Sketchin' 2

Rob Whitlock (Artist), Michael Brecker (Performer), Anthony Jackson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 18, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sketchin' Records
• ASIN: B000F6WJIA
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,910 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. 2nd Service, by Rob Whitlock/Rob Whitlock Music (BMI)

2. Them There Eyes, by Maceo Pinkerton, Doris Tauber, William G. Tracey / Them There Eyes Verse, by Amber & Rob Whitlock/Melonade Music (ASCAP), Rob Whitlock Music (BMI)

3. Gotta' Insulator, by Rob Whitlock/Rob Whitlock Music (BMI)

4. Cold Duck Time, by Eddie Harris/Seventh House LTD. (BMI)

5. At Freedom Chicken Dance, by Rob Whitlock/Pee Wee Ellis/Eddie Harris; Rob Whitlock Music(BMI), Golo Publishing Co.(BMI), Seventh House LTD.(BMI)

6. Do I Love You, by Rogers & Hammerstein (Williamson Music Co.)

7. The Colours od Life, by Amber & Rob Whitlock/Melonade Music (ASCAP), Rob Whitlock Music (BMI)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"worth multiple listens. Like most complicated jazz, it takes a while to appreciate the artistry, but the wait is wonderful. --Michael Barnes -Austin American-Statesman "Out & About; A Gay Austinite Explores" Thursday, March 16, 2006

Product Description

Keyboardist Rob Whitlock has drawn from an array of musical styles including jazz, blues, and fusion to create Sketchin’ 2, an album that boasts a stellar supporting cast. The artist’s own independent record label, Sketchin’ Records, will release the CD on April 18th, the second disc spawned from a series of recording sessions that took place over a two-year span from coast-to-coast with Michael Brecker, Vinnie Colaiuta, Anthony Jackson, Scott Henderson, Othello Molineaux, Cliff Almond and Pat Kelley, amongst others. Whitlock composed or collaborated on four new songs while producing and arranging the entire album. “The Colours Of Life” (instrumental reprise), a beautiful, sensitive piano and sax duet between Whitlock and Brecker, will be serviced to smooth jazz radio stations next month. Whitlock likes to merge his music with art. Sketchin’ 2’s artwork is by Julius Pastorious, which is comprised of a series of intricate sketches of the musicians captured in the recording studio. The concept was for the artwork to tell a story of the music and the musicians involved as album artwork used to back in the days before music videos. However, to please the video inclined, the disc is an enhanced CD that contains illustrations and still photos from the recording sessions set to music in a video format. Pastorious is the son of the late legendary bassist Jaco Pastorious. Jaco was a student of Bob Whitlock, Rob’s father who makes an appearance playing guitar on the CD. The circle of life continued as Jaco went on to have a great influence on Rob’s musical career. Sketchin’ was released last year. The new disc is a bit edgier and has a “retro jazz” feel. Musically, Whitlock challenges listeners by presenting compositions culled from traditional and contemporary jazz, blues, and fusion. Sometimes his keyboard artistry leads and other times he takes a back seat to allow a sax, a guitar or a vocalist to pilot the track. On the album, he plays piano, keyboards and Hammond B-3 organ, the latter of which he’s best known for. The production is warm and organic because Whitlock feels that that performing these songs live is what it’s all about. “We were really careful not to overproduce (the tracks),” he explained. “While the music is diverse, I tried to make sure that it was accessible and palatable for the average listener. This collection of music is a labor of love: love of music, of fellow musicians and their gifts, and for the music enthusiast whom I hope will enjoy this album.” The disc opens with the aptly titled “2nd Service,” which sets the stage for the diverse music mix to follow. Rob’s wife, Amber Whitlock, contributes a stunning rendition of “Them There Eyes,” originally made famous by Billie Holiday. Henderson lets his guitar rip with abandon on the bluesy “Gotta’ Insulator.” “Cold Duck Time” is a jazzy blues number. The fusion scorches on the rollicking and frenetic “At Freedom Chicken Dance.” Dramatically the tempo slows with a heartfelt version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Do I Love You,” which Rob dedicates to his wife. The album closes with “The Colours Of Life” (instrumental reprise). Born in West Virginia, Whitlock grew up in South Florida, lived in Washington, DC and now calls San Diego home. He believes that having lived on both coasts has helped color his music. Whitlock is in demand as a musician, producer, arranger and a composer. Over the years, he has recorded and performed with artists that span from pop to jazz, including Joe Sample, Joe Williams, Rita Coolidge, Kathie Lee Gifford, The Jazz Crusaders, Tom Scott, Eddie Harris, Max Bennett, Miki Howard, Grant Geismann, Jeff Kashiwa, Fattburger, A.J. Croce, The Dazz Band, and, of course, Jaco Pastorious, whom he first met when he was 17-years-old. Additional information on Whitlock can be found at www.robwhitlock.com.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smoothjazz.com Review, May 1, 2006

