The Haas Company: Thirteen (feat. Jerry Goodman)

The Haas Company is a collection of recordings of Fusion/Jazz rock recorded in a total of 5 cities. I happened across the 'band' listening to Len Davis’ radio show Bitches Brew on Mixcloud. Completely by coincidence, we had just completed the November 2024 episode of 4 FusionFriday which featured the violin. Lo and behold, Fusion legend violinist Jerry Goodman just happens to be one of the featured musicians on The Hass Company’s latest release Thirteen.

No time is wasted as they launch with “Incident at the Country Club� which is a rocker with a great melody. “Lebanese Beige� offers some great keyboards, and the drumming of Haas is subtle, but once the lead is turned over the Jerry Goodman, the band turns up the heat. The tradeoff section between Goodman and Keyboardist Pete Drungle is smoking! “Five Seven Loop� features a passionate solo from Goodman, I love how these songs sneak up and surprise you. The song has a nice groove, and initially I though it was going to be a bit laid back, but when these musicians kick into gear…lookout! “Back Door Party� finds the bass and drums laying down an infectious groove while the band sails over the top. Synth, violin, add layers of sound, and Goodman getting a raw and raunchy tone for his soloing. I’m sure it’s no surprise that I could listen to Goodman solo for days, and more than once he knocks my socks off on this one.

A spacey intro sets up the title track “Thirteen�, and it turns into a rocking monster at around the 2:30 mark. Goodman begins soloing over that underlying heavy riff, and the band takes off. Guitar, Keys, Bass, and Violin all get a chance to step out and show there stuff. This is exactly what I am looking for, great playing with punch and attitude. “This Thing Aint Gonna Suck Itself� is another track that features all the players getting to let loose, those stabbing keys, great bass, and the soloing between the guitar and violin have me smiling from ear to ear. There is nice curveball at about the 3:20 mark where they change things up and let the Rhodes keys take over. I even hear that clavinet sound towards the end of the track, you just feel like these guys are improvising, and it is oh so good. You want to end an album on a high note, and “Sleepwalker� is a great way to go out. This is a rocking, ass kicking piece of music, and Goodman lets the fingers fly. Those unison runs just kill me, so fluid, and then when Goodman is cut loose for a wicked solo, the band is cooking underneath. What should appear around the 2:20 mark but some hot guitar which only makes this better.

In addition, check out their other releases featuring Frank Gambale and Andy Timmons. From what I have heard so far, they sound great. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information on the band or albums, but don’t miss out, the music here is stellar, and this album cooks. You can never have enough of Jerry Goodman in my book!

Track List:
1. Incident at the Country Club
2. Lebanese Beige
3. Five Seven Loop
4. Back Door Party
5. Thirteen
6. This Thing Ain’t Gonna Suck Itself
7. Sleepwalker

Added: November 10th 2024
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 273
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]