Music is Life
Joe Bowden
Independent (theurbanyoda.com)
Delightfully infectious fusion outing from Joe Bowden’s ludicrously stacked band, every track demands repeated listening, just by virtue of how catchy the grooves are, how expertly mixed the elements are, and how every solo is a standout. An incredible midpoint has been found between dazzlingly complex metrical wizardry and fundamentally bouncy accessible songcraft, a breath of fresh air to say the least. This is music that works in the foreground, works in the background (the blissful Spacing Out is aptly named), works at work and works when one is feeling overanalytical.
It could be said the band operates in two different capacities throughout the album: one being the Rich Brown iteration and one being the Mike Downes iteration. This is a little reductive, as other variables are not beholden to which bass player is present, but there is a welcome shift in sonic identity every time one swaps in for the other. Bowden’s drums are always driving and propelling proceedings forth, but how the elements of the kit synergize with Brown’s electric and Downes’ acoustic playing is a subtle difference that makes a world of difference when it comes to the expressive depth of this project. Not so coincidentally, both bassists have absolutely showstopping solos at various points. Other key members include Warren Wolf (vibraphone) and Manuel Valera (piano). Overall, this is a band that allows the nuances in the music to speak the loudest. Plenty of rewinding, head-shaking and exclamations of “how did they…” will ensue.
