Ben Basile: Benergy

Musical performances often showcase more than just an artist's talent. Whenever musicians play, the audience gets hints at their influences as well, because it is not often easy to conceal the impact of musicians who have helped shape the sound. In many cases, the influences are specific players the artist studied while earning the craft. However, some players draw from a broader palette, and such is the case with Ben Basile.

With Benergy, bassist and composer Basile offers a solid jazz groove. However, his sound also reveals deep roots in ska, reggae, and dub, combined with the improvisational spirit of jazz. This record blends genres effectively, bringing jazz and Jamaican music together in ways that feel both personal and organic.

Basile, a veteran of the global ska scene with credits that include Big D and the Kids Table, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and Pilfers, is also a dedicated member of the Hudson Valley jazz community. That dual identity is everywhere on Benergy, from the rhythmic punch of traditional ska on "Mountain Road" and "Cacao Knibb" to the subtle harmonic turns of "A Negative Peace," along with solo sections that reveal his jazz education and sensibility.

What makes Benergy stand out is the way it builds from the bottom up. As a bassist, Basile composes with a strong sense of the pocket, allowing for the momentum and energy of each song to develop. This concept is evident from the album's title, which came from a student's description of his propulsive style as "Benergy," music that is all about motion, uplift, and flow.

Each track features a shifting cast of collaborators drawn from both Basile's ska and jazz circles. Guitarist Alex Stern, trombonist Greg Robinson, saxophonist Matt Garrison and keyboardist Casey Gruttadauria are among the standout players who help give each song a unique flavor. There is a true sense of jazz improvisation and harmony, infused with a strong Jamaican vibe, which aligns closely with the spirit of early ska recordings.

Tracks like "74 Leonard Street" and "87 to 90" are inspired by Basile's home base, drawing inspiration from his life in the Hudson Valley. The production, overseen by longtime friend and band mate Jon Degen, is crisp but relaxed, allowing the warmth of the performances to shine through. There is an honest quality to the music, which is neither overproduced nor low-fi. This is a very personal statement from Basile, one from which listeners can all benefit.

Benergy is not a fusion album in the academic sense. Instead, it is something more instinctive: a celebration of the overlapping energies of ska, reggae, dub, and jazz, filtered through the lens of a player well-versed in each tradition. This is an excellent debut that should have fans eagerly anticipating Basile's next release.

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