Dealin’ It
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
A Grammy Award-winning musician, producer and composer, Tom Hemby brings along drummer Keith Carlock, saxophonist Mark Doutht, bassist Adam Nitti, and keyboardist Michael Whittaker for these well thought jazz instrumental tunes.
“Sneaky” starts the listen with playful bass lines and frisky drumming to complement Hemby’s spirited guitar and warm keys, and this creativity continues to the energetic and agile “The Big Dang Deal”, where the soaring guitar acrobatics are front and center.
“Wrestle With The Devil” arrives at the halfway point, and trims the pace back with much intimacy that’s quite stylish, too, while “Free Byrd” embraces a dreamy quality with meticulous guitar accented by a bit of mysteriousness in the short duration.
Close to the end, the stirring “Another Lonely Moon” showcases the soulful sax prowess with much elegance, and “Sidewayz” exits the listen busy, dynamic and with all the players showcasing their respective strengths in the glowing finish.
A record that’s not short on charming melodies, and bits of fusion and funk moments, too, Hemby and company create a timeless body of work that fans of jazz will admire.
Travels well with: Andy Adamson Quintet- A Coincidence Of Cats; David Larsen- G2 And You