Contemporaneous
Innervision, 2025
9/10
The drummer and composer Pat Petrillo is in some excellent company for these 11 instrumental fusion tracks that are as unpredictable as they are exciting.
“Fused” starts with a bright mood, where Scott Ambush’s playful bass and Scott Mayo’s animated sax complement the meticulous drums, and “Late Night Diner” follows with Matt Rohde’s lively keys that add much to the melodic delivery.
Landing in the middle, “On The Regular” allows for Petrillo’s intricate drums to shine amid Oz Noy’s stunning guitar licks, while the title track has Petrillo playing all the instruments in a stylish and quick climate that uses many soundbites.
Arriving close to the end, “Sunset Sound Studio 2” benefits much from Steve Jankowski’s soaring trumpet and Tom Timko’s strategic tenor sax in a busy but precise album highlight, and “Glide In My Stride” exits with grooves and rhythm via Gary Grainger’s bass, and guitars from Richie Nobrega, Jr. and Chieli Minucci that blend in superbly with the wind and brass.
A really diverse effort that touches on jazz, R&B, funk and world music, Petrillo and company flesh out a complex and really memorable body of work.
Travels well with: Billy Lester Trio- High Standards; Mitch Towne- Refuge