ADAM
LEVY
BUTTERMILK CHANNEL
2001 Lost Wax Music
"Sit
back in your chair and relax. You'll imagine
yourself sitting in the shadow of a tree on
a hot, lazy midsummer day, sippin' on a cold
cocktail.
"On
his debut as a leader, Adam Levy presents a
trio with a unique sound. He creates a laid-back,
cool atmosphere soft as velvet and demonstrates
he knows how to use space and create variety.
Levy mixes different styles, like blues in 'I
Guess,' tropical almost reggae-like rhythms
in 'Orange You Glad' and classic jazz guitar.
The all-Levy originals rarely exceed an unhurried
relaxed pace. The songs are played subtle, without
an urge to show off, so the music unfolds slowly.
A wide range of influences is displayed (Levy
has worked with everyone from John Zorn to Tracy
Chapman), yet Buttermilk Channel feels
like one piece; the different compositions by
Levy are adventurous, yet have the same basic
idea.
Levy is accompanied by his well-matched New
York stalwarts Larry Goldings on organ and Kenny
Wollesen on drums. Larry Goldings' excellent
Hammond organ work feels warm and absorbing.
Check out 'I Guess' to hear his ability to create
different sounds and atmospheres. Kenny Wollesen's
drumming is right on key and his light and interesting
accompaniment contributes to a fresh sound,
as 'That's All She Wrote' clearly demonstrates.
Listen to his blues drum solo in 'I Guess.'
"All
in all, a really strong debut album worth repeated
listening when summer is approaching." —Guitar Nine Records
