While doing a live radio interview in support of Under The
Lake’s 2018 release, “Jazz, Groove & Attitude,” keyboardist, songwriter and
producer Jayson Tipp was discussing his 28-year-old band’s ever-evolving lineup
when the group’s former saxophonist-flutist Quintin Gerard W. called in.
Reminiscing on-air got Tipp thinking. He had already composed the bulk of the
material for the next Under The Lake album. After asking Gerard if he wanted to
collaborate, Tipp reached out to two other former core band members: bassist
Nathan Brown and drummer Richard Sellers. Despite hectic touring schedules, the
four were able to get in sync to record “Your Horizon Too,” which drops April 3
on the Mind In Overdrive label.
“The title
track came from me re-writing a song of Quintin’s that he asked me to play on
for his new album. I have a different approach to the chords and rhythmic ideas
from his tune and wrote a new melody. But doing that brought back to me that we
had a shared musical journey. During the San Diego sessions with Richard and
Nathan, we just fell back into the old ‘rhythm’ of playing together. We have so
much comfort and respect for each other. ‘Your Horizon Too’ expresses the
sentiment that we’re on this journey together, even if we’re sometimes
traveling separately. The horizon is what your eyes are fixed on as you look
forward toward your destination,” said Tipp, who leads Under The Lake on stage
at concert dates throughout Oregon over the coming months.
“It’s Your
Horizon Too” opens the session with an inviting melody, a loose and casual
setting that offers each musician the opportunity to toss the ball around the
horn. One of two reinterpretations, Under The Lake gives The Stylistics’
haunting classic “People Make The World Go ‘Round” a modern facelift stitched
by Yandall’s jagged steel string guitar and Gerard’s soulful sax. “Bridgetown”
provides a pleasant pathway to the vibey “Wishing It All Away.” The tempo picks
up on the deftly arranged “Last Week” with Gerard’s sax guiding the harmonic
recall. “Side Two” ups the sax soul power along with tangy jazz guitar licks.
Sellers crafts sturdy drum beats and Brown’s rubbery bass bobs and weaves on
the bright and buoyant “Diego Nuevo.” Paying homage to one of Tipp’s
influences, Steely Dan, Under The Lake delivers a taut and faithful version of
“Josie.” Tipp is far too modest to step into the solo spotlight often, which
makes his shimmering solo on the feel-good “This One Too” a rare and sparkling
gem. “Trip To The Grove” knits lush melodies while showcasing the band’s prowess
for sculpting syncopated rhythms. Before wrapping, “Stealing The Night” bursts
into a fusion funk workout powered by searing fretwork and thunderous
organ.
Under The
Lake’s roots date back to San Diego 1992 when Tipp formed the band. Their debut
recording, “Dive In,” dropped the following year and “Up For Air” came out in
1995. Radio airplay, fervent reviews and major festival and club dates put
Under The Lake on the national map. But then real life and parenthood set in
and Tipp found it difficult to keep the unit together. After a decade of dormancy,
they reunited to play Tipp’s 40th birthday, leading to their third album,
2007’s “People Together.” Again, the members drifted apart and Tipp didn’t
record as Under The Lake until a couple years ago on “Jazz, Groove &
Attitude,” using entirely new personnel. On “Your Horizon Too,” the core four
from the first two decades of the band reconnected. The magnetic bond and
chemistry remain strong as evidenced on their latest offering.
“Your
Horizon Too” contains the following songs:
“It’s Your
Horizon Too”
“People Make
The World Go ‘Round”
“Bridgetown”
“Wishing It
All Away”
“Last Week”
“Side Two”
“You Forgot
Your Ticket”
“Diego
Nuevo”
“Josie”
“This One
Too”
“Trip To The
Grove”
“Stealing
The Night”
Radio Edits:
“It’s Your
Horizon Too”
“Side Two”
“This One
Too”
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