Origin Records artist: Ben Patterson – Stretch – New Release Review

 I jut had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stretch, from Ben Patterson and it’s cooking. Opening with Unbridled, Ben Patterson on trombone leads off on this slamming adventure. Backed by Shawn Purcell on guitar, Harry Appelman on keys, Miles Brown on bass and Todd Harrison on drums, this track is energetic. Patterson stretches out with a real nice elaboration of the melody, chased by Appelman on piano and Purcell really kicks it with a vibrant guitar solo making this a super opener. In swiftly paced 6/8 time, Ship of Fools is perfectly coordinated with Patterson, Purcell, and Appelman trading phrases every four bars making for quite an exciting exchange, anchored and augmented by Brown on bass and vibrant drums by Harrison. Very cool. My favorite track on the release may be David and Francis a hot bottom and a driving rhythm. Patterson really kicks in on trombone setting the pace and Appleman on B3 rolls up behind him and adds the funk. Of course everyone knows the funk lies in the bass and drums so you know they’re highly active and Purcell’s overdriven guitar work doesn’t even need a wah to make it squeal. Patterson comes back for a second round adding a large scoop of soul to his gumbo and Brown and Harrison hammer it home. Excellent! Confidence and Doubt has an adventurous approach with changing time signatures, melody presented by Patterson on trombone and with Purcell wide open on guitar through a synthesizer, anchored by Appleman on piano. Turning it down a notch Patterson delivers it straight with pure tone and tight rhythm by  Harrison. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Phrenetic a great title for a track with this level of pace and precision. Patterson really works his horn on this one with light, snappy drum work by Harrison and Purcell again brings the fusion sound hard with fast fingered, synthesized guitar lead paired with Brown on bass and driven by Harrison. Excellent closer for another remarkable release from Origin. 

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