Primary Instrument: Keyboard
Last Updated: April 10, 2009
ThePeguesProject - THE HISTORICITY OF RODGER PEGUES: Another fantastic sonic adventure I received from recent net travels is in from Rodger. There's a pre-release performance close to home (up in Seattle), & I'm going to do everything in my power to be there to listen to this highly talented keyboardist & vocalist. That's not something that happens often for me any more, as I don't like fighting the traffic on I-5... but, yeah, it's that great! Pegues has this thing called “soul” down pat... his styling on electric (Rhodes sounding) keyboard is the envy of this players' ear, I'll tell you... but it's not just “technique”, it's his ability to evoke the spirit for the listener through masterfully played keyboards and vocal talents that are far & above the “average” in these days of (often) cloned jazz sounds. Don't read me wrong, though, he has the technical skills wrapped 'round his little fingers, too, & the tunes just SHINE! I'm particularly enamored of compositions like “luvin you” & “i'll wait 4 you” that give you a feel for how skillfully Mr. Pegues can wrap his voice around a lyric and (either) make you cry a little for the “real folks” he sings about, or smile at their joy; I hear shades of singers like Curtis Mayfield & Marvin Gaye here, too - you know, the heroes of my younger years! Since my ears are more inclined towards that superb Rhodes/electric piano sound, though, my favorite on the album is his tasteful electronic walk through “hang on”, the opener - one absolutely mellow tune! I give this a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for soulful jazz fans everywhere, as well as the “PICK” of this issue for “most creative jazz I've heard this year”. Get more information at www.sonicbid.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=167130 Rotcod Zzaj
