Rob Tardik - Moments (2015)

Tracklist

01. Sip & Salsa
02. Right of Passage (feat. Will Donato)
03. Moments in Time
04. Eros (feat. Walle Larsson)
05. Hang Time
06. Serendipity (feat. Will Donato)
07. Stop! (feat. Walle Larsson)
08. Reflections
09. A New Life
10. Voyageur
11. Moments in Time (Instrumental)
12. Right of Passage (feat. Will Donato) (Radio Version)



Canadian guitarist Rob Tardik can always be relied upon to deliver all original contemporary jazz that, invariably, is wrapped in a deliciously mellifluous package and this is exactly what he done with his latest project, ‘Moments’. It follows ‘Limitless’ that garnered no less than four hit singles and now, with a veritable bevy of guest artists on board, ‘Moments’ looks set to do exactly the same.

Take for example the intensely Latin ‘Sip and Salsa’ (that Tardik writes with Nate Harasim) or ‘A New Life’ which has a similar ‘south of the border’ feel to it. Both afford the album a modicum of urgency and much the same can be said of the upbeat ‘Stop!’ where fellow Canadian Walle Larsson comes up big on sax.

Sax-man Will Donato steps up to lend a hand on the free flowing, easy on the ear, ‘Rite Of Passage’ (which here is also offered as a radio edit) and he sticks around for the mellow ‘Serendipity’ that, when you break it right down, is exactly what contemporary jazz circa 2015 should all be about.

Producer and guitarist Steve Oliver is a presence throughout and none more so than with the easy grooving ‘Eros’ while elsewhere another Tardik – Oliver master-class comes in the form of the decidedly atmospheric ‘Reflections’.

The slightly ‘boppy’ style that Tardik occasionally employs is front back and centre of the groove drenched ‘Hang Time’. It features a stunning bass line from the always excellent Roberto Vally and is in complete contrast to the wonderfully deconstructed ‘Voyageur’ that, quite simply, is beauty personified.

In terms of personal favourites, a real hidden gem is the distinctly soulful ‘Moments In Time’. Although also provided as an instrumental, it is the vocal take on the tune that checks every smooth jazz box imaginable. Not withstanding snippets of trumpet from the hugely underrated Gabriel Mark Hasselbach, the cool singing voice of Aiden Castillo coupled with equally good backing of Dee and Brittani Cole take this one to a whole new level.

In an era where the genre is dominated by stand-alone singles and covers ‘Moments’ is a brilliant find and well worth checking out.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]