Dennis Rollins Velocity Trio - The 11th Gate

[GA Russell]

This looks interesting - a trombone organ trio. Are any of you Brits familiar with Rollins?

Dennis Rollins’ Velocity Trio: “11^th Gate”

"This three piece is the latest of many projects by talented trombonist Dennis Rollins, and what a triumph it is. Ross Stanley, on organ, and young Portuguese drummer Pedro Segundo, formed a stonking base on which Rollins could weave his nimble magic." Eastern Daily Press - Norwich, UK October 2010

"Funkily danceable, but with enough subtlety and elegance to reward repeated (seated) listening," – London Jazz, November 2011

For 25 years British trombonist Dennis Rollins has played at the forefront of the UK jazz, funk and pop scene as an ‘impossibly virtuosic’ sideman to such stars as Maceo Parker, Courtney Pine, The Brand New Heavies, Blur, Tom Jones and as an award-winning leader in his own right.

Rollins is best known on the British and international jazz scene and is celebrated for his versatility and muscular approach on the trombone. A British musician with Jamaican roots and a top-class jazz/funk pedigree, Rollins’ diverse musical influences are at the heart of his crowd-pleasing compositions, which consistently elicit high praise. Among his accolades are winning the 2006 BBC Jazz 'Best Band' award in 2006, the Parliamentary Jazz Education' Award, and Ronnie Scott's 'Best Trombone' Award.

Obviously Rollins is considered a national musical treasure in the UK, and the buzz already surrounding his first international release, The 11^th Gate, is setting the stage for him to rise to the rightful place as one of the world’s most formidable performer–leader–composers in his genre.

Alongside Rollins in the Velocity Trio are organist Ross Stanley (The Steve Howe Trio, Mark McKnight, Dylan Howe) and the fiery young drummer Pedro Segundo. The three cast a spellbinding sound as a charmed collective of musical prowess and muscular virtuosity that almost telepathically creates refined contemporary jazz arrangements marked by deep simmering grooves, attracting multiple generations of jazz, funk and world music fans. The 'electric' energy of Rollins’ Velocity Trio morphs seamlessly from atmospheric ethereal melodies generated by Rollins’ multi-harmonised horn to cinematic washes of Segundo's cymbals spilling over Stanley's growling organ grooves, to choral gospel riffs in praise of nature's inherent vibrational divinity.

The Trio’s collaborative energy illuminates each of The 11^th Gate’s eleven tracks. The CD’s opening track,“Samba Galactica,” provides a first taste of the group’s imaginative artistry as they embellish samba rhythms with the interplay of Rollins’ steady trombone and Stanley’s roaring organ. On “Emergence,” Stanley’s organ sets an almost ethereal mood, echoed by Segundo’s mellow touch, laying a smooth foundation over which Rollins can move in to up the intensity. The same level of energy propels “Ujamma,” on which a musical tension builds until it is steadied, supported by the trombone’s slow sombre groove and a swinging drumbeat. On“The Other Side,” Segundo’s rhythmic contributions add a dash of delight, as if to transport listeners to that “other side” for which the track is titled.

As Motéma’s first British signing, Rollins brings more than just his charismatic trio to the states. The album’s title, The 11^th Gate, is uniquely poised to gain attention due to this year’s widely publicized 11-11-11 phenomenon. Already the subject of a movie and many web posts (clocking millions of views), the date is attributed by some to be ushering in an Age of Aquarius-like shift towards a positive collective consciousness, and by others to be the gateway to the end of the world. Hopefully the latter prophecy will not come true, as The 11^th Gate will be released digitally in the US and in both digital and CD formats in the UK and Europe on November 11.

The title of the CD also references Rollins’ 47th (4 + 7 = 11) birthday, emphasizing the positive numerical significance of this extraordinary musical leader and his unique musical vision.

[GA Russell]

In the early years of this forum, there was a lot of enthusiasm expressed for soul jazz, but not so much any more. Maybe there haven't been many releases to talk about in the past five years.

I'll leave it to the true greaze aficionadoes to decide where The 11th Gate should be on the list of soul jazz albums, but it's good enough for those who love the genre to pick up.

Although it's the trombonist Dennis Rollins' album, the key is Ross Stanley on the Hammond. He's the one who makes it greazy.

The replacement of the tenor sax with the trombone makes for an interesting sound.

[JohnS]

It's been well received this side of the pond.

[Lazaro Vega]

Those trombone interludes, though....space time. Been listening to his Freedom Jazz Dance quite a bit, and playing it on the air....

[GA Russell]

I see that this is now available at Spotify.