I forget now exactly how I discovered this group. But I can’t forget the euphoria ‘Kali Lo’ produced when first I heard it. Like the best of 1950s hard-bop or modal jazz, Troc’s finest material sounds remarkably fresh, current, even modern, despite its age. And like a good vintage wine or spirit, it has aged beautifully.
Drummer André Ceccarelli was/is the dynamo at the heart of Troc, and he plays on this disc exactly how I want and aim to play, with a light touch, but both loosely fluid, precise, and a kind of simmering controlled intensity. His is the kind of ‘in the (Goldilocks) zone’ playing I aspire to: never too much, nor too little, just exactly right. A perfect balance of groove and finesse, the ballast of which is always spirit/feel.
So, obviously a large part of what I love here is the rhythmic element. But I also love the whole sound. For one thing music of this ilk is usually instrumental. Alex ligertwood does something pretty amazing in bringing the vocal dimension to such a sound so successfully. No easy feat!
But all the elements are just terrific: the fluid jazz-rock guitar, the mellifluous Rhodes electric keys, and the thick, fat, warm and muscular bass. ‘Kali Lo’ kicks off this excellent album with a hypnotic bass riff and percolating drums and keys that simmer with a controlled intensity I absolutely adore.
For me Kali Lo remains my favourite track. But the whole album is superb. There’s even a very good version of ‘Old Man River’, which, whilst a venerable and hoary old jazz standard, isn’t quite what the rest of the music here would lead one to expect. But that’s exactly why so much music of this era is so good; you can expect the unexpected.
Drummer André Cecarelli has played with loads of top flight big names, and is listed as an online drum teacher here (now there’s a thought!?). Cecarelli reformed Troc in 2011, and they issued a new album, reissuing their original ’72 recording off the back of that.
About two years ago I was forced into the reluctant sale of my Rhodes 54 electric piano. Truth is it didn’t quite have the bright sound of the Fender Rhodes 77s or 88s I so love. But it sure as damn-it sounded better than any of the virtual ‘plug-in’ Rhodes available in Logic, that I’d been using before.
Every now and again I have a look online to see what if any Rhodes are about. I would dearly love to acquire another. But this time a 77 or 88, for sure. Imagine my surprise to see that one used by Troc keys maestro Henri Giordano – perhaps the one on these very recordings? – was (is?) available for hire/sale. I would sooo love to own this Rhodes!