Drummer extraordinaire Steve Gadd brings his working team of Walter Fowler/tp-fh, Kevin Hays/key, Jimmy Johnson/b, Michael Landau/g and guest son Duke Gadd/g-perc for a collection of tunes that musically reflects his center of gravity, namely fusion jazz with soul. Gadd’s band is essentially James Taylor’s backup band, and they seem to revel in the more improvisational atmosphere on these pieces mostly composed by themselves.
The team sounds like a mix of instrumental Steely Dan and vintage CTI Crusaders, as Gadd leads the team into irresistible grooves on “I Know, But Tell Me Again” as well as the funky “Where’s Earth?” and “Skulk.” Gadd’s mastery of the sticks has him gracefully caress the cymbals for Fowler’s horn on “Foameopathy” and brushes like a tap dancer for Hay’s keys on “Skulk.” Hays brings some vocals in on his own “Spring Song” and Johnson contributes a hip little bass lick for his own “One Point Five” while the team gets nice and swampy for Landau’s guitar work on “Rat Race.” This is a band I’ve seen many times in concert, and this album captures the joy of the pulse they reflect on stage. Check this one out!