Dan Bruce: The Architects

Sometimes, an in-the-pocket groove is just what the doctor ordered, and guitarist Dan Bruce delivers with The Architects. The album marks the debut of Ohm!, a power trio led by Bruce alongside bassist Jordan McBride and drummer Gabe Jones. Known for his work with :beta collective, Bruce pares things down here, exchanging a larger ensemble for groove-centered immediacy and resulting in an album that balances soulful rhythms with thoughtful experimentation.

The spotlight falls squarely on grooves that sit somewhere between John Scofield-inspired funk elasticity and Kurt Rosenwinkel-esque atmosphere. Occasional flashes of angular dissonance keep the listener alert along the way. While influences are clearly present, this is not an exercise in replication but exploration, delivered in a listener-friendly presentation with wide-ranging appeal.

The trio maintains a tight, close-knit chemistry that feels conversational throughout. Jones locks into deep pockets with authority, while McBride provides harmonic grounding and melodic counterpoint, often functioning as a second frontline voice. Bruce's guitar work moves fluidly between punchy, rhythm-forward figures and more spacious, ambient phrasing, allowing the music to breathe even at its most intense.

The title track, "The Architects," establishes the album's dual concerns with structure and freedom. Carefully-constructed passages dissolve into intense improvisation, underscoring Bruce's interest in building rather than dismantling musical ideas. The inclusion of Bruce's children's voices introduces a subtle touch of musique concrète. Rather than appealing to sentimentality, this moment reinforces the album's forward-looking ethos, suggesting that children represent hope for a better future.

One of the album's most striking contrasts arrives with "Ice." Featuring acoustic guitar paired with vocals, the piece leans into a Latin-influenced feel, offering warmth and lyricism in place of the harder-edged grooves heard elsewhere. It is a reminder that The Architects is equally comfortable with melodic restraint.

"Major_Chord" delivers solid funkiness that holds tightly to the pocket while edging toward the avant-garde. Somewhat reminiscent of Julian Lage's work, the piece highlights the importance of each player within the larger structure. Written by producer Nathan Douds, the composition emphasizes the trio's collective improvisational approach, blurring the line between soloist and accompanist.

Another distinctive aspect of The Architects is the series of short "Incidental" interludes scattered throughout the album. These brief passages provide a welcome contrast, functioning as connective tissue rather than distractions.

By the time the groove-heavy "Rare Birds" closes the set, The Architects makes a strong case for Ohm! as a band with a clear and confident identity. Groove-driven yet conceptually open, the trio delivers music that is accessible without hesitation to venture 'out there' when the moment calls for it. Rather than choosing between chaos and order, Ohm! allows both to coexist quite naturally.