Ben Todd’s album launch at The Wheatsheaf last week underscored what a talented musician this young man is. On a whirlwind trip home from his residency in Japan, touring with Circus de Soleil, Ben’s nine track album, 20TEN, achieves what many drummers don’t; compositions of depth and interest highlighting drum virtuosity without dominating the sound and boring everyone.

Put down in Adelaide’s Chapel Lane studios, Ben utilised the same recording crew, the Ben Todd Band, for his launch night and the playing was remarkably tight and professional. The undeniable talent shone through with Adam Page dominating on saxophone and flute, Dave Innocente working earnestly on guitar with Damien Steele Scott, Steve Todd in the darkness on percussion, Shane Ellery on keyboards and mixer and co-producer Paul White holding things together on the Hammond.

The music itself is groove jazz, the tunes eminently listenable with Ben’s drums always and superbly driving away in the background. The titles of many of pieces, as well as some of the music itself, reflect the influence and benefit of his time away in Japan and the collaboration involved in putting this together across national borders testament to the internet and modern day communications.

That Ben works with superior and older musicians and garners their support augurs well for his band’s future recordings as well as the development of Ben’s own career in the years ahead.

Kryztoff Rating  4K