Customer Reviews

Sketchin' 2

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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

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.