Sometimes we look to our musical artists for Major Statements – ambitious works that follow a thematic line, or have resonance in the life of the artist after a particular milestone in their life. Other times, we just want a collection of solid tunes. Bassist/composer Jakob Dreyer gives us that with Roots and Things, his third album. Gathering a band of his peers, including drummer Kenneth Salters, saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, and rising vibraphone star Sasha Berliner, Dreyer eschews high concepts and furrowed brows by simply composing some cool tunes and getting them down on disk. Fitting nicely under the hard bop umbrella without worshipping at the sixties altar, “Hold On,” “Bodega,” and “Constellation” swing hard, play well, and leave plenty of room for all of the players to strut their stuff. Berliner comes off the best here, with singing solos and empathetic accompaniment, but Pennicott and Dreyer kick off plenty of sweet breaks as well. If you’re looking for an album that will reveal the secrets of the universe or gaze into the depths of its creator’s soul, this might not be the one. But if you’re simply looking for a bopping good time, Roots and Things will definitely set your rod a-twirl.
