Peter Frampton, Prog Collective, Terry Blade and others are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately …
MARBIN – SHREDDIN’ AT SWEETWATER (JAZZ/PROG ROCK): Hot on the heels of 2020’s tour de force Russian Doll + Ten Years, the Chicago-based jazz/progressive rock outfit Marbin demonstrates their prowess with Shreddin’ at Sweetwater, recorded live on Nov. 11, 2020 at Sweetwater Studios in Fort Wayne, Ind. Guitarist Dani Rabin and saxophonist Fanny Markovitz provide the perfect melodic spark to the powerhouse rhythm of drummer Everette Benton Jr. and bassist Joe Nadel. If you are a fan of any of the band’s previous 11 studio albums, you’ll appreciate the raw power of “Messy Mark.” If not, be prepared to be amazed by “Splaw.” The muscular, melodic and precisely raw music makes Shreddin’ at Sweetwater yet another fine addition to the bands long line of joyously engaging releases.
PETER FRAMPTON BAND – FRAMPTON FORGETS THE WORDS (ROCK): Peter Frampton has continued to hone his craft even while concluding his touring career. All Blues from 2019 allowed the iconic guitarist to re-explore his blues leanings. His 2020 autobiography Do You Feel Like I Do?: A Memoir offered a fascinating look back at his storied career. On April 23, Frampton and with storied engineer/co-producer Chuck Ainlay deliver yet another treat with his all-instrumental album, Frampton Forgets the Words. Forgoing original material, Peter Frampton and his tough three-piece band deliver bluesy takes on contemporary rock songs. “Reckoner,” composed initially by Radiohead, is a perfect example of how Frampton can employ his arranging acumen to power a great song even further. Frampton and his band touch on David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and Lenny Kravitz. Racing back to George Harrison’s “Isn’t It a Pity” is another example of how fortunate we are to have Peter Frampton still in the game.
TERRY BLADE – AMERICAN DESCENDANT OF SLAVERY (R&B): American Descendant of Slavery is an unflinchingly powerful debut from Chicago-based artist Terry Blade. Combining folk, rock, and soul elements, Blade delivers 19 songs that confront racism, LGBTQ+ and social-justice issues. “Black Hurts” is an unflinching look at the impact being Black in America has on the likelihood of justice, while “Ms. Mizell” tackles coming out in America. Blade’s minimalist approach to casting these songs only enhances his hard-hitting lyrics and message. If you’re looking for straightforward R&B, this is not the album for you. However, if you want well-crafted songs that contain a mixture of soul, rap, and rock, give American Descendant of Slavery a listen.
PROG COLLECTIVE – WORLDS ON HOLD (PROG ROCK): Here’s a surprise – there’s a new Billy Sherwood-helmed progressive rock album! No, it’s not the Arc of Life debut or even a new Yes album. Sherwood is back with Worlds On Hold, the third album in a series from his delightful Prog Collective project. If you don’t own the prior two albums, 2012’s The Prog Collective and 2013’s Epilogue, get them. Worlds on Hold does not stray too far from the formula. Sherwood handles all the songwriting on the original songs, as well as most of the drum, guitar, keyboards and, of course, bass playing. If you’re not a fan of Billy Sherwood, you’ll be amazed out how skilled a drummer and keyboardist he is, in addition to his prominent guitar and bass skills.
What distinguishes the Prog Collective albums from a Billy Sherwood solo album is the special guests. Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate provides an impassioned vocal on “Two Trajectories,” while Bumblefoot Thal’s lead guitar takes the song to the stratosphere. Fellow Yesman Jon Davison takes over the lead vocal on “Anything But Goodbye.” The song, which also features band alum Patrick Moraz, is so strong that I wonder why it wasn’t saved for the new Yes album. Elsewhere, Geoff Downes, Roine Stolt and Steve Hackett make significant musical contributions. The six original tunes are all strong, but the contrast with the classic covers found elsewhere makes the entire album a bit of a head-scratcher. Indeed, the versions of Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” and the Doors’ “People Are Strange” only underscore how strong the originals really are.
MIGUEL ZENON AND LUIS PERDOMO – EL ARTE DEL BOLERO (JAZZ): Recorded in September of 2020, this duet album finds saxophonist Miquel Zenon paired with award winning pianist Luis Perdomo in an intimate collection of nine original jazz tunes. Recorded live recording during a gig at the Jazz Gallery in New York, El Arte del Bolero is a treat with Zenon’s warm yet powerful alto saxophone work melding with Perdomo’s delicately expressive piano work. “Como Fue,” the great Latin Jazz standard, is given new life by Zenon and Perdomo with its lovely fresh arrangement. Another unexpected treat is the cover of “Que te Pedi,” a song often associated with one of my favorite artists, La Lupe – and recorded with Tito Puente. This live recording captures two jazz masters at the heights of their powers.
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