Attitude & Gratitude
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Attitude & Gratitude
The drummer and composer Henry Godrey has explored plenty of sounds in his exceptional career, and this sophomore album continues that trend with 5 elaborate and eclectic tracks.
“For McCoy” gets the listen off to an energetic start, where Pritesh Walia’s guitar and Rowan Barcham’s piano complement the flurry of bright horns that emit much warmth, and “Mad Max” follows with Godfrey’s meticulous drumming and percussion providing the backbone to the Eli Block’s soulful trumpet solo amid the highly rhythmic 13 minutes.
“Forgetting What Will Never Be” occupies the middle spot, and it’s full of Anna Abondolo’s strategic bass plucking in a more cautious demeanor, while “Hot Water” showcases Jasmine Sloane’s trumpet Anton Derevyanko’s sax prowess in the very collaborative album highlight.
The final track, “We’ll Get There”, makes great use of Nicholas Suchecki’s fluid sax and Matt Kelly’s well timed trumpet, as Godfrey anchors the setting with much attention to detail that is appreciated and admired.
Godfrey’s got an accomplished academic resume in the area of music, and his experience with post-bop, rock and funk are also present here. Toss in the large numbers of solos, too, and you get a listen with much universal appeal.
Travels well with: Chris Cortez- Live At Blue Bamboo; The Jazz Professors- Blues And Cubes