Dave Potter And Retro Groove
Square Biz, 2022
8/10
Listen to Dave Potter And Retro Groove
Dave Potter knows his way around a set of drums, and here along with Miguel Alvarado (soprano, tenor sax), Will Goble (acoustic bass), Terrell Montgomery (acoustic bass), Austin Johnson (piano), and Angelo Versace (piano) he puts a playful twist on some retro tunes that we’ve never heard quite like this.
“Through The Fire” starts the listen with charming bass lines, scrappy drumming and bright sax illuminating the warm jazz climate, and “Higher Love” follows with a very soulful and dynamic interpretation of the Steve Winwood classic.
“You Got It All” lands in the middle and brings restraint and beauty into the emotive landscape, while “Cult Of Personality” offers a version of the Living Color smash that’s quite colorful, where the lively rhythm section really makes the most of the cover.
“In Your Eyes”, the best selection, arrives near the end, and certainly does justice to the Peter Gabriel tune with its breezy, cozy spirit, and “I Can’t Help It” exits the listen with a busy and meticulous energy that emits so much skilled instrumentation.
Potter did plenty of homework when deciding which tunes would translate to jazz effectively, and with his esteemed cast of players they sure do reinvent some great songs into a very enjoyable listen.
Travels well with: Kenny Shanker- Vortex; Joe LoCascio- Book Of Days