Persistence
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The Chicago resident and guitarist Steve Knight brings us an impressive debut, where Justin Peterson plays bass and Jeff Stitley handles drums across a dozen tracks, seven of which are originals.
“Suspects” opens the listen with calm and soothing guitar as the light drumming complements the gentle tone fluidly, and “Cisco” continues with playful bass playing that glides alongside the melodic guitar superbly.
Closer to the middle, the title track blends the guitars and drums with a stylish and very dynamic jazz climate, while “Chop Chop” gets frisky, meticulous and beams with a swift jazz meets blues energy.
“Workshop” lands near the end, and bops and shakes with an infectious demeanor, and “Sharps Disposal” exits with incredible musicianship that swirls with tumbling drums, hypnotic guitar and strategic bass playing.
An excellent first album that’s highly technical and delivered with grace and adventurousness, Knight and company put a charming spin on the covers, and the originals are quite impressive, too, as they embrace pop, funk, blues and R&B elements into the timeless formula.
Travels well with: Dan Olivo- Day By Day; Bill Ortiz- Points Of View