For those not in the know, a versatile multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator, Dr. Mike Bogle has long led several different groups that have been quite active in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, ranging from a trio to a big band. For his latest recording, Let There Be Light, he put together an impressive new group of skilled associates to perform creative groove music.

Let there Be Light teams Bogle (on piano, keyboards, trombone and vocals) in a unique ensemble consisting of vibraphonist Dana Sudborough, bassist Buddy Mohmed, drummer Harrel Bosarge, and Andy Barrus on steel pan and percussion.

1. Voyager’s Dream (7:58)
2. Let There Be Light (6:35)
3. Eat Your Vitamins (9:32)
4. Positano (6:16)
5. The Chicken (8:22)
6. Let There Be Light (Alternative Take) (6:37)

Opening on the simply magical, steel pan-enhanced, fluidly engaging, Latin groove of Voyager’s Dream, next up is the free flowing, atmospherically charged flow of the gently vocalized title track Let There Be Light, which is itself backed by the groovy hipsway of Eat Your Vitamins.

Along next is the lighter fare of Positano, which in and unto itself features Bogle on trombone along with a rather stirring piano solo, which is itself followed by a stirringly euphoric, and dare I say funky rendition of Pee Wee Ellis’ classic The Chicken, the album closing on an alternative take of the title track, an instrumental version of Let There Be Light.

Dr. Mike Bogle, who is the Professor of Commercial Music at Dallas College, Cedar Valley campus, has worked with such notables as Doc Severinsen, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Jaco Pastorius, Ira Sullivan, Pete Christlieb, and Duffy Jackson, performing throughout the world including Europe, South America, Mexico and Canada.

Mike has released 6 previous albums as either Mike Bogle, Mike Bogle Trio, or Dr. Mike Bogle including: Other Life, Eternal Family, Hipness Oasis, Live At Stoney’s, Dr. B! (organ trio), Rhapsody In Blue (solo piano), plus various singles.

His Tropical Jazz Project (with Andy Barrus on steel drums) can be heard on Rainbows, and the Mike Bogle Orchestra has released two albums: In The Mood and Sing, Sing, Sing.

In conclusion, Let There Be Light is a very enjoyable introduction to the musical world of Dr. Mike Bogle.

Amazon Purchase Links

The Chicken – Dr. Mike Bogle (Official Music Video)