Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra – Music And Rhythm

There's no doubt that Shawn Lee is a prolific musician, and on these 25 short tracks, he shows off his funk capabilities. From the straight-up groove of "Sexy Beast" to the Indian-influenced "Bollywood" or "East West," these ditties come in and sting, then go away, like mosquitoes. "El Duce" has some loungey promise and the dark groove of "Friday The 13th" help breathe life into the album, as do the choruses on "Sammy's Theme" and "Rose." One can't help but smile at the harmonica on the Western-tinge of "Monterey Jack" or its more blatant presence on "Pasta Cowboy." Overall, though, the album feels strangely unsatisfying, as if there was all these beats that I wanted to enjoy, but could only scratch at.