The highly-acclaimed jazz and rock drummer Karl Latham on Living Standards II turns rock favorites into jazz fusion jams. With an all-star cast that includes bassist Mark Egan (Pat Metheny, Gil Evans) and special guest vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid (Chet Baker, Larry Coryell), Latham digs into pieces associated with Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, the Doors, Steppenwolf and other rock icons, giving them new life and fresh ideas.
Back in 2016, drummer Karl Latham recorded Living Standards, a trio set with bassist Mark Egan and the late guitarist Vic Juris that transformed 11 rock pieces into jazz. On Living Standards II, Latham expands upon the idea by exploring seven other rock classics. The fusion-oriented set has the drummer heading a quintet that also includes bassist Egan, guitarist Mitch Stein, keyboardist Henry Hey, and percussionist Roger Squitero. In addition, the group’s special guest vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid is among those featured on “Break On Through (To The Other Side).
Mark Egan has had a long and productive career, becoming famous for his contributions to the bands of Pat Metheny, Gil Evans and countless others in addition to co-leading Elements and heading over a dozen albums of his own. Mitch Stein, who in his career has worked with such notables as Tania Maria, Adam Holzman, the Brecker Brothers and David Sanborn, is a powerful force throughout Living Standards II, often operating as the lead voice and contributing many blazing solos. Keyboardist Henry Hey, who earlier in his career uplifted the music of saxophonist Bill Evans, Victor Bailey, Joe Locke, Chris Creek, Jeff “Tain” Watts, David Bowie, and Tedeschi/Trucks, displays plenty of virtuosity on electric keyboards and organ, both as a soloist and in the inventive ensembles. Roger Squitero, who contributed to the music of Dave Valentin, Dave Grusin, Spyro Gyra, Ron Carter and many others, adds to the power and color of the ensembles. With Karl Latham driving the ensembles and inspiring the soloists, the quintet has its own powerful musical identity.
The new versions of the rock classics devised by Karl Latham retain their melodies, chord changes and spirit while adding much more improvising and many subtle surprises. Living Standards II consists of songs associated with the Doors (“Break On Through To The Other Side”), Buffalo Springfield (“Rock And Roll Woman”), Led Zeppelin (“What Is And What Should Never Be”), Eric Clapton (a surprisingly up-tempo version of “Layla”), King Crimson (“Matte Kudasai), Steppenwolf (“Magic Carpet Ride”) and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (the two part “Carry On”). These new treatments will delight both rock collectors and fusion fans.
Karl Latham has performed with a long list of major jazz and rock artists in his career including The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, Paquito D’Rivera, the Bernie Worrell Orchestra, Michal Urbaniak, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Attila Zoller and as co-leader of Big Fun(K) with Don Braden. Living Standards II, his fifth album as a leader, features the drummer in prime form, giving the band drive, power, and additional creativity while clearly enjoying reinventing the rock anthems.
“Latham offers a blaze of freshness, invention, adventure and new, exciting ways of understanding the connections between alternative jazz and rock…As leader, Latham often lets his band mates take the reins as he funks and sensually glides the groove along, but his practically tribal 50 second solo at the start of the breakneck speeded “Layla” is an infectious, ear-popping delight.”—Jonathan Widran, THE JW VIBE
Back in 2016, drummer Karl Latham recorded Living Standards, a trio set with bassist Mark Egan and the late guitarist Vic Juris that transformed 11 rock pieces into jazz. On Living Standards II, Latham expands upon the idea by exploring seven other rock classics. The fusion-oriented set has the drummer heading a quintet that also includes bassist Egan, guitarist Mitch Stein, keyboardist Henry Hey, and percussionist Roger Squitero. In addition, the group’s special guest vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid is among those featured on “Break On Through (To The Other Side).
Mark Egan has had a long and productive career, becoming famous for his contributions to the bands of Pat Metheny, Gil Evans and countless others in addition to co-leading Elements and heading over a dozen albums of his own. Mitch Stein, who in his career has worked with such notables as Tania Maria, Adam Holzman, the Brecker Brothers and David Sanborn, is a powerful force throughout Living Standards II, often operating as the lead voice and contributing many blazing solos. Keyboardist Henry Hey, who earlier in his career uplifted the music of saxophonist Bill Evans, Victor Bailey, Joe Locke, Chris Creek, Jeff “Tain” Watts, David Bowie, and Tedeschi/Trucks, displays plenty of virtuosity on electric keyboards and organ, both as a soloist and in the inventive ensembles. Roger Squitero, who contributed to the music of Dave Valentin, Dave Grusin, Spyro Gyra, Ron Carter and many others, adds to the power and color of the ensembles. With Karl Latham driving the ensembles and inspiring the soloists, the quintet has its own powerful musical identity.
The new versions of the rock classics devised by Karl Latham retain their melodies, chord changes and spirit while adding much more improvising and many subtle surprises. Living Standards II consists of songs associated with the Doors (“Break On Through To The Other Side”), Buffalo Springfield (“Rock And Roll Woman”), Led Zeppelin (“What Is And What Should Never Be”), Eric Clapton (a surprisingly up-tempo version of “Layla”), King Crimson (“Matte Kudasai), Steppenwolf (“Magic Carpet Ride”) and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (the two part “Carry On”). These new treatments will delight both rock collectors and fusion fans.
Karl Latham has performed with a long list of major jazz and rock artists in his career including The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars, Paquito D’Rivera, the Bernie Worrell Orchestra, Michal Urbaniak, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, Attila Zoller and as co-leader of Big Fun(K) with Don Braden. Living Standards II, his fifth album as a leader, features the drummer in prime form, giving the band drive, power, and additional creativity while clearly enjoying reinventing the rock anthems.
Praise
“Karl Latham honors the original hits and artists while also adding his own distinct style to the mix…Original improvising can be heard from beginning to end on ‘Living Standards II’ making this alternative jazz album a must have and must listen!…you will most certainly want to get Karl Latham and ‘Living Standards II’ into your regular rotation ASAP! Jazz and rock collide like never before making Living Standards II by Karl Latham a sure-fire hit and instant classic in its own right! —Jimmy Rae, Scopemag“Latham offers a blaze of freshness, invention, adventure and new, exciting ways of understanding the connections between alternative jazz and rock…As leader, Latham often lets his band mates take the reins as he funks and sensually glides the groove along, but his practically tribal 50 second solo at the start of the breakneck speeded “Layla” is an infectious, ear-popping delight.”—Jonathan Widran, THE JW VIBE
For more information contact Powderfinger Promotions.
