Mrs. Fun is a 30-year marriage of musical mirth and mutual creativity. On Truth, the Milwaukee jazz-pop duo documents its characteristically vast expressive range and stylistic diversity. The title, and the album cover’s darkly eloquent pyramid silhouette, suggest intent to stand the test of time. You could pop this CD in for a party backdrop, yet it rewards mindful, even reflective, listening.
To the latter point, the original “Zawinul” tributes the dominant figure behind the incomparable fusion group Weather Report. It evokes Joe Zawinul’s orchestral exotic scene-painting via synthesizer, yet retains the grounding of walking bass and crackling drums. Keyboardist-vocalist Connie Grauer might be the most resourceful synthesizer player on the Milwaukee scene. This keys the group's brilliance, along with drummer Kim Zick’s endless array of rhythmic accents and propulsive grooves and dynamics.
Mrs. Fun perform at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at The Jazz Estate.
