Alvin Cobb Jr: You'll Need This Later

Atlanta-native, Chicago-based drummer Alvin Cobb, Jr puts his heart and soul into his debut You'll Need This Later. Using a melange of acoustic and electronic instrumentation as well as spoken word and singing, Cobb crafts an autobiographical album featuring several of Chicago's brightest rising stars.

Cobb crafted these 13 originals on the basis of his journal entries, both written and recorded. "Before You Go" features vocalist Nola Adé whose chant floats over Cobb's rumbling polyrhythms. Pianist Julius Tucker's cascading chords add to the riotous atmosphere. The piece concludes with Jasmine Edward talking about loss and life choices followed by Cobb's thunderous drumming.

"Change Lanes" meanwhile, written in the aftermath of a devastating car accident a decade before, incorporates ambulance sirens to the opening bars. Bassist Katie Ernst in addition to laying down a swinging groove, contributes her voice to the song. Her thumping refrains dramatically underscore her words. The trio restlessly embellishes the main melody with Cobb's roaring beats mixing with Ernst's expectant lines and Tucker's percussive notes.

Synths enhance "South Fulton Medical Center" giving it a cinematic atmosphere. Brandon Lawrence's voice echoes against the dense sonic backdrop to a haunting effect. Guitarist Aaron Day contributes warm shimmering phrases to the tune while Cobb's drums swagger. Tucker's keyboard chimes with bittersweet tones adding to the hypnotic feel of the collective vamps.

Even though the carefully directed music does not leave much room for individual improvisations there is a restless spontaneity that permeates it. For instance "We Care" opens with Rachel Genao's Spanish recitation. Ernst's incandescent vocals simmer and fade into the group's vibrant and dynamic interplay. Cobb takes a short yet poignant solo that the band supports with their repeating motifs.

With his first effort as a leader Cobb has already started forging his own path. His style is unique and his work intimate. This makes You'll Need This Later the auspicious start to his career.