Adam Deitch Quartet’s second album is a heater, with some of the grooviest, soul-jazz around. Adam is known as the drummer, composer and founding member of today’s leading funk band, Lettuce. For the quartet, he is joined by fellow Lettuce bandmates, Eric “Benny” Bloom on trumpet and Ryan Zoidis on saxophones as well as Wil Blades, a master of the B3 organ.
Like it’s predecessor, Egyptian Secrets, this album is brilliant with the full 4 playing syncrhonously and then dividing in pairs drum-organ / trumpet-sax and then again with each taking rich solos throughout.
I really dig the jazzier side with this crew, each member is able to stretch out a little bit individually and weave in and out of each other in a very streamlined fashion. I’m very much looking forward to seeing them December 3rd at North Beach Music Festival in Miami Beach.
Here’s my track by track breakdown:
Track By Track
Lay It Back has Wil Blades taking the lead initially on organ before the horns pitch in with the main theme. Benny and Zoidis sound like one, their licks are oil slick. Zoidis takes a monster solo, jazzy and funky at the same time. There’s a definite homage to Maceo Parker, one of his heroes embedded in there. Benny takes his turn immediately following and it’s perfected for this combo. The return to the main theme is seamless and then Benny and Zoidis have a little conversation with Deitch and Wil rolling along to the end.
Mushroom Gravy is so damn tasty, with a super aromatic mix from John Scofield who makes this tune sound homemade. The ripping four-note horn theme just forces me to sing “Mush-room Gra-vy” in sync throughout the song. Wil’s parallel playing of the four notes and Sco riding over the waves makes this a treat.
Roll the Tape also has Wil laying down the groove with the horns popping in with the main theme. For the A section, it’s the horns and Wil trading with each other. Wil takes the first solo with Deitch crushing the pocket. There’s a bit with Wil holding a sustained note on the B3 reminiscent of the great Chester Thompson playing Squib Cakes with Tower of Power. Benny takes a fantastic power solo with some mute effects. When he drops off, the main theme picks up to the end.
The Green Light has Wil playing some deep bass pedals and swirling organ which, with Deitch sets the repeat rhythm for the song. The horns establish a memorable riff for the head. Zoidis has a great tenor solo about 1/3 way through and it then shifts to Benny’s solo turn. The main theme comes back first with the horns and then without, with just the hypnotic Wil-Deitch repeat. The close out features a quick stop horn blast.
Alone Together has a relaxed-tempo tune a beautiful organ and drum brushes intro. The horns play the main melody with some extra syrupy grooves. Benny takes an extended solo with some echo effects. Wil follows with a very dreamy sequence before the main theme resumes. Zoidis is up next for a short soulful section blending back to the theme closeout.
Language Interlude 3 is a stupendous Deitch solo tune. The range of the conversation he creates among the drums is amazing. The context of just him playing the entire tune is different than any on this album or any Lettuce album or show. Of course it’s #3 because #’s 1 and 2 were on the previous AD4 album, Egyptian Secrets.
Play On Playa is another favorite of mine. Starting with just Wil and Deitch, it establishes the melody right off the bat. The horns pick up after a few bars and the crew rolls through this swinging track. Wil has an extended B3 solo here and he rips it in the mold of Groove Holmes. Ryan follows up with an alto solo with impeccable timing. For this one the memorable melody is played through the bulk of the tune right up to the finish.
7 Down is a hard bop tune with a flowing melody. Benny has the opening solo with Wil leaning on the bass and Adam rolling along. Wil takes over head-bounce-inducing playing. The main melody is very well laid out and Benny and Zoidis play as one.
Have Faith as should be expected from the title, has a very church-like organ opening from Wil, super soulful and joyous. It’s his most pronounced solo on the album and is a great setup for the rest of the tune. The horn-driven melody brings to mind a bit of The Yellowjackets. It’s definitely got a funky beat accentuated by Zoidis’ alto which is followed quickly by Benny and Wil shortly after.
Language Interlude 4 is another interpretive conversation from Deitch with exploration around his kit. The speed, clarity and volume demonstrate his vision and control. It’s a fun way to close out the album.