Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Rob Tardik: Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love

45

Rob Tardik: Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love

By

Sign in to view read count
Rob Tardik: Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love
Mississauga native Rob Tardik was named 2010 Canadian Smooth Jazz Guitarist, among other accolades that he has won for his musicianship; it is easy to understand why, listening to B.E.L.L (Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love) . Although, technically speaking, it falls in the smooth jazz category, it is far from ambient, background music. Instead it is highly melodic and rewards a close listen.

As with his previous two releases, on this, his third as a leader Tardik spans different styles including Latin and flamenco, pop, R&B and blues. Here, however, there is thematic structure to the different genres. Each set of three tunes falls under the setting of one of the four elements of the title.

"Balance," for example, encompasses the funky "East meets Wes," featuring an atmospheric guitar duel between Tardik and Paul Brown over a bed of groovy keyboards and drum. The vocal ballad "The Right Time" showcases South African vocalist Francois Mulder's smooth baritone, as does contemplative "Kimberly's Song," marked by Tardik's flowing and intensely romantic, melody.

"Enegy" includes the hit radio single "Shakin' the House" with its repeating danceable vamps, the bossa-flavored "When It Comes To Lovin' You"—that again features Mulder—and the danceable "Frolic," with its sparring match between Tardik and keyboardist Davor Jordanovski.

The lighthearted "Laughter" showcases Tardik's mastery on nylon strings, the cool sounds of alto saxophonist Warren Hill and the loosely swinging and infectious "Smile," featuring Jaared's gritty saxphone.

The final segment, "Love," starts with the nocturnal ambience of "Blue Midnight," as Don Breithaupt's bluesy piano and Tardik's virtuoso guitar echo each other over Gabriel Mark Hasselbach atmospheric muted trumpet. Hasselbach's flugelhorn contributes to the soundtrack mood of the electric "Waiting for Love" that is followed by the flamenco-like final track, "Corazon Contento" (Happy Heart)," a three-way musical conversation with Tardik, accordionist Jordanovski and percussionist Gino Mirizio.

Although short on improvisation, this highly polished album is a testament to Tardik's immense talent as a composer and instrumentalist, and these dozen pieces, with their rhythmic hooks and catchy melodies, are never monotonous and always enjoyable even after several spins.

Track Listing

East Meets Wes; The Right Time; Kimberley's Song; Shakin' the House; When It Comes to Lovin' You; Frolic; La Buena Vida (The Good Life); Sunday Morning; Smile; Blue Midnight; Waiting for Love; Corazon Contento (Happy Heart).

Personnel

Rob Tardik
guitar

Rob Tardik: guitar, programming; Davor Jordanovski: keyboards, accordion, percussion, programming; Paul Brown: guitar, percussion; Francois Mulder: vocals; Curtis Freeman: bass; Carson Freeman: tenor saxophone; Rich Brown: bass; Mel Brown: bass; Darren Rahn: tenor saxophone, programming, keyboard, piano, Hammond B3, percussion; Don Breithaupt: piano, synthesizers, programming; Eric Sooster: bass; Gino Mirizio: percussion; Warren Hill: alto saxophone; Tony Moore: drums, programming; Jaared: alto and tenor saxophones; Jeff Salem: percussion; Gabriel Mark Hasselbach: trumpet, flugelhorn.

Album information

Title: Balance, Energy, Laughter, Love | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.