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Eclectic is surely an overused word in music journalism, yet it applies perfectly to The Longest Way Round, the latest release from the Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project. Rosenblum is an accomplished sideman who has taken his accordion and piano skills around the world. He’s unafraid to stand on the edge of jazz and look outward.
Fortunately, he brings listeners along for a joyous ride. It’s as if Rosenblum dropped a pin on a global map and invited everyone to the celebration. This album’s title comes from a James Joyce quote, “Longest way ’round is the shortest way home.” Rosenblum admits he hasn’t read Ulysses, but he clearly understands the sentiment. After years touring with artists such as Rickie Lee Jones and Catherine Russell, he has embraced the idea that distance often clarifies identity.
The opener, “Merengue x Fantasy,” is pure joy, blending Dominican merengue with J-pop-inspired chord progressions. “Sheridan’s Reel” shifts gears, offering Irish folk textures anchored by a blues-inflected groove. Written in tribute to his late friend Michael Sheridan, it carries emotional weight without sacrificing momentum. The ambitious three-part suite “Scenes Frozen in Time” moves from the isolation of “Berlin” to the nostalgia of “Old Friends” and the turbulence of “Onslaught.” Cinematic and deeply personal, it feels expansive enough to stand as its own mini-album.
“Círculo” and “Blue Water” explore West African rhythmic traditions and Caribbean reggae and ska influences, adding to the project’s global palette. “Albatross” and “Fool’s Gold” return to straight-ahead hard bop, honoring Mulgrew Miller and Horace Silver with vibrant piano, trumpet, and dynamic drumming. The closing track, “Last Call,” written for trumpeter Wayne Tucker, leans into smooth neo-soul and R&B textures, ending the album on a relaxed, reflective note.
The Nebula Project also includes Jasper Dutz on saxophone, Rafael Rosa on guitar, Marty Jaffe on bass, Ben Zweig on drums, percussionists Brad Dutz and Gustavi Di Dalva, along with Rosenblum and Tucker. They bring passion and precision to Rosenblum’s third album.
The Longest Way Round plays like a passport filled to capacity, moving seamlessly through Dominican merengue, West African rhythms, Irish folk, neo-soul, J-pop, and hard bop. What could have been chaotic instead feels cohesive and intentional. Ben Rosenblum demonstrates that self-discovery does not require a plane ticket – only curiosity, craft, and a willingness to explore.
- Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project – ‘The Longest Way Round’ (2026) - April 4, 2026
- Walter Becker, “My Waterloo [Live at Slim’s]” (2026): One Track Mind - March 28, 2026
- Mark Wade Trio – ‘New Stages’ (2026) - March 21, 2026
