The Way of the Groove

The title delivers what it promises: a generous portion of groove that hits you from the very first bar. Indeed, Ben Patterson's search for the perfect groove was his goal when producing the album: "What is groove?" asks the bandleader in the description, and immediately offers a suggested answer: "Groove is essentially a study, a discipline, and an art that transcends style. It's a way of communicating..." Patterson is inspired by genres such as funk, reggae, hip-hop, and blues, as well as by exponents of the jazz, soul, and fusion scenes, most notably Tower of Power, James Brown, John Scofield, and Herbie Hancock. He is supported on this project by his band, consisting of seasoned jazz experts and a guest, saxophonist Luis Hernandez from the U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble. Nine tracks and a prelude to "What Happens Next?" are immortalized on the album. All of them are original compositions.