This is a winning foray into soul jazz.
The Adam Deitch Quartet – Roll The Tape – Golden Wolf Records stereo double vinyl, 59:58 ****1/2:
(Adam Deitch – drums, percussion; Ryan Zoidis – saxophone; Eric “Benny” Bloom – trumpet; Wil Blades – organ, clarinet; John Scofield – guitar)
Denver-based drummer, record producer and band leader Adam Deitch has been active on his own label Golden Wolf Records since 2014. Additionally, he has collaborated with 50 Cent, Talib Kwell, Ledisi and John Scofield. His latest release is by The Adam Deitch Quartet. Roll The Tape gets off to a funky groove with “Lay It Back”. With Deitch and the rhythm section (including organ) establishing a hypnotic groove. Ryan Zoidis delivers a smooth run on saxophone. He is followed by trumpeter Benny Bloom’s vibrato-free tonality. One of the album highlights is “Mushroom Gravy” featuring guitarist John Scofield. Establishing a muscular vibe, Scofield intones with lyrical notation providing just the right amount of edginess and ragged eloquence. It is soulful jazz with Latin-infused rhythm and brassy swagger. All of the instrumentalists interact with cohesive dynamics. Each song consistently emphasizes a funk groove. The title track is full-bodied and Deitch manages to provide the propulsive anchor. Organist Will Blade offers a blistering solo with sustain and gospel undertones. Bloom stretches out his sound with an atmospheric run, and then fierce shading before the ensemble reprises the verse and chorus. In near bop-laden syncopation,
“The Green Light” builds on a vamp with a freewheeling improvisational solos on sax and especially trumpet (with exotic motifs). There are interesting chord changes and this jam combines hard bop with soul. In a change of pace, “Alone Together” has a mellower vibe. Drums and organ are dialed back, and Bloom’s gossamer trumpet reverberates with tender articulation, blending with Zoidis. Blades’ understated organ meshes perfectly. Deitch shines on the first of two drum-only tracks, “Language Interlude 3”. His unique sense of timing and tempo is creative and appealing. Returning to the groove train, “Play On Playa” kicks off with Blades crisp keyboards. He is joined by the formidable trumpet/sax tandem before his lithe, expressive organ solo. The relentless pulse is compelling. “7 Down” feels bluesy with deft syncopation and modulated chord changes. Both Bloom and Blades play inspired solos. “Have Faith” has a deeply gospel context as a Sunday-morning organ intro leads into a rousing celebration. It is soulful and will get everyone up dancing in no time. The finale (“Language Interlude 4”) is another superlative drum track.
Roll The Tape is a great jazz album. The arrangements are tightly structured and there is a spirited projection of soulful jazz. This vinyl has a vibrant sound mix with excellent stereo separation.
—Robbie Gerson
The Adam Deitch Quartet – Roll The Tape
TrackList:
Side A: Lay It Back; Mushroom Gravy; Roll The Tape
Side B: The Green Light; Alone Together; Language Interlude 3
Side C: Play On Playa; 7 Down
Side D: Have Faith; Language Interlude 4
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