funk music in general -- the band is a phenomenon absolutely not to be missed.
Built around legendary Earth Wind & Fire guitarist, Al McKay, and a group of top Los Angeles studio and road musicians is the aptly named "Al McKay Allstars." They are all about the music.
Performing hit after hit of the super group's material, in the original keys with the original feel, the Al McKay Allstars offer a stunning demonstration of a living, vital performance - with every component of the band upholding the high standard of excellence that established the original EWF sound.
From Al McKay's guitar, the rhythm section locks down the grooves McKay did so much to create in the first place. The horn section, under the leadership of original EWF trumpeter and Phenix Horn member Michael Harris, and featuring the talents of former Tower Of Power and Doobie Brother members, deliver performances that any band leader would be proud of. The vocal section anchored by the incredible vocal talents of Tim Owens - plausibly surpasses the powerful vocal ensemble of most groups.
In a day and age when many top pop groups perform with carefully prepared click tracks and prerecorded vocals and padding, it is refreshing to find that the legacy of this historic American music is alive and well with McKay's stunning new group.
So the Al McKay Allstars may be the only group capable of rendering this music with the original feel and with no smoke and mirrors. And for fans of EWF and American funk music in general -- the band is a phenomenon absolutely not to be missed.