Wake Up Call
Cold Plunge, 2025
8/10
Rick Roe brings his piano to these 10 tunes from Gregg Hill’s arsenal, where Nate Winn, Robert Hurst and Marcus Elliot are along for the timeless set.
The warm grooves of “Inside Straight” starts with Roe’s firm keys and Elliot’s bright sax that help create much melody, and “Sunspiration” follows with Winn’s frisky drums complementing the soulful sax and rich mood.
Halfway through, “The Return Of Mr. Pea” bops and shakes with an infectious energy via the lively rhythm section and animated keys, while “Modal Yodel #2” benefits much from Hurst’s meticulous bass amid the timeless jazz.
Close to the end, the dense “Hyperbarity” offers a busy and dynamic album highlight via the lively keys, swift drumming and animated bass lines, and “Double Play” exits with both gentle and full moments of precise song craft.
Roe does justice to Hill’s work, where waltzs, swingin’ fun, hooks and plenty of harmony are present across yet another installment of Hill’s vision that deserves plenty of attention.
Travels well with: Chris Rottmayer- Playing Favorites; Pete Mills- For The Record