Tell the Truth

The title track to pianist Ben Markley's album Tell the Truth tells you an awful lot. Markley clearly likes to swing. Markley surrounds himself with talented players - he's joined here by guitarist Steve Kovalcheck, saxophonist Wil Swindler, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and Chicago based drummer Kyle Swan. Tasty, grooving, swinging tempos with more than a hint of Pat Metheny in the songwriting is where Tell the Truth lives, and truth be told, that's a great neighborhood to live in. "Snowy Range Blues" hangs on a cool piano motif that makes it feel moody, cool and slick, all at the same time (it's a highlight of the album to these ears). I don't know who Spencer is, but if "Spencer's Mood" is any indication, he's a pretty funky character. Ben Markley is going to be a piano player to watch. There's some interesting writing and playing happening on Tell the Truth, and if there's more on the horizon, I'm sure it will be even more fascinating.