The Drip
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The bass guitarist and composer Rubim de Toledo heads right into his Brazilian heritage with these cultured songs that also embrace Afrobeat, funk and jazz ideas.
The frisky “Out From Under” opens the listen with Felix Tellez’s playful guitar amid Raul Tabera’s animated percussive sounds in the lively climate, and “The Drip” follows with the bright brass and Jamie Cooper’s skilled drums guiding the worldly melodies.
Deeper into the listen, the agile bass lines from de Toledo populates the groove filled demeanor of “Rhythm Chante”, which uses Karimah’s fluid vocals, while “Son del Arroyo” is textured precisely thanks to the plucked bass and Bob Tildesley’s glowing trumpet.
Close to the end, Chris Andrews’ proficient keys add much mood to the lush “Danza para los Difuntos”, and “The Long Way” exits with an intimate and dreamy tone of mesmerizing, reflective songwriting.
An exciting execution of world jazz sounds, de Toledo and company flesh out a listen where each track carries its own unique, inimitable identity.
Travels well with: Bellbird- Root In Tandem; Will Clements- Compass