Watts, Jeff “Tain”
Columbia, 2002, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 8.2w
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Drummer, Jeff Watts is well known and respected in the jazz circle as a man who can spark a tune with complex beats while maintaining the rhythm. His beats are as melodic as any other instrument making him exciting to listen to. On Bar Talk, his sophomore release as a leader, Watts performs a wide variety of jazz centered around fusion with swing, bop, bossa nova and funk elements. The music includes “Mr. JJ”, a burning duel between sax players Branford Marsalis and Michael Brecker and “Side B” featuring the work of guitarists, Paul Bollenback and Hiram Bullock. These are just a couple of ten songs with a ton of energy and drive.
