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With his debut album Salmagundi, drummer/composer Ben Adkins makes a dynamic entrance into the realm of jazz expression. The album title refers to a general mixture or potpourri, but that does not do full justice to the rich palette of items that Ben is offering here. A fine blend, comprising jazz classics, a fresh take on a standard, New Orleans-style funk and Adkins’ own outstanding compositions – spanning from delicate balladry to smooth swing to blazing blowing – takes the listener on an exciting journey that echoes the rich jazz legacy while looking boldly toward the future… and in most joyous fashion.
Ben has surrounded himself with a remarkable coterie of musicians. Joshua Bowlus on piano and Rhodes, is present throughout the album, while bassist Stan Piper plays on all but one track. Paul Miller brings his guitar wizardry to six tracks and the remarkable Alphonso Horne offers his formidable trumpet and flugelhorn talents on four. Special guest artists include the extraordinary vocalist Linda Cole (of Illinois’ legendary Cole Family Singers), fine tenor saxophonist Michael Emmert and New Orleans guitar hero Chris Adkins – each performing on one track.
Emmert and Adkins both appear on Chris’ That Jambalaya, a boppish N’Orleans funkfest marked by Michael’s emotive tenor, Horne’s dancing muted trumpet, horn riff-driven guitar and Rhodes solos, all stoked by Ben’s second line-flavored drumming. Hard-bop urban funk cooks with Blue Mitchell’s Fungii Mama, launched on a sparkling drum solo – one of three jazz classics on the album. Charlie Parker’s Cheryl is a trio interpretation with Ben playing Max Roach to Joshua’s Bud Powell with terrific interplay by all three men and a virile solo by Piper. The trio is joined by Horne (on flugelhorn) for an exquisite treatment of Billie Strayhorn’s gorgeous Chelsea Bridge. Arthur Schwarz’ You and the Night and the Music gets a refreshing treatment as a Rhodes/drum duet with a Bossa/Samba feel.
Ben’s originals show an emerging composer of note. The album opens with Lucky, an excursion in buoyant swing delivered in a delicious call-and-response between trumpet and guitar. Five in Time is a guitar driven scorcher built on a descending pattern with terrific solos by Miller, Bowlus and Piper. The lilting Let’s Dance (the Night Away) offers a most attractive canvas for Horne, Bowlus and Miller to paint their pictures. Two versions of Ben’s beautiful ballad When You Smile at Me are offered. The (Reprise) take is an impressive instrumental, while the version that closes the album is wonderfully enhanced by the powerfully evocative and deeply emotional song stylings of Linda Cole, whose haunting vocal creates a sumptuously atmospheric mood to bring this journey to a most moving end.
Salmagundi is a most extraordinary first album that promises great things for the future.
Artist: BEN ADKINS
Title: SALMAGUNDI
Label: Ben Adkins Music
Artist Website: www.benadkinsmusic.com
Release Date: JULY 8, 2016
Track listing:
1. Lucky 6:36
2. Fungii Mama 4:39 *Blue Mitchell
3. Let’s Dance (The Night Away) 6:22
4. You and the Night and the Music 5:33 *Arthur Schwartz
5. When You Smile at Me (Reprise) 7:22
6. That Jambalaya 6:30 *Chris Adkins
7. Five in Time 6:06
8.Chelsea Bridge 6:32 *Billy Strayhorn
9. Cheryl 4:28 *Charlie Parker
10. When You Smile at Me 2:57
Musicians:
Trumpet and Flugelhorn - Alphonso Horne
Piano and Rhodes - Joshua Bowlus
Guitar - Paul Miller
Bass - Stan Piper
Drums - Ben Adkins
Special Guests:
LindaCole, Vocals - Track10
ChrisAdkins, Guitar - Track 6
Michael Emmert, Saxophone - Track 6
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