![]() ![]() Such action(s) hold to the vaunted jazz tradition of using popular song as fodder for extended jamming. As it turns out, that move is merely a decoy to allow this triad of effervescent instrumentalists to transform Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter's "He's Gone" almost beyond recognition. Drummer Corey Kertie's percussion amplifies a summery air that belies an deceptive concession to the current fashion of covering compositions of the Grateful Dead. Their expertise manifests itself throughout Leisure Suit and in fact, immediately comes into play on the opening title cut of Ruch's. Meanwhile, Soulive's co-founder/drummer Alan Evanswho also established and operates his own Iron Wax studiomastered the recordings to clean and realistic effect. Recording and mixing the nine tracks (and even playing on the darkly atmospheric "Rusty Barge"), co-producer (with the band itself) Justin Guip is the current drummer for Hot Tuna and a three-time Grammy Award winner who worked directly with the late drummer/vocalist of The Band, Levon Helm, at his barn in Woodstock. In that respect, the unit's valiant efforts during numbers like "Chamelonious Monk"another knowing nod to historyare further validated through the efforts of their technical collaborators. Guitarist Dave Ruch, for instance, still evokes vintage Carlos Santana a bit too obviously on "Morning Coffee." But kudos to him for his impeccable taste and artful execution in such moments: he and the comparatively young collective (together since 2020) are quite clearly having a ball finding their own voice, as evidenced by Joe Bellanti's often imaginative piano work on that very same cut. In doing so with such bravery, Organ Fairchild has almost but not quite fully processed their main influences. In the economical approach to their concept, the Buffalo-based trio nevertheless travels outside the strict confines of the instrumental conceit to which its name alludes. By emphasizing exploratory electric guitar and keyboard work within concise arrangements, the threesome aims to mesh the classic jazz styles of both Jimmy Smith and Grant Green. The fast-evolving ensemble strives for and reaches a playful atmosphere on this, their sophomore studio outing, but that's hardly the extent of their ambition(s). Nattily attired as Organ Fairchild is in the cover photo of Leisure Suit, the last word in the album title would seem to take the form of a verb rather than a noun.
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