Native Son
Origin, 2025
9/10
The inestimable drummer Michael Waldrop is aligned with some excellent company, as Vasil Hadžimanov and Martin Gjakonovski accompany him across 8 cultured tracks, where Brad Dutz, Jose Rossy and Chris Symer are also in attendance.
The title track leads with Waldrop’s precise drumming amid Dutz’s lively percussion and Hadžimanov’s pretty key progressions that add much melody, and “Vasconcelos” follows with Gjakonovski’s meticulous bass that suits the flowing interaction of the keys and drums which also allows for Rossy’s lively percussion.
Landing in the middle, “El Vino” is full of intricate piano and dense drumming, while “Bitter End”, the best track, offers an animated landscape of rhythmic nods and colorful piano.
“Still Life” and “Wrong Blues” exit the listen. The former is an elegant moment of intimacy and exploration, and the latter is sublimely emotive, harmonically charming and radiant with timeless jazz qualities.
Both Afro-Cuban influences and Middle Eastern percussion will be enjoyed here, as Waldrop and company flesh out both balladry and energetic selections that will resonate worldwide.
Travels well with: Medler Sextet- River Paths; Ben Markley- Tell The Truth