Just Before Midnight
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Just Before Midnight
The veteran drummer and band leader Peter Kogan brings along some excellent help here, where a few different line ups accompany him across 9 originals that cover much territory in the area of jazz sounds.
“Pow, Pow, Pow, Pow- Yeah!” gets our attention immediately with its firm drumming and bright brass that moves at a frisky pace and flows with a soulful quality, and “Just Before Midnight (Etude #3)” follows with a calm spirit, where intimate keys lead right into energetic brass, furious drumming and a very adventurous, dreamy delivery.
In the middle, “Isle Of Kai” uses swirling guitar strategically in the very warm and reflective tone, while ”…And Another Thing (Etude #1)” flows with rich textures of agile and soaring, timeless jazz qualities.
Elsewhere, “The Winter Of Our Discontent (Etude #2)” benefits much from the bouncy bass work and glowing brass, and “Song Without A Word” exits the listen with Dominic Cheli on solo piano for a gorgeous and stirring finish.
A thriving listen with no lack of solos from Kogan, as well as from Jake Baldwin’s trumpet and Pete Whitman’s tenor sax, Just Before Midnight was rehearsed and performed outdoors during the pandemic and spans many reactions including resistance, compassion and reassurance. Kogan’s history in blues and rock certainly are in tact across the entire affair, too, which brings some much appreciated diversity.
Travels well with: Randy Napoleon- Puppets; Ben Markley Big Band- Ari’s Funhouse