The Man Who Would Be King
Self-Released, 2026
8/10
Listen to The Man Who Would Be King
An artist with an affinity for jazz fusion, Adam De Lucia brings years of study, performance and reflection to these 8 composed, improvised and distinct pieces that illustrate his own musical language.
“Cycle One” opens with elegant strings before Jordan Perlson’s thumping drums and Oz Noy’s inimitable guitar enters the jazz-rock climate, and “Gorilla” follows with De Lucia’s warm guitar lines amid Donny McCaslin’s rich tenor sax.
Halfway through, “Six Day Regimen” allows for Lefebvre’s playful bass to add much to the dynamic setting, while “Will You Follow?” benefits from Henry Hey’s frisky Rhodes and Hammond and Michael Ghegan’s well timed flute for the rich album highlight.
“8 Out” and “Carousel” exit the listen. The former pairs De Lucia’s fluid guitar with a punchy rhythm section, and the latter carries grooves in spades via the soulful sax, cautious rhythm section and colorful guitar from De Lucia.
An album with plenty of rhythm, harmonics and melody, each track brings something different to the table thanks to De Lucia’s atypical and exciting vision.
Travels well with: Zen Zadravec- New Paradigm; Leigh Pilzer- Keep Holding On