By 

Sandy Shore (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sketchin' 2 (Audio CD)

There is some serious jazz on this disc...make no mistake about it...seriously great jazz. Keyboardist-producer-composer Rob Whitlock has released the second CD in his two-part series of musical sketches, and clearly shows that it's time for the support utility player par excellence to be the star of his own show, with a stellar cast to support him this time. What do I mean by "stellar cast"? Well, how about sax man Michael Brecker, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, Anthony Jackson on bass, and Scott Henderson on guitar for starters? SKETCHIN' 2 is a bit more edgy than Rob's first disc, with some serious fusion goin' on here. "Cold Duck Time" and "At Freedom Chicken Dance" are cases in point, followed by the less intense "2nd Service" and "Gotta' Insulator." Rob hasn't neglected the mellower side at all, though, as evidenced by the first Smooth Jazz single, the beautiful and compelling "The Colours of Life," featuring keyboards and sax interplay between Rob and Michael Brecker. We can't overlook the stunning vocal performance from Rob's wife, Amber on the Billie Holiday staple, "Them There Eyes," or Rob's dedication to Amber, the soft and sweet "Do I Love You." Overall, SKETCHIN' 2 from Rob Whitlock is first-rate material performed by first-rate musicians, and the results are awesome! To quote renowned saxophone, Michael Brecker, "Rob has a knack for bringing out the best in the musicians with whom he plays." This listener completely agrees. ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

4.0 out of 5 stars Undeservedly Obscure, August 14, 2008

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sketchin' 2 (Audio CD)

Anyone who reads the editorial review and the first consumer review of Sketchin' 2 might be forgiven for thinking that he/she is about to hear the kind of stereotypical smooth jazz that appeals mainly to lightweights and the musically timid. Well, the music could be termed "smooth" in a sense, but it is light years from the kind of saccharine schlock that term ordinarily suggests.

Frankly, I had never heard of Rob Whitlock until he was recently recommended to me by a friend who is intimately familiar with his music. So after noting the stellar group of musicians backing Whitlock on Sketchin' 2, I decided to start with it. One listen and I was hooked.

The album offers the listener a stew of funk and fusion on 2nd Service, Eddie Harris' Cold Duck Time (Remember the album Swiss Movement?), and on the free-form At Freedom Chicken Dance. That is interspersed with three slower stunners that showcase Whitlock's keyboard virtuosity and a smoky lounge-jazz vocal. Gotta Insulator, Do I Love You, and The Colours of Life, which are the three aforementioned slower instrumentals, are my favorites. If I had to pick out something I don't like, its the weak vocals that open Them There Eyes, but fortunately the song improves thereafter.

When you buy the CD, not only do you get nearly 45 minutes plus of mostly very enjoyable music, you get an attractive booklet containing album information that is interspersed with sketches drawn by Julius Pastorius of the musicians in action. If you like virtuoso melodic jazz, then give this CD a listen. I think that you will then agree that Rob Whitlock is undeservedly obscure.