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 artists 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, has hit jazz radio stations all over the world.
Whitlock likes to merge his music with art. Sketchin 2s 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, Robs 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 Robs 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 hes best known for. The production is warm and organic because Whitlock feels that that performing these songs live is what its 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. Robs 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 & Hammersteins 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.
Reviews and Quotes
Sketches of . . . . jazz, blues and fusion define keyboardist Rob Whitlocks self-produced Sketchin 2 (Sketchin Records). A follow-up to last years Sketchin, the mood of this album is easy, sometimes breezy with a little edge. Just pop in Gotta Insulator and youll see what we mean.
- Delta Sky Magazine "May 2006"
The Best Of Lou Rawls (Capitol); Ben E.King, I've Been Around(True Life) Billy Griffin, Like Water (RNB); Liquid Soul, One-Two Punch (Telarc); Odean Pope Saxophone Choir, Locked & Loaded (Half Note Records); Pamela Williams, Elixer (Shanachie); Phil Perry, Classic Love Songs(Shanachie); Rob Whitlock, (Sketchin' 2 (Sketchin' Records) ; Will Calhoun, Native Lands (Half Note); Diana Ross, Blue (Mowtown/UMe); Gladys Knight, Before Me (Verve); The Very Best Of Nat King Cole(Capitol/ EMI); Smokey Robinson. Timeless Love (New Door/ Universal); Johnny (Guitar) Watson; Best Of The Funk Years (Shout! Factory); Toots Thelemans, One More For The Road (Verve); Classic African- American Ballads (Smithsonian Folkways); Christina Milian, So Amazin' (Island Def Jam); Rudy Currence, Here With You (Mike Chek); Dave Chappelle's Block Party (Geffen) sound-track; Bishop Leonard Scott, Hymns and Church Songs; Live From Alabama (Tyscot); Canton Jones, The Password: Access Granted (Arrow); Darrel Petties & Strength In Praise, Count It All Joy (EMI Gospel); Stephanie Dotson, Miracles Still Happen (Artemis); AK'SENT,International (Capitol); Beans, Only (Thirsty Ear); Busta Rhymes, The Big Bang (Interscope/A&M); M-1, Confidential (Koch); Mobb Deep; Blood Money (Interscope/A&M); Murs, Murray's Revenge ( Record Collection); and Stack$, CraZee and ConfuZed (SoBe/WB).
- Ebony Magazine : Celebrating Black Music 6/1/2006 (Also Noted)
The veteran keyboardist fully embodies the art of independent jazzmaking on this engaging and wildly eclectic project The mix also offers some cool surprises.
- All Music Guide
There is some serious jazz on this disc...make no mistake about it...seriously great jazz. 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. We can't overlook the stunning vocal performance from Rob's wife, Amber on the Billie Holiday staple, "Them There Eyes,"
- SmoothJazz.com
"(reminiscent of) the work of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Sketchin' 2 is a worthy alternative that demands attention." George Harris /All About Jazz, April 2006 "a catchy mixture of rock, funk and jazz beats, Sketchin' 2, with first rate musicians easily weaves between the lines."
- George Harris / All About Jazz, April 2006
" a haunting mixture of Rob Whitlock's animated keyboards and Brecker's amazing tenor."
- George Harris / All About Jazz, April 2006
"(Sketchin'" and "Colours of Life" CDs) are really great and so different (from each other), but they have in common great music...musicians... and unbelieveable musicality."
- Robertopland's TheDrumland.com July 30, 2005
Anthony Jackson issuing his trademark compositional parts and track-stopping fills in a Chaka Khan-like setting? Its true, thanks to the ultra-talented San Diego team of vocalist Amber and keyboardist Rob Whitlock. On keenly-crafted R&B/pop songs, Anthony (on his Fodera Contrabass) and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta provide the kind of intellectual and instinctual support the music demands.
- Chris Jisi / Bass Player magazine; BP Recommends -March 2006 regarding Amber Whitlock's CD "The Colours of Life"
...his (Rob Whitlock's) playing is lean, disciplined and effective, especially the organ lines and licks he provides... spiced by Whitlock's fine arrangements...
- Ron Wynn / Jazz Times, April 2006 regarding Rob Whitlock's CD "Sketchin"
Theres so much great music out there, what makes this recording excellent and stand out? It swings! With jazz expanding into world music with dialects as diverse as the cultures that embrace it, its a real treat to find something that stands out above the crowd. Most traditional jazz efforts really help to put jazz into the museum of musical styles, rather than breathe life into the art form. The Sketchin series of recordings by Rob Whitlock has the unique and charismatic touch that makes every note a joy for the listener. Rob takes us on a journey that while staying within the jazz idiom, expresses itself with such diversity, its hard not to like it. From beginning to end, Rob surrounds himself with some of the worlds best musicians to support his vision, and it shows. These recordings belong on the A list, top shelf, and 5 stars efforts of any jazz work in the last 10 years. The tunes are mostly originals and show a compositional skill that far exceeds any standard expectation. The ultimate criteria for making great music stand the test of time is the composition. The music Rob makes will certainly be as great 10 years from now as it is today. Want to hear some really great music? Get these Cds by Rob Whitlock!
- Rick Calic www.jazzrockworld.com
Sketchin/Sketchin 2, Keyboardist/composer Whitlock brought together such heavies as Michael Brecker, Scott Henderson, and Vinnie Colaiuta by presenting them with the kind of challenging vehicles that make their chops water. Downstairs on both discs, Anthony Jackson adds free-association pick punch to the twisty At Golden Pawn, provides a mighty shuffle stride for Sketchin, and anchors At Freedom Jazz Dance, a hellacious romp that marries Freedom Jazz Dance with Jacos signature cover, The Chicken. Added bonus: fabulous sketches of the sessions by Jacos son, Julius Pastorius.
- By Chris Jisi / Bass Player magazine; BP Recommends | June 2006
"It was a joy to be a part of the Rob Whitlock project. In addition to his being a fantastic player/composer, Rob has a knack of bringing out the best in the musicians with whom he plays. This was fun."
- Michael Brecker
"I regard ( these CDs ) as a spectacular achievement. Seriously, I'm proud to be a part of the project and will continue to make a place in my life to work with the both of you (Rob and Amber)."
- Anthony Jackson
"Whitlocks nicely designed textures and groove-laden soloing spots ride atop the fierce horn charts"
- Glenn Astaria / Jazzreview.com
"The veteran keyboardist (Rob Whitlock) fully embodies the art of independent jazzmaking on this engaging and wildly eclectic project"
- Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide; March 2006
