Hit It
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Consisting of Brian Kooken on guitar, Greg Hatza holding down Hammond B3 Organ and Robert Shahid behind the drum kit, BK Trio brings much technical prowess to this lively effort where bop, soul, blues and jazz are certainly not in short supply.
The title track starts the listen with spirited, bluesy guitars as the playful percussion and keys add much to the soulful setting, and this continues to the jazz friendly “Always Looking Up”, as well as the calming tone of the precise and rhythmic “Brazilian Blues”.
The back half of the listen offers the melodic and swift swing proficiency of “5 Minutes Late”, while “In That Funk Again” brings funk in spades alongside the acrobatic guitar work that fits nicely with the grooves. “Soul For Shahid” then ends the listen with a wealth of organ amid the giant landscape of timeless blues.
Kooken has a history playing alongside Marva Wright, and here he proves he’s an exceptional band leader, too, making Hit It essential listening for the jazz guitar crowd.
Travels well with: Herb Silverstein & Michael Ross- Looking Back: Play It Again; Radha Thomas & Aman Mahajan- Bangalore Blues