Lucas Apostoleris: It's Been Good

Producing his third album as leader, Miami-based drummer Lucas Apostoleris delivers an engaging musical statement with the modern and contemporary jazz music of It's Been Good. On an album of all original compositions from the leader, Apostoleris demonstrates his abundant talents as a writer, providing creative and exciting musical moments throughout the session. This musician just happens to be a much-in-demand drummer in the Miami jazz scene, one of the players to go to when you need an exceptional drummer for exceptional artists such as Dave Liebman, Troy Roberts, Martin Bejerano, Russ Spiegel and many others, who have all drawn on his talents for their performances. As well as being a band leader, the renowned drummer broadens his musical background by continuing to perform as a session player with a variety of ensembles in the South Florida area.

For this project, Apostoleris reunites with the quartet that performed on his second album, The Path Forward (Self Produces, 2022), which included saxophonist David Mason, pianist Connor Rohrer and bassist Mike Ramos—all fellow graduates from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Mason and Rohrer also serve as full-time members of jazz vocalist Samara Joy's band. The plain fact that the leader's quartet has been together performing—with two albums to their credit—is evidence of the band's cohesiveness as a group, which explains quite convincingly why their sound on this session is so superb.

The title track opens up the music, making an immediate impression and setting the stage for what is in store, with an eight-minute lively groove, highlighting every player on spirited solos. "Four Chord Song," which follows, contains much of the same texture and is just as appealing as the opener. The third track, "And I know That You Care," is a slight departure that features a more relaxing mellow melody, offering a light balladic break from the two previous tunes as Ramos delivers soft bass lines and the band tempers their sound—for only a bit.

The upbeat tempo of "Forgive to Forget" brings the group back to the way this set began. by laying down more hard boppish grooves, which seem to define the music of the album in a certain modern and contemporary style that is quite fitting. Mason opens the music on the intricate "Antithetical Amalgamations," a turbulent and in-your-face number conveying a strong message in which Apostoleris is, once again, showcased with several powerful solos—perhaps pounding the drums into submission? Whatever the reason, it is terrific just the same. The leader is just as pronounced on the last two pieces ("To Fall in Again," and "Of Three or Maybe Four") closing out the session in powerful fashion.

Apostoleris makes a strong case for consideration as a rising star with It's Been Good, an appropriate title for documenting his talents as a composer and his chops on the drums, as well as expressing the obvious satisfaction with how this musical excursion has turned out; that it has actually been quite good.

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