gorgeous! - imperfection (2019)

gorgeous! was founded to create an authentic sound and share a musical spirit of freedom.

Hailing from Miami, multi-instrumentalist Darren Hoffman grew up as a blues, rock and punk guitar player. While studying film in Florida he met jazz piano master, Marcus Roberts, and soon plans changed as he went off to New Orleans to study jazz percussion. Yet his love of the blues, as revisited by Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and The White Stripes persisted.

Morgan Guerin, the son of World-renowned bassist Roland Guerin, is that child prodigy who brings music forth from the source in any way he chooses. Growing up in the New Orleans area, his unique access and talent led him to sit in with Ellis Marsalis and The Astral Project as early as four years of age. He met Darren Hoffman when he was just six, sharing his drum skills with his elder.

Parker McAllister grew up studying classical piano on his mother’s insistence, also starting as a toddler, attending Manhattan School of Music while still in high school. As he fell in love with the bass, he kept his deal with his mother as long as he could, which meant he could play the bass as long as he continued to study piano. The only electric bass player admitted to the New England Conservatory of Music, Parker found opportunities right away, and soon was performing as a bassist with the renowned all female gospel a cappella group Sweet Honey In The Rock.

Darren Hoffman’s search for expression through sound is the driving force behind gorgeous!. That sound is raw, with a constant rock and blues edge on the guitar as the players bring all of their jazz inspired experimentation to create a landscape effect. The trio format demands honesty and muscle, as there is no extravagant arrangement to hide behind.

gorgeous! sounds like a post-punk jazz trio infused with the spirits of Albert King and Kurt Cobain. The album is titled “imperfection,” a nod to the true spirit of searching for the root of the human condition. Deep blues grooves give way to elements of laid back back-room swing, setting a mood that we all can feel. “imperfection” is a refreshing and courageous form of connection between historic sound and in the moment creativity.

Tracklist:
01. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - alignment
02. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - evening
03. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - there it is
04. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - open open open
05. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - rainbow groove
06. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - slight realignment
07. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - miami knight ride
08. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - the purple gloved love one
09. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - weirdos
01. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - i used to be a human being
02. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - bubbles
03. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - kurt marshall jackson
04. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - maxin'
05. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - cozy
06. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - space cadets
07. gorgeous!, Morgan Guerin, Darren Hoffman, Parker McAllister - detachment