The jazz-rock fusion scene remains active, and over the years has encompassed a rather wide range of sub-genres, from all-out complex high-energy virtuosic, to mellow smooth jazz, along with some funk and some occasional more traditional jazz elements. This week, we have an album whose goal is to incorporate some of those various stylistic facets. It’s by drummer Pat Petrillo, and his new recording is called Contemporaneous a title intended to evoke the often simultaneous fusion varieties that the album brings together.

Pat Petrillo is a well-established studio drummer, having worked with artists like Patti LaBelle, Gloria Gaynor, Nile Rodgers and Debbie Gibson. He is also a veteran of Broadway pit orchestras, including the original production of “A Chorus Line,” “Grease” and “Footloose.” He also works as an instructor in clinic performances and video lessons. Petrillo previously released a couple of albums with a group he calls his Big Rhythm Band, one of them recorded at London’s famous Abbey Road Studios.

Now he is out with Contemporaneous, which as mentioned, has as its aim bringing together different facets of the fusion genre. He is joined by a varied cast of characters, including bassists Scott Ambush and Gary Grainger, keyboardists Matt Rohde and Chris Fischer, guitarists Chieli Minucci, Oz Noy, Blake Aaron, and B.D. Lenz; plus horns on most tracks, including saxophonist Scott Mayo.

Petrillo wrote or co-wrote all of the music on this instrumental album, with collaborators on five of the eleven tracks. The result is often big, energetic, and not afraid to venture into different musical territories, especially funk, plus the sort of complicated art-rock influenced material recalling the band Weather Report, along with some danceable New Orleans grooves.

Opening is a tune called Fused, which is well described by its title, with the energetic side of fusion highlighting the some of the musical complexity that is front and center. <<>>

Taking a more bluesy approach is the following track Late Night Diner with its appealing shuffle beat, and prominent horns. <<>>

Funk and fusion come together on a track called How’s the Weather? with Oz Noy on guitar shredding in the midst of tune that from its title probably intentionally evokes the Weather Report band. <<>>

The more mellow side of the album comes out on Summer in Philly that brings the Philly soul sound into the mix, with Will Donato featured on sax, hinting at Grover Washington’s sound. <<>>

The musical direction takes a side trip to New Orleans for the piece called Grizzle, with Petrillo providing a Crescent City beat, and the keyboards evoking the sound of a Cajun accordion. <<>>

The funk facet again comes out on the track called Dirty Jerz, which features WVIA Homegrown Music veteran B.D. Lenz on guitar. <<>>

Lenz is also featured on an effects-laden guitar solo on the a piece named after the venue for much of the recording, Sunset Sound Studio 2. <<>>

The album ends with Glide in My Stride a nice blend of the elements of smooth jazz with the more energetic aspects of fusion, in keeping with the aim of the album. <<>>

Drummer Pat Petrillo’s new release, Contemporaneous accomplishes what it set out to do, bringing together different aspects of the fusion world, contemporaneously, from intense to mellow. He does it with a group of top-flight studio musicians, and worthwhile original material. While some of the combinations are distinctive, the album has a familiar sound, evoking material and groups that have sustained the genre over the decades.

Our grade for audio quality is a “B-minus” from the heavy volume compression that makes the recording have an in-your-face quality that can make it a bit fatiguing to listen over the length of the album.

The jazz-rock fusion scene remains active, and Pat Petrillo’s Contemporaneous provides a nice cross section of sub-genres, all played with some great musicianship.

(c) Copyright 2025 George D. Graham. All rights reserved.
This review may not be copied to another Web site without written permission.

<<>> indicates audio excerpt played in produced radio review

Comments to George: