(Review in Dutch – translated to English with Google Translate)
Last year the first volume of the ‘Diversity’ series by the Canadian contemporary jazz guitarist Rob Tardik was released, which is part of a series of 4. They are double CDs containing a compilation of his different musical styles with remastered songs from his last 6 albums. This year the next 2 parts should appear in summer and autumn. This second part is entitled “contemporary & funky jazz”.
I followed Rob Tardik for years via www.smoothjazz.eu, and his motto is BELL (Balance, Energy, Laughter & Love). This is his eighth release, with 23 tracks. It is also Rob’s fifteenth year as a Multi Award winning artist. In July 2020, his wife had to be urgently transported to hospital after an attack, but Rob did not know her blood type. Later the nurse came to say it was B positive, and Rob said, “How could it be otherwise?”. That is immediately the theme behind the cheerful opener ‘B Positive’, on which his friend Dave Koz plays the saxophone. ‘Walk it Like You Talk it’ is a funky “stepper”, followed by the energetic ‘Synergy’. ‘Perseverance’ stands out for perseverance and you will certainly get that energy through this “feel good” track. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a sing-along song, after which joy drips on ‘Two Much Fun’. Funk is on the agenda on ‘Stop!’, While ‘No Limits’ is rather a smooth track. ‘Givin’ Back ‘drags you along in its joy, but’ Always There ‘is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. That is immediately the theme behind the cheerful opener ‘B Positive’, on which his friend Dave Koz plays the saxophone. ‘Walk it Like You Talk it’ is a funky “stepper”, followed by the energetic ‘Synergy’. ‘Perseverance’ stands out for perseverance and you will certainly get that energy through this “feel good” track. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a sing-along song, after which joy drips on ‘Two Much Fun’. Funk is on the agenda on ‘Stop!’, While ‘No Limits’ is rather a smooth track. ‘Givin’ Back ‘drags you along in its joy, but’ Always There ‘is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. That is immediately the theme behind the cheerful opener ‘B Positive’, on which his friend Dave Koz plays the saxophone. ‘Walk it Like You Talk it’ is a funky “stepper”, followed by the energetic ‘Synergy’. ‘Perseverance’ stands out for perseverance and you will certainly get that energy through this “feel good” track. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a sing-along song, after which joy drips on ‘Two Much Fun’. Funk is on the agenda on ‘Stop!’, While ‘No Limits’ is rather a smooth track. ‘Givin’ Back ‘drags you along in its joy, but’ Always There ‘is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. ‘Perseverance’ stands out for perseverance and you will certainly get that energy through this “feel good” track. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a sing-along song, after which joy drips on ‘Two Much Fun’. Funk is on the agenda on ‘Stop!’, While ‘No Limits’ is rather a smooth track. ‘Givin’ Back ‘drags you along in its joy, but’ Always There ‘is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. ‘Perseverance’ stands out for perseverance and you will certainly get that energy through this “feel good” track. ‘Let’s Get Together’ is a sing-along song, after which joy drips on ‘Two Much Fun’. Funk is on the agenda on ‘Stop!’, While ‘No Limits’ is rather a smooth track. ‘Givin’ Back ‘drags you along in its joy, but’ Always There ‘is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. but ‘Always There’ is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery. but ‘Always There’ is calmer and somewhat more romantic. ‘Smile’ also sounds cheerful, and ‘East Meets Wes’ closes the first CD with a nod to Wes Montgomery.
CD 2 opens with the funky ‘Shakin’ the House ‘, followed by the soft’ Smoothy ‘. ‘The Right Time’ is a mid-tempo track, after which you can step back to the tones of ‘That’s a Strut’. ‘Flip Flop’ is a light song, and ‘You Know What I Mean’ sounds smooth. Bouncing is what you do when you listen to ‘Bounce’ and you can’t sit still on ‘Get Up’. On Christmas morning it all seems to be a bit calmer with ‘Christmas Morning’. To conclude, the sung versions of 2 previous tracks are discussed, namely ‘B Positive’ and ‘Walk it Like You Talk it’.
Rob has delivered a very nice compilation, and I hope I get to hear the next one too. He is a talented guitarist, who brings beautiful contemporary jazz. Strongly recommended!
Original source : keysandchords.com/album-review-blog/rob-tardik-diversity-volume-2