He’s played drums for some of the best, ranging from Stan Kenton to Joni Mitchell to Steely Dan, Diana Krall and Pat Metheny. But Erskine reveals where his heart is along with John Beasley/key, Janek Gwizdala/b, Bob Sheppard/ts, Jeff Parker-Larry Koonse/g, Aaron Serfaty/perc and Jack Fletcher/voc as all sonic sounds here point to his tenure with Weather Report.
Beasley’s textured keyboards along with Gwisdala’s bass serve up a bluesy “Lost Page” while the band sounds hip on the bopping “Hawaii Bathing Suit.” Sheppard’s tenor slides through Erskine’s ride cymbal on “Sage Hands” and it sounds like a guitarist is sitting in on Heavy Weather during Zawinul’s “Bourges Buenos Aires” and “Speechless.” The team gets clever on a fusion take of Gustav Mahler’s material, and the team gets optimistic on “Sprite” while closing with an exciting “Northern Cross.” Erskine’s drum work throughout resonates with joy; you can sense the pleasure emanating from each stick. This is a man who enjoys his craft.
This band is coming to LA March 20th. Make sure you check them out. Info at musicianatplay.org and tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2489104
Fuzzy Music