True to form, Jeff “Tain” Watts displays his gift for acting and improvisation on Folk’s Songs; is a chameleon of the world of music, Tain becomes the music.
Popular songs: Samo ©, Rotation (Jarrett), Ling’s Lope, Seed of Blakzilla, Laura Elizabeth, Galilee, Blues 4 Curtis, Rotation II (Jarrett), Same Page…, Blasphemy (Kirkland)
Staff: Jeff “Tain” Watts – drums, percussion; Marcus Strickland: tenor and soprano sax; Christian McBride: acoustic and electric bass; David Kikoski: pianoforte; Juan Tainish: vocals; David Gilmore: guitar; Henry Hello: keyboards; Samuel Torres: percussion
Tain & the Ebonix – Folk’s Songs released on Dark Key Musiclabel contains songs dedicated to friends and influences of Jeff “Tain” Watts. Giving back to their fans, friends and influences is just one of the many endearing facets of Tain. An extraordinary musician, an in-demand drummer, an innovator of sound, tempo, and rhythm, and in some circles has been called one of the most important drummers of this generation, but with all that said, Tain remains approachable. humble, and all about the music. To add to the excitement of Tain’s latest release, which he had been telling me about for almost 2 years, I had the chance to experience Tain & the Ebonix live at The Living Room in New York in April 2007 for the release party for Tain. his Folk’s Songs CD. .
Folk’s Songs begins with ©, which Jeff has dedicated to Jean Michel Basquiat. Born in the same year, their rise to fame seemed parallel. The influence of Jean Michel Basquiat, an artist of the neo-expressionist movement who died at just 28 years old, shows that Tain’s creativity draws on all of his senses and experiences. The groove between saxophone and drums contains the feeling of rebellion, creativity and peace, which may have been the mood of Jean Michel Basquiat as he spray-painted his way from graffiti, with the now famous spray-painted “Samo” (the same as always…), to fame. Track 2, Spin, is dedicated to Tain’s former bandmate, saxophonist Dewey Redman. What better tune than a flowing Keith Jarrett song to play in memory of one of America’s foremost free jazz musicians. Tain showcases his skills in tackling Keith Jarrett’s improvisational style with his trademark deviation from standard tempo and chord changes, and Marcus Strickland and Tain are up to the challenge. Ling Lopez shows some swing and slows down as Tain dedicated this song to his old friend Branford Marsalis. Blackzilla Seed it’s definitely a fun and upbeat track that fits the bill as Tain dedicates it to comedian Dave Chappelle. Passing tracks, as only Tain can with his rhythm and music, he continues Blackzilla Seed with the romantic laura elizabeth, which is a tribute to trumpeter Laura Kahle. Keeping with this tempo change, the band progresses to the ghostly ‘anthem-like’ track: galilee, this track is in memory of pianist James Williams, another young talent who passed away early. The release is complete with Blues 4 Curtisa tip of a hat to Curtis Mayfield; same page, which is a tribute to the Citizens of the Earth; and Blasphemywhich is a double tribute to drummer Don Alias and songwriter Kenny Kirkland.
Websites where you can get Tain & the Ebonix – Folk’s Songs are Amazon, Chamber of Tain, and CD Baby; for digital download at Digstation.com.
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