What we have here is a fascinating release from drummer Pat Petrillo, who has brought together lots of friends and his many influences to create an album which is rooted in jazz, but has a very modern twist as he brings in soul, funk, pop and more. Petrillo is well known in the scene, playing with the likes of Patti LaBelle, Gloria Gaynor, Oz Noy, has recorded with Nile Rodgers, and has performed on numerous Broadway shows (“A Chorus Line,” “Grease,” “Footloose,” “Newsies”). He has brought in a variety of musicians to help him create this, including Oz Noy, Chieli Minucci and Blake Aaron on guitar, Chris Fischer (Spyro Gyra) and Matt Rohde (NBC’s “The Voice”) on keyboards, while Gary Grainger (John Scofield, Acoustic Alchemy) and Scott Ambush (Spyro Gyra) share bass duties. The horn section features Steve Jankowski (Chic) and Mike Cordone (Camila Cabello, Usher) on trumpets, Lemar Guillary on Trombone. Scott Mayo (Sergio Mendes, John Legend), Tom Timko (Gloria Estefan), Phillip Wack (Simon Phillips Protocol) and Will Donato are on saxes.
This is a very fresh album, while also feeling as if it could well have come from the late Seventies. I love the description from the press release as I totally get where that is coming from, “magine Snarky Puppy and the Brecker Brothers jamming with Weather Report at Grover Washington Jr’s backyard barbecue in Philly.” Interesting, and also accurate. The drums are ever present, taking us in different directions depending on the feel, and Petrillo either wrote or co-wrote everything on here and it shows as he has brought his experiences to bear and ensured he is at the heart of everything but never detracting from what is going on around. He is at he heart of every song, but never overplays as he brings everything together with wonderful arrangements. Soft jazz and soul, this is something to relax and unwind to.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://patpdrummer.com/
https://www.innervisionrecords.com/