By Russ Tarby

Contributing Writer

When he was a teenager, bassist Edgar Pagán sensed a growing brotherhood among the musicians he jammed with on the South Side of Syracuse. Nowadays, as the longtime bandleader of Grupo Pagán, he still encourages that familial feel among his bandmates, but it’s particularly strong with keyboardist Bill DiCosimo.

“Billy and I have been working together for more than 20 years,” said Pagán, who now lives in Baldwinsville. “He’s always encouraging, always supportive.”

DiCosimo, who lives in Cicero and chairs the Syracuse University Jazz Studies program, returns the compliment.

“People who know Edgar or have performed or done session work with him can see and feel that he has a great supportive sensibility as a performer,” DiCosimo said. “I’m proud to have him as my musical brother.”

Now these two musical brothers have joined together to record a seven-track CD called “Con Moto” showcasing five original compositions and two lively covers.

In Spanish, “Con Moto” means with motion. And this disc – expertly produced by Jimmy Haslip, a founding member of the jazz-fusion group The Yellowjackets – makes all the right moves.

“Jimmy Haslip brings in a really good vibe, very healing,” Pagán said. “He played a lot of instruments on this recording, I mean he’s a world-class bassist, but he also played drums, and his approach to producing is clever, interesting and fresh.”

DiCosimo agrees. He was most impressed by Haslip’s “commitment to the project and his belief in our musical vision.”

Session drummer Korma Auger’s relentless drum beats kick off the opening tracks, “So It Begins,” and DiCosimo takes it from there with alternating soft, melodic piano lines with harder, more aggressive chording. Haslip and Jimmy Branly add percussive effects while Nick Kellie contributes a brief but ear-catching guitar break.

“Samba Pagán” starts with DiCosimo’s synth creating beautiful flute lines followed by other woodwind sounds before Pagán’s 5-string bass kicks in to push the melody ever upward. Some catchy conga slapping gives the samba a real Caribbean feel.

A chunky “Blues Clues” has DiCosimo jumping from piano to Hammond B-3 organ and back again while Auger’s snare drum and cymbals are mixed front and center, a Haslip trademark.

The first of the two covers, Steppenwolf’s 1968 hit “Magic Carpet Ride,” also features the keyboardist’s B-3 talent and gives Pagán a chance to shine vocally, complemented by pleasing harmony back-ups. A tip of the hat to Haslip, who made sure Edgar’s terrific tenor comes through loud and clear.

The estimable jazz pianist Jeff Lorber makes a guest appearance on keyboard bass, and electric guitarist Jeff Richman delivers a decidedly dreamy lead while drummer Gary Novak lays down a rock-steady beat.

The second cover, War’s 1973 million-seller, “The Cisco Kid,” is delivered here minus vocal. While Pagán surely knows the words and can handle the singing, this arrangement introed by Richman’s wah-wah effect, focuses on DiCosimo’s funky B-3 treatment well-supported by Pagán’s bass.

“Con Moto” cruises toward the finish line with “Taino Spirit,” an upbeat homage to the diverse indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. It’s a joyful drum-and-conga bonanza with polyphony aplenty.

And a heartfelt “Show the World” climaxes the record. A slow, moody bonus track co-written by Pagán and Syracuse songwriter Bob Halligan Jr. DiCosimo’s resonant piano work fully supports Pagán’s ardent vocal on this song dedicated to international peace, love and unity.

As the lyrics dream of “no more destruction, let’s clear the air // There’s so much beauty for us all to share,” those sentiments are seconded by the Senzoku Gakuen College Music Choir from Japan.

“Show the world this can be done,” Pagán pleads. “Show the world we can live as one.”

To get a little taste of “Con Moto” check out “Taino Spirit” and “Show the World” on YouTube.

For CD info, visit edgarpagan.com.