Jeff Summa and the Roasters new work Who’s Got My Lighter is robust with vibrant musicianship as well as humorous scenarios in every song. This Connecticut jam band keeps starting out with smart solid song structures for each number then expands each tune into a jam workout, giving the listener even more of what got the listener off in the beginning.
Title track “Who’s Got My Lighter” celebrates the joys of inhaling certain tobacco products. Summa’s crispy cool vocal makes him a perfect character singer, a person whose presence is felt in the direct center while organ swirls, horns blast, and a rhythm section bubbles up around him. His presence is as cool as the electric piano notes that dance around the groove with a light feel that reminds of dappled sunlight.
“Iguanas” gets its fine jazzy breeze from an electric lead guitar whistling its pretty phrase through a gentle percussive feel. Summa’s voice here feels more like a street wise philosopher, releasing his considerate chirp just enough per meter to keep the listener wanting to hear more. Light funky keyboard pours over the groove like a sweet syrup and a bright lead guitar phrase returns to flutter like a flag over a steady ship.
“Non-Reality” is highly relatable at this time in history. Singing over a reggae groove, Summa stretches his kind of cool over an island vibe, a looseness that let his voice slide over the accompaniment more than his other songs. The Roasters give off plenty of fibrous musicianship, every little nugget of loose groove, perky funk organ, and slow unraveling guitar keep this one in its own special motion, its sum of moving parts make one feel like dancing to its mystical allure.
“Funk All Night” is exactly what it sounds like, a nine plus minutes song that keeps funking. Its easy going groove keeps a juicy platform in place, a good home for horn parts that slide into an in and out motion while crispy bits of funk guitar and funk organ tumble around that cool easy groove. This one would be a dance floor magnet. It grows in size and strength, increasing dynamics until each instrument is expanding on the theme.
“Simple Song” makes an impression with its flinty piano line, a meandering pedal steel guitar, and a shuffle train groove. Summa stretches his vocal timbre into a hearty chirp associated with Americana, fitting in quaintly with the rustic tones going on in this country flavored little gem. “Loss Cat” is another feisty piece on this album. It’s got plenty of well placed drum fills smacking it along with pulpy strength. Knobby, speedy bass lines give it even more kick. A spiking lead guitar constantly bobs up and down with a persistent determination and that spearheads this driving number. Sudden, brief eruptions of vocal give it another spike, making the whole thing rock at a daring pace.
With its springy keyboards and daring lead guitar, “That Ship Has Sailed” offers plenty of spiking moments, the instrumentation sharply asserting itself, falling back down into the groove, with plenty of cool moments to keep this peppy number going strong. Its lead guitar boogie gets jumpier and dances around, adding another layer of motion. This one keeps the listener glued by offering so many notes and phrases to follow.
“So Far Away” finds Summa drawling his lyrics over a rollicking groove. A lot of soul wound up in his rasp, it’s a cool treat to hear him stretch it out. Skittering lead guitar keeps things twitchy, and the rest of the band moves it forward with plenty of pushy fills and swaggering organ.
The catchy “Everybody Knows” draws the listener right in with its wafting horns. That flight of fancy motion set the pace for racing organ chords, incisive lead guitar phrasing, and a groove that gives off plenty of fills and low end notes. This jam band eventually expands its chorus into a juicy, vibrant section where the saxophone scats and the lead guitar uses dynamics to spread itself over all.
Close out track “High Mage,” a compact tune leaning toward the low end with its drum parts and bass guitar, lets other instruments shine above the darkness. Synth twists intrigue and Summa’s voice, eerily suited to this number, takes its time unfurling his lyrical descriptions of an alternate reality. This song could definitely be include on a soundtrack to a dark film. It certainly grips the listener’s imagination with its slower underpinnings and nervous composure.
Jeff Summa And The Roasters unfurl a lot of fine compositional banners on this Who’s Got My Lighter album. Roasting up the tunes are John Blanton, Greg Marshall, Rob Daalhuyzen, and Dan Ferreira. Guests include Josh Peters, Xavier Pietri, Geoffrey Wadhams, Michael Bafundo, and John Mundy. The whole gang of players contribute to its horn laden jam band sound, a rich texture that makes Who’s Got My Lighter, produced by Vic Steffens at Horizon Studios in West Haven, Connecticut, a colorful celebration of life and music.